Friday 27 July 2012

Stephanie Alexander – Cook’s Companion

The Cook's Companion - Stephanie Alexander

I am not generally a great fan of buying cookbooks - they usually contain heaps of recipes that you would never try.  But the one cookbook I have that I use constantly is Stephanie Alexander’s Cook’s Companion.  

She is a well known Australian cook.  The book is helpfully organised by ingredient. It also has a great section at the front dealing with kitchen basics like making custards etc.

The part of the book that I use the most though is the list of things that go with each ingredient.  That is fantastic when looking for inspiration.

I also admire Stephanie Alexander for setting up the Kitchen Garden Foundation.  This foundation supports Australian schools setting up vegetable gardens so that kids can learn about how to grow their own food.  Fantastic.



25 comments:

  1. My favorite cookbooks are the ones I constantly use! Lately I've gotten into the habit of borrowing them from the library and then deciding whether to purchase a copy of my own.

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    1. That's a really good idea. The only other cookbook I have that I find really good is a Thai one by Spirit House - I blogged on it here http://caroleschatter.blogspot.co.nz/2012/01/cook-books-spirit-house.html

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  2. What a great idea to organize a cookbook by ingredient!

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    1. thanks for taking the time to comment - much appreciated

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  3. I love being able to search by an ingredient..one reason I love the Epicurious app on my phone to look for a recipe.

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    1. Thanks for the tip re the app - now I just have to get a smart phone or iPad...

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  4. Oh, I would love to have a book with those lists. What a great idea. I happen to be a cookbook freak, but I know what you mean about recipes you'll never make. I have a friend who swears by the library's collection of cookbooks.

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    1. I'm a recipe freak rather than a cookbook one. Some day soon I'll blog about the recipe books I have created for myself

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  5. What a great idea for a cookbook! I am going to check into getting this book. thanks! Here's Cranberry Biscuits with Orange Frosting

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    1. The recipe sounds good - but luckily I don't eat biscuits - lucky for my waistline that is

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  6. These sound interesting. I will have to check for them in the library. I kind of like to read cookbooks whether or not I am making anything. Lol! In case you can't tell by my posts probably one of my favorite types of book is the travel cookbook.

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    1. Now travel cookbooks do sound great - I will look out for some. Any one that is your favourite?

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  7. I love doing a little research on ingredients--even the ones you know and use all the time. It seems you can always learn something new about them in a book like this.

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    1. Yes it is really good. One thing it does is lists for each ingredient other ingredients that go with it - incredibly helpful as a source of inspiration

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  8. Thank you, Carole, for letting me know about Stephanie Alexander’s Cook’s Companion. I will look for it here in Canada. I hope you find some helpful recipes on my blog http://imturning60help.blogspot.com/
    I'm in the middle of doing recipes using a different spice each week. There are other recipes, too. Happy Cooking, everyone!!

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    1. Wow that is great. A nice idea about the different spices. I'll keep an eye on what you are doing

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  9. I always wondered what this book was like, you cant forget a cover like that and the size of it, it must cover every recipe you could possibly want to make! Thanks for the review

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  10. Hey there - Congratulations!
    You were nominated for the Sunshine Award - you can read about it on my blog and follow the instructions you find there as what you are to do in order to accept this award.
    Pamela

    http://sewmuchclass.blogspot.com

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  11. Hey, Carol. Thanks for your visit. I am a new follower on GFC. Patsy

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  12. My heavens that's all one book? I'd have to start lifting weights to handle it :-) Great that it addresses growing food...we need to do more of that. My neighborhood has a community garden--such a great idea.

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  13. It looks like a fantastic resource. I have never heard of her so you are my new fact for the day.

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  14. Carol, thanks for the tip about word verification! I changed it to off. It was a really helpful suggestion, and thanks for visiting! I look forward to exploring your blog.

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  15. Carole,
    That book sounds interesting. Have a great week-end.
    Pat

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  16. sounds good! I love that you said the kitchen basics include making custard.....yeah! cooking has gotten so mainstream and dumbed-down....I'm all for real baking!

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  17. I love this book - I like the way she follows things right from garden to plate. My husband has a blog about veg gardening so the book has something for both of us in it.

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