Review: OTK Extra Good Things by Noor Murad and Yotam Ottolenghi

Extra Good Things does exactly what it says on the tin. It puts the ‘x’ in ‘extra’, that is, it’s a book full of those tidbits and culinary elements that make for an undiscernibly delectable dish. Each page presents a whole recipe, but highlights the ‘x factor’ that will take your cooking from good to great.… Read More Review: OTK Extra Good Things by Noor Murad and Yotam Ottolenghi

Review: OTK Shelf Love by Noor Murad and Yotam Ottolenghi

Shelf Love is the first of an OTK series that will be released over time, each with a vibrantly coloured flexi cover, a printed ribbon bookmark, and a different focus that is aimed at helping home cooks elevate their cooking the OTK way.

Unlike previous Ottolenghi-led cookbooks—which call for long lists of elusive ingredients, extensive preparation and cook time, and have you finishing the cook crying over endless mounds of dirty dishes—Shelf Love captures the essence of Ottolenghi without the hurdles.… Read More Review: OTK Shelf Love by Noor Murad and Yotam Ottolenghi

Review: Ripe Figs by Yasmin Khan

Have you ever had a cookbook where you knew you could make every single recipe in it, and have complete faith that it would need little-to-no adjusting, and would turn out delicious and just as the recipe intends? This is what Yasmin Khan manages to do—in all of her books, not just her latest.

Ripe Figs sings with the classic flavours of the Mediterranean through both creative and traditional recipes. Then there are those recipes included as a nod to refugees and migrants across the eastern Mediterranean. Because this is not just a book of recipes, it’s a cookbook that tells a story.… Read More Review: Ripe Figs by Yasmin Khan

The Cookability Factor: a note on my book reviews

I wouldn’t call myself ‘obsessed’ with cookbooks; I know many people with collections bordering the thousands, and my grand total comes in at a paltry 66—I haven’t even cracked triple digits. My personal cookbook library is a very careful curation of works that together represent who I am in the kitchen, as well as who I aspire to be.

I’ve already explained that I assess individual recipes based on their ‘Dish Rating’; for whole cookbooks I meticulously calculate a Cookability Factor. The Cookability Factor specifically influences whether or not I buy a book for my home collection.… Read More The Cookability Factor: a note on my book reviews

An Ode to the Savoury Loaf

An idle scroll through my Instagram account will show you that I tend to bake loaves a lot. I usually bake my sweet cakes in loaf form too, but the savoury loaf sits in pride of place on my breakfast bar and in my heart.

I’ve gathered here my favourite recipes (and tasting notes) for your reading and drooling pleasure, along with links if you so feel inclined to whip out your own loaf tins. Some of the recipes listed below call for baking in a round or square cake tin, and I do occasionally oblige. When baking for communal grazing purposes (office morning teas, picnics, socially distanced events), the muffin tin also works wonders and has the benefits of a high crust-to-inner ratio.

But I always return to the savoury loaf.… Read More An Ode to the Savoury Loaf