tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post4337721060670418087..comments2024-11-05T03:08:21.490-08:00Diane Dorrans Saekshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448[email protected]Blogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-25777126927315007912012-12-28T13:49:14.755-08:002012-12-28T13:49:14.755-08:00Great choice on the cookbooks - the Burmese one is a crackerCoulda shoulda wouldahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12507021618497645667[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-90152154423365520382012-12-01T13:28:24.503-08:002012-12-01T13:28:24.503-08:00DEAR KIT AND LINDA AND GRIFFIN AND PHILIP-<br /><br /><br />I love your comments.<br /><br />I especially love your insights, your stories, your personal notes and your illuminations.<br /><br />Linda-yes, Hatchard&#39;s. It&#39;s also in the heart of Piccadilly, so that when you depart from Hatchard&#39;s, with your arms full of books, you can go and have a cup of tea at Fortnum&#39;s...or simply buy some Earl Grey or Assam tea to take home. Loose leaf, of course.<br /><br />The Vervoordt cook book received very little press and very little attention. It at first seems rather a quiet and &#39;non-vivid&#39; book as the images and the food are quite understated. But each image, on close inspection, has a mood and a quiet loveliness and simplicity that draw in the reader. The recipes--healthy is the focus--are worth full attention.<br /><br />Burma--yes, Griffin, your personal notes and vibrant recollections are so appreciated. I am so happy when my stories and reports and reviews can set my readers into a reverie.<br /><br />KIT--I always love to hear from you.<br /><br />Philip--you&#39;re the knowledge of design, the voice of an art world and design world insider. The ultimate researcher and erudite voice. Thank you.<br /><br />Looking forward to hearing from you all soon, DIANEDiane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-36193437796638414962012-11-30T08:29:00.913-08:002012-11-30T08:29:00.913-08:00My dear Diane,<br /><br />What a fabulous post! Thank you so much for introducing us the book by Naomi Duguid titled Burma: Rivers of Flavour. I&#39;ve never heard about this book before. It must be the first Burmese cookery book written in English by someone who is a non-Burmese. This is definitely on my list of books to read. The pictures look absolutely stunning. The picture with a bowl of noodle soup takes me back to my childhood. I suppose one could call it as the ‘Proustian moment’. In his novel, Remember of things past, Proust recalls vividly the taste of the little scallop-shaped cakes, ‘les petites madeleines’, which were given to him by his Aunt Léonie when he was a child. <br /><br />I believe the eggs inside the noodle bowl are quail eggs. In Burma, quail eggs are very common. One see them selling in little packets on a peddler&#39;s wicker tray by the rail tracks. Although they are boiled, their freckled shells are incredibly hard to peel. Many years later, I read something about quail eggs in something totally different from my own experience of quail eggs, humble delights. It&#39;s in Evelyn Waugh&#39;s novel, The Brideshead Revisited where the main protagonist, Lord Sebastian Flyte gave a posh luncheon party at his Oxford college where he was found eating quail eggs with his friends. It amuses me that in one culture, a certain type of food is eaten by peasants and ploughmen and in others, it is the food for the aristocrats.<br /><br />With best wishes, ASD.<br /><br />PS. I agree with you on your comments about books. I love books. They are my perfect companions. A Super Dilettantehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02640893790909916004[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-84555249793420749132012-11-28T11:36:59.195-08:002012-11-28T11:36:59.195-08:00Dear Diane,<br />What a sensational group of cookbooks. We actually do cook quite a bit at home, but I think that these examples are so much more than recipes, as you point out. The photography alone is a visual feast for the senses, from the elegant minimalism of Bouchon Bakery; the vibrant and scintillating color palettes of Burma, Rivers of Flavor, and the sublimely atmospheric presentation by the Vervoordts -the winter view of the castle is jaw dropping, the soup served in a raku bowl and charger on that scored, earthy farm table. And have turnips ever looked so good? A collection of superb photographic still lifes as well as healthy and inspired cooking.<br />All so incredibly inspiring in so many ways. <br />Warmest,<br />PhilipPhilip Bewleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02593795071070337798[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-51198490301290514782012-11-17T12:20:22.914-08:002012-11-17T12:20:22.914-08:00I have been waiting for a new cookbook since forever. Thanks for these three.<br /><br />When I am in London I always stop at Hatchards. They seem to have books that no other bookstores have and if you ask for recommendations they are the best! I have never been disappointed in anything they have ever recommended. lindaraxahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15721286284279902181[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-77938311791004107132012-11-16T11:18:19.387-08:002012-11-16T11:18:19.387-08:00Diane they all look wonderful but I think I will choose the Burma cookbook... how deliciously enticing it looks, both in recipes and her stories about traveling there... like you, she seems an intrepid traveler, fearless and adventuresome!<br /><br />Have a great weekend<br /><br />xoxo Kit*Chic Provence*https://www.blogger.com/profile/06520485138167646348[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-63842882535933582322012-11-14T22:04:18.820-08:002012-11-14T22:04:18.820-08:00Dear Friends and Dear Lisa-<br /><br /><br />Thank you for your enthusiasm.<br />The surprising thing is that the Vervoordt book has had hardly any attention, anywhere--and especially not from the style books and design magazines that would usually be writing about it. It was overlooked.<br />Vervoordts, cooking? It is not obvious. But if you have dined with them this book is essential and truly inspiring.I have been incredibly fortunate...spring lunch in the garden with Axel and May and friends, a divine first dinner with the couple in his study in the middle of winter--and a lovely family lunch in the white dining room with blue and white porcelains on brackets on the walls (Rose Tarlow turned up unexpectedly...a treat) and with the Vervoordts&#39; younger son, then called Dickie, now called Dick and with two children--and Boris of course, now taking control of the company. Real estate expert Dickie, I recall vividly, was then an avid ice hockey player, and he was displaying a broken front tooth as his trophy.<br />The Vervoordts are lovely hosts...it is so smooth and elegant and polished, and even an informal bite on the terrace overlooking the parklands, has a certain infused magic and delight.<br />They usually have music...often the Labeque sisters, friends of theirs, can you imagine the delight!<br />Thanks, Lisa...your friends are fortunate you are selecting it...the recipes are generally subtle and surprising and not the usual. Principles are there. Health.<br />very best, DIANEDiane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-62200822877250904672012-11-14T12:29:24.690-08:002012-11-14T12:29:24.690-08:00DEAR FRIENDS-<br /><br />Hello, Sheree-<br /><br />Congratulations on your wedding and marriage. I am so happy for your--and I&#39;m so pleased that you rec&#39;d this book. Wow...a tasty friend.<br /><br />I also received the following wonderful message from the great and wonderful MARSHA OLSON:<br /><br />&quot;Hello Ms Diane,<br />Oh my gosh... thank you for your newest blog today....Loved your selection of favorite new cookbooks<br />of the season !<br />I love cookbooks,as well. <br />I have to tell you I really enjoyed this edition...and, looking forward to your favorite design books.&#39;<br />Best regards,<br />Marsha<br /><br />MARSHA--is a tasty and stylish woman and a longtime friend and I&#39;m so happy she found these books were inspiring. Happy cooking, DIANE<br /> Diane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-46046932401469790952012-11-13T14:26:01.227-08:002012-11-13T14:26:01.227-08:00That Axel Vervoordt cookbook is going to several friends for Christmas...and I will be ordering an extra copy for myself too!<br /><br />Incredible post, as always!<br /><br />xxxLisa Borgnes Giramontihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08708026781435832810[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-10014799975710837532012-11-13T12:04:36.141-08:002012-11-13T12:04:36.141-08:00Diane, I received May and Axel&#39;s cookbook as a wedding present recently. It has some wonderful vegetarian recipes too. Very inspired! Shiree&#39;shiree segerstromhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09482618172002009222[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-10242928698882953562012-11-13T08:22:29.675-08:002012-11-13T08:22:29.675-08:00I am sure anything recommended by DS is grand. I read cookbooks + look at the beautiful photos then see if I can make my dish look like they did. Can&#39;t wait to see the design books recommendation. xxpeggybraswelldesign.compeggy braswellhttp://peggybraswelldesign.com[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-30896444711405506272012-11-13T08:13:44.068-08:002012-11-13T08:13:44.068-08:00Dear Friends-<br /><br />Kathy Geissler Best sent a great comment that &#39;my holiday gift book selections are now solved...your books looke fantastic&#39;.<br />I&#39;ve had great messages on FACEBOOK as well, where lots of &#39;like&#39;s appear instantly and the book selection sells books, I hope.<br />I also had a wonderful message from Carolyn Hartley in Arizona, and here it is:<br /><br />&quot;<br />I loved this article. In lived in San Francisco for many years and spent long happy hours at Green Apple and City Lights. I ventured out most nights in search of books. I loved the antiquarian bookstore up by the university hospital. The name of the street escapes me. I too am a Bowles fan and want a 1st of Sheltering Sky. I recently started cooking again...and have narrowed my focus to baking (I&#39;m quite a good baker), salads, and cheese plates. I can&#39;t abide frying or cooking oil and burned butter smells. They linger smelling up the house. I am going to the bookstore this weekend to check out your recommendations. I&#39;m also a design book junkie so can&#39;t wait for your next story. Thank you for the style salon saloniste. I subscribe to only a few feeds...there are just too many so I&#39;m choosy and enjoy keeping up with your news. From Arizona...Carolyn.<br /><br />P.S. I was in Brussels last week on a furniture buying trip. It was fast and tiring. I did enjoy a home cooked meal in the apartment of a business associate. I forgot how nice it is to eat in. All too often in Arizona we take our guests out to dinner. I miss the bonding (for lack of a better word) that occurs over a good meal prepared at home and enjoyed with family and friends.<br /><br />Sent from my iPhoneDiane Dorrans Saekshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02259292681678952448[email protected]tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6543457325368639597.post-70023626301763470982012-11-12T21:08:19.723-08:002012-11-12T21:08:19.723-08:00The turnips look amazing, and I don&#39;t even like turnips! Great pick on cookbooks. I think that they are WAY out of my cooking league. I am quite new to cooking and have started with the cookbook, &quot;Holly Clegg&#39;s trim&amp;TERRIFIC KITCHEN 101: Secrets to Cooking Confidence&quot; by author Holly Clegg. This a how to book on cooking, which includes tools, tips and recipes for anyone who wants to learn how to improve their cooking. http://www.hollyclegg.com <br />I would love to be able to cook some of the recipes posted above, it just may take me awhile to get there! <a href="http://www.hollyclegg.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.hollyclegg.com</a>Lauren Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13503999390768527384[email protected]