Do you find that you’re always cooking the same meals? Or is that just me? I remember when I was first married (which feels like a hundred years ago), every meal was a triumph of careful planning and slaving over a hot stove. Sadly the novelty was short-lived, and meals soon became defined only by speed and ease. Every so often I’d dust off my culinary interest when friends visited, but I confess to feeling totally uninspired over recent years.
However, I’m a changed woman, brimming with excitement and ambition, since experiencing Tom Parker Bowles cookbook, Let’s Eat: Recipes From My Kitchen Notebook, (2025 winner of the Good Housekeeping Good Books Christmas Collection).
As I’m sure you know, Tom Parker Bowles, besides being son of the Queen, is an award-winning British food writer and a restaurant critic for The Mail On Sunday. He also writes for Country Life, is a judge on BBC’s Masterchef and has written eight books.
What I love about this book is that it’s true to the title – it’s written like a set of notes, jotted down whenever a fabulous new recipe is discovered. Rather than the usual starter, main course, dessert format, it’s much freer, and frankly more practical. There are sections total devoted to comfort food, to quick meals, and slow ones, and a section on national cooking – including Mexican, with three different ceviches (my mouth is watering as I write). Then, finally a fabulous section on cooking children’s meals, a life-saver when I’m on grandkids duty.
But, for someone with a short attention span, I absolutely adore the sudden change of direction, with a few cocktail recipes slotted in after the ‘Quick Fixes’ – how perfect is that? And I love that he starts each recipe with a chatty bit – an interesting anecdote or useful tips, it’s like cooking with a friend.
The recipes are great – from dinner party to simple fare – and yet all easy, with clear instructions. Some have an interesting twist, like Chillie Cottage Pie, some are traditional such as Treacle Tart, or a bit special like the Porcini Risotto, but each one makes cooking feel exciting again.
So if your nightly meals are craving new inspiration I can totally recommend this book – it will change your life. Let’s Eat: Recipes From My Kitchen Notebook RRP is £26 and available from major book sellers.
By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk
Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice.