Non-Fiction book review part 12 - lots of food here!

This is part twelve in a series of non-fiction book reviews, based on the idea that the books I request tell you everything you need to know about me. Today I'm reviewing books about cooking  for camping, cooking with sesame and baking in the American South. I like food and camping! All books are from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

Baking in the American South: 200 Recipes and Their Untold Stories By Anne Bryn (Release date 3 September 2024)

The description:

Witness the rise of Southern baking from the humble, make-do recipes of our ancestors to its place as one of the world's richest culinary traditions through this essential cookbook from bestselling author Anne Byrn. With 200 recipes and more than 150 photos from 14 states, Baking in the American South has the biscuits, cornbread, cakes, and rolls that will help you bake like a Southerner, even if you aren't.

This book contains really interesting stories and history, it is beautifully presented and photographed. The introduction and throughout addresses relevant issues like race and class. As an Australian I very much appreciated that the recipes were in grams, as well as cups and weird American measurements (12 sticks of butter, anyone?)

As I am wont to do, I wanted to cook from this book, as well as review the way it looks. My parents were coming for dinner, and we always finish our meals with either a pudding or a cake, so I made the Maryland Jewish Apple cake, which went down very well!

Overall I would recommend this book, both as a cookbook and for those who have an interest in the cooking and culture of the American South.

New Camp Cookbook On the Trail By Emily Vikre (Release date 1 July 2024)

The (shortened) description:

Make your next hike your best hike with recipes for drinks, snacks, and even some meals that are completely portable and completely delicious.   After a long day outdoors, there’s nothing better than a cold drink or hot meal as the sun starts to set. And there’s also something special about that midday meal on the go, whether your view is the mountains or the sea. In New Camp Cookbook On the Trail, author Emily Vikre shares a few greatest hits and remixes from Camp Cocktails and The Family Camp Cookbook, so you’re sure to find just what you are craving for your next trip.

My thoughts:

As anyone who follows me on the socials knows, I like to hike and we go on a few multi-day hikes each year. Last time we were out on the trail we met some very experiences hikers who gave us some tips about lunches, and had a much yummier time on our most recent hike. We still use "just add boiling water and wait ten minutes" dinners - it's just easier, if not better, so Iw as interested to read this book. Emily certainly understands about hike in (car free) camping and what is practical to take with you. This beautifully presented and photographed book contains a lot of inspiration and a great deal of it it is practical as well. Things like different types of trail mix and alternative lunches. Some of it is a bit odd - when I'm carrying everything I need on my back, I'm not bringing cocktails -although  we have been known to carry whiskey with us, but that's more efficient than long drinks. This is a very pretty book, with lovely photos and chatty helpful commentary. This book hasn't yet motivated me away from my basic approach to camp-food, but it has given me some food for thought.

Open Sesame Rachel Bell (released 12 November 2024) 

Logically divided onto morning meals, party snacks, mains and sides and sweet things, this is a  beautifully presented cook book. The very odd thing is that this isn't really about cooking with sesame, it's about cooking with tahini, but, despite the only ingredient of tahini being sesame, the cook is instructed on the best brands to buy.This has been really bugging me, since tahini has exactly one ingredient. The other thing is (and this is personal) the recipes didn't vibe with me. There wasn't even a desert or biscuit that made me say "yes, I'll cook that". None of them appealed.  But then neither did going out and buying a jar of tahini.