You might think that publishing a review of a Christmas recipe book, just after Christmas, might appear somewhat strange, but since this is a retrospective look it seemed a good opportunity to look forward to next Christmas whilst reviewing the book. After a period of heavy Christmas eating, if one can still remain positive about Christmas-related recipes that is a good thing…
And there are a few things that could appear on the reviewer's groaning table next year, with just under a year remaining, even if one has eschewed many of the variations-on-a-traditional-recipe recipes that also appear. This is not a complaint, as the variations-on-a-traditional-recipe recipes are, in themselves, quite good, but one has focussed more on the novelty, different items.
The format of this book is the same as the others in this expanding series. 101 tried-and-tested recipes on a given theme, with this one being Christmas dishes. The book is a relatively small softcover book, each recipe illustrated with a full colour photograph, and the recipe text split into ingredients and, of course, the crucial instructions. A format and structure that works very well indeed.
Here the book is split into six sections: edible gifts, Christmas cakes and other bakes, party drinks and nibbles, the Christmas feast and all the trimmings, entertaining starters and centrepieces and last but not least festive finales. One of the first recipes that jumped out with interest was a Christmas dressing to help spice up any salads (turkey optional!) and here seasonal ingredients are combined to make a rather tangy, pleasant dressing. Then who would have thought to use satay as a canapé in the shape of a satay shot! Many interesting items started jumping out (of the page, metaphorically speaking) and only space precludes a long list.
A range of traditionally "based" recipes are carefully blended together with many more quirky, innovative recipes and this mix does seem to hit the mark (unlike many festive books). Here even the most jaded cook could find something to add to the Christmas table. One gets rather tired towards Christmas after reading the 50th guide to cooking turkey, making the Christmas cake, etc etc that every magazine, TV program, book, blog, etc etc tries to pump out.
Perversely, this could even be an antidote to "Christmas Food overload" when you have to find inspiration when there is no motivation.
GoodFood: 101 Christmas Dishes, edited by Angela Nilsen and published by BBC Books. ISBN 978-0-563-53929-2, 216 pages. Typical price: GBP4.99.
// This review appeared in YUM.fi and is reproduced here in full with permission of YUM.fi. YUM.fi celebrates the worldwide diversity of food and drink, as presented through the humble book. Whether you call it a cookery book, cook book, recipe book or something else (in the language of your choice) YUM will provide you with news and reviews of the latest books on the marketplace. //