Cookbooks Galore: The Big Book Edition!

Following on from my recent review of cake cookbooks, here I am reviewing a few more books I was sent to review. Remember don't miss that at the end of each of these book reviews is a great discount code for you to shop online with New Holland Publishers so you can buy these books for yourself at a great price!

 The Big Book of BBQ

From the publisher: There's no better way to spend time with loved ones than to sit down together with delicious barbecued food, full of great flavour and using straightforward methods, to enjoy the relaxed feeling that could only come from cooking in this way. This book is for anyone who wants to achieve this, offering exciting and inspiring barbecue and griddle pan recipes to share with friends and family.  The book kicks off with an introductory chapter explaining the different global takes on barbecuing before moving on to a useful tips section of how to have a successful barbecue. There are also handy hints on using the tools of the trade, followed by the recipes section, which features 130 delicious ideas, each accompanied by a colour photograph.  Recipes are broken down into mouth-watering starters followed by a tempting selection of main courses divided into meat, fish, veggie dishes and salads. There is also a section on barbecue basics, showing how to whip up the perfect accompaniment to enjoy with your meal. This book has a wide selection of recipes that can be enjoyed using the ease and immediacy of a griddle pan or the smoky charcoal of the barbecue, whatever the weather, season or time of day.

I love BBQ season and every year I vow to be a little bit more creative with my BBQ cooking rather than just the standard sausage, burger and corn-on-the-cob! There are so many recipes in this book that this year I have no excuse!  The book is divided into starters, meat, fish & seafood, veggie, salads & sides and desserts, and starts with a history of the BBQ and a list of essentials with some barbecuing hints and tips.

There are some interesting ideas. It may seem simple but I've never really thought to hard about how I serve BBQ food and it's never occurred for me to make fajitas on the BBQ or serve things in tortilla wraps.  I was also interested in the fish section as I have never cooked fish on the BBQ but love the sound of the Spanish mackerel kebabs with mango and lychee salad, as well as the blackened halibut.  Another thing that has passed me by is desserts - Mr M raves about bananas cooked on the BBQ but I've never tried them or anything else sweet but will definitely be trying the caramalised fruit kebabs.

The book is bright and cheerful, clean and simply presented.  The recipes are easy to follow and one of my favourite things about the book is there is a picture accompany each recipe.  I can't wait to try with the BBQ pork and green apple salad, spicy chicken satay skewers and spicy lamb on sticks with yoghurt sauce.   It's a great book for an BBQ lover!

Big Book of BBQ is published by New Holland Publishers, price £9.99
Enter the code MrsMBlog at the checkout to receive 20% discount and free P&P.
(Offer vaild until 30^th September 2011, UK only)

The Big Book of Family Meals

This must-have compendium features 130 most popular savoury and sweet recipes from around the world.  Dishes from the US, Caribbean, North Africa, Middle East, Mediterranean, Europe, India and Asia all feature.

Burgers, risottos, pasta dishes, curries, mezze, pizzas, stir-fries, patties, stews, rotis, desserts – all make an appearance. The book is broken down into starters, mains, sides and desserts. Any unusual ingredients or terms are fully explained at the front of the book.

Like the Big Book of BBQ above, this book is full of easy-to-follow, simply presented recipes with accompanying photos.  As you will know, I love to meal plan and searching for new recipes that are suitable for the whole family seems to be one of my pastimes.

The book is divided into soups & starters, meat, fish, veggie and desserts.  There's also a section on how to eat more healthy, covering sugar, salt, omega 3 & 6, and saturated fats.  There's a great selection of recipes and truly something for everyone. It includes old favourites like spaghetti bolognese to things you might not have tried like kung po chicken.  Things I will be trying include prawn bruschetta with garlic, cajun hash browns with chorizo and cherry tomatoes, salmon fish fingers with pea and potato mash and rocky road ice cream.

This is a good book for anybody who needs a little more help and inspiration with their family meals. 

Big Book of Family Meals is published by New Holland Publishers, price £14.99
Enter the code MrsMBlog at the checkout to receive 20% discount and free P&P.
(Offer vaild until 30^th September 2011, UK only)

love & kisses 
Mrs M x