Here are a selection of wine, food, travel and lifestyle books that Paul has enjoyed reading.
Small By Design – Paul Urquhart and Lorna Rose – New Holland – RRP $39.95
It’s Springtime in the city – time and space are at a premium as ever. We all like a peaceful modern welcoming green place to spend our precious free time. The problem is after a dreary wet and miserable Winter the likes of we have just had, the ole green place in the back yard isn’t looking too modern nor is it likely to inspire too much peace. The reality also is that most of us no longer live on a quarter acre block and our gardens are likely to small, in awkward shapes and configurations and come with issues in designing and implementing any innovative garden restoration ideas.Along comes this garden deign book by respected gardening writer Paul Urquhart that inspires you to get out there and recreate your own peace of gardening space. All of this in many imaginative and clever as well practical ways that will suit a range of budgets. The end results as typified through the photography of well known Australian garden photographer Lorna Rose showing us the product of an attitude that anything is possible with some guidance and a bit of outdoor work. The gardener with the green thumb (or those who like to think they have) in your household right through to the gardening aficionado will gain something inspiring from this delightful garden design book.
Sicily – Nature, Culture And Tradition – By MariaCristinaCastelluci with Photographs By AntonioAttini – Bookwise International – RRP $39.95.
This is a travel pictorial book that you will enjoy reading before, during and well after your visit to the picturesque island of Sicily. Sicily is of course part of the country of Italy situated in the heart of the Mediterranean but in other ways a world removed from its mainland. Steeped in a rich historical and cultural tradition, its people and its land have a long story to tell, one that continues to this day. Its history of war, conquest after conquest, invasion, from earliest centuries needs to be kept in context to understand the Sicily of today.
“Without seeing Sicily, it’s impossible to understand Italy” is a true assertion previously echoed. Sicily is often described as complex, contradictory and hard to grasp – words that on occasions do depict. But this distracts from its picturesque beauty, the rich historical texture that underlies the culture of its people, the affinity they have to their Island continent and the exquisite topography that goes from emerald green coastlines to volcanic mountains in extremes (not to mention the fine Sicilian cuisine and wine!).
A seriously good book for those who would like a taste of what Sicily has to offer with stunning photographs that provide a rich perspective visually of past and present Sicily accompanied by explanations of the journey that has taken place amongst Sicilians to get them to where they are today, in this beautiful part of the world.
The Australian authority on wine is James Halliday. His annual Wine Companion is as close as we get to an annual Australian wine encyclopedia on the latest Australian wine releases and its wineries. Halliday’s credentials as vigneron, national and international wine judge and respected wine writer over many decades have made him a natural leader in the Australian wine industry and thus respected author for this work.
This year’s Australian Wine Companion is an impressive achievement for a man who lives and breathes all things wine. It contains tasting notes for nearly 6000 wines, profiles over 1700 wineries, of which 218 are new ones and provides useful wine information for the beginner right through to the enthusiast by way of maps, vintage charts, grape variety plantings and related wine statistics, wine and food matching recommendations and Halliday’s own views on the current state of play on Australian wine.
Most importantly the Wine Companion provides James Halliday’s winery and wine selections for the past year of tastings. Indeed it tells you which Coonawarra winery won his overall Winery of the Year award this year, which wine Halliday rated the magical perfect score of 100 out of 100 points for the first time ever, which 10 out of the 218 new wineries added to it are the best prospects to look out for as well as 10 of the dark horse wineries he thinks you should keep an eye on over the next year. For those bargain hunters there is a short section on value for money wines – both white and red at various price points. There is also a section on which are the best wineries from each region regardless of whether you enjoy wines from Albany in Western Australia, Beechworth in Victoria or the Granite Belt in Queensland. Finally there is my favourite (and the much anticipated) part where James Halliday tells us which wines by variety have taken his fancy over the year and scored well out of 100 points – the cut to the chase, tell us your top picks section.
Seriously if you only have one book on wine at your place this year – this is the one to get your hands on!
GrossiFlorentino - Secrets and Recipes by GuyGrossi & JanMcGuinness, Lantern, Penguin Australia - RRP$39.95
I finally have gotten to writing some words about this fabulous book that profiles the culinary work of GuyGrossi of GrossiFlorentino, the famous Melbourne Italian restaurant. I admit I have been too far ensconced trying out this and that recipe from the book (might I say that the lasagna is stunning, as is the slow cooked beef with polenta), flicking the pages back and forth reminiscing over childhood foodie favourite dishes and recalling how my mother and nonnas used to make their own version of what head chef and owner Guy Grossi is now receiving his own acclaim for. Anyway finally I have wrenched myself from the book as well as the kitchen bench to put pen to paper for you.
The Florentino is a Melbourne institution, both culturally and culinary as well as being one of its more famous and best Italian restaurants with its origins dating back to 1900 when it commenced as a wine cafe. The sense of history and tradition is as much about and part of its building, surrounds and people, as well as its food.
GuyGrossi's sense of Italian heritage and its melding with its appreciative and responsive Melbournian audience comes through wonderfully throughout this book. It also reflects in the dishes he has prepared and shares with us, all in a manner that retains tradition but brings a modern influence to it as well without taking away from the dishes integrity.
The passion, warmth, love and fond attention given to the ingredients, preparation and ultimate presentation of his Italian cuisine just jumps out at you from each page. Accompanied by rich historical text by accomplished writer JanMcGuinness and with gorgeously presented photos of the dishes by AdrianLander, this is a book that will literally delight all of the senses, through words, pictures, cultural dialogue, historical tale and culinary delight.
This cookbook is a tale, a journey into the world of fine Italian dining in Melbourne and a story about how Italian essentials such as coffee and pasta have become as Australian as their historical origins and reflects how the history of the Florentino is intertwined with Melbourne and its Italian influence. Now, back to the book and my kitchen!
The Kitchen Diaries - By NigelSlater - Harper Collins - RRP $39.95
It took me far too long to getting around to writing about this book. Far longer than I had ever intended. Because on first opening of it I immediately wanted to share its beautiful writing and lovely recipes with you as fast as I could. To tell you all how brilliantly well written it was, how well the diary recollections flowed and to tell you there were plenty of mouthwatering recipes that you should try and test out your culinary skills. But I just couldn’t get pen onto paper, because I became too busy myself - trying out new receipes, re-reading diary entries telling me where certain produce had been sourced and the story behind it and fondly recalling descriptions of day after day spent vicariously, of someone else's life, someone who obviously loves his food and has made it an inextricable part of his life from his time of awakening until his head hits the pillow. So there, that is my excuse - I became entranced by this book - cookbook, diary, foodie feast and personal food journey of award winning British cook, NigelSlater. The book is an almost daily dialog between NigelSlater and the reader of what food he sourced, prepared, cooked and ate and whom with, for most days of a year in his life. Cook, author, foodie and bon vivant, all come through word by word, line by line with passion and warmth. Easy to follow comfort food recipes, given the personal touch at each and every opportunity, not over the top but simple easy creations that serve to reinvigorate and nurture the soul (and stomach) and to reconnect the reader with not only how food should be made and presented but also where it has come from and how ultimately it is just as important who you choose to share it with. NigelSlater has respect for food and it shows in every word he has written in this marvellous tome. Go on, what are you waiting for!
Pardon My French – SallyHammond – New Holland – RRP $24.95
This is a tale of French life from the eyes of Sydney travel and lifestyle writer, Sally Hammond who with her photographer husband, Gordon have recently spent six weeks getting to know France and getting to know the French way of life more intimately. Their love of the place and the richness of their experiences of all things French is reflected and crafted through the words of SallyHammond transporting the reader vividly into all parts of France. Whether it be the picturesque settings, the history steeped buildings, the village charm and the endless fine food and wine, SallyHammond is able to share her story of their interaction with the French. In what seems a whirlwind tour, the reader is taken from Paris to the Pyrenees. The romance, history and charm of French life comes through in almost every interaction and the connection with its people to its past always figuring prominently – something that Sally Hammond is able to capture well through her ever increasing knowledge of the French language and the ensuing embracement of the French people of her. A trip to France will not be far off after reading this delightful book.
The Afterwork Cookbook by Penguin Publishing - RRP $29.95
One of the hardest decisions of my busy day often comes towards the end of it - what's for dinner! I don’t know about you but at the end of a hard and busy day - whatever I put into my mouth to eat that night has to be able to be produced quickly, with a minimum of fuss, has to be simple to sourced with most of it from the pantry, not generate a thousand or so pots and pans to clean afterwards and most importantly has to taste good with that drop of white or red wine I will invariably crack open to go with it. Cordon bleu cooking is left to the weekends in our household whilst practical, fast and tasty remain the hallmarks of work day dining. Well, Penguin have come to the rescue and wisely put together The Afterwork Cookbook which quite simply and easily fulfills all my important after work criteria for putting together fast, easy to make and wholesome food from ingredients you will probably have stocked up at home. Easy to follow, good clear photos and plenty of delicious choices. Too easy. Indeed something has to be, after all that hard work!
Seasons of Sicily Written By NataliaRavida - New Holland Publishing - RRP $39.95.
From the first look and feel of this book's glorious cover, you know the contents are going to be special. If I start to wax lyrically, it is the old Sicilian boy in me coming out. But truly this is one gorgeous cookbook that takes you on a wonderful journey through the litany of recipes that constitutes Sicilian cooking. Indeed not only does it deal with the cuisine of this beautiful island, it wraps it in a rich text that deals with its natural beauty, intricate history, unspoiled traditions and the exquisite and unique culture of the Sicilian peoples. It reads as much as a story, a personal journey as it does a charming cookbook. Its author, Natalia Ravida has a long familial lineage of many centuries of foodie related knowledge and culture gathered from her ancestors of the La Gurra family farmwith special reference to the essential and almost ubiquitous ingredient of olive oil, which the Ravida family is renown. What follows are classic Mediterranean recipes made with produce such as olives, grapes, fruit trees, wild herbs and vegetables as NataliaRavida sharing with us her favourite Sicilian recipes. The book is beautifully presented with lovely photography, chapters split logically into easy to follow sections for each season of the year and recipes that should turn you into an honorary Sicilian chef in no time.
Tolarno Bistro by IainHewitson and BobHart – Allen and Unwin – RRP $49.95.
This is a nostalgic look at the life and times through an array of stories, anecdotes and recipes of a remarkable Melbourne restaurant, the Tolarno Bistro, located in one of the livelier areas of that town in Fitzroy Street, St Kilda. Sadly it closed its doors in May 2006 but it was a place that has wined and dined generations of diners and thus is a source of celebration of an extraordinary tale of years of colourful history of this iconic restaurant, from its origins in the 1960’s under Georges and Mirka Mora, through to Leon Massoni’s time there in the 1970’s and the remaining years with celebrated chef Iain Hewitson. Indeed Hewitson and Hart take us on a wonderful journey full of French classic recipes alongside a raft of tales and legends that is as much about Australian foodie history as it was the extraordinarily good times that were had there. The stack of delicious recipes such as Twice Baked Cheese Soufflés, Coq Au Vin, MoulesMarinare and Tian Provencale are immortalised through the history of this fine Melbourne eating establishment.
The Silver Spoon - Phaidon Press - Distributed by Bookwise International - RRP$69.95.
Eating is a serious matter says one of the first pages, and then the first words of this renowned Italian cookbook. I love being Italian – because food and wine and good living, la dolce vita, are all such serious things and an integral part of being Italian. So when I tell you that this cookbook is the beginning and the end when it comes to Italian cooking, you should put some faith in my words. Over 2000 recipes spread over 1200 pages, in exquisite and loving detail combing old values, history, Italian heritage with contemporary good food cuisine. A conglomeration of Italian recipes, brought together by Italian families and cooks, passed on through generations from grandparent through to grandchild. The Silver Spoon is the most successful cookery book in Italy. Organised in chapters by course, this cookbook is easy to read, follow and instills confidence in the aspirant Italian cook. This is quite rightly described as the bible of authentic Italian cooking. It’s like having an Italian Nonna next to you whilst you whip up your favourite Italian treat. A wonderful present for the foodie obsessive in your household.
