Ex- decorating editor of House & Garden, Jane has worked as a stylist on leading publications like Elle Decoration, so when we took a look at her new recipe book, out this summer, we have to admit neither the title nor cover grabbed us.
But…as soon as we’d read the intro to the first chapter, SPRING (Jane has a knack for highlighting the wonders of each season, and picking exactly the right food to go with it), we had a feeling we might get hooked.
In an ideal world, you should read this beautiful book in a country cottage, somewhere in Devon or southern Spain because Jane’s eclectic mix of British/Mediterranean recipes is one of the reasons this book is such a good read. On the English side of the food fence, there’s Elderflower Fizz, a First Day of Spring Risotto, Rhubarb Fool and Easy Walnut Bread…then, moving south, Caldeirada de peixe (Portuguese fish and potato soup) and an Andalucian mountain-style Chestnut, Chorizo and Tomato soup with pimentón….delicious.
There’s a great guide to veggies (growing and how to serve them), lots of great BBQ and al fresco food for summer, and when autumn and winter arrive, hearty roasts with roots and lots of comfort foods.
Jane’s fabulous foodie voyage is just as good as a recipe book as it is for lazy summer afternoon reading. More than a straightforward cookbook, it’s an evocative food and garden journey, full of tips, that takes you through the seasons.
Recipes For Every Day has all the makings of a modern classic.
http://www.purestyleonline.com/books/
Note: Plenty of non-meat recipes in here, so it’d be a great new gift for veggies
