Letter to Santa, North Pole

If you are writing to Santa with your wish list this year here's some culinary book suggestions.

These days we are drowning in a sea of celebrity chefs and more so at this time of year. I know we all have our favourites, however, in recent years I have to confess disappointment. Style over substance is the expression that springs to mind. So, here are a few that you might like to include. You won't find any of them on any best seller list but they are still available.

This could take some time!

Elizabeth David takes the first spot. I know that I've mentioned Ms. David in a previous post and in particular the first two recommendations but I make no apology for repeating myself!

If it's an introduction that you'd like to Ms. David and not too heavy a read, try “An Omelette and a Glass of Wine” - not a vast tome – it was originally published in 1984 and contains bits of her articles written for various publications and recipes too.

If it's biography then “Writing at the Kitchen Table” - The Authorized Biography of Elizabeth David by Artemis Cooper is compulsive reading if you're into the nitty-gritty – I promise you will not be disappointed. Choose your favourite guilty pleasure, be it a sweetie, a chocolate, or a glass – feet up, snuggle down and be entertained.

If it's not biography but cookery/recipes that is your passion, hold hard!

“French Provincial Cooking” was first published in 1960 and contains everything that is about French food from the different areas of France and the speciality food that each region produces to the basics, like equipment, weights and measures, timings etc., to the specifics from sauces to left-overs and absolutely everything in between.

“At Elizabeth David's Table” is a collection of “Her very best everyday recipes”. For me the glory of a good cookery book is not just a reference or a guide for a recipe, it's personal and has to be received as if the person who wrote it is speaking directly to the individual - surely the secret of great writing about any subject. This book is interspersed with culinary history from “Italian Fish Markets” to “The Markets of France” - an absolute joy.

Finally “Elizabeth David's Christmas” edited by Jill Norman was first published in 2003. It does what it says on the tin, to coin a phrase – everything related to the festive season, from beginning to end. The book is also beautifully illustrated – unusual these days.

I hope your appetite is suitably whetted!

To be continued … you might need two sheets of paper for Santa's letter.