Today’s TBT cookbook is eleven years old and brand new. Diana Henry’ wonderful pure simple cooking [her style, no CAPS] has just be released in paperback. After eleven years, I looked to see if there was a new preface or introduction. Nope. This book is just as was when first published. It was perfect then and it is perfect now.
Diana Henry is easily the foremost British cookbook author. She has almost a dozen books now and I believe this was her third one. Its title is the trademark of Diana’s style: the recipe title says simple and simple, but totally, excellent is what Diana provides.
The proof is right there for you in the very first recipe, Pacific Lime Chicken. A marinade of honey, soy, lime juice, brown sugar, garlic and pepper can be prepared in a just a couple of minutes. Marinate chicken thighs for as little as 15 minutes or for the whole afternoon. Then roast for 35+ minutes. Perfectly simple: any of us could do this. Perfectly impactful: honey, soy, lime and sugar are a classic team and Diana puts that team to superior use.
This recipe will become a family favorite for you. The good new is there are 119 other ideas in this book to become favorites, too! Ideas like:
Turkish Chicken with Oranges and Warm Spices [chile, coriander, cinnamon …]
Lamb Chops with Pea and Mint Puree
Pomegranate and Honey Glazed Lamb Chops with Radish and Cucumber Tzatziki
Spanish Sweet Potato with Chorizo, Peppers and Fried Egg
Roast Lamb with Pistachios, Raisins and Marsala
Greek Red Mullet with Oranges and Olives
Tagliatelle with Hot-Smoked Salmon, Sour Cream and Vodka
Salmon Ceviche with Avocado and Mango
Peaches in Rose Syrup
Broiled Apricots with Blackberries and Mascarpone
Pears, Raisins and Pine Nuts Backed in Muscatel
Diana lives in London, but the world is her pantry and her source for recipe ideas. The ideas here span the world, but they have all been given Diana’s special finishing touch. Ordinarily, when I open up a cookbook, I’ll mark the recipes I want to try with some stickies, then scan them into my computer. Ordinarily. With this book, I’d be marking every single page. I literally want to try everything. And, over the next year so, I will.
This book, pure simple cooking, is a rare thing: a perfectly executed cookbook. Wonderful recipes. Great photos. Clear instructions. And quality behind every single recipe. This book belongs in your stack of “go-to” books for inspiration and salvation. And salivation.