Saturday, September 03, 2005

Twelve: A Tuscan Cookbook by Tessa Kiros


I was given this for my birthday a while ago and it was one of those books that I disliked intensely at first glance. At first glance (and I can't stress that enough) I had it figured as one of those books that will tease you with glorious recipes and food porn photos and then slam you with the knowledge that you're fucked, you simply will not be able to find a single ingredient unless you wrestle them from old wizened Tuscan farmer's wife in the month of May. I have to say I do like the recipes in my cookbooks to at least end up on my plate once in a while.

OK, all of this was at first glance. Now, not being one to judge a book by it's cover too harshly I sat down with it and was summarily blown away. I have fallen in love with the simplicity of it all. The joy of the ingredients are what comes through, really simple and beautiful stuff. I am still not a fan of the interstitial writing (I didn't get a sense of the author bar some florid prose) but the food is a delight and looks so easy to cook the girlfriend was offering to try them out. High praise indeed.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Monkey Gland - I might have said this before, but I love your writing too :) I was waiting for the paperback of this book but haven't got it yet. I've got her second book but I must say it's still more like a coffee table book rather than a recipe book... Have you read a post on Moira's site? (who wants seconds) She interviewed Tessa and it was very interesting.

Chubby Hubby said...

Have you tried her other book, "Falling Cloudberries"? Equally stunning and beautiful. But, while I do love owning and looking at both her books, they are not ones I turn to when looking to cook something. To me, they're sort of food books as art rather than useful everyday cookbooks.

Anastasia said...

I love her book Falling Cloudberries!!! Being of cypriot descent the recipes and her words mean so much to me!
Im keen to get my hands on her new book 'Apples for jam'

Anonymous said...

Have just had such a chuckle at your review. Am reviewing Apples for Jam for an article and, like her other books it is fantastic - BUT i definitely concur about the florid prose - it leans towards nauseating at times...

Anonymous said...

By all means express your opinion but do you have to adopt this trend of being foul mouthed and downright caustic?