In one of the most ridiculous middle-class struggles, I have a cookbook problem. A lot of us –and by “us”, I mean the people who hang out in the food section of book stores, stroking spines and sighing with longing – have cookbook problems. Too many books, not enough shelf space, and a disinclination to actually look through them when the internet is right there. They’re there as a safety blanket, for proper baking days or, god forbid, when the internet dies.
My questions is this – how can we make cookbooks more user friendly, more likely to be cooked from? What will encourage me to follow a recipe instead of whipping out my dinnertime classic, “Stuff in a Pan”? I’d love to hear what makes you use yours, whether that’s apps, making room for the books in your actual kitchen, or an elaborate treasure hunt that encourages you to explore your many, many volumes of Jamie.
The recipe search is harder at this time of year. There’s only so much you can do with a cabbage, and I don’t know about you, but basically all I want to eat is stew…and so, this year’s February round up is all about keeping cosy when it’s snowing outside.
See what else in this month here! Recipes for seasonal heroes chicory and forced rhubarb can be found here, too.
- Pot roast chicken and celeriac @ Riverford
- Mushroom and brown ale soup @ The Bearded Bakery
- Pork and chorizo casserole @ The Dinner Bell
- Sausage, mushroom & red onion casserole @ Jam and Clotted Cream
- Bean bourguignon (vegan) @ Food to Glow
- Squash, sage & chilli gratin @ Eat Like a Girl
- Cider, apple & sausage casserole @ Coriander Queen
- Sweet potato & black bean goulash @ Don’t Feed After Midnight
- Mushroom stroganoff (vegan) @ Made By Luci
- Vegetarian chilli @ Cookie + Kate