Instructions
As the festive season gets into full swing, Santa’s busy getting the sleigh packed full of gifts for well-behaved folks. As for the rest of us, we have to resort to shopping.
In consequence of this, Australians undertake the two greatest Christmas contests: ‘Car Park Gladiators’ in which would-be consumers joust for ever-diminishing vehicle spaces; and ‘The Originality Stakes’ a guessing competition in which gift buyers try to avoid getting identical presents for Uncle Vern by instead purchasing the most wacky or off-the-wall gift imaginable, the consequences of which are usually dire. In the latter competition two-dollar shops seem to do very well!
But 2010 has been the year of culinary madness, and so any tormented shopper would do well to simply head to a bookstore and browse the range of tomes on offer. There really will be something for every chef, cook or mere voyeuristic diner, as more than 200 cookbooks have been published in just the last two months.
But how do you choose a cookbook?
For starters consider the cost. If you’re after a major title I recommend heading to one of the large discount department stores. They’ll have books for up to 50% off the retail price, so there’s be a bit more ‘ho-ho-ho’ left over. But for the more exotic books, that’s where a specialist comes in, ad you will do well to compare between stores, as prices can vary by $20 or more.
Then consider the recipient. Do they actually like to cook, or is it more of a fantasy? Some books are really designed to help you cook better, but most are coffee table items – great for a browse, but impractical to actually use. As a rule, the larger and heavier a book is, the less likely it is that you’ll ever find it in a kitchen!!
What about the content? Does your loved one simply adore telling stories about their trip to Tashkent, or the pilgrimage to San Sebastian? I reckon a book of Kyrgistani recipes could be right up their alley. For the time-pressed working parent, consider something that fits their actual needs – people are more likely to read something to which they relate.
So into this mix, let me offer you my own latest release. It’s called ‘An Hour’s the Limit’ and it does just that. Most recipes take less than fifteen minutes, but some take just a little longer. There’s everything from breakfast to dessert. And even food just for the kids.
Mostly it’s just about having fun in the kitchen again, and sharing that with people you love. But best of all, someone is going to win a dinner at home with me at the stoves, just by purchasing a copy. So now you have to think, who to invite? Ah, maybe that seat at the table might be the most unique gift of all this Christmas.
Piadina