Cooking the Books ~ July

I am so delighted as it seems that Summer has arrived for us here in Canada (and hopefully for you too wherever you are!), so to celebrate my favourite season of the year for this month's Cooking the Books I am reviewing not one but two books! 

First up and how could I resist Forever Summer by Nigella Lawson. An older book perhaps but a true classic guaranteed to inspire when the sun is shining! Secondly I had to put a Barbecue book to the test so I chose Ross Dobson's Fired Up: No Nonsense Barbecuing. I can't wait - let's just hope the sun stays around!

As usual if you have either of these books why not take them off the bookshelf and try a recipe or two from them. Or if you have a favourite recipe that you love to make from these books let me know! So in a lazy, hot sun induced manner let's start Cooking the Books!

Our Favourite Coleslaw

I LOVE coleslaw and I always have done! My mum loves it so it was always in the fridge and a necessity when it came to eating Cheese Toasties/ Grilled Cheese when we were growing up! Whenever my friends came to our house for lunch the one thing always requested was a Cheese Toastie (Mum had a great toastie maker!) with coleslaw! Generally though coleslaw was not something I made myself....back home in the UK it was just as easy (and delicious!) to buy it from the supermarket. When I moved to Canada however I discovered that the coleslaw from the supermarket was something completely different and I wasn't a big fan so it didn't take me long to start making my own when I needed a coleslaw hit!

This is by far the simplest recipe you will find for coleslaw but it is amazing how many times I'm asked to bring it to a potluck party and for the recipe! People are even more astonished when I tell them how easy it is to make and what's in it. For best results I like to make it an hour or 2 before serving as it allows the flavour of the onion to really come through and mingle with everything, which in my opinion is what makes this coleslaw taste so good. Try it and you'll see!

Classic Barbecued Beef Burgers

When it comes to Summer and barbecue season you can't let it pass without making plenty of burgers as you can't beat a perfectly grilled, slightly charred burger enjoyed outside on a sunny day. We eat burgers quite a lot – they are just so versatile and make the perfect Saturday night feast (even in the winter!). You can change things up by varying what you put on your Burger but we always have to have cheese, lettuce, red onion and pickles! Special occasions call for sauteed mushrooms, bacon and occasionally spicy jalapenos and of course I can never resist some slices of fresh tomato. Finished off with some mayonnaise, mustard and tomato ketchup and you have the perfect finger-licking burger!

Pulled Pork

One of my sister's (and her husbands) absolutely favourite things that she tried during her year in Canada was a Pulled Pork Sandwich! I have to say I can't blame her as you can't go wrong with the combination of succulent slowly cooked pork shredded into pieces then mixed with a delicious tangy barbecue sauce. Add it to a roll then top with some crunchy coleslaw and you have the most amazing meal!

Since she loves it so much I had to include it in our Harry Potter Grand Feast for her Hen Party which was a feast made up of some of her favourite dishes along with some slightly more whimsical HP inspired dishes (which will follow over the next few weeks!). For the party I made individual small rolls rather than the full ones pictured here as there was so much other food, it seemed right to keep things bite-sized!

The inspiration for this recipe came from Verses from my Kitchen which in turn came from Trish Magwood's book “My Mother's Kitchen”. I changed a few things to better suit our tastes and toned down the spice a little for Wee One (feel free to up it if you prefer more of a kick) and I love how it tastes. I also cook mine in the oven since I don't have a slow cooker but you could easily cook it in a slow cooker if you have one. Either way you will end up with the juiciest most succulent pork that is impossible not to pick away at as you are getting everything together!! The recipe for the sauce makes more than you will need but since I like a lot of sauce I tend to just serve some extra on the side for those that want it. Final note: for a crowd double the recipe for the pork but keep the sauce the same – you just won't have any extra!

Lauren this one is for you and Billy – now you can start using some of your beautiful new wedding gifts and enjoy some Pulled Pork back in Scotland!

Grilled Fish Tacos

After making my Fiery Roasted Red Pepper Salsa the other day I couldn't resist making another favourite – Grilled Fish Tacos. They are so light and refreshing and perfect for a sunny day. They are also great for serving to friends as you can just put everything on the table and let everyone help themselves. Even my 2 year old loves them as he can just pick at what he likes and it's fun to assemble the tacos - I just miss out the spicy salsa for him!! This recipe serves 4 but is easily doubled so serve with some ice cold beer or a nice chilled white wine and you have the perfect Friday night meal to enjoy in the garden!