There’s a game called Desert Island. The basic set of rules state: “You’re stranded on a desert island. You can only have three (or one or two) books with you. What are they?”

The rules can vary and one of the variations I’m doing is Top Three Books. I chose to do a themed version of it and choose my top three cookbooks

My First Baking Book

Author: Helen Drew

Copyright date: 1991

Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/First-Baking-Book-Helen-Drew/dp/0863186505

Why: Purely sentimental reasons for bringing this book along. I did a whole post on this book. You read it here [insert link]. I fondly remember reading through this cookbook multiple times, childish fantasies filling my head about making the cookies within. To date, the only recipe I’ve actually make from this book is peanut butter cookie recipe. (My dad’s favorite!)

TM 10-412 War Department Technical Manual: Army Recipes, August 1946

Author: War Department

Copyright date: August 1946; post-WWII, and one year before the War Department became the Department of Defense; possibly the last version of this book.

Why: I’m fascinated by the quantities: Apple Crisp for 100 (40 lbs. fresh apples; 1 oz. nutmeg; 3 lbs. sugar, granulated; 7 ½ lbs. sugar, brown; 4 lbs. of flour; 4 lbs. butter).

I’m also fascinated by the hardware use: Mess Kit Spoons, No. 56 dippers, and No. 10 can. I wonder what the equivalent sizes are. I’ve been researching by haven’t found much. This book is very interesting to look through. It gives you an idea of what the food options were for soldiers during World War II. If this book could be converted to modern measurements, it could really work for a caterer. And my husband made a good point: if I was stranded on a desert island, there may be recipes in here for the tropical fruits I would find.

More information from the Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/SciRefGuides/technicalmanuals3.html

The Taste of Home Cookbook: Timeless Recipes from Trusted Home Cooks: from the World’s #1 Cooking Magazine

Editors: Taste of Home editors

Copyright date: 2006

Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/The-Taste-Home-Cookbook-Editors/dp/B007K5DRQM

Why: This is a wonderful beginner’s cookbook! It would make a great gift for newlyweds or anyone who is interested in learning how to cook and bake. It has substitution charts and equivalent charts on the inner front and back covers, Kitchen Basics chapter, and each chapter, especially the meat ones, contain cooking charts and helpful hints. Lots of variety in the recipes! This would also be a good book to study.

© Cori Large Feb 12, 2016

Spotlight: Nigella Lawson

Who: Nigella Lawson

Career/Occupation: chef, tv personality, judge on The Taste, food writer

Authored Books:

How to Eat: The Pleasures and Principles of Good Food by Nigella Lawson

How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking by Nigella Lawson

Nigella Bites by Nigella Lawson

Nigella Summer (formerly Forever Summer) by Nigella Lawson

Feast by Nigella Lawson

Nigella Express by Nigella Lawson

Nigella Christmas by Nigella Lawson

Kitchen by Nigella Lawson

Nigellissima by Nigella Lawson

Simply Nigella: Food to Nourish Body and Soul by Nigella Lawson (to be published Autumn 2015)

(Nigella’s books that I personally own.)

TV/Movies:

Nigella Bites

Nigella Bites Christmas Special

Forever Summer

Nigella

Nigella’s Christmas Kitchen

Nigella Express

Nigella Kitchen

Nigellisima

The Taste-USA
The Taste-UK

Websites:

www.nigella.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigella_Lawson

What do I like about this person?    

I like Nigella’s attitude of cooking for fun and comfort rather than perfection. She has no qualms about tasting and eating the food she cooking. She loves cooking, entertaining, and it comes through in her books and shows.

Other:

I watched an interview with her at one point, and she listed her top 5 ingredients: alcohol, unwaxed organic lemons, good kosher salt, garlic-infused oil, and olive oil-but not extra virgin olive oil.

Nigella Lawson, a biography by Gilly Smith

Bookworm Bragging Rights!!!

So I don’t brag very often about great book deals. I certainly haven’t on this blog yet, but I really wanted to share this:

For those that don’t know, I love Nigella Lawson, watch all the episodes of every cooking show (not reality show) she’s done, and collect her cookbooks. The average price of her cookbooks is $35 each.

Well, my husband and I indulged in a trip to our local used bookstore. This is something I don’t do very often, because for some reason when I walk into a bookstore, I believe I have bottomless pockets and financial resources. And, if you’ve been following my earlier posts, my  husband and I are trying to stick to a budget, pay off our debt, and save up for a house.

The average price of her cookbooks is $35.

I found three in really good condition, and walked out with them for less than $20!!! The total amount I spent was $21.40, but I bought two other books that contributed to that.

So, yes, three Nigella Lawson cookbooks for under $20. SCORE!!!!

*happy bookworm dance*

Nigella Lawson by Gilly Smith

Summary:

The author gives background on Ms. Lawson’s parents, walks us through her childhood and youth, before hop-scotching around her early adult years, and briefly touching on what her life has been like in the 2000s. Focuses a lot on her books and the TV shows.

Opinion:

I was really disappointed with this book. Maybe because I didn’t learn anything new about her. Throughout the book, both Nigella and her friends repeatedly say that “what you see, is what you get with her.” Maybe I’m being biased because in studying Martha Steward, I learned a lot of gossip and sordid details. Oh, well. I still love her (Nigella’s) cookbooks and cannot wait until I’ve collected them all!

© Cori Endicott July 2012