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