Random recipes – my cookbook collection

I stumbled across Dominic Franks’ lovely blog, Belleau Kitchen, by chance a few weeks ago, after seeing someone tweet a link. He has a monthly blogging challenge, Random Recipes, where you pick a cookbook at random, then pick a recipe from it at random, cook it and blog it.  I thought I’d give it a go!

However this month is a bit different – instead we’re taking photos of our cookbook collection. PERFECT! Especially as we have recently finished our kitchen reno that includes a purpose built book case for my cookbooks. YAY! Exciting, but I have seriously underestimated the size, as my current cookbooks were only meant to take up about 4 shelves. Not 8! AND there is a sneaky little pile on the floor just out of shot 🙂

While there are *certain* individuals who complain I have too many cookbooks [um, WHAT?], I have a long way to go to catch up to Susie from Fold in the Flour.

Adding to my much loved collection, I have recently inherited my mum’s cookbook collection, which included a very ugly yellow folder full of hidden treasures. Including many magazine clips from the 50s to now. And many recipes I had sent her, cooked for her, and otherwise raved about to her. Along with a precious collection of recipes given to her by my grandmother when she married my father in 1968. Complete with notes telling her how David [dad] enjoyed them.

Memories of cooking with mum

I also love my first cookbook, and mums’s much used copy of The Joy of Cooking. It was from this that I first learned to bake, with many weekends spent making versions of the “Hurry-Up Cake”.

My first cookbook! I think I was 6 when I was given this

Lots of happy baking memories are associated with this one

Of my more modern books that I love but don’t use enough, are Jamie’s America, both of Ottolenghi’s books, Brissie girls Ryn & Cordie’s gorgeous book on matching food with wine [complete with THE BEST potato salad I’ve ever eaten], and of course my Thermomix books.

Of course, this is just focusing on cookbooks. I also have a large-ish collection of mags all spread around the house. In the kitchen, living room, all over the dining table, bedroom and of course, there is always one in the smallest room in the house.

What are your favourite cookbooks? And where do you keep them?