Welcome to the Cookery Calendar Challenge for June.
If you would like to play along, click here for the Cookery Calendar Challenge page, which has all the information you need.
My book for May was 'How to Cook' by Annie Bell.
I am a big fan of Annie Bell, her Baking Bible is one of my top three baking books (and the one I take on holiday with me every year). I have several of her other books too. All are practical, but never dull. The recipes work; a fact which can't be taken for granted with every cookery book. Annie lives part time in France, and some Gallic elegance creeps into even the most simple dishes.
'How to Cook' is divided into sections, 'Meat', 'Fish', 'Pasta' etc, which I found helpful and straightforward. The recipes are well written, and easy to follow. This would be an ideal book to give to a novice cook, as it explains the principles of cooking, but is also an excellent book to have in any kitchen, with a wide range of recipes from simple to more complex. I really enjoyed using this book and am sure it will become a favourite.
The first dish I made for my challenge was Lamb Chop Supper with Pea and Potato Crush. Easy, quick and simple, perfect for a busy week night dinner. As a vegetarian, I did not partake, but the family assured me it tasted good!
My second dish was a simple smoked salmon frittata with mascarpone and a little lemon zest. Served with crusty bread and salad, it was a delicious weeknight family dinner. I have made frittata many times, but tend to use a variety of vegetables, and always include small new potatoes, boiled in salted water until tender, and quartered. Annie's frittata was delicious in its simplicity. I made this for a second time later in the month, omitting the mascarpone, and substituting parmesan, which we all enjoyed. This was a good recipe choice as the whole family could enjoy it, not just the carnivores!
In my quest for organisation and good eating, I also planted up a small herb garden during the month, with basil, thyme, parsley and chives. I also planted up some mint in a separate pot, with the intention of using it in jugs of Pimms on summer evenings (every cook must have her reward). My herb container is a large pot I used to use for boiling jam; commonly known as a 'jeely pot' in Scotland ('jeely' being 'jam'!). This was my old jeely pot, recently replaced with a slightly better version. Both were charity shop finds, and my initial intention was to re-donate this old one, however the idea of it planted up with herbs popped in to my mind and so the plan changed. (A kind friend drilled holes in the bottom for drainage).
My cookery book for June is another by Annie Bell. This time I am using 'In My Kitchen'. I have had this book for a couple of years, and have made several dishes from it, but I have by no means exhausted the possibilities, and am looking forward to another month in Annie's calming company.
Many thanks to those who joined the link up last month, I hope you enjoyed it and will continue the challenge with me. If you haven't joined before, and would like to, here's how to take part.
How it works:
The challenge is simple: the first week of every month, select a cookery book from your shelf, and cook two new recipes from it. The recipes can be for any meal. Cakes and bakes are excluded, but puddings are included. At the beginning of the following month, blog about the recipes you have used, and announce your chosen cookery book for the month ahead. This is an ongoing project, it's never too late to get involved, and everyone is very welcome.
I would appreciate a link back to this Cookery Calendar Challenge post in your post. Grab the Cookery Calendar Challenge badge to display on your blog too, if you like (just copy and paste the code on to your dashboard to display). You can also join via Instagram using hashtag #cookerycalendarchallenge (you will find me on Instagram @penny.homemadeheart )
