Thursday 5 July 2012

Random Recipes #18 - something a little different...

Hi. My name is Michael Toa and I am a cookbook junkie.

For a couple of months, during my long holiday on the other side of the world, I have missed Random Recipe challenge. Now that I am back, although only for a short while before I head off again (I feel somewhat like a jet-setter, but clearly I am not), that simply needs to change. No more excuses.

The brilliant Dom has challenged us with something a little different. Instead of cooking a recipe from a random page of a cookbook, we have been asked to show each other our cookbooks collection. And I am very happy with the theme of this month's challenge. Not only because I am incredibly nosy - I love seeing what's inside other people's fridge for example - but also, I feel it's the appropriate time to showcase my cookbooks collection before they all go in a box and move to a new home... More on that later...


I don't have a bookshelf... well, I actually do, but I don't put my cookbooks there. The bookshelf is for my kitchen knick knacks. All of my cookbooks reside on the window shelf in my bedroom. I do find great pleasure in reading cookbooks, especially ones that are filled with personal stories; because I believe that the process and the story behind it, makes the food even more exciting.


I suppose there is no order as such in how I arrange my cookbooks, but I do like to group them together by the author. The section on the far right is the Food Network collections from my teen years which include Food Network all star cookbook, Rachael Ray, Dave Lieberman and Giada de Laurentiis. Giada's Everyday Italian is the first cookbook I owned. Moving on, is the Jamie Oliver section. I don't have all of his books but most of them I think. Jamie's Dinners is often my go to book when I am in need of inspirations. I do take a very good care of my cookbooks. I don't like creases and no greasy fingers, but the one book that's pretty worn out is Jamie Oliver's My Guide to Making You A Better Cook as you can probably tell from the fading cover. For one year, a couple of years ago, this was my bible and I am very proud that I have successfully cooked every single recipe in that book. Right after Giorgio Locatelli's Made in Sicily is the all important section: Nigella Lawson. I LOVE (notice the capital 'LOVE') all of her cookbooks.  

Continuing on to the rest of the cookbooks...


I am appalled to say that even though I have Nigel Slater's Toast and Eating for England (both are excellent reads) I have none of his cookbooks (friends reading this, yes, it's a hint). Every so often, some cookbooks are located next to my bedside table for easy access when I am on the bed. These are often new books or current reads. This week I've been sharing my bed with the following books.




I am anxiously waiting for the postman to deliver a couple of new books: The Little Paris Kitchen by Rachel Khoo and Giles Coren's How To Eat Out which I know I will very much enjoy reading. 


In my living room, under the coffee table, that's where I keep my magazines, cuttings and supplements from Sunday papers. I subscribe to GQ because obviously I am man about town and I like to look at nice things I can't afford; and also Jamie Magazine which is the source of many of my cooking inspirations.



Well, that's all friends. Tomorrow, all the books and magazines will be living temporarily in a box until they move to their new home somewhere in London...

Thank you Dom for this month's brilliant theme. Have a great day everyone... and now back to never-ending packing... *sigh...

34 comments:

  1. yay!... welcome back... i'm honoured you even entered this month with all the moving, packing and un-packing you're doing but I must say that I love your window-ledge collection... very very nice selection of books and lots of them!... good luck with the move and thanks again for entering x

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    1. Thank you Dom! Packing is almost done... almost... I'm so glad to be back again.

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  2. Ah, Michael, I always knew you were an international man of mystery, but to discover you have so many fab books AND still manage to be a man about town is beyond priceless!
    Isn't this a fab RR idea? I group mine by author too (and nationality, but I don't want to give too much away). We have lots of books in common but I'm intrigued by some of the other titles on your shelf, esp the Adam Gopnik one. I'm off to google that right now, in fact. Have a lovely weekend x

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    1. This is definitely a fab RR idea. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Adam Gopnik's The Table Comes First. I think you'll like it too. I look forward to reading Giles Coren's book now...

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  3. Wow, can't believe you have cooked every recipe from a book. Hmmm, I feel a challenge coming on. Which one would I pick? Would have to be Appetite by Nigel Slater. That's the one I would recommend for you to start your Slater collection. ;)

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    1. Cooking every single recipe from one book was definitely a task. But I had a fantastic time doing it. Thank you for the recommendation! I think the collection has begun... :)

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  4. I am SO impressed that you cooked every recipe from a book. I don't think I've ever come close to that. I agree with Please Do Not Feed that Appetite is a very fine NS book. Good luck with the packing.

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    1. Thank you Phil. I'm definitely getting Appetite by the fab Nigel Slater. Thank you. Packing is nearly done :) YAY!

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  5. Michael. are you back in London now? sounds as if you're moving, or maybe I mis-read it!
    Just recently, I ordered Nigella's newest book from Amazon...can't even remember the title, but it was a fantastic price. Supposed to have been lightly used; but it looked brand new to me! Got some more great cook books from Amazon.com.
    Great to see that you're back, even if you didn't post a recipe, you are always inspiring with your enthusiasm from all your book ideas, and recipes!

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    1. HI Elisabeth! I am still in Sunderland and will not be moving until end of September. I hope you will enjoy reading and cooking from Nigella's book. My personal favourite is How To Eat and Feast.
      It's great to be back. Thank you for your support my friend.

      P.S. I am drinking the last of the green tea you sent me...

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  6. Michael thanks for giving us a look at your cookbook collection, I know each of us have cookbooks that are dear to us, and its nice to see what others are reading! I look forward to reading more from you once your settled in again

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    1. Hello Chef! Thank you so much. There's so much going on at the moment with the packing and moving and I look forward until I settled down, and start cooking again :)

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  7. I love cookbooks and could be called an addict. I think we spend more on books than we do clothes. (I know we do) Thanks for a great peek!

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    1. I definitely spend more on books than clothes :)

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  8. I may have to enter this challenge. Hmmm.

    And I don't own any Nigella Cookbooks, mostly due to the word "Goddess" on the cover. I suspect the clerk would give me a funny look.

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    1. Get it online... no one will know... :) Come on, you know you want to...

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  9. I like the idea of showing your cookbook collection. I does make me feel good that I am not alone! :) I always wonder how others store their cookbooks and spices. Something I need to work on.

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    1. I feel the same as well reading other people's entry. "thank goodness, I am not the only one" :)

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  10. I too love cookbook, but do not own a lot...you sure have a nice collection :)
    Have a wonderful week Michael!

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    1. Thank you Juliana. My books are my precious possession... (now I sound like gollum from LOTR) You have a wonderful week as well!

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  11. Your books are so photogenic, lovely! Lots of familiar spines there, but I still just don't get Nigella's How to Eat, despite PDNFTA trying to convince me otherwise!

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    1. Nigella's How to Eat is a must have. I am with PDNFTA... :)

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  12. Ps, LOVED Giles Coren, made me roll about laughing! What did you make of it?

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  13. I just started (2nd chapter now) and so far is so brilliant! I cannot stop reading it. He's just too funny.

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  14. Brilliant selection of books and they look so neat lined up on the window sill, what a good idea.

    I have a whole year of Jamies Magazines that I have not even read yet....what a waste something I must rectify immediately!

    Sue xx

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    1. Thank you Sue. Yes, you need to start reading immediately :)
      There are many delicious recipes in there!
      Take care. x

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  15. How do you keep your cook books pristine? I must admit mine are often a bit grubby where they get splashed as I'm using them. Great that you've managed to show us your great collection whilst packing everything up to move. Very impressive. GG

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    1. Thank You. I am very protective of my cookbooks. I do not let anyone touch the books without washing and drying their hands properly. The only book I have that's really worn out is Jamie's My Guide to Making You A Better Cook.

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  16. I love your cookbook collection, and love that you, too, are a Jamie Oliver fan. I am enjoying re-connecting with the healthy, tasty, basics through his books, and have gone away from more fussy recipes.
    You would not be impressed with the way I treat my books though - each time I make a recipe I WRITE IN THE BOOK!!! how it turned out with any suggestions how it might be better next time.

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    1. Thank you Lynne. I do like Jamie's non-fussy recipes and also his approach to food. I am in shock horror with how you treat you cookbooks!! hehe... I make notes as well as I am reading, but often on sticky notes. Not sure I can ever actually write on them :)

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  17. I love your cookbook collection as well and the fact that your window ledge can accommodate a vast amount of books. I LOVE Nigella as well! I love her so much that I've purchased her iphone cookbook app! I fell in love with one of Jamie Oliver's Dinner at the bookstore yesterday so I plan on purchasing that. I did have in my hand but didn't have enough time preview was Jamie's My Guide To Making You A Better Cook. I think I'll go back to the bookstore today and have a peek at that one you've convinced me : )

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    1. Hi Vanessa. Thank you for your comment. I will miss the huge window in my bedroom. I am moving and hoping that the new place will have a nice area for my cookbooks.
      Do have a look at that particular Jamie's book. I think you'll enjoy it. Not sure if you already have Jamie's Dinners. It's also one of my favourites.

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    2. You're welcome :) Thank you for popping over mines I'm your new happy follower as well. I don't have Jamie's Dinners yet. That's the one I really liked at the bookstore.

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  18. Jamie's Dinners is a great one to get! :)

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