For me, food inspirations come from travels, from friends, from restaurants and from the books I pick up along the way. I have dozens, here’s a few of my go to favorites in all shapes and sizes!
I bought this book many years ago, it’s moved all around the world with me as a staple! There are no pictures in this book, just delicious recipes from a food lover and cook book author who bicycles through Provence and shares her delicious discoveries! I wanna do that!This was from our friend Ken, he couldn’t have picked a more delicious representation of English food – it really isn’t all that bad, there are some absolutely delicious recipes in this book book – as one would expect from anything to do with Fortnum and Mason Darling!If you can’t get a reservation, then get the book and drool at the sheer deliciousness of this food! It’s as much a story and a book of art as it is about the food. A walk through the experience from canapés to desert. Simply exquisite. I’m inspired to cook every time I pick up this book – it makes me want to be better every time.As you’ll see by the next few books – I’m obsessed with Ottolenghi. His food is so fresh and delicious and fun to make. Theres a huge emphasis on vegetables too which I love. A friend of ours, Father San Mai, gave us this book and it kick started a whole new way of cooking for me! This one has become one of my all time go-to’s.Another Ottolenghi – simple food, easy to make and outrageously delicious! All centered around his signature Mediterranean flavors.Yup.. another Ottolenghi! This one is all vegetables and has so much to inspire you to cook vegetables in creative ways.Who needs a drink with all that food! This was a gift from our friend Julie, it makes you want to saunter into a Parisienne bar, order a L’embrassadeur and look like you know what you’re talking about! I love the narrative in this book too, it’s again as much a story as it is a book of cocktails.Chocolate anyone! Why, it would be rude not too! Thanks Renee for this addition to the household – be warned, it should come an advisory – I defy you not to eat chocolate even time you pick up this book – divine!I love the recipes in this book, they are so Bobby Flay.. Southwestern delicious food.. try Mesa Grill next time you’re in Vegas!Classic David Chang.. so delicious!OK so there has to be a healthy one on the shelf! I love vegetables so its not hard to exclude the meat sometimes, Thanks Dana and Nick for this going away gift all those years ago!Clearly I love Israeli food from the amount of Israeli books on the shelf.. this one was recommended by a work colleague (thank you Jonathan!) I’m so excited to cook these dishes, they look delish!
