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QuestLove recommended Vegan Soul Kitchen in Books (curated)
Caitlin Moran recommended Food in England: A Complete Guide to the Food That Makes Us Who We are in Books (curated)
Samin Nosrat recommended Longthroat Memoirs in Books (curated)
Lena Dunham recommended Gone with the Wind in Books (curated)
Taste of Beirut by Joumana Accad is an incredibly comprehensive introduction to preparing Lebanese cuisine. Taste of Beirut is a love story of history, culture, and food simply blossoming chapter after chapter, after chapter. The passion for the food, culture, and people left me with the deep desire to whip out my passport and take a trip across the world.
By reading this book, I learned a lot about the Lebanese cuisine. With each recipe there is a high quality picture that accompanies it. Throughout the book there are explanations and translation of ingredients, essential do's and don'ts, helpful notes included with nearly every recipe. Also included is how to prepare and store commonly used ingredients to make cooking quicker and easier. Recipes are straightforward, and dishes look very flavorful.
I received this book from HCI Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
By reading this book, I learned a lot about the Lebanese cuisine. With each recipe there is a high quality picture that accompanies it. Throughout the book there are explanations and translation of ingredients, essential do's and don'ts, helpful notes included with nearly every recipe. Also included is how to prepare and store commonly used ingredients to make cooking quicker and easier. Recipes are straightforward, and dishes look very flavorful.
I received this book from HCI Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Pho Cookbook by Andrea Nguyen is an in-depth introduction to pho and its history. The book is split into six sections Pho Manual, Master Pho, Adventurous Pho, Pho Add-ons, Stir-fried, Pan-fried pho and Deep-fried Pho and Pho Sidekicks. Each section is includes high quality photographs that show both food and life in Vietnam.
An excellent book, both from the point of view of the approach and extensive documentation, as well as a sample of quality food writing. Beyond the useful directions and details about how to prepare the traditional Pho, and the meals to match with, the reader is also offered anthropological observations about the history of this meal and other insider information based on frequent visits to Vietnam and direct experience in her mother's restaurant.
The book provided many variations of Pho, which I am looking forward to trying out. While I haven't yet made any of the recipes, I did read over them and they vary in skill and level of difficulty, which is something I appreciate as a lover of Pho as well as a lover of easy recipes.
I received this book from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
An excellent book, both from the point of view of the approach and extensive documentation, as well as a sample of quality food writing. Beyond the useful directions and details about how to prepare the traditional Pho, and the meals to match with, the reader is also offered anthropological observations about the history of this meal and other insider information based on frequent visits to Vietnam and direct experience in her mother's restaurant.
The book provided many variations of Pho, which I am looking forward to trying out. While I haven't yet made any of the recipes, I did read over them and they vary in skill and level of difficulty, which is something I appreciate as a lover of Pho as well as a lover of easy recipes.
I received this book from Ten Speed Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ClareR (5603 KP) rated The Women at Hitler’s Table in Books
Dec 3, 2019
Even though The Women at Hitler’s Table doesn’t feature an appearance by Hitler himself, it is very much about Hitler’s Germany and how his paranoia directly affected the women who were forced into becoming his food tasters. 1943 saw a shift in the Second World War, the Allies and Russia began to take the upper hand, and Hitler saw assassination plots around every corner (he wasn’t far wrong, but it was generally instigated by his own side).
Rosa Sauer moves from Berlin to live with her husbands parents in the countryside, to escape the bombs that killed her parents. However, in doing so she draws attention to herself and ends up being ‘enlisted’ by the SS as one of the female food tasters at the Wolfschanze (Wolfs Lair). In some ways this is a privileged position - food is scarce and people are starving. Rosa and her fellow food tasters are guaranteed regular food, but each meal could be their last. They have no choice but to eat: SS guards watch their every mouthful. Some of the women are Hitler loyalists and see it as an honour to do this, whilst others (Rosa included) aren’t as keen. Rosa is beginning to see the cracks in the regime, and in fact has disagreed with the party’s politics for a long time. But she has chosen not to do or say anything - as many people did.
This book looks at what life was like for the ordinary Germans. Their loves, loyalties, secrets and the fear for both their present circumstances and their futures. This isn’t a comfortable read. It looks at some very unsettling subjects, and the fear of the women is palpable. I think the story would have stood up well without the romance element, but I’m sure some would disagree with me and would enjoy that aspect more.
I really liked the links with real historical figures: Claus Von Stauffenberg, some local nobility and a real food taster that the story was based on (Margot Wölk). I also liked the style in which this was written. It was dark, subdued, much like how I imagine the country felt as a whole at this point. I really did enjoy this book - it was an interesting and new angle to look at a period in history which we all feel that we know a lot about. Just when you thought you’d seen it all, Hitler’s female food tasters make their appearance....
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for my copy of this book to read and review.
Rosa Sauer moves from Berlin to live with her husbands parents in the countryside, to escape the bombs that killed her parents. However, in doing so she draws attention to herself and ends up being ‘enlisted’ by the SS as one of the female food tasters at the Wolfschanze (Wolfs Lair). In some ways this is a privileged position - food is scarce and people are starving. Rosa and her fellow food tasters are guaranteed regular food, but each meal could be their last. They have no choice but to eat: SS guards watch their every mouthful. Some of the women are Hitler loyalists and see it as an honour to do this, whilst others (Rosa included) aren’t as keen. Rosa is beginning to see the cracks in the regime, and in fact has disagreed with the party’s politics for a long time. But she has chosen not to do or say anything - as many people did.
This book looks at what life was like for the ordinary Germans. Their loves, loyalties, secrets and the fear for both their present circumstances and their futures. This isn’t a comfortable read. It looks at some very unsettling subjects, and the fear of the women is palpable. I think the story would have stood up well without the romance element, but I’m sure some would disagree with me and would enjoy that aspect more.
I really liked the links with real historical figures: Claus Von Stauffenberg, some local nobility and a real food taster that the story was based on (Margot Wölk). I also liked the style in which this was written. It was dark, subdued, much like how I imagine the country felt as a whole at this point. I really did enjoy this book - it was an interesting and new angle to look at a period in history which we all feel that we know a lot about. Just when you thought you’d seen it all, Hitler’s female food tasters make their appearance....
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for my copy of this book to read and review.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Katherine of Aragon, the True Queen in Books
Sep 6, 2021
144 of 250
Book
Katherine of Aragon the true Queen ( Six Tudor Wives)
By Alison Weir
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
A Spanish princess. Raised to be modest, obedient and devout. Destined to be an English Queen.
Six weeks from home across treacherous seas, everything is different: the language, the food, the weather. And for her there is no comfort in any of it. At sixteen-years-old, Catalina is alone among strangers.
She misses her mother. She mourns her lost brother.
She cannot trust even those assigned to her protection.
KATHERINE OF ARAGON. The first of Henry's Queens. Her story.
History tells us how she died. This captivating novel shows us how she lived.
It took me a bit longer than normal to finish this book I really enjoyed it but came away feel so sad for Katherine. I’m fascinated with this period of history and she is one queen who always hits the heart when I read her story. This is one of the best ones I’ve read so far and knowing Alison kept as close as possible to history made me even more sad. Something about the princesses of Wales they always get dealt a hard blow by the monarchy. Overall it was a beautifully written version of her. Looking forward to reading Anne’s next.
Book
Katherine of Aragon the true Queen ( Six Tudor Wives)
By Alison Weir
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
A Spanish princess. Raised to be modest, obedient and devout. Destined to be an English Queen.
Six weeks from home across treacherous seas, everything is different: the language, the food, the weather. And for her there is no comfort in any of it. At sixteen-years-old, Catalina is alone among strangers.
She misses her mother. She mourns her lost brother.
She cannot trust even those assigned to her protection.
KATHERINE OF ARAGON. The first of Henry's Queens. Her story.
History tells us how she died. This captivating novel shows us how she lived.
It took me a bit longer than normal to finish this book I really enjoyed it but came away feel so sad for Katherine. I’m fascinated with this period of history and she is one queen who always hits the heart when I read her story. This is one of the best ones I’ve read so far and knowing Alison kept as close as possible to history made me even more sad. Something about the princesses of Wales they always get dealt a hard blow by the monarchy. Overall it was a beautifully written version of her. Looking forward to reading Anne’s next.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Daleks - Invasion Earth 2150 A.D. (1966) in Movies
Feb 26, 2018 (Updated Feb 26, 2018)
Don't Forget the Honey, Mummy
Second of the Subotsky-Rosenberg Dr Who movies eschews the darkness and it-happened-here subtext of the TV serial in favour of a jolly plastic romp set in a startling vision of 2150 where donkey jackets and flat caps have come back into fashion and everyone only eats Sugar Puffs (although that may just be the product placement).
Actually rather charming on its own terms, and a number of good actors (Cushing, Keir, Philip Madoc) are trying really hard with the material. Just sit back and let it wash over you and it's highly entertaining stuff. Contains more bongo-drumming on the soundtrack than any other alien invasion movie in history. Extra point very nearly added for the awesome food machine sequence with Cribbins and the robo-men.
Actually rather charming on its own terms, and a number of good actors (Cushing, Keir, Philip Madoc) are trying really hard with the material. Just sit back and let it wash over you and it's highly entertaining stuff. Contains more bongo-drumming on the soundtrack than any other alien invasion movie in history. Extra point very nearly added for the awesome food machine sequence with Cribbins and the robo-men.
Milleen (47 KP) rated The Empress Of Ice Cream in Books
Nov 14, 2018 (Updated Nov 14, 2018)
This was published back in 2010 but I recommend it for anyone who enjoys historical novels or gourmet food. This is a gastronomic romp through history. Based on the real-life of Louise De Karouelle, who went from Louis XIV French court at Versailles to 'keep company' with the British King, Charles II. An Italian chef, Carlo Dimirco, is sent to tempt the Royal British taste-buds with ices, sorbets, cordials and ice creams. His observations about the royal household, experiments in the ice house and the addition of extracts from 'The Book of Ices' balance Louise's view of her life. You'll come away with a dozen summer recipes and a good knowledge of a woman who is distantly related to both Princess Diana and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall.