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Random Recipes #6 – a few of my favourite things…

2 July 2011 by Dominic Franks

everybody sing…

‘when the dog bites… when the bee stings… when i’m feeling sad… I simply remember my favourite things… and then I don’t feel… sooooo… bad’

come on now, admit it, you sang along in your head didn’t you…?

Well, you may have guessed the theme for this months challenge… it’s all about randomly selecting a recipe from your favourite cook book… the thing is, I thought this would be really easy… surely I know which my favourite book is..?

… the problem is that I kind of have a few, depending on my mood and so this could get a bit sticky… and that was when I remembered Nigel Slater’s AMAZING The Kitchen Diaries… more of a novel than a cook book… it is so eloquently written, detailing the changing seasons and what they bring to his kitchen… and the way he cooks is so familiar and comforting and not at all patronising like some cooks can be… it’s also a beautifully presented book, with stunning, subtle photography… even the font is easy on the eye… it’s the kind of book I pick up occasionally and just flick through and read and it makes me feel comfortable… it really is a dessert island cookbook!

… I gave myself a bit of a headache here too because I have to go away for work tomorrow (i’m off to Cannes of all places… but it’s really not going to be a glamorous weekend by any means…) and so i’m not at home whilst I write this and can therefore not cook the dish to go with this post (and yes, I will obviously cook it during the month at some point…) so I called up The Viking at home and asked him to randomly choose a page… and I think I lucked out with Salmon and Dill Fishcakes… which i’ve never made before and can’t wait to make!

… so now it’s your turn… whats your favourite cookbook…?  have a think, pull it down off the shelf and then, because I feel there may have been a little cheating going on recently, ask a significant other, or failing that a neighbour, or failing that a random stranger, to randomly flick open the book and you HAVE to cook that dish!… no cheating or i’ll send the blog fairy out to get you! (that’s not me by the way…)

usual rules apply… post your blog, link back to here, include the fabulous random recipes logo if you feel the urge… and then email me so I know you’ve done it… dom@thepersuaders.co.uk

eat and of course, enjoy!

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Filed Under: Everything else Tagged With: nigel slater, random recipe

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Comments

  1. Jean says

    2 July 2011 at 8:35 pm

    Easy peasy, I know exactly which is my favourite cookbook…..!!

  2. Please Do Not Feed The Animals. says

    2 July 2011 at 8:44 pm

    You have good taste, Dom!
    My favourite book is a Nigel Slater one too – my one is Appetite. I'll have to go and ask the boy if he is joining me this month and whether he wants to do the same recipe as me or choose his own favourite book. I'll get Adam to choose a random page for me so definitely no cheating!
    Come back safe from Cannes.
    Lou.

  3. Janice says

    2 July 2011 at 8:53 pm

    Oh a lovely one this month. Like you I have many favourites depending on my mood, so I may have to pile up the favourites and randomly choose before I even get to the recipe choice!

  4. StephenC says

    2 July 2011 at 9:08 pm

    My current favorite cookbook is “Land of Plenty” by Fuchsia Dunlop. It's Sichuan cooking, wonderfully detailed and extensively researched during a number of years she spent in China. I'm glad to have found your site.

  5. Phil in the Kitchen says

    2 July 2011 at 10:18 pm

    Nice idea, Dom. I've got a lot of favourites, though, so this will concentrate the mind.

  6. Chele says

    3 July 2011 at 7:33 am

    Oh this is a tough one. Shall have to go and sit in front of teh book case and eliminate I think … and yes, I did sing along in my head ;0)

  7. Choclette says

    3 July 2011 at 8:35 am

    Thanks Dom – a nice easy one for lazy summer days (I wish) – at least it will be when I figure out which is my favourite chocoalte book!

  8. Victoria says

    3 July 2011 at 10:23 am

    oh dear…i am so fickle when it comes to my cookbooks…i get one…drool over it…flip through it…obsess about it…cook cook coook…and then toss aside. They have all been my fave at one point…ok..will have to decide…and then…NOT CHEAT! 😉 enjoy cannes!

  9. Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says

    3 July 2011 at 10:34 am

    I must get round to doing this this month. Not sure what it will be – probably one of my Skye books.

  10. Michael Toa says

    3 July 2011 at 12:21 pm

    Enjoy Cannes!
    This is gonna be difficult. I have few favourites. Don't worry, I'll make sure to pick the one.

  11. Aveen says

    3 July 2011 at 4:16 pm

    Oh my god. Have you seen the size of my cookbook collection? (There's a tab on my blog if you want to have a look.) I have a headache just thinking about which one is my favourite. I could possibly narrow it down to about five… will have to have a ponder!

  12. Susan Lindquist says

    3 July 2011 at 4:18 pm

    It's whiskers on kittens, here! hum, hum, hum!

    Easy choice … The Silver Palate Cookbook … totally random recipe … page 89 – Chicken Breasts Baked On A Bed Of Wild Mushrooms. Now, where will I find wild mushrooms? Hmmm … stay tuned!

    Cannes, huh? Oooo la la! Hope you get some down time to enjoy the sights!

  13. Brownieville Girl says

    3 July 2011 at 7:01 pm

    Oh man – which is my favourite??????

    Hope there are some good bits to Cannes.

  14. Kate@katescakesandbakes says

    3 July 2011 at 8:13 pm

    Gagh!! I am going to have nightmares about choosing which book to go with Dom. I'm afraid I may have to hold you responsible for the poor quality of my sleep for the next 28 days! Looking forward to hearing what everyone makes- thanks again Dom for a brilliant blogging challenge!

  15. The KitchenMaid says

    4 July 2011 at 1:53 am

    A dessert island? Really? Take me there, please!

    Seriously, this is a great one, I think I have my favourite all picked out…

  16. Angela says

    4 July 2011 at 2:07 am

    Oooohhh I love this one. Fabulous. I know exactly which one to use. I hope you are having a fab trip. My work has never sent my anywhere glamorous before – unless you count the bank.

  17. Mollie says

    4 July 2011 at 11:18 am

    Ah, Dom.

    I was just checking out your blog and see you're favourite cookbook is also my favourite. Nigel Slater is the man who taught me to cook (albeit through Appetite) but cooking with kitchen diaries makes me feel like he's in my kitchen!

    I don't know if you remember me, but I did the Ottenlenghi foodwriting day with you, and I know it's rather uncouth to post a link to my blog in your comments, but it's very new and very tender and I'd love some advice if you have the time.

    ofmofy.blogspot.com

    p.s. I'm stealing that banana jam recipe! Have a great time in Cannes

  18. Dom at Belleau Kitchen says

    4 July 2011 at 11:35 am

    I'm glad you're all happy about this months challenge. I think it's lovely to wax lyrically about your favourite books!

    And so glad to see so many new faces too. Please do try and take part. It's a fun challenge. ( if you don't cheat!!!)

    Xx

  19. Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes says

    4 July 2011 at 2:48 pm

    Love it! Enjoy Cannes and don't work to %$*&@*! hard!

  20. manu says

    4 July 2011 at 7:58 pm

    Sorry I miss last month's challenge (just because in Milan was too hot to cook and I was so lazy) . . . but this month I'm in!!!

  21. debby emadian says

    5 July 2011 at 10:00 am

    Not just in my head…I'm singing out loud…!

    Yes, this is a nice challenge…bit spoilt for choice but I think Miss D (or should I say Mrs C) is still the flavour of the month for me…

    Oh and have an awesome time in Cannes…

  22. manu says

    15 July 2011 at 7:27 pm

    Ciao! This is Bea recipe: http://cookingmanu.blogspot.com/2011/07/hazelnuts-cupcakes-by-bea.html

    PS look at the pic, she was very proud and so she wanted to write her name on it!!

  23. viagra online says

    6 February 2012 at 1:29 pm

    That kitchen diaries really catch me up! my favorite recipe book ever!

  24. portable island for kitchen says

    1 March 2013 at 3:24 am

    Love this idea!

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About Dom In The Kitchen

My name is Dominic, I am a cook, food writer and creative event producer. I write the food blog Dom In The Kitchen and also write a monthly recipe column for Lincolnshire Life Magazine and Good Taste Magazine. I also run creative event production company The Persuaders, producing global events for brands since 1997. I am based both in the small village of Belleau in Lincolnshire and the smaller village of London! Read More…

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Still slightly obsessed with these cakewiches which are basically cakes made into sandwiches and all topped off with the ultimate finishing touch - a beautiful Guylian SeaShell. 

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I wanted to share the pics of this salad the moment I made it cos it’s just so vibrant and summery. 

The real star of the show are the amazing slightly pickled pink onions… but… (and I hate to be a tease) you’ll have to wait till next week for the recipe!

#salad #salads #tomatoes #feta #healthy #healthyfood #healthyeating #food #foodblogger #foodie #foodiesofinstagram #britainsbesthomecooks_
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Apricot & Strawberry Frangipani Pudding (recipe be Apricot & Strawberry Frangipani Pudding (recipe below)

This pudding is like a bowlful of summer. It’s light and fruity and sweet and so easy to put together.  I think it’s also quite unexpected to serve a pudding when fresh fruit is in abundance and a simple fruit salad would suffice but that’s what I adore about this.  Plus, this pudding makes very good use of those punnet’s of strawberries that look great in the supermarket but in fact taste all spongy and gloopy when you get them home.

Here’s the #recipe:

🍓 200g butter
🍓 200g golden caster sugar
🍓 3 large free-range eggs
🍓 200g ground almonds
🍓 100g strawberries – quartered
🍓 4 apricots – sliced into wedges
🍓 the finely grated zest and juice of half a lemon
🍓 2 tablespoons @fage_uk Greek Yoghurt
🍓 1 teaspoon @little_pod Vanilla Bean Paste

I greased a 20cm fluted ceramic pie dish and pre-heated the oven to 160C

beat the sugar and butter together in a large bowl until light and creamy… a stand mixer will do this in 4 minutes, a hand held electric whisk will do it in 6 minutes and a wooden spoon will do it in 8 minutes.

add the eggs and 1 tablespoon of ground almonds and beat in, then add the rest of the ground almonds and gently beat in, followed by the Greek Yoghurt, lemon zest and juice, vanilla and half the strawberries and beat in – the strawberries will become mush – which is exactly what you want.

lay half the remaining fruit into the bottom of your dish and cover with the frangipane batter, then scatter the remaining fruit on top

bake for 45 mins or until darkly golden brown, then remove from the oven and let it cool to set

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What are you having for brunch today?

for the kugel:
🍳 5 medium potatoes
🍳 2 large onions
🍳 2 large carrots – roughly grated
🍳 2 eggs – beaten
🍳 2 tablespoons flour
🍳 salt and pepper
🍳 a large handful of fresh rosemary
🍳 2 tablespoons of olive oil

for the poached eggs:
🥚 2 eggs per person
🥚 water
🥚 salt
🥚 a ramekin or similar

pre-heat the oven to 180C and butter your baking tin… i’m using an oblong swiss roll tin but any metal pan will do, a quiche or tarte tin is good.  Earthenware will work too but there’s something about the metal tin that makes it more ‘roasty’

Cut the potatoes and carrots into large chunks and par-boil till just beginning to yeald, drain and place in the fridge for one hour.  I usually do mine the night before.

Once the potatoes and carrots are cold, grate them and add them with the rest if the ingredients to a large bowl and mix together well.

Tip into your cake tin or roasting tray and roast in the oven on 190C till golden and grisp around the edges, roughly 40 mins

To make the poached eggs I prefer to use my large shallow cast-iron casserole dish.  There’s something about the cast-iron that holds the heat and cooks them evenly.  Fill the pan with water and heat it till it’s rapidly boiling, then turn down the heat until it is just steaming. 

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