My Favourite Cookbooks

Some people watch porn. I read cookery books. One in the same, right?

I’ll admit it. Personally, I find a little too much pleasure than most within the pages of a few of my favourite cookery books. I keep them hidden in the cupboard, sometimes underneath my bed. I spend long hours salivating over luxurious chocolate cakes, and pasta dishes chock full of all varieties of vegetables. And much to the dismay of my colleagues, I talk about this a lot. Bragging and flaunting photos of recipes I’ve nailed, fantasising over the recipes I’m desperate to try. 

It’s not that I always desire to make anything in a book, sometimes I read them just to idolise the photography. Just for the pure, unadulterated enjoyment. It’s probably why I’m hungry, like all the damn time. But we all have naughty indulgences, don't we?

So no surprise, each and every birthday, I ask for a new one to add to my collection and as you can imagine, I’ve got a fair few. But for now, here’s a few of my ultimate favourites:

Deliciously Ella

Ella Woodward was on of my main inspirations to lead a more plant-based lifestyle, like pretty much all of the UK. I’m yet to meet someone who hasn’t heard of her or who owns this cookbook. Through her diet and lifestyle, she managed to overcome her illness and has helped to heal herself from the inside-out, and that is something I strongly believe in. With a very rustic approach to recipes and photography, this book places a large emphasises on cooking with a wholesome approach that we had lost in the need of convenience. I swear by her 10-minute Tomato Pasta recipe, proving that real, healthy food is quick and easy to make.

Naturally Sassy

First it was her snacks that I fell in-love with, then with her blog, and now with her very first cook book. Training professionally in ballet, Saskia puts a focus on recipes that are full of plant-based protein and that are going to energise us through workouts, runs and just our day-to-day lives. Like Deliciously Ella, the book takes on that rustic approach to emphasise cooking with real foods.

Macaroons

Although I couldn’t tell you the last time a macaroon has touched these lips, I would be a liar if I denied that I still love them terribly. I still swoon every time I pass Lauderee in Covent Garden. So for me, this is one of those books I merely look through for the guilty pleasure of it - now how incredible do Peanut Butter & Jam macaroons sound? I have previously made recipes from this book and promise that they are fantastic. I’m not sure macaroons will ever be “simple” or “easy”, but this book has very straight-forward and easy to follow instructions.  

Nigella Lawson

A women who needs no introduction. The sex of the cookery world. Nigella Lawson - you would be lying if you said you didn’t fancy her a little bit. Now I idolise everything about this women, from all of her books to her TV shows. I love the photography, how she makes even the simplest of recipes sound like a dirty sin, and how her laid-back style of writing makes you feel like you’re just sitting having a cuppa’ tea with her. And anyone who decided to put marmite with spaghetti deserves a crowning glory in my opinion.

What are your favourites?

K

January Favourites

January Favourites

If the rest of the year is to be as crazy as January, 2016 is going to be a hell of a ride. 

A very big, scary ride, yes, but I figure it's about damn time I learn to embrace the uncertainty of it.

I admit that I had become very pre-occupied in what wasn't going right, all that could go wrong and everything I couldn't control. It led me to retreat into my comfort zone where I could focus on everything I could control. And it's a very lovely place to be, very little goes wrong, but I'll never be able to achieve any of my goals sat in there. So as I say goodbye to January, I say hello to the rest of a very scary year - believing in my decisions and in whatever path I set foot on, whether it ends up right or wrong, letting go of the things that rest heavily of my shoulders and cannot be controlled, and most importantly, to enjoy the ride without fear or worry.

“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new” - Socrates.

But on to this months favourites,

Now if you ever needed a kick up the backside to ditch the processed foods, this foul-mouthed, plant-based-eating-is-cool-as-fuck cookbook will give it to you. THUG KITCHEN - eat like you give a fuck. You can also check out the blog here. 

I’ve always been a massive fan of the Real Techniques brushes, so no surprise these Bold Metal Brushes (Angled Powder brush, Tapered Brush and Oval Shadow Brush) have become a staple in my everyday routine since receiving them at Christmas, along with this ByTerry Ombre Blackstar eyeshadow stick in ‘Bronze Moon’ which makes for a 5 minute eye look. 

I found my wonder product this month (and I don’t say that lightly). Twice a week I use this  Caudalie Instant Detox Mask to remove impurities and toxins, and I've been getting lots of compliments on how my skin has improved dramatically. 

Christmas morning I opened these beautiful Adidas Ultra Boosts and christened them that very morning with a little run. A barefoot style running shoes for a neutral ride, comparable and a firm competition for my usual favourite Nike Free Runs. 

How genius are these Caulirice pouches? I can never be bothered with the faff of grating down cauliflower, but these 100% cauliflower pouches are 100% cauliflower and microwavable. They're available in most supermarkets. And lastly, whilst we're talking about food, my ultimate favourite this month has been these iQ Superfood Chocolate Bars, so much so, I placed a last minute Planet Organic order just to include them. With only 197 calories per bar, with absolutely no added nasties, chemicals or refined sugars, they're guilt free and taste delicious. 

What were you loving in January?

K

Beauty Boosting: Blueberry, Walnut & Dark Chocolate Snack Pot For Happy Skin

Amongst the things that terrify me most in this world, I'd put hunger right there at the top. Followed shortly by the depth of the ocean, whether I'll ever really afford a Chanel bag, and I won't even start on actually growing up and becoming a real adult - no one wants to think about that. So there, I admit it, I'm a self-confessed snacker.

It's a genuine fear of mine that I may be stuck somewhere for hours on end, days even, forced to starve and waste away. I imagine I'd merely be a traumatised shadow of my former self by the time someone eventually came to rescue me, and that's if I even survive that long. That's why you'll never find me leave the house without a snack and a bottle of water stashed away in my bag. And that's why I'll simply never understand those girls who walk around with cute little bags, like where you packing all your snacks?!

One of my favourite snacks to carry on-the-go with me is this Blueberry, Walnut & Dark Chocolate snack pot, which is an absolute antioxidant powerhouse. And with only 3 simple ingredients, it couldn't be easier to chuck together and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Antioxidants are essential in our diet, helping to protect our skin from sun damage, premature ageing and skin cancer, as well as helping to combat any signs of inflammation on our skin like spots and redness. Dark chocolate also stimulates the production of endorphins, that feel-good chemical thats get released during exercise and contains the chemical serotonin which acts as a natural antidepressant. So not only will the snack keep your skin happy, but it will also help to keep you happy and calm. 

Now I recommend choosing the highest percentage of chocolate you can find, such as the Lindt 90% Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar, because eating a snickers bar isn't going to have quite the same effect. I also like that it's so creamy and rich that you don't need to eat too much of it to really get a chocolate fix. 

Ingredients

50g Blueberries

3/4 Walnut Halves (chopped)

1 Square Lindt Dark Chocolate (broken into bite size pieces)

Throw together into a pot and get happy snacking.

K