The Book People - Top Food Cookery Books

I have to say I hadn't heard of Book People until I was contacted by them and asked if I'd like to pick and review a few cookbooks from their Hand-picked Favorites. Now, I do love a cookbook and so, of course, I said yes 😊

But before I go on I'd just like to point out that all thoughts and opinions are my own, I was not required to write anything positive. I haven't been paid to write this post but I did receive compensation for my time in the way of free books.

With all that out of the way let's get back to the books! The first thing I noticed was the low prices of these books. With the likes of Amazon, to be honest, I didn't expect anyone could match, or be lower than them; but this is not the case.

Book People have a lot of bargain books; I'll tell you a bit about a few of the books.

All the books here are in hardback format and are listed in no particular order other than if there's more than one by the same chef.

Jamie Oliver - Jamie Cooks Italy
Now it has to be said I have almost every one of Jamie Oliver's books but this one, in my opinion, is probably his best yet.

If you've been watching the series on Channel 4 then you will know what I mean; the recipes are mouthwatering. Covering just about everything from Antipasti, salads, soups, pasta, rice and dumplings, meat, fish, sides, bread and pastry and desserts.

There are even step-by-step basics such as How to Joint a Chicken. The book has a handy ribbon bookmark which is very useful (you'll soon realise I have a thing about bookmarks) and the photography throughout the book is excellent.

The Stuffed Peppers on page 218 looks amazing; the stuffing is spicy Nduja (Pronounced en-doo-jah is a spreadable type of air-cured salami from Calabria in the south of Italy) along with fennel seeds, minced pork, ricotta and oregano.

But Jamie's recipe for Saffron Chicken is on my must-make list; chicken with crunchy garlicky almond breadcrumbs with oregano and marsala. It's served with roasted mixed-colour cherry tomatoes. Oh my, put me down for a plate of that, please! 

Jamie Oliver - Jamie Oliver's Christmas Cookbook
Oooh, now I do get a tad excitable with anything to do with Christmas but especially food! There's a handy little guide on Kitchen Equipment to get you through the festive season and beyond.

It includes a little reminder to check that the amazing roasting pan you may have just bought actually fits in your oven; have you ever done that? well, I have!

This has nothing to do with the book, but if you buy one of those disposable foil roasting trays for turkey be sure to check since many do not fit in a regular 60cm wide oven; what's that all about?! 😐

There's a really useful Guide to Roasting Meat and Poultry and a ribbon bookmark which always makes me happy. Sections include Staters, The main event, Veggie and Vegan plates, Potatoes, Vegetables, Gravy, sauces and trimmings, Leftovers, Festive Puddings, Afternoon tea and sweet treats, Edible gifts, Salads, Dips, bites and nibbles and Drinks. So as you can see just about anything and everything Christmas is covered in this book.

Joe Wicks - Joe's 30-Minute Meals
Now do you know I don't know very much about Joe Wicks whos is known as The Body Coach but I was drawn to his 30-Minute Meals book which on having a good flick through it and reading the recipes they really do look like they will cook in 30 minutes - marvellous.

There are a few recipes marked as 'longer recipe' but looking at them they are longer only because they require marinating or time to set in the fridge such as his Chocolate Mousse recipe on page 216.

The book is sectioned into Carb-Refuel and Reduced-Carb and then there's a section on Sweet Treats. I'm drawn to his Tahini & Yoghurt Eggs with Chorizo recipe on page 35.......Mmmm that's another on my must-make recipes list as are Crab and Sweetcorn Fritters with Sriracha Mayo.
But there's no ribbon bookmark in this book.

Nigella Lawson - At My Table
Anyone that saw the TV series by the same name on BBC 2 will have seen some of the gorgeous meals she conjures up; if you missed it when it was first shown last year you'll be able to see the whole series again as it's available on catch up right now. 

Everything from a simple Tomato and Fried Bread Hash which looks delicious; to Indian-spiced Chicken and Potato Traybake, Chilli Cheese Garlic Bread to classics such as Sticky Toffee Pudding and Queen of Puddings.

The first thing I'm going to make from this book is the Turkish Eggs on page 14 have to happen 😋
This book has a ribbon bookmark which is always handy. The photography is stunning and really makes you want to make and eat pretty much every recipe. 

Donal Skehan - Kitchen Hero Great Food for Less

James Martin - James Martin's American Adventure
I'm loving the sound of his Chicken Wings & Avocado recipe!

Gordon Ramsay - Bread Street Kitchen

Gordon Ramsay - Gordon Ramsay's Ultimate Fit Food

Rick Stein - Rick Stein's Long Weekends

Rick Stein - The Road to Mexico

Delivery:
My books from The Book People arrived in perfect condition despite the packaging being slightly open on one of the two boxes. At the time of writing, they use those cardboard boxes which are sturdy enough but have perforations along the sides designed so the box can be easily opened.

Which is exactly what happened somewhere between leaving the warehouse and delivering to my house. But with that said the books were not damaged in the slightest.

For more info and to check out the great range of cookbooks over at The Book People.
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