Monday, June 25, 2012

The Cooktionary

I admit: I am a cookbook junkie. This is the bookcase in my kitchen. And what you see is only half the truth, because this bookcase is very deep, it holds two rows of books, one behind the other. At last count there were more cookbooks than I care to admit, and that last count was quite a while ago. So go figure....


There is one book that I use more than any other, the one that I find the most useful book anybody has ever given me (it was a gift from my favorite guinea pig, my ever patient husband who is always the first who has to taste new recipes).

This is it:


The author Gee Greville moved from Hereford (UK) to Picardy in Northern France in 1993 and wrote this "French Dictionary for Cooks" and I am sure I am not the only one who is massively grateful to her. Or would you know what a "Puant de Lille" ( a stinky cheese from Lille), what "Diablotin" (thin rounds of toast with grated cheese, but also Christmas Crackers), a "Cajasse" (cold dessert of rum flavored batter with fruit, a speciality of the Périgord) or a "Vin de coucher" (newlyweds toast to their guests) are? I even finally learned the word for plonk - "Vinasse" - to be said with a dissmissive Gallic shrug of course. 

11 comments:

  1. I am so glad I am not alone! :) Hi from another cookbook junkie, and the older is a book, more I want it! :)

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  2. This sounds like a fantastic book, I also want it. Diane

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  3. I am sure you will find it very useful, Diane.

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  4. That kind of looks like my collection!

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  5. Did I see that well-stacked bookcase in your kitchen when I visited?? I too love cookery books - I even read them in bed sometimes! Hope you are having a good summer! x

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  6. Looks interesting this book. I love old books too. They often have very good recipes which you can make over and over again.

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  7. What a great collection Barbara, I am a huge fan of cookbooks too, would read them like a novel! Most of mine are stuck in storage though, greatly miss them - enjoy yours!:)

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  8. I am a cookbook collector too and always on the lookout for new ones to add to my library. The Cooktionary would be the answer to my questions especially when I am looking at recipes in a French magazine or cookbook.

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  9. Hi Barbara:)
    Have missed your posts, and wanted to say a little hello ;) hope all is well and you are busy with classes - will be off to istanbul in Aug, any chance to go there? hope to meet up, hope soon!

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  10. Thanks to the wonders of Pinterest, I discovered your lovely blog. I'm delighted!!! I've beceom your newest follower and yes, I too am a cookbook "junkie."

    Thank you so much for sharing...Louise

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