Cookbooks
Cookbooks are something that I enjoy, and I have lots of them. Some are old and worn with notes in the margins and ingredient lists; that let you know that it really needs more time in the oven, or a giant X which I presume my Great / Grand / Mother meant to say “This is awful”. There are also little bits of paper stuck into the pages and between the covers, these have a list of ingredients and an instruction that says “cook for 3 hours” nothing more.
These older books, are less about method and more just an ingredient list with a couple of directions. Most don’t have pictures, and all accept it as fact that the person reading the book knows how to cook - I mean really cook, not follow a recipe.
At the other end of the bookshelf are the newer cookbooks from the last 10 years or so. These are filled with glossy pictures, and minute detailed instructions on method. Most of these books are based on the presumption that the art of cooking has been lost and we now need to follow a recipe very closely if there is any hope of it turning out. These books are great, but I feel constrained and it’s not the way I cook. In fact I struggle a bit with writing out my methods here on the site, because I usually don’t cook the same dish the same way twice. Or I substitute ingredients based on what I have on hand, or because it’s raining...
This is a cookbook that actually allows you to cook, not follow recipes and that is an important distinction. If you love cooking, and creating you could make these recipes over and over again; each time would be new. Not radically new, after all I tend to do certain things the same way and lean on some ingredients more than others.
Since the publisher was so kind and sent us two copies, we’ll be giving one away. Head on over to our contest page and enter between Aug 12 2009 and Sept 12 2009, one entry per household per day.
Summer Cookware Contest
This cookware set has proven to be a very popular give-away, so we are doing it again.
Calphalon Cookware Give-Away
To enter the contest, watch the video: Maple Yoghourt Cheese Recipe, and answer the skill testing question on the entry form below - Can you ever have too much Maple Syrup?. No Purchase necessary. Must be age of majority in your home province, state, or territory.
Residents of Quebec, and Florida are not eligible.
Contest runs from about noon (EST) June 19 2009 to 6 pm (EST) July 31 2009. (the contest closing date)
Win this great Calphalon One Cookware set!
Set Includes: 10" fry pan 12" fry pan 3 qt. covered Chef's Pan 4.5 qt. covered Sauce Pan 11" covered Chef's Skillet 8 qt. covered Stock Pot
Features
• Heavy-gauge, highly conductive Calphalon One Infused Anodized sears food quickly and evenly.
• Infused with an advanced release polymer, the Calphalon One cooking surface not only sears food perfectly - it also lets you control when foods release from the bottom of the pan.
• Hot, soapy water and a dish cloth --that's generally all you need to keep Calphalon One sparkling clean. The infused anodized cooking surface releases food as easily during clean-up as it does while you cook.
• Deglazes beautifully.
• Handles stay comfortably cool during stovetop cooking.
• Compatible with gas, electric, and ceramic top stoves.
Make sure to pass the link along to all your friends!
Enter the contest here, and good luck.
June 2009 Waffle Baker Contest
Time for our newest contest here at Le Gourmet TV!
This month we are giving away a Waring Pro Belgian Waffle Baker.
To enter the contest, watch the video: Sweet Tart Dough, and answer the skill testing question on the entry form - What temp is the butter we use in the recipe?. No Purchase necessary. Must be age of majority in your home province, state, or territory.
Residents of Quebec, and Florida are not eligible.
Contest runs from about 11:59pm (EST) June 14 2009 to 6 pm (EST) July 14 2009. (the contest closing date)
Win this great Waring Pro WMK300 Belgian Waffle Maker!
The Waring WMK300 professional waffle maker brings a new level of performance to making Belgian waffles at home. The unique 180-degree rotary feature of this heavy-duty waffle maker ensures consistent baking and even browning. The result is a perfect, large, round, restaurant-style Belgian Waffle with extra deep pockets to hold fruit and syrup for breakfast, or ice cream and sauce for desert. A 6-setting browning control, LED indicators and audio signals ensure foolproof performance, waffle after waffle.
Features:
- Extra deep waffle pockets allow for thickest Belgian waffle in industry
- Rotary feature ensures even baking on top and bottom
- "Power" and "Ready" extra large LED indicators
- Audio beep tones indication when waffle is ready
- Rotary thermostat/browning control knob
- Brushed stainless-steel housing and brushed die-cast base
- UL/CUL approved
- Limited 1-year appliance warranty
- Measures 16-1/4 by 9-1/4 by 7-3/4 inches
That’s it watch the video, fill out the entry form and answer the question.
But since you’re hanging around, why not watch some of our great Recipe Videos, Baking Videos, or BBQ Videos.