4 Fave Cookbooks right now

My cooking style and use of cookbooks has changed a lot since I first got interested in food and cooking back at the ripe old age of 8. I've gone through phases of having lots of cookbooks, then paring right back again. These days I do a lot of recipe searching online, but I still feel that you can't beat flicking through a book. In fact I love nothing more than settling in with one of my favourite cookbooks or a 'new to me' one and reading like a novel.

My current cookbook collection - only taking up 3 spaces in the bookshelf!

When I first started out with cooking it was obviously all about the basics - how to actually cook, follow a recipe and construct a meal or dish worth eating. Then I moved onto mastering different techniques and experimenting with flavours. I learnt a lot during this phase. Next I started to challenge myself and focused on learning the basics of different cuisines.

As I moved into more simple living, growing food and learning to make my own food staples things changed again. I gravitated to more simple and seasonal dishes. I know that's the complete trendy way to do things these days but it's how I've been cooking for the past 6 or so years. It just came about naturally as I built connection to food, where it came from and particularly, growing my own.

Each different phase has had me focus on different cookbooks and different styles. I thought I'd share with you today what my most often used cookbooks are for this phase of cooking. I'm sure it will change again in years to come, although I know several on this list will hold their place indefinitely...they're just so suited to my style of cooking.

So, in no particular order...

The Cook's Companion - Stephanie Alexander

This is definitely my favourite cookbook of all time (even though it doesn't have pics of the recipes!!) and I predict it will be so indefinitely. From the basics to the individual ingredient chapters I have learnt so much from this book. I love being able to flick to a particular ingredient chapter and learn about it as well as have a list of recipes to follow or use as a base for inspiration. This book works so well with my values and approach to cooking and eating. It is also my favourite cookbook to read.

Three great recipes I've used over and over
Silverbeet & Potato Torte p 921
Spiced Beef Curry - daging rempah p162
Pesto p125

Kitchen Garden Companion - Stephanie Alexander

While I'm talking about the amazing Stephanie I may as well continue. This book is another gem. It's my go-to when I'm dealing with garden gluts or need a little inspiration for a particular veg. The book includes some great basic gardening info which I found really helpful when I first started my gardening journey. Each chapter is based around a particular fruit or veg (or family of them) with some gardening info and a recipe or five.

Recipes that use an ingredient in a different way, use an unusual veg or part thereof
Silverbeet Stem Gratin p603
Four ways with Cauliflower & breadcrumbs p223
Barley & Mushroom Risotto p443
Chickpea salad with preserved lemon, carmalised onion, chilli & parsley p479

Kitchen Garden Companion & Jamie Does.

Jamie does... - Jamie Oliver

I'm a bit of a Jamie Oliver fan to be honest. I love his simple style and 'bung it in' approach. A couple of his earlier books were a little chefy but he has so many good ones. This book is top of my Jamie list because of the different cuisines covered - Spanish, Italian, Sweedish, Moroccan, Greek & French. I love how this book is a mix of basic techniques and also interesting recipes from different places. There are lovely stories woven in among the recipes too - so it's another good read.

Useful base recipes and techniques
Preserving Lemons p216
Paella p30
Risotto - basic recipe plus variations p84
Beetroot gravadlax p 138 (home cured salmon - simple and delicious)
Duck confit p324

Great recipes I've made multiple times
My Moorish Pork Chops p24 - these are chops stuffed with herbs and raisins served on delicious white beans (bonus the recipe uses chard stems - always so many to use up in the garden!).
Split pea soup p132
Sweedish Meatballs p130 (eat your heart out IKEA)
Chicken, olive & preserved lemon tagine p208
courgette gratin p312

I could go on and probably list out 75% of the book...but I'll leave it there.

The Complete Asian Cookbook - Charmaine Solomon

I searched high and low for a good cookbook to learn Asian techniques and flavours. Many books available are very 'Westernised' and I wanted something a bit more authentic while also being practical to use. This book fit the bill perfectly for me. I first borrowed it from the library (about 3 time!) and then managed to encourage someone to get it for me for Christmas one year...yay! The countries included are Indian & Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia & Laos, Vietnam, The Philippines, China, Korea & Japan. So clearly it's not an exhaustive look at each cuisine, but a great overview with enough variety in each. Each section includes basic info on the country's cuisine and a good selection of recipes. I've barely scratched the surface with this book - so many recipes I'd like to try...so little time with little kids at my feet!

Regularly used recipes so far
Red Curry Paste (Thailand) p356
Muslim Curry (Masaman - Thailand) p377
Rogan Josh (Indian) p77
Fish Curry (Malaysian) p267

The prestigious pile - quite colourful really.

So, those are my most used cookbooks currently.  They're not the same ones I would have picked 10 years ago and probably might have a few substitutions in 10 years time.

What about you - any favourites that have stood the test of time?
Any of my list make your top five for 'right now'?