Female writers are dominating the May caught-my-eye list and these are not just any female writers. Some have won their spurs throughout the years with other succesful food writing but there are some new ladies on the block too. The latest trend in cookery books is foodbloggers publishing a book or in one famous case even making a film (Julie & Julia). Among the first foodbloggers in 2010 to release a book in the UK were Julia Parsons with her lovely book A Slice of Cherry Pie in November 2010 and Lotte Duncan with Lotte's Country Kitchen in July 2010. This trend is present in other countries too; two books on this month's list by US female writers are based on their blogs too.
In 2011 quite a few cookery books by foodbloggers are being published. In February Genevieve Taylor's book Stew! was published and in May Signe Johansen's book Secrets of Scandinavian Cooking (see list) and Vanessa Kimbell's book Prepped! will be released. The book of another famous food and travel blogger, Niahm Shields (@eatlikeagirl on Twitter), Comfort & Spice will be released this autumn.
Here's the May caught-my-eye list:
Absolutely Foolproof Classic Home Cooking by Rosemary Shrager
With a few perfect recipes in your repertoire, you can master any dish and create many more. Rosemary Shrager's Absolutely Foolproof Classic Home Cooking makes it easy to cook over 200 classic tried-and-tested home recipes perfectly every time. With crystal clear instructions for over 20 essential dishes and techniques in fantastic photographic detail, and dozens of variations and ideas for more recipes, plus hints, tips and ideas, and plenty of explanation to take the mystery out of cooking, this book is the next best thing to being side-by-side with Rosemary at her famous cookery school and your dishes will be faultless every time. From soups to souffles, risottos to roasts, custards to cakes, Rosemary will guide you effortlessly every step of the way, and in no time you'll have the confidence to create perfect meals for every occasion (source: amazon.co.uk; GBP 11,34)
In March 2011 Rosemary was part of the BBC 2 series Royal Upstairs Downstairs. In this series Rosemary and antiques expert Tim Wonnacott travelled in the footsteps of Queen Victoria visiting the houses, castles and stately homes she visited throughout her life, e.g. Chatsworth, Burghley and Warwick. In each episode Rosemary and food historian Ivan Day recreated some of the dishes that would have been cooked for the queen during her stay at one of these country piles.
Release: 2 May 2011
Secrets of Scandinavian Cooking by Signe Johansen (Scandilious)
Following on from the huge success of her book "A Piece of Cake", Leila has now brought together another fabulous collection of delicious recipes. The focus in this book is on wood fired pizza, pasta, bread, pancakes and waffles, as well as sweet desserts like ice cream, cheesecake and sweet pies. Although there is an Italian feel to many of the recipes, Leila has taken inspiration from all over, from American apple pie to French pastries to Belgian waffles. Filled with over 150 recipes and over 200 beautiful photographs, this is a cookbook to inspire and delight (source: amazon.co.uk; GBP 11,59)
Orient Express by Silvena Rowe
Following her acclaimed Purple Citrus and Sweet Perfume, Silvena Rowe turns her focus to the delicious small dishes that you would find in the bustling street markets of Damascus or Istanbul – koftes, falafels and pilafs – as well as delicious puddings such as vanilla baklava, and chocolate and pistachio mousse. In this treasure trove of a book she presents 100 light, enticing new recipes, perfectly balanced for mezze-style summer meals. This is a cuisine both for celebrating and sharing: Ottoman-inspired food, based around stunning combinations of sweet and sour – honey and cinnamon, saffron and sumac –and given a brilliant modern twist by one of the most exciting chefs working in Britain today. Silvena Rowe has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the foods and culinary traditions of the eastern Mediteranean. Her cooking is light and the presentation of her dishes is elegant and sophisticated, while the flavours are powerful and the textures balanced. Her enthusiasm for the food of her heritage is evident on every page.
Release: 5 May 2011
Fabulicious! by Teresa Giudice
As the breakout star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Teresa Giudice has quickly become a household name--and a New York Times bestselling author. Her first book, Skinny Italian, showcased the health benefits of Old World Italian cuisine. Now she returns with 60 more flavorful family recipes straight from Salerno--with an emphasis on preparing, serving, and eating meals with the ones you love. Teresa shares her simple, inexpensive, and "fabulicious" dishes, including: secret family recipes (featuring her mama's meatballs and her mother-in-law's Ti Amo Tiramisu), celebration cooking (from one-dish feasts to the perfect potluck take-alongs, including entertaining tips for any occasion), light lunches (spotlighting lighter fare, smaller portions, and sensational salads (as well as Panini!), kid friendly meals (how to go beyond mac-and-cheese, and get little ones involved in the kitchen (source: amazon.com; GBP 9,06)
Teresa is also on Twitter @Teresa_Giudice
Release: 3 May 2011 (US)/ 26 May 2011 (UK)
Ginger Pig Meat Book by Tim Wilson and Fran Warde
This book is packed with expert information on every aspect of buying, preparing and cooking meat. Tim Wilson and Fran Warde have teamed up to create this comprehensive reference work and inspirational collection of recipes. For each type of meat, the book recommends the best breeds, advises which cuts suit which style of cooking and tells you what to ask your butcher in order to buy the best quality. There are more than 100 recipes arranged according to season, from Sticky citrus marinated pork chops in April through Moroccan chicken with preserved lemons in July to Slow-baked herb-crusted leg of mutton in December. Through monthly farm diaries, the book also reveals what life is really like on a thriving British farm. Packed with specially commissioned photographs taken on the farm as well as in the kitchen by renowned photographer Kristin Perers, this is a uniquely beautiful and useful book (source: amazon.co.uk; GBP 13,97)
Release: 2 May 2011
Chicken and Egg: How I came to Love My Backyard Chickens, with 120 Recipes by Janice Cole
Chicken coops have never been so chic! From organic gardens in parking lots to rooftop beekeeping, the appeal of urban homesteading is widespread. Chicken and Eggtells the story of veteran food writer Janice Cole, who, like so many other urbanites, took up the revolutionary hobby of raising chickens at home. From picking out the perfect coop to producing the miracle of the first egg, Cole shares her now-expert insights into the trials, triumphs, and bonds that result when human and hen live in close quarters. With 125 recipes for delicious chicken and egg dishes, poultry lovers, backyard farmers, and those contemplating taking the leap will adore this captivating illustrated memoir! (source: amazon.com; GBP 11,61)
Release: 1 May 2011 (US 9 February 2011)
Janice is also on Twitter @janicemcole
