New Ottolenghi Cookbook - Plenty - is out

[jen kalb]

my copy just shipped from Amazon UK - about 22 euros including shipping

[Gio]

Whoo Hoo...I got that e-mail today too. I can't wait to get it.

[greedygirl]

Exciting! And it's only £11.25 now.

[The Dairy Queen]

ooh ooh ooh! You are going to try a few recipes and tell us all about them, right?

~TDQ

[roxlet]

I was just on the AmazonUK web site, and they have a brief video of Ottolenghi demonstrating a very yummy looking and simple eggplant dish. Definitely want to try this, but the one thing that surprised me was that his cracked pepper came from a jar! Anyway, I think it's worth taking a look!

[buttertart]

My email came this morning. It said it would deliver appx June 3? Surely with DHL/Deutsche Post they meant May 3...the last book I got from Amazon UK arrived within 10 days.

[Gio]

My e-mail said delivery 4 June...

[The Dairy Queen]

Is this a brand-new book delivery delay or a coming from the U.K. delivery delay? My recollection is that my first Ottolenghi book arrived more quickly than I expected, though, my expectations were low...

~TDQ

[buttertart]

Not sure. The other one definitely came within a week or so. Let's keep our fingers crossed! (I was charged GBP 15.00 not 11.25 for it by the way.)

[The Dairy Queen]

I know it's just a matter of time before I break down and buy this book, but, I wouldn't have time to cook from it for a month or so anyway, so why not wait to see what you all all on the cutting edge of cookbookery have to say about it? But, yeah, I'm so close to buying the darn thing on impulse.

~TDQ

[jen kalb]

I suspect that many or most of these recipes have already been published in the online column so we may have seen them already, but it will be a pleasure to have the hardcopy compilation instead..

[The Dairy Queen]

You're probably right! Because these recipes require a lot of conversion of weights and ingredient names, I find that it's especially helpful to be able to write them in the book for future reference. Of course, I can do that with a hard-copy print out, too, but those tend to get lost and misplaced, etc., at least in my household.

I just looked at the excerpt again, thinking maybe I should give those recipes a whirl before committing to buying the book. That black tofu recipe has my name on it right now.

Here's the link, again, that you posted at the bottom of Candy's Ottolenghi thread:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2010/apr/17/yotam-ottolenghi-plenty-recipes-extract

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/5997...

~TDQ

[buttertart]

Come on TDQ, you know you wanna...

[Caitlin McGrath]

If you ordered it previously, that would explain the price, as it just went on sale for GBP11.25 today (I got a promo email this AM, which indicated the sale price is through May 3).

[greedygirl]

Makes mental note to order before May 3.

[The Dairy Queen]

Oh, geeze, it's a special price? Now I'm really tempted. I think I'm just going to take the plunge.

EDIT: okay, I caved in. I was going to pick up a copy of Hopkinson's "Vegetarian Option" while I was at it, but, boy, that book is getting pretty pounded in the Amazon reviews, partly, it seems because it's not very vegetarian (one gal claims that there is a recipe that literally calls for chicken breast). Bummer. I decided to pass on that one for now.

But I'll be PLENTY busy cooking from Plenty, I'm sure.

~TDQ

[oakjoan]

I have a small, illustrated booklet of Plenty and tried a veggie tart last night for dinner. Despite some mishaps that I caused by not tossing out the foil container for beans (pie weights) before it disintigrated and fell all over the place, knocking over the tart case so that I was forced to piece it back together, this was a delicious dish. It's a tart of sweet potatoes, etc....I posted a thread somewhere here last night.

[mebby]

How were the sweet potatoes? That was the only thing that seemed odd in the bunch, although potentially delicious. I am planning to make the same thing on Sunday. (Recipe is also online -- just google "Ottolenghi very full tart" and you'll find a preview of the book -- also available through Guardian column -- thanks oakjoan for your post on your free cookbook bounty that led me to this!)

[oakjoan]

mebby: The sweet potatoes were quite delicious paired with roasted peppers, etc. A very interesting taste combo.

[poptart]

I just bought a copy of Hopkinson's "Vegetarian Option" and thumbing through I got very hungry. In the book intro I believe he states it's not intended to be a strict vegetarian book...but I suppose the title can be misleading.

It looks fabulous, though and I look forward to cooking from it.
Now you all have me thinking about the Ottolonghi on special...

[Gio]

I have Vegetarian Option and have already cooked a couple of recipes. Can't remember which ones at this moment. Don't think it's because they're forgettable, it's probably just a brain warp. Two different approaches..,. Hopkinson and Ottolenghi.

[The Dairy Queen]

Do you remember liking them, Gio?

~TDQ

[Gio]

Duh... I think so... LOL. When I get back to the kitchen I'll look at my notes and post the recipes and results tonight.

[The Dairy Queen]

Ha! Okay, thank you!

~TDQ

[Gio]

[insert sideways grinning moron icon here to indicate humor]

[Gio]

Vegetarian Option:
Baked Butternut Squash with Olive Oil and Lemon, Pg. 42

Well, as I said, I cooked a couple of recipes from Plenty. The only thing is I didn't cook 2 recipes I cooked one recipe twice.

To start, preheat the oven to 375F. Quarter the squash from top to bottom lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds and strings. Place in a baking dish, season, and spoon about 3 T EVOO over all. Bake about 1 hour or till very tender. Baste from time to time. When the squash comes out of the oven squeeze lemon juice all over to your taste. The first time I served them as is. The second time I grated Parmigiana over as suggested. Both were delicious.

[poptart]

Sounds wonderful, thanks for the review.

[Gio]

Your Welcome. I see I mis-typed. Yet again. That recipe will be found in Vegetarian Option NOT Plenty. (>.<)

[The Dairy Queen]

The funny thing is, I'm reading through the intro to Plenty and, in fact, he very clearly announces that he is not a vegetarian and even refers to an "accident" he made when writing his Guardian column wherein he suggested a dish be served alongside some nice lamb chops. I haven't read all the way through Plenty, but he says in the intro that he makes occasional references in the book to fish or whatever. He also says that he uses cheeses that require rennet (like parmesan, which i always forget when I feed vegetarians) and so on. So, I wonder if their approaches really are very different after all.

So, it's weird, why aren't people turning on Ottolenghi the same way they seem to be doing on Hopkinson (in the Amazon reviews anyway.) Maybe there aren't enough reviews of Plenty on Amazon yet and they eventually will? People are so funny.

~TDQ

[Gio]

Neither chef is a vegetarian, but I think where Hopkinson uses more or less familiar ingredients, Ottolenghi takes great pleasure in using ingredients which are not so well known..or readily available, shall we say. And don't they make a terrific difference in the finished dish.

[buttertart]

Amazon UK refunded me GBP 3.75! Great!

[jen kalb]

i like that too!

[roxlet]

I've been ordering books from Amazon UK to be delivered here in Cairo, and while the delivery estimate date has always been many weeks away, the books always show up in about a week.

[buttertart]

It's fun to have something coming and not know exactly when, rather like when we were kids and wrote away for stuff.

[roxlet]

Yes, you're right. I actually remember writing away for catalogs, hard as that may be to believe given how inundated we seem to be with them these days! And I would wait anxiously for them to arrive, and pour over them endlessly.

[oakjoan]

roxlet: Is that KAY ROW Illinois or KAI ROW Egypt?

[roxlet]

Kay Row Egypt, oakjoan. Two and a half months left and I'll be home. I'm hoping Plenty comes in time for my husband to take it home with him after his next visit. I figure I can copy out the recipes to try here, and then have the book home when I get there mid-july in time for all the wonderful summer vegetables. When I ordered some books for my son from Amazon UK, they always came relatively quickly, but they were sent Royal Mail. This is the first time one of the books was sent DHL. I'm hoping it shows up this week...

[mebby]

Yeah! Just ordered mine as well -- and a replacement copy of the original Ottolenghi book as I just gave mine away yesterday to a friend.

Re: Amazon UK shipping times, I have only ordered twice and the experience was completely different. Both times it shipped right away, but the first time (using UPS) it arrived within a week -- faster than a Jessica's Biscuit order I placed the same day -- and the second time (using Royal Mail), it took close to a month. May be related to the carrier they choose for shipping?

Can't wait to dive into the new book!

[greedygirl]

I ordered mine yesterday - let's see who gets it first!

[mebby]

OK, greedygirl, the race is on! I just got my notification that the books have "dispatched" with an estimated arrival of April 30 via UPS (total of US $58.13 for both books including S&H). Given that I'm in Los Angeles and I gather you're in/near London, I think you have a bit of an edge in this race, so I'm definitely going to feel free to bash on the Royal Mail if I win! ;)

[greedygirl]

Well mine isn't coming via Royal Mail, unfortunately, but by a totally useless home delivery company, so my bet's on you, especially as my ETA is 4 May! Last time they used this company, my stuff was driven around London for four days before getting to me, so I'm not holding my breath...

[mebby]

That's hysterical. But two days from England to California with standard shipping seems a little crazy doesn't it? We'll see if they live up to promises. And BTW, I expect that the USPS shared a bit with Royal Mail on the dubious efficiency of my previous shipment -- just indulging in a bit of Brit baiting!

[greedygirl]

But it's the ROYAL Mail, mebby. It's special, dontchaknow.

[mebby]

I'm stalking my book -- UPS says it is now in California and due to arrive today (although apparently they flew it back and forth between Kentucky and Pennsylvania a couple times just for fun). The countdown to deliciousness -- or at least a cover-to-cover droolfest -- is on!

[The Dairy Queen]

Oh, good idea. I'm going to check UPS and see if mine is in CA, too.

EDIT: oh. :( . I can't figure out how to track it. There's no tracking number.

~TDQ

[mebby]

On my dispatch confirmation there was a tracking number in the first line -- I just clicked on it (it doesn't appear to be a hyperlink but it is) and it took me to UPS tracking with all info for the package displayed. But I think that's only if they shipped UPS -- I couldn't track when they shipped regular post.

[roxlet]

I caved today and ordered it to be delivered to Cairo, where I have a fantastic veg market across the street. I received a notice saying it had been dispatched today with an estimated delivery date of June 8th. I'll be curious to see when it actually shows up. BTW, the total price, including shipping was about $30.

[mebby]

Just checked UPS.com and discovered that it was...at my front door! In my hot little hands now. Very impressed with 2-day turnaround from UK to LA!

[The Dairy Queen]

*Jealous*

Wow, that is amazingly fast. I kind of want to leave work right now and see if I have any packages on my doorstep.

~TDQ

[buttertart]

Heck and damnation, I can't trace mine because of the Deutche Post/DHL service used...why Deutsche Post I have no idea. No tracking number. So it will be a nice surprise when it comes.

[The Dairy Queen]

I have that same problem! By the date est is June something, 2nd or 5th or something like that. I hope it won't be that long if melby got hers in only 2 days! I won't have time to cook from it this weekend anyway, but I could at least LOOK at it!

~TDQ

[greedygirl]

Ladies, the day is young (on your side of the pond)!

PS Have you tried the Where's my Stuff link on the site?

[buttertart]

Yep, that's where I got the info that no tracing was available. And the ID number in the header of the email must be the Amazon UK order no., tried to trace that on DHL, no nothin'. Plus of course when I look at Amazon UK, more books I want are suggested - any knowledge of "Purple Citrus and Sweet Perfume" by Silvena Rowe? !!?!!!??

[Caitlin McGrath]

I don't know what magic mebby worked to get a UPS shipment and so fast, but I don't recall ever getting anything from Amazon UK that wasn't sent via Deutche Post.

[mebby]

I swear I did nothing but order -- my first Ottolenghi book came via UPS also and almost as quick. But then I ordered a CD from them and it was close to a month even though it shipped within a couple days (via Royal Mail and USPS) -- so can't tell you why. Hoping you and all the others get yours very soon -- I definitely was not trying to gloat!

[greedygirl]

I got mine today as well! It was under my front door step when I got home. Two days to LA is v. impressive.

[roxlet]

Hmmm. I have no such hope for London to Cairo. When was the actual date that it was supposed to be delivered?

[mebby]

I ordered it this past Tuesday and it estimated delivery at June 4 or something like that. But then the next day I got a notice that it had shipped with an estimated arrival date of today. Don't know the rhyme or reason, but I'm happy nonetheless. I'm carrying it around like a security blanket -- it just went to the dry cleaners and back with me!

[Gio]

This is your lucky day, obviously. I ordered my copy in March...but I did get the same refund Buttertart mentioned.

[buttertart]

No fair people on the left coast get it before people on the right coast. We're closer to the UK after all (pout).

[The Dairy Queen]

I know. I just checked. No book. Bummer.

~TDQ

[buttertart]

I knew I should never have left Berkeley!

[oakjoan]

Well, buttertart, we might just fall into the sea in the next few days, so perhaps you're lucky you moved away...unless you moved to New Orleans.

[buttertart]

Lots of rain? Or earthquake fears? I'm in NYC where seemingly all we have to worry about is being blown up to kingdom come. By the way, still no book, damnit!

[The Dairy Queen]

I keep rushing home to check the mail. No book. I don't really have time to cook for the next two weeks anyway, but I want to start planning!

~TDQ

[buttertart]

You may get it today - mine just now arrived! :)

[hobbybaker]

I might be totally behind the trend and out-of-date person ... I ordered his first book last month at ecookbook.com and still waiting for it. Hope you guys will share feedbacks on the new one soon :)

[pikawicca]

Today I received "Long Nights and Low Fires," scheduled to arrive June 2. Ordered at the same time as "Plenty," scheduled to arive June 3. Therefore, I think "Plenty" is imminent.

[Gio]

I got Plenty of Plenty, and Plenty's plenty for me !!
Yup, It has arriven. (sic)

[buttertart]

Not I...not yet...snif snif...

[jen kalb]

got mine on Friday from Deutsche Post
its basically an all veg book - a few fruit recipes in the back.
beautiful

[buttertart]

Hmm, I had it sent to my work address (NJ). Maybe it'll be here today. Hope so!

[Gio]

Fingers and toes crossed for today's delivery...It's a terrific book. Many of us already have some of his ingredients in the pantry from his first book. His harissa recipe looks so good. His caponata recipe was in The Guardian a few days ago:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyl...

I haven't reached it in the book yet...but... I'm making this tomorrow night.

[greedygirl]

Do we need a new thread for recipe reviews of this book, do you think?

[jen kalb]

Id be inclined to tack them onto the existing Ottolenghi threads and note "Plenty" for each recipe, but maybe that doesnt work - would need to look at the thread headings.

[Gio]

Personally, I think "Plenty" ought to have its own thread. I would not want the COTM, "Ottolenghi:The Cookbook" confused with any other. Secondary threads tend to generate quite a lot of discussion as well as recipe reporting and I feel that would take some substance from the COTM reportage.

[roxlet]

What was your estimated delivery date, jen? Mine shipped via Deutsche Post and had a delivery date of June 8th...

[jen kalb]

June 4

[greedygirl]

If anyone would like a booklet containing all the recipes published in the Guardian the other week, send me an e-mail (in profile) and I'll put it in the post.

[Mothership]

I didn't have either Ottolenghi: The Cookbook or Plenty, but after reading post after post raving about the recipes, broke down last Tuesday (April 27) and ordered both from AmazonUK. Both arrived on Thursday afternoon (April 29) on my doorstep in Florida. They were sent via UPS. Go figure - I can't even get mail across town that fast. Both books look really interesting.

[hobbybaker]

Mothership. You are so clever! I have not received my ottolenghi from ecookbook.com yet. I placed my order at the beg of April. They said they will have it on May 3rd. So, It should arrive shoon. Also, I might have paid more as these days USD is strong. I should have thought a bit better as you did:) Well, nextime when I order Plenty or The cookbook, I will do it with Amazon UK; )

[mebby]

I made the same Very Full Tart (p84) that Oakjoan did and found it quite delicious. It had big flavor from all the roasted veggies in it without having as much spice as I would have added, left to my own unsubtle devices -- and it wasn't really missed. It's basically roasted veggies and carmelized onions in a pie crust with ricotta, feta and an egg/cream combo, dotted with halved cherry tomatoes and thyme. Definitely a keeper -- and got the seal of approval from my not-so-veggie-friendly husband. Next time around I would probably reduce the amount of cheese a smidge and use half and half instead of cream -- it was just a little too thick to get the full lusciousness of the veggies, which are truly the star of the show.

It also reheated quite nicely tonight for dinner (which is a good thing as my refrigerator door fell off this morning, narrowly missing my 5-year-old, and the fridge is something of a quarantine zone tonight pending the arrival of the repair person tomorrow morning!). The flavors were even better after spending the night in the aforementioned offending fridge.

Next up: Breakfast for dinner in the form of the Shakshuka eggs on p87 (assuming the fridge is fixed tomorrow).

[greedygirl]

Lol at fridge door falling off! Was this because it was full to bursting, by any chance?

Tart sounds great - I also like the sound of the garlic one. Top of my list at present is the soba noodles with aubergine and mango, which is an intriguing flavour combination.

[mebby]

I have no idea what you (or my husband) are inferring with that suggestion! I need everyone of those little jars and bottles. The repairman did gently suggest that I put a little less in, but I'm choosing to blame the children hanging on the door -- that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I'm longing for that garlic tart as well, indulgent bit of decadence that it is. And I had somehow glossed over the soba noodle/aubergine/mango -- that sounds fantastic (although exactly the sort of fruit in the main course item that my husband does *not* go for) -- all the more for me I guess.

[buttertart]

Talk about cookbook as fetish object: the covers are padded and it's squeezy. Love the cover design and font used in the title. A sexy book!

[The Dairy Queen]

OMG! That sounds so fun. I have half a mind to call my elderly neighbor and ask her to go check my mail for me. I am so excited!

~TDQ

[greedygirl]

I know! The squeezy padded cover is ace, isn't it, if a little disconcerting?!

[buttertart]

I totally love it. It's one of the nicest-looking books I've seen in ages. The first one was gorgeous, this one is sensuous!

[greedygirl]

I've finally had the chance to have a good look through it and my head is spinning! So many great ideas and flavour combinations. A report from a different UK board (not food specific) I am a member of says the caramelised garlic tart is to die for.

[buttertart]

I can imagine. I was reading Sebastian Faulk's book "A Week in December" and there were several references to people eating prepared foods bought at astonishingly high prices...and the name Ottolenghi kept coming to mind!

[pikawicca]

Still have not received "Plenty," but am enjoying cooking from "Long Nights and Log Fires," which I ordered at the same time. It's another British cookbook that I heartily recommend. I've tried 6 recipes so far, and they've all been delicious.

[Gio]

Which 6 recipes, Pika? Do you have the companion book too, "Lazy Days and Beach Blankets," ? That sounds like a perfect Summer book.

[pikawicca]

I don't have the companion book, didn't know it existed, but will get it.

The 6 good recipes"

Smashed Roast New Potatoes
Smoked Salmon and Chive Omelette
Trio of Vegetable dips with Spelt Toasts
Smoked Haddock and Bean Soup
Chocolate Brandy Cake
Baked Granny Smith and Blueberry Pudding (amazing)

[greedygirl]

Sounds wonderful, and you still need your log fire in May in this benighted country, it seems. Damn you for bringing my attention to this book. ;-)

[buttertart]

...sighing deeply...

[Gio]

Well, those recipes certainly look very tempting. Such a nice variety of tastes there. The Smoked Salmon and Chive Omelette is something I'd make immediately especially since the chives in my garden are up and growing beautifully.

[roxlet]

Well, mine arrived in Cairo, Egypt today, a full month earlier that the supposed arrival date. It is a beautiful book, but I am dismayed that it is so big and heavy. My DH is absolutely going to squawk when I ask him to schlepp it home, but I'm not leaving it here! Can't wait to dig in!

[The Dairy Queen]

FINALLY (but far in advance of the estimated delivery date of early June something), my copy of the book arrived. So very different in appearance from the first book. A less extreme rectangular shape (instead of that tall, narrow shape the first book had); white vs black; and all the graphics. But very beautiful.

Even my husband, who beat me home today and had to open it with me on the phone because I insisted thought the photos looked appealing.

I do worry a little about getting it dirty. Oh well. At least it will look well-loved.

I can't wait to try these recipes. It seems like the kind of book where I can come home with whatever random vegetable that looks fresh from the farmers market and have confidence that there will be a delicious recipe to use it.

~TDQ

[buttertart]

It seems wipe-offable to me, the cover is a bit plasticated (in the best possible way of course).

[mebby]

Being a messy cook, I have already dribbled on mine and successfully wiped it clean -- the slightly padded smooth surface actually reminds me a little of one of those wipe-off books for babies (also in the best possible way of course, as we're all drooling over the book!).

[The Dairy Queen]

You mean you've been able to wipe the pages after dribbling? That is pretty fantastic!

~TDQ

[buttertart]

Oops I was thinking of the cover only. Dribbles inside are badges of honor!

[mebby]

I'm a messy enough cook that I managed to splash on the cover even with the book open -- don't ask me how. And, yes, interior pages are dribbled with love already -- only made two dishes so far, but both great and both heartily approved of by my decidedly non-vegetarian husband. I wish there wasn't so much anti-Ottolenghi feeling on COTM -- this would be a great one for summer. I'm trying not to "cheat" on Gourmet Today too much, but it's awfully hard....

[buttertart]

I had the impression that those who loved the first book loved it a lot - as do I, the chocolate cake had people swooning - but it was perceived as difficult to get hold of and/or expensive, and the metric measurements threw some people for a bit of a loop.

[mebby]

I totally get why it was a tough for some people -- and I know that many people loved it because I originally bought the book based on those glowing reviews. I just know from the nomination/voting thread this month that it was also one of the most polarizing months mostly because of availability.

I wish someone in the publishing world would just take the plunge and do an American edition -- it certainly seems well suited to American tastes and has such a great PR angle behind it (an Israeli and a Palestinian collaborating) that I would think it would do well. But I'm not in publishing, so what do I know?

[The Dairy Queen]

When it comes to COTM, I personally struggle (during the nominations and discussions) between balancing passion with inclusiveness. I mean, there will always people who can't or won't participate for one reason or another: inavailability of the book or ingredients; dietary and religious restrictions; personal taste, etc. And it is a lot more fun when more people participate, so, I think inclusiveness is a good thing, but sometimes, I wish we'd just choose the book for which the most people have genuine passion for. But, that's hard to do when you know you're effectively excluding someone or someone(s), usually specific someone(s), but it also makes me sad when people are just voting for the lesser of two evils kind of thing, or for a book they think would win vs. the book they really want.

Anyway, I've read through about 90% of Plenty now. It all sounds really interesting and I keep thinking, that this recipe or that recipe is one I'll have to keep in mind for when X or Y vegetable comes in my CSA...

~TDQ

[greedygirl]

Hey mebby, tell us what you made then....

[roxlet]

Maybe it's time to begin a "Cooking from Plenty" thread...

[The Dairy Queen]

At roxlet's suggestion (and a suggestion from someone upthread), I went ahead and started a Cooking from Plenty thread. I hope that's okay.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7065...

~TDQ

[mebby]

The Very Full Tart I reported on above and which TDQ included in the new Plenty cooking thread. Also made Shakshuka but made a really dumb mistake toward the beginning with adding ingredients in wrong order (comes of trying to cook while simultaneously making dinner for kids and overseeing homework). So was going to make again and report then (it was still delicious).

[roxlet]

I have been sitting down today and reading through the book, but I am unfamiliar with the term 'broad beans' that seems to appear in many recipes. Are these favas?

[Gio]

Roxlet yes. 'Broad beans' is another name for fava beans...AKA field beans.

[greedygirl]

Favas in American, as Gio says. They're one of my favourite vegetables, and about to come into season here - can't wait!

[roxlet]

Given that broad beans are favas, I'm kind of surprised that they are featured as extensively as they are since the season for them is so short! I guess that they are available frozen (though I've neither looked for nor seen them), but I rarely buy frozen veg anyway with some notable exceptions -- peas and artichoke hearts. Are they any good frozen?

[greedygirl]

I buy frozen broad beans quite regularly. The season for fresh ones isn't that short - three months or so.

[roxlet]

Three months? Really? I always think that they're gone in a flash, so maybe I'm not looking for them in the right shops or perhaps the season is longer in the UK.

[roxlet]

And corn flour is corn starch or masa harina or corn meal?

[greedygirl]

Corn starch.

[roxlet]

David Lebovitz talks about his mom, beans, and Plenty in this post from his web site:

http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives...

[Gio]

That was a nostalgic read... Fried butterbeans, hmmm? Must check that recipe out. Thanks, roxlet.

[Gio]

In his blog today DL gives the recipe for Fried Beans with Sorrel, Feta & Sumac, information and sources for certain ingredients and pays tribute to Ottolenghi, the chef author.
http://www.davidlebovitz.com/archives...

[roxlet]

Thanks! I didn't see that.

[emily]

Finally received my copy yesterday -- damaged. Has anyone else had this problem? Usually not an issue with Amazon US, but the UK site is only allowing me about $3.50 to return the product, which clearly won't cover return shipping. Ugh.

[Gio]

When my copy arrived I noticed a thin blue pen line from top to bottom on the title page.. but I haven't done anything about it.

[emily]

Felt obligated to follow-up to my post -- after I sent an email, Amazon UK shipped a new book and said I could keep the damaged one. Excellent customer service.

More on point, I think the recipes in Plenty might look even better than the first book. And there are a lot of them. Only disappointment is the non-existence of dessert recipes.

[Caitlin McGrath]

Well, I just bit the bullet and ordered Plenty, because Amazon UK currently has it on sale for £11.97 - price works out to a few cents under $30 once shipping to the US is added. This is just slightly more than that £11.25 sale price back in April (when I just didn't have extra $ - or £, I guess - to order it), but probably best price since then. Don't know how long the sale will last. I'll be curious to see how long delivery takes, following the conversation upthread.

[pikawicca]

For my fellow "Cookbook sluts" (and I mean that in the nicest possible way), you might want to check out "Purple Citrus and Sweet Perfume" by Silvena Rowe. If you're an Ottolenghi fan, you'll love this.

[buttertart]

I've had my eye on that book - it may be time to break down and get it! (A cookbook slut and happy to be one, that's me!)

[greedygirl]

This was featured in the Observer "Food Monthly" section a while back and I have to say it didn't grab me.

[pikawicca]

How come? I made the Cannellini Beans and Za'atar Sauteed Mushrooms on Toast for lunch, and it was amazing. Simple and extremely delicious. The Fennel and Feta Kofte with Walnut Tarator is also incredible. I've dog-eared at least 50% of the recipes to try.

[Caitlin McGrath]

Amazon UK suggested this to me when I bought Plenty. Haven't seen the book itself, but it strikes me as coming from a similar palate as Spice, Ana Sortun's book. Since I've seen you post about Spice, pikawicca, would you say that's true (even if the recipes don't cover quite the same ground)?

[pikawicca]

Interesting question. They are both books about updated eastern Mediterranean cuisine, so use many of the same ingredients. That said, the recipes are totally different. For example, each book has 5 recipes for chicken; they bear no resemblance to each other whatsoever.

I think that Sortun has a heavier hand with seasonings (not necessarily a bad thing).

Rowe's book has much the better format, IMO, and is easy on the eyes. It also has many gorgeous photos.

I am happy to give both of these books shelf space, will use them in rotation with Ottolenghi, Arabesque, etc. They are all marvelous books.

[Caitlin McGrath]

Thanks. It's unfortunate that I'm unlikely to be able to take a look in person without buying. Spice didn't speak to me all that much, though it has some interesting recipes, but I do love that kaleidescope of flavors.

[buttertart]

I didn't care for Spice very much either (I thought it was only me...and my chef's books thing...), and Arabesque seemed to me largely a retread of Roden's earlier books. Different things appeal to different folks of course.

[Caitlin McGrath]

I find Arabesque very appealing, and a complement to the New Book of Middle Eastern Food.

[buttertart]

I'll have to take another look, o Caitlin!

[greedygirl]

I just got the Book of Middle Eastern Food as a gift, and I prefer Arabesque.

[buttertart]

Suum quique, baby! ;-)

[greedygirl]

Caitlin: That's what I thought when I saw the recipes (which have now been removed from the Observer website, sadly, as copyright has expired). They seemed overly fussy and complicated to me, and didn't leap off the page like Ottolenghi. i will seek out the book in a shop though and have another look.

[pikawicca]

Haven't seen the Observer website, but Rowe's recipes are certainly not fussy and complicated. They all fit on one page (which I appreciate), and don't call for an excessive number of ingredients.

[JoanN]

Article in today's NY Times on Silvena Rowe with three sample recipes from "Purple Cirtrus & Sweet Perfume," for any one who wants to check it out..

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/28/din...

[buttertart]

Once again we CHers are on the cutting edge...trendsetters...

[roxlet]

We call it trend-surfing!

[buttertart]

Watch out Faith Popcorn, we got your number.

[roxlet]

I think she retired ;-).

[buttertart]

Shows how up to date I am!

[The Dairy Queen]

Plenty is now indexed on EYB! Woohoo!

~TDQ

[roxlet]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Gio]

TDQ - Plenty is showing as Not indexed on my bookshelf. It has been listed in the EYB library, though.

[The Dairy Queen]

Hmmmm...weird, It's showing here on the list of the 100 books mostly recently indexed, which I believe was update in the past 24 hours. http://www.eatyourbooks.com/media/286...

And, it has the IND symbol next to it when I view it from my bookshelf.

But, you're right, when I look at the details of the book or try to search it, none of the recipes appear to have been indexed.

Very perplexing.

I wonder if someone internally meant to mark it "WI" for waiting to be indexed or something and instead marked it IND.

~TDQ

[pitu]

I think this just got released in the USA. Not the big white padded version, but a hardcover...
http://www.ecookbooks.com/p-26499-ple...

[roxlet]

Strangely, Amazon lists this as "reprint" edition and has the delivery time as 1-4 weeks. I wonder if it is just the UK version with a new jacket.

[buttertart]

I love that squeezy cover, I just love it. Like a baby book for big people. Brilliant publishing decision.

[roxlet]

Yes, it makes you want to caress it. Which reminds me that it's coming on Plenty season -- time to make more veg and such.

[buttertart]

Yay! I was thinking I'd try some more of the recipes in the Jane Grigson Vegetable book going along into spring.

[emily]

If you use the "look inside" feature, it looks like it has been updated with American measurements.

[Caitlin McGrath]

Yes, this is definitely a full US conversion, with American measurements and terminology. I notice that the description says there is a photo of every recipe. The photography that I see is the same, so I'm wondering if that's accurate - they would have had to add a bunch, as it is certainly not true of the Ebury edition. I'm thinking mis- or overstatement.