New Year, New Cookery Book

I do still love a new recipe book for Christmas and this year's request for one by Yotam Ottolenghi has certainly lived up to expectations.

I have been fortunate enough to eat in at Ottolenghi's http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/ in London a couple of times in the past and love the vibrancy of the dishes, the atmosphere and the wonderful displays of salads and desserts

My interest in this style of food was rekindled last year at a leisurely October Sunday lunch with friends. It was one of those autumn days when the sun was still warm enough for drinks and appetisers to be enjoyed in their colourful sheltered south London garden.

Returning inside we were in for a real treat of slow roasted lamb and salads inspired by both Ottolengi and Sabrina Ghayour author of Persiana "recipes from the Middle East and Beyond"

Earlier this week my new book was introduced to the kitchen and I tried out a few recipes. I didn't quite have all the ingredients but with some improvisation managed salads of 'Carrots and peas', 'Chargrilled cauliflower with capers and mustard', 'Marinated aubergine' and 'Mushrooms with pearl barley'

Clearly my dishes didn't quite live up to the October summer lunch experience but were a tasty supper nonetheless. This is a relaxed communal style of eating that I am definitely going to try more of this year.