I thought I would do something a little different from my regular recipe posts. This week I wanted to share my favourite baking heroes and their books. I do prefer a good book to hunting for recipes online. I love ones with lots of pictures too and easy to follow steps. I think these books I have chosen are the pick of the best on my shelf. Perhaps it’s the time to check out the January sales and see if any of these are on offer? Maybe a new years resolution is to do more baking? If so, these books are perfect for you.
Baking Made Easy Lorraine Pascale
My first little gem is Baking Made Easy by Lorraine Pascale. It really is such a good book. I first got into her recipes when I saw her cooking programme on the BBC. She makes things look so elegant and easy. And if a former model can enjoy baking then why can’t everyone else? My all time favourite recipe is the Chocolate Melting Puds (Chocolate fondants) on page 115. I have made this so many times, I sadly now the recipe off by heart. Other cute bakes in this book include mini tiramisu, peanut butter cookies, and Churros. Her brownie recipe is also one to make! If you fancy savoury, there is also plenty to choose from. Pork with Calvados is a stunning recipe.
Mary Berry’s Cookery Course Mary Berry
I really love this book because it is full of images of the different steps. It is so easy to follow and there are added tips that really make all the difference. I bought it as it really does describe everything from how to carve a joint of meat, to how to cook the perfect egg. Mary Berry is my pretend adopted grandma. She always has a smile on her face and the The Great British Bake Off wouldn’t be the same without her. This book does really cover everything from homemade fishcakes to bread. I really need to make more of the recipes as I have only just scratched the surface of it.
Biscuiteers Book of Iced Biscuits Harriet Hastings & Sarah Moore
I heard about this company from a friend before completing an internship there. They are a hand-iced biscuit company in London and they really do create the most special biscuits. They make all sorts of characters such as Peter Rabbit from Beatrix Potter. This book contains biscuit recipes and icing designs for you to have a go at home. I think making hand iced biscuits is such a fun thing to do. Its also a great thing to do with friends and something different to fill some free time with. It really is an imaginative and beautiful book.
Cake Days The Hummingbird Bakery
The Hummingbird Bakery is really fantastic and a top-class cupcake go-to. I love all the flavour ideas in this book from raspberry trifle to mojito. I also love the summer fruit cheesecake recipe and loaf cakes. My sister bought me this and I’ve treasured it ever since.
Fast, Fresh and Easy Food Lorraine Pascale
I haven’t made enough from this book but I aim to make some of the delicious looking salads in the New Year. There is a good mix of savoury and sweet dishes. There is really something for everyone here. Just simple things like white chocolate dipped cherries can really make a difference to a dinner party. There are also lots of yummy fish recipes like Moroccan pesto fish and Cajun cod burgers.
Dessert Techniques Le Cordon Bleu
This book is a little treasure and something I need to use more of in 2016. Le Cordon Bleu is the best in my eyes and somewhere I would dream of going on a course at. For the meantime, this book is right up my street. Its got all the background knowledge on desserts, and fantastic pictures and diagrams. If you are really into your baking then this is the book for you. I am tempted to set myself a challenge to work myself through the whole book. It might take a while but it would be worth it! I would love to make all sorts of fancy things like tuiles and sugar work. This book is the ultimate dessert Narnia collection.
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