Books where would we be without them.......

Lately i find myself reading cook books obsessively and the funny thing about it is that i have gone back to the old classics. Elizabeth David's stunning descriptions of French country markets and the peasant foods she encounters, the way she describes what she is cooking is some of the best cookery writing I have ever read. Jane Grigson's brilliant book about English Food was written in 1974 and it is as relevant today as it was back then. Classy recipes with no fluff, just the way I like it..
Then there is Margaret Costa's Four Seasons cookery book, first published in 1970, this is a must, beautiful seasonal recipes and huge amounts of knowledge between the covers. I even have found myself reading a old copy of Julia Child's book about French Cooking, (they made a film about this and I must say it is worth watching)again good honest food with simple recipes that you will get to know and love over time.
Another writer worth looking out for is Simon Hopkinson, a brilliant cook and writer who I worked for in the Bibendum restaurant in London many years ago. My Daughter Mollie proudly brought me home menu's from there last month, she even got a photo of herself outside this famous restaurant.
So what i think i am trying to say is that we have allot to learn from those who have gone before us, these people wrote from the heart about food and the simplicity of it. There was no photographs in their books just beautiful passages of descriptive writing.....

So look out for these;

Jane Grigson's English Food
Jane Grigson's Good Things
Jane Grigson's Charcuterie and French Pork Cookery
Elizabeth David French Country Cooking
Elizabeth David Mediterranean Food
Elizabeth David Spice, Salt and Aromatics in the English Kitchen
Margaret Costa's Four Seasons cookery book
Simon Hopkinson Roast Chicken and Other Stories