SABBATH SNAPSHOT : culinary with a li-TEA-rary readabili-TEA

Nowadays, I'm one of "those people" who would rather read their way thru a cookbook----rather than eat my way through it. I love looking at the pictures as well. Think Screen Doors and Sweet Tea---a book of tales as well as recipes. Just reading the intro had me in the Delta listening to blues, browsing at Square Books in Oxford and chatting with the McCartys---you know, Lee and Pup of Mississippi Mud "pottery" fame! If  the author, Martha Fosse discussed presentation, she might frame it in terms such as "showing out." Her book (2010) was as southern as kudu and a delightful read........but it's already back at the library......as I don't buy cookbooks anymore, I just check them out.

I already have a large home collection that could use some weeding.

In years past, I was drawn to cookbooks that doubled as travelogues. It's how I found many "out of the way" inns and B&Bs in North Carolina and quaint tea rooms in England, as well as The Ritz. All were included in my travel planning and those cookbooks conjure up great memories.....just no dishes.

This week I checked out Ina Garten's (THE Barefoot Contessa) latest cookbook, make it ahead. My "foodie" son and his wife actually cook from her books. Her premise here was to offer recipes for any season of the year that were actually better when made ahead.

Made ahead....just in case "your FedEx delivery of Pernigotti cocoa powder got held up in a snowstorm in Memphis and arrived a day late." (p 11) I don't know about you, but my cocoa says Hershey's and it's even available at "my neighborhood" Kroger. 

Ina tells on herself occasionally---even thinking and admitting, "her husband fell in love with her because of the boxes of brownies she sent him while he was in college." (p.186)

There were tips with funny quips, beautiful glossy photos and even a recipe for your best friend----your dog that it is. It was a fun way to while away the hours, with a cuppa tea on a chilly fall day as hubby had a migraine and I needed to be quiet.