I love lazy sunny afternoons. The days stretch out and come bedtime we are still pottering around in the mellow light. My late afternoon spot is on a blanket under the plum tree which of course makes me one hundred times more interesting than I was five minutes earlier when I wasn’t sitting down with a book and there is a lot of this:
Giggling and rolling around on Mama until she becomes a little less amusing and they drift off once more. This last week I have been taking Tana’s Kitchen Secrets out with me for some sneaky meal planning in between dive bomb attacks.
I was sent a copy by the publishers and I am finding it a very pleasant read. As she says in the introduction, it is a book of recipes for the food lover who wants to expand their repertoire. You won’t find the usual round of basics but a selection of recipes which are satisfying rather than showy. The lay out is nice and simple with instruction seemingly kept to the bare minimum. Each recipe has a kitchen secret which is an informative nugget of advice such as how to cook dried pasta well or how to know when a cake is cooked. In general I found the secrets a little superfluous but that’s not to say they aren’t helpful. The styling and photography are gorgeous which has a good deal to do with my endless flicking each afternoon.
The majority of recipes make me want to try them. Only minutes after opening the package I was rifling through my cupboards looking for ingredients to make her healthy cous cous. Although I didn’t have exactly what was needed a few substitutions still make for a delicious side dish and a speedy one at that. As a non tomato eater (I know, how do I survive?) there are a few dishes I have to discount out of hand but not many which earns the book big brownie points from me. There was only one recipe which had me recoil upon reading it and that was the cauliflower cheese, for me it was just plain wrong. The narrative is nice and light hearted although peppered with references to Gordon which felt odd.
For the experienced cook it is a great springboard of fresh ideas which can be followed or adapted as you wish. For the less experienced cook it is a guiding hand showing you that everyday food can be delicious and effortless.
Now the publishers have very kindly said that they will send copies of the book to two of my readers. I know this is running across several blogs at the moment but I figured you wouldn’t mind as it is always nice to receive something useful.
In order to enter you simply need to comment on this post, if you can’t think of something to say then why not tell me your go-to weekday supper? What ever you do please leave your email address in the email field (it won’t be published) so I know how to get in touch with you if you win. It is open to UK entrants only (or at least the prize can only be sent to UK postal addresses). The giveaway will remain open until 9am Monday 21st June 2010 after which a winner will be chosen at random and notified by email. Your details will not be shared with anyone unless you win then I will need to pass your address along for your book to be sent.
It is not open to Housewife Confidential family members so Monty, I’m afraid you’ll have to share with me.
what a lovely give away.
My go to week day supper is Lasagne but it would be great to have some new ideas for my family, and as a tomato eater I’d be able to try the recipes you didn’t.
Great pictures of your family too, very Summery.
Amanda.x.
I was thinking of getting this book as I am obsessed with reading cook books – just have to find more time to actually make the recipes! Fingers crossed I win.
My go to meal is most definitely peppers stuffed with goat’s cheese, lots of garlic, cherry tomatoes and a glug of olive oil. Bake for 20 mins. Tada! Serve with warm ciabatta (for dipping), rice, cous cous or a simple salad.
PS – The pictures on your new camera are fantastic.
I love cook books too – I’ve been known to spend so long looking at one that there isn’t time to cook anything for dinner!
I just love the look of the quilt in your photos (didn’t you make baby quilts to sell at one time?). What a beautiful birthday dress you made for your daughter too, gorgeous fabric.
My go to supper is pasta with tin of tomato based sauce plus anything that needs using up – peppers, mushrooms, courgettes. Occasionally add chopped up hot dog sausages.
That looks scrumptious! The book looks great too. I am semi obsessed with cookbooks so would love this.
Anyway. Go to dinner. Black beans and rice, everytime. Love it. Can’t eat enough of it. Add some salsa and good quality olive oil and it’s perfect.
I would love this book. I adore your picnic blanket, did you make it yourself? I have a couple of easy suppers including omlettes from friends fresh eggs or home made pizza
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See, the one recipe that made you recoil would be one of my favourites – with tomatoes on top! It’s one of my go to suppers as well as homemade pizza and shepards pie. Your children look like they are having a lot of fun and of course mummy is more interesting when she’s trying to look at something else ;)
I love reading cookbooks in the hope that one day I will be the Kitchen Queen. I do love following the recipes on weekends and when friends come over.
For me the fatsest and bestest on-the-go meal is mixing the leftovers – (ideally when there is leftover rice, any veggie) and making spicy fried rice accompanied with greek yogurt and mango chutney..
Our go to weekday meal tends to be Pasta Pesto. I love to cook but never seem to have time during the week. At weekends the kids are constantly requesting paella.
You review makes me want this book Kat! More shopping you’re bringing to my life!
Our weekly staple meal is a warm couscous salad, never the same twice it always contains pine nuts, fresh herbs, lemon juice then a variety of extras some feta cheese and apricots maybe or tuna, spring onion and cucumber. WIth some greek yoghurt on the side. It makes me hungry writing it down!
I like the sound of black beans and rice though if Kat @ slugs fancies sharing!
Wow, what a great giveaway!
Our go to dinner is grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup. Clearly, I could use this book. x
Love your super pictures especially of the children. Cook books are always inspirational. Love to read them for ideas – hardly ever follow “to the letter! ” Random mix and match from leftovers gives the same peasure as patchwork quilting from scraps!
I have a oven baked risotto recipe which is quick and simple in the week, or prawn pilau is a store cupboard / freezer meal that is super quick and very tasty. The book looks great, would love to win a copy.
Thank you all for your comments, meal ideas and very kind words about my photos. Entries are closed and winners have been drawn, Kate & Janet check your emails. Sorry I couldn’t give one away to everyone!