Ottolenghi

To say that Yotam Ottolenghi inspires me to cook would probably be the understatement of all time.  I own all of his cookbooks and each one always makes me squeal with the delight the minute they arrive in the mail.  Ottolenghi: The Cookbook is no exception.

Yotam Ottolenghi’s four eponymous restaurants—each a patisserie, deli, restaurant, and bakery rolled into one—are among London’s most popular culinary destinations. Now available for the first time in an American edition and updated with US measurements throughout, this debut cookbook from the celebrated, bestselling authors of Jerusalem  and Plenty features 140 recipes culled from the popular Ottolenghi restaurants and inspired by the diverse culinary traditions of the Mediterranean. 
The recipes reflect the authors’ upbringings in Jerusalem yet also incorporate culinary traditions from California, Italy, and North Africa, among others. Featuring abundant produce and numerous fish and meat dishes, as well as Ottolenghi’s famed cakes and breads, Ottolenghi invites you into a world of inventive flavors and fresh, vibrant cooking.

We devoted fans even get a chance to cook some of the desserts that you read about.  This cookbook is inspired and of course includes the stories that endear us to this master of the kitchen.  It is a cookbook you will pick up often and something that the whole family can enjoy without a doubt.  I made the Cauliflower Fritters with Lime Sauce and they were gone within seconds.  They were a wonderful way to add veggies to what was becoming an uninspired dinnertime.  They are the recipe of Sami Tamimi (co-author of this book).  They  were a lunchtime treat from Sami's mum.  I admit, I snuck more than one into my lunch for the day as these can be eaten hot or cold.

 I decided to try my hand at  Ottolenghi: The Cookbook dessert.  I made the Carrot, Apple and Pecan muffins.  With carrots, apples, raisins, coconut, sunflower and pumpkin seeds as some of the healthy ingredients, they were filling and completely delicious.

 Ottolenghi: The Cookbook has clear instructions and beautiful photos which really make this more than "just a cookbook."  This is another home run.  I may not be able to be in one of their fabulous shops in London enjoying these treats, but now with a little help, I can make them in the comfort of my own home.  (I also have big plans for a London trip, but that's another blog post).