Planning your summer feasts #3

Celebrating three awesome Auckland eateries who've launched cookbooks this year. These books also give you a behind-the-scenes look at the experiences of those visionaries who set out to do something a little bit different in the Auckland foodie scene.

A life at Mudbrick : stories and recipes from Waiheke's famous Mudbrick Vineyard and restaurant by Robyn Jones. Over 20 years ago, Robyn & Nick Jones planted a small vineyard on Waiheke Island. This book details their journey and shares award-winning recipes from Mudbrick.

La Cigale : recipes and stories from the family who brought a slice of France to New Zealand by Elizabeth Lind. If you've not yet had the pleasure of perusing the French-style markets in Parnell, then you're missing a real treat. Get yourself along to experience a slice of France here in Auckland.

The Engine Room : No. 115 eatery by Natalia Schamroth and Carl Koppenhagen. Based in Northcote Point, this restaurant has become a drawcard for foodies across Auckland. My highlights from the cookbook include Ricotta Gnocchi with tomato basil sauce, Balinese Pork Belly with Tumeric Rice & Tamarind Salad and Salted caramel & chocolate tart.

Treat yourselves to a little bit of decadence & difference this Christmas, try out some of the delicious recipes on offer in these books. Be inspired by the people who've taken a different path to create the foodie magic.

Planning your summer feasts #2

I can't go past planning for easy & delicious summer feasts without reaching for cookbooks written by Annabel Langbein.

In my opinion, Annabel Langbein is New Zealand's answer to Nigella Lawson. Annabel makes the recipes all seem completely do-able, no matter what your level of cooking ability is. She combines down-to-earth ingredients, with an occasional dash of unusual ingredients, to conjure up amazing feasts. She has nearly 20 cookbooks to her name, as well as the recent Free Range Cook TV series.

Her latest cookbook, Simple pleasures : the free range cook, features several recipes that I want to try out at upcoming summer BBQs, including Corn & Israeli Couscous Salad. If you're a fan of Pinterest, visit Annabel's page for ideas & photos to inspire you. You can also check out her website for more food ideas as well.

And with a tip of the hat to Nigella (since Whittakers have featured her in their recent TV promotions), I'm going to recommend Whittaker's passion for chocolate as the go-to present for all the chocoholics in your life. They will love you for it.

Planning your summer feasts #1

With summer heading our way, and various holiday plans being hatched, now is the perfect time to pour over the cookbooks, plan some easy-to-put-together meals, write a shopping list, and maybe even think about giving great cookbooks for holiday presents.

I'm going to tempt you over the coming weeks with delights from some new Kiwi cookbooks.

Peter Gordon : everyday

I've long been a fan of Peter Gordon's food, so I was very happy to read through this one and be inspired several times over. The recipe for Banana and Coconut Fritters with Passionfruit Sauce is definitely on my list of recipes to try out this summer.

My favourite section of the books has to be Tea Trolley & Desserts. I'll be trying out Chocolate Ganache and Membrillo Tart with PX Cream (though I probably won't make my own sweet short-crust pastry) and Strawberry & Ginger-Beer Jellies.

The Food truck cookbook by Michael Van de Elzen.

I thoroughly enjoyed the TV series earlier in 2012 (the DVD is currently on order) , so am eagerly awaiting to get my hands on a copy of the book so that I can recreate some of the healthier versions of takeaways and fast food.

Let's see what I can tempt you with next week ...

Oh No It's Raining Again

Given the weather at the moment it seemed fitting to start things off with a Supertramp song especially since its been rattling around in my head for the past few days (don't you just hate that when it happens).

As a kid I loved the rain and would sit for hours watching it fall, thinking deep thoughts. Of course I was only about 6 at the time so those deep thoughts were probably about what was for tea that night and what seemed like hours were probably only a few minutes but at the time the rain was a comforting presence that held me in fascination.

Nowadays it has lost much of its appeal and like many I am beginning to wish it would just go away. One of the good things, though, is that you have a good excuse to curl up in bed with a good book and a hot cup of chocolate and wile away the hours in the world of imagination, so really the rain gives me a reason to read even more. There are also plenty of great movies and music that I can watch or listen to that help push those rainy day blues away.

So if you're looking for something to put you in that summery mood why not try some of the following.

Reaping the summer harvest

Have you found yourself with a surplus of gorgeous summer fruits?

If you're wondering what on earth to do with it all, then it's time to get your preserving pans to the ready and learn to bottle it, can it, freeze it, dry it, store it. It's a good excuse to start practising so that you can make your own Christmas gifts for 2012!

There's a cornucopia of books to start you on your way, including:
- Making the most of your glorious glut : cooking, storing, freezing, drying & preserving your garden produce by Jackie Sherman;
- Put 'em up! : a comprehensive home preserving guide for the creative cook, from drying and freezing to canning and pickling by Sherri Brooks Vinton;
- Can it, bottle it, smoke it : and other kitchen projects by Karen Solomon;
- Tart and sweet : 101 canning and pickling recipes for the modern kitchen by Kelly Geary and Jessie Knadler;
- Canning & preserving with Ashley English : all you need to know to make jams, jellies, pickles, chutneys & more; and
- The art of preserving by Lisa Atwood, Rebecca Courchesne and Rick Field.