STARTERS BOOKS & ENTERTAINMENT
On my bookshelf… ✴ We ask the pros to tell us about the cookbook they can’t live without. Salvatore Barcellona, chef de Cuisine at L’Olivio, Rixos The Palm Dubai My favourite cookbook is The New Renaissance of Italian Fusion Cuisine 3.0 by Michelin-starred Chef Gianfranco Chiarini. Italian food is all about the ingredients, but this chef has cleverly added new techniques to really create pure fusion of old dishes and cuisines with a modern feeling, something both my grandparents or I would be happy to eat, proving Italian cuisine is all about family.
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Text SUDESHNA GHOSH | Photographs SUPPLIED, ANAS CHERUR
✴ David Rocco’s Dolce Vita Sundays at 8:30pm on National Geographic Channel Canada-born Italian native David Rocco shows us the true meaning of ‘la dolce vita’ as he scours through markets, visits farms, dines at cafés in his hometown Firenze, and travels to various parts of Italy with his wife Nina and friends. David, who claims he isn’t a chef, but is just Italian, cooks three simple and quick dishes on location in each episode, whether in his home in Florence, or in a friend’s backyard in Amalfi. He also shares tips on living the ‘Italian life’, from how to order a coffee, to chefs’ advice on making the perfect Sicilian cannoli.
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✴ Juicify free Free on iPhone Get inspired to drink a little healthier with nutritious juice and smoothie recipes which are super-easy to make. The easy-to-use app includes recipes written down in a notepad-style – such as Sandy Peach juice, a fruit and veg concoction, and Joint Effort, a nutritious, satisfying smoothie – with nutritional information included as well.
Culina-reads Reviews of the latest cookbooks, food shows and mobile apps.
✴ Quick & easy toddler recipes by Annabel Karmel (Ebury Press) This well-loved children’s cookbook writer may appear to be churning out assembly line-style recipe books like it’s going out of fashion – but there’s good reason for that. You can never have enough inspiration when it comes to getting fussy children to eat well, and her recipes just always seem to hit the spot. And this, her newest book, is set to be another surefire winner with parents of young kids. The fuss-free, sensible recipes range from smoothies and breakfast dishes like Scrambled eggs with tomato salsa, to more creative creations like Fresh haddock kedgeree and Mango and apricot chicken. The recipes are divided by core ingredients, with a separate section for Breakfasts and snacks, and Pasta, which features everything from the predictable to Chicken and pasta salad, to a Prawn with tomato and mascarpone pasta sauce, as well as other quick pasta sauces that are easy to whip up. While some of the recipes may lack in originality (do we really need to see a ham and tomato sandwich in a cookbook?), and some of the tips seem mundane (‘Chop vegetables in a food processor to save time’, for example), it is this practically packaged selection of go-to recipes – that are guaranteed to be tasty, and go down well with the little ones – that is just what a harried mother of a toddler needs when stuck for ideas. With attractive photography, and cute, child-friendly design, this is as much eye candy as it is a friendly kitchen companion. Dhs65, available at all leading bookstores and Spinneys outlets
Simply Lebanese by Ina’am Atalla (Garnet Publishing Ltd) – paperback edition This UK-published book, by popular London restaurateur Atalla (of Al Bustan restaurant fame), is clearly tailored for a British audience – where Lebanese cuisine and ingredients are nowhere as ubiquitous as they are here. The book is nonetheless a useful companion for anyone wanting to dip their toes into this fresh, flavoursome cuisine. A comprehensive collection of recipes, you’ll find the usual suspects such as Hummous, Tabbouleh and Grilled meats, as well as some lesser known dishes such as Stuffed carrots and Spinach stew. The chapter division is slightly confusing – with Main dishes (mostly chicken) being separated from Fish and Grills, and two chapters being dedicated to Mezze – but that is exactly what captures the essence of Lebanese cooking. It isn’t necessarily structured into courses, with one meal disappearing into another, and relaxed mezze sessions turning into complete meals. The Bread and pizza section is a mouthwatering highlight! From Dhs43, available at amazon.com
✴ 100 best fresh soups (Parragon Books) Ah, soup. That oft-maligned, overlooked dish that could well fulfill appetites and nutritional needs in a simple, one-pot swoop. Not just comfort food for the ill, soup can be as much of a cooling summer appetiser as it can be a gourmet dinner party starter, or a filling weeknight supper. And this book celebrates just that, with an array of delectable recipes – from the well-known minestrone and gazpacho, to the more exotic Prawn laksa, Duck with spring onion, or Genoese fish soup. With beautiful accompanying photographs, the recipes are divided under Classic; Hearty; Spicy; Light & refreshing; and Luxury, with a separate chapter dedicated to accompaniments, which covers croutons, and different kinds of breads. If nothing else, this book is an education on how universal soup is, featuring in almost every cuisine around the world. Dhs38, at Jashanmal Bookstores
September 2013 BBC Good Food Middle East 15