I browsed the cook books. I love cook books. I have been collecting them for years. Proof -
If that is not enough, there are more stored in my brother's basement in Canada. Because we were never meant to be living in the UK this long. Therefore we have belongings still waiting for us to return. (Yes, my poor brother has had them all this time.)
Yesterday I added a new cook book to these shelves, because I needed it. I really did. And it was on sale, cheap.
I didn't intend to buy it. I was just flipping through various books while the girls entertained themselves and we generally wasted time. But I came across this page...
... and that was it. I had to have it. For those of you who live outside of North America you have probably never heard of General Tso's Chicken. Those of you who live in North America, and like Chinese food, may well be aware that it is one of the most popular dishes available on the menu there. I love it. It is tangy, spicy, gorgeously good. And I haven't had it in over eleven years. As soon as I have the ingredients bought I am having it again. I will let you know how it turns out.
That was more than enough incentive for me to buy the book, but a little page flipping further brought me to things like this...
... and this.
I do believe that I am going to have fun with this book.
Does anyone else get this much joy out of food? Fun out of the anticipation of it? Pleasure from the making, sharing, introducing to new flavours? Because it is one of the great joys in my life. I associate so many of my memories with food. I can remember things I have eaten in places all over the world, and having them again takes me right back to where I was when I first tried a particular dish.
General Tso's Chicken is the dish I ate after I met himself, when we first lived together and when I was pregnant with Helen. She incubated on chillies, and garlic, and ginger. Lucky kid! Wonder if that is part of the reason she loves her food so much now?
Susan
Now you have made me hungry!! I realy wish I had more time to cook: I do love bbq'ing in the summer, and tend to cook more in the holidays and I like to cook for lots of people too
ReplyDeleteyou sound so enthusiastic... may just have to go and visit Tesco to see what I can find in the books xx
ReplyDeleteI love those photos of all your books, have bookmarked to show the husband as he thinks my collection is big (it's less than half yours!). I read them like novels. Do you have a favourite? Happy cooking!!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love flicking through cookery books, but I am bone idle about ever actually cooking the things from it - always something more important that needs doing! Food like chinese and thai is actually not to time consuming, is it, as long as you have the ingredients in?
ReplyDeleteI knew you and I had a lot in common - lovely to see someone with a cookbook collection to rival mine!!!
ReplyDeleteI like eating - not so much the cooking, I don't have the patience x
ReplyDeleteChinese food .. mhmmm ... i never get it the way I am used to but I never cooked it myself. I should give it a try. Sounds great
ReplyDeleteI remember that dish, I ate it when I lived in Toronto. I hope you will let us know how it works out.
ReplyDeleteI'd be more than happy to eat prepared so lovingly by you Susan!
ReplyDeleteOoh, love good cook book!
ReplyDeleteCooking is a necessity for me but I would happily be a food taster for you! Di x
ReplyDeleteNot so hot on cooking any more cos it involves being on your feet for ages, and staying awake enough for things to get the right amount of time cooking... The word "simmer for 20 mins" are usually enough to cancel any desire to cook that might have been lurking deep ....
ReplyDeleteHmmm not sure these dishes would meet my children's criteria for a nice dish, but Mr f and I would enjoy them.
ReplyDeletemaybe my children are fussy in contrast because I could NOT eat while pregnant with them especially Hannah. food like this would have sent her running to the toilet faster than you could blink. even at 9 months.
fun memories!
ooh - looks like a great book - I love cook books too - but had to give some away - i found i hadn't actually used some of them very often - (not that I think that'll be the case for your new one) - the last one i got was jamie olivers great british food - as a gift - and it's fabulous - funny how we hanker for our 'pasts' isn't it?
ReplyDeleteOh I love collecting cookery books too *sigh* I really need to have a good old browse at mine again soon and refresh my menu...
ReplyDeleteI envy your love of cooking and flavours! Looking forward to being on the receiving end of some of them! Jxo
ReplyDeleteOh I love cooking and I have waaaaay too many cookbooks. Those recipes look fabulous, I might just have to see if I can find that book to add to my collection.
ReplyDeletei love cookbooks to but hubby has to approve any thing i wont to cook because he is the one that eats it
ReplyDeleteI love cook books too. I have a lot. Just got a new one for my birthday...Canning For A New Generation.
ReplyDeleteAnd, I now know what Tesco is...I went to one in Slovakia. They are similar to our K-Mart or Target.
woah that is a lot of cookbooks! I would love to come to your house for dinner! making me hungry and it's only 7.30am and I just had my toast and tea. Have a wonderful time with Jude on Sunday xxxxx
ReplyDeleteNow that's a cook book collection! I watched her TV series and the hubby has cooked a few of her dishes from the internet x
ReplyDeleteI enjoy cookbooks too and have plans to reintroduce myself with them now I have a bit more time. Sometimes think I have lost my way with cooking.Love your enthusiasm, it shines thro.
ReplyDeleteI love reading cookbooks, especially if they have gorgeous photos of all the dishes! Hubby has taken to buying me a new one at Christmas or birthdays.... the gift that keeps on giving and all that! ;)
ReplyDeleteNow you've made me want Chinese food for lunch and not crackers and crisps which is what I've just eaten :-(
ReplyDeleteWhen I was 16 I started working in a German restaurant & for a few years there I thought that this would be my life long career. Bad knees & bad back & horrible conditions shelved those dreams but I still LOVE cooking.
ReplyDeleteI used to have heaps of cook books but with moving, especially countries I have divested myself of most books.
I still have several antique cooking bibles that I will never part with but for the most part I use the internet whenever I need help now and the bonus is that it saves on storage!!
Mmmmm, now I want Chinese too! LOL
Enjoy
Lush x
Baking? Yes. Cooking? Not so much! I do make nice toast though ;o)
ReplyDeleteI'll be over for dinner tonight. xx
ReplyDelete