Any recommendations for cookbooks?

[ConnerJ]

Any recommendations for cookbooks that have recipes already calorie counted?

Looking for simple inspiring meals

Cheers,

CJ

[YellowRose55]

Hi ConnerJ

A lot of members like the Hairy Bikers cook books. But they are not premitted to advertise any on here so please be careful not to advertise any, thanks.

Why not have a look in the Topic section under Recipes/Meal/Snacks for some ideas.

[ConnerJ in reply to YellowRose55]

Ah I see. Thanks yellowrose 👍🏻

[ConnerJ in reply to YellowRose55]

Hmmm, do you happen to know if one can access the topic section from the mobile app? Having some difficulty!

[YellowRose55 in reply to ConnerJ]

The app does not have the full site on it so you are better to access everything on the main site and not the app.

[Hidden in reply to YellowRose55]

most recipes in books are adaptable. We know the stuff to avoid so try a couple without the recommended oils etc. Reduce the fat content or soften onions etc in a tin of tomatoes. I make lots of Indian recipes, which are in theory loaded with ghee and oil. I try cooking them much more slowly, without all those calories, and they all turn out yummy. It's common sense really. It's ultimately about flavour and combination of spices.

[Spice1709 in reply to Hidden]

Alot of Indian recipes have cream, coconut milk or loads of butter / ghee added to make them thick and creamy. I am Indian and can safely say I've never used any of these in my cooking. Curries can be low fat and healthy if you follow the recipe and just omit these items. I use a little olive oil or rapeseed oil and that is all.

Good luck x

[Hidden in reply to Spice1709]

I know, it's weird. I make a Moroccan roast lamb and the yoghurt cacik that Nigella recommends with it. It's yummy but when I told my Moroccan friend about it, she said they don't cook much with yoghurt. She has some amazing recipes and cooks wonderful food. A broad bean dish to die for. I also like Moro east books and one called medina kitchen.

I'm using Anita Sodha's book, as she comes from my neck of the woods and uses seasonal, regional ingredients. I have a family party this weekend ( stop changing the forecast bbc, I liked the non rainy one) and I'll be using her recipes for my home grown new potatoes, ( Punjabi pot curry ) green beans and cashews and aubergine and cherry tomatoes. But I use an Aga, which means mainly oven cooking, so I adapt, reduce the oils and cook slower and longer. And taste for flavour, seasoning etc during cooking. It's trial and error, no disasters so far. Not sure how authentic you'd think it is but I'm chuffed to bits. Cooking isn't boring anymore and veg is more appetising.

[Minniewinny 5 stone Maintainer]

If you google calorie counted recipes, there are lots without having the books. If I find one I like I screen print the page...

[ConnerJ in reply to Minniewinny]

Found a few fab ones & already looking forward to them. Thanks Minniewinny!

[Minniewinny 5 stone Maintainer in reply to ConnerJ]

Happy to share!

[VickyDLM 2 stone]

Why don't you have a browse in your local library? The larger ones (and even the smaller ones!) usually have a huge cookbook section so you can check out the ones that sound interesting to try without breaking the bank. Not all of them are calorie counted, but if you like any you can photocopy it, calculate it out, and then you've got it whenever you want to use it!

Good luck!

[ConnerJ in reply to VickyDLM]

Great idea Vicky. Will mention this one to a friend who has a thing about buying every cookbook on the market!

Unfortunately library opening hours don't extend through the night when I'd be able to get there. (As part of a routine, which I'm building to make things easier)

[VickyDLM 2 stone in reply to ConnerJ]

Yes, I could see where that would be a problem. Luckily I'm close enough to one at work that I can run over on my lunch break. It does save on the cash though! Usually there's only a recipe or two per book that I like anyway. Not really worth buying the whole book for!

[Hidden in reply to VickyDLM]

You are right there VickyDLM What they don't tell you, when selling their books, is that most of the recipes are also online. Particularly if they've had a series on the BBC. I always check first before buying but, if I'm being totally honest, I do love a new cookery book. I like the illustrations and the list of recommended suppliers at the back, for those hard to obtain ingredients or tools. And the foreword is often as interesting as the recipes. Nigel Slater for example. I've got an old step ladder in the kitchen and it's piled high with books by the well known and the not so well known. And I love them all.

[VickyDLM 2 stone in reply to Hidden]

I've found that too! At least, if there's a TV series the recipes from the show will be online on BBC Food and many of them have their own websites with loads of recipes as well.

Saying that, I'm just a big fan of books! I have them all over the house! I'd say I need more bookshelves, but there's not actually space for them in the house!

[kiwikyd-nz]

Try looking at online recipe sites ConnerJ. healthyfood.co.nz/recipes has some interesting recipes. I think most of them are kJ counted but you can just use a kJ to cal converter online . I get the magazine and have tried quite a few of their recipes to add variety to our meals.

[ConnerJ in reply to kiwikyd-nz]

Looks fab! Thanks kiwikyd. Planning on having the green curry chicken this week.