subject: Gordon Ramsay Releases Two New Cookbooks in July [print this page] Gordon Ramsay Releases Two New Cookbooks in July
Two new Gordon Ramsay Cookbooks in one day is it possible? Well Quadrille publishing two similarly styled books scheduled for release in the UK on June 2. The books are entitled Gordon Ramsay's Chef's Secrets and Gordon Ramsay's Desserts. It seems that Gordon normally releases two or three cookbooks per year depending on television schedules and often directly related to his television shows. More specifically, in the Dessert arena he has previosuly released Gordon Ramsay's Just Desserts and two series that were released as cooking cards Delicious Desserts and Cool Sweets.
Here is the 'official' blurb on the books (hard to get much else prior to release!)
Gordon Ramsay's Chef's Secrets
Gordon Ramsay's style of cooking is light, healthy, and based on the use of fine quality, fresh ingredients in prime condition. He applies his wealth of culinary knowledge and creativity to transform these ingredients into brilliant dishes that taste sublime. Just how does he do it? In Chef's Secrets Gordon Ramsay reveals all. This fascinating book is much more than a collection of superb recipes from this highly acclaimed chef. It will explain clearly many of the secrets of his techniques, knowledge and skills.
The recipes are presented in a clear and easy-to-follow way, with detailed descriptions and clear photographs of Gordon's special techniques, his brilliant short cuts, and other culinary hot tips. Gordon will also, where relevant, show how a relatively straightforward recipe can be varied or embellished to take the dish onto a higher plane. For example a simple, fresh-tasting watercress soup is taken to the next level with an oyster garnish, or a poached egg. For convenient reference, recipes are arranged according to the type of food: fish, poultry and game, meat, fruit etc. There are also hints on buying, storing and preparing the prime ingredients for Gordon's classy but essentially uncomplicated recipes.
As with all Gordon's books, special effort is taken to ensure that the recipes are suitable for the home cook. The unique addition of many of the prepare-ahead and time-saving techniques used in his restaurants enables the reader to plan meals with the minimum of fuss and entertain effortlessly. This fascinating cookbook is set to become a classic reference book in every kitchen.
Gordon Ramsay's Desserts
Desserts have a reputation for being difficult, and chef's desserts in particular might be expected to be flashy and complicated. Not so Gordon's. His methods are classical, because these are what work and have stood the test of time, but wherever it's possible to make a recipe simpler, Gordon will do so. What matters are the flavours, and noone is better at combining them pineapple and star anise, figs with balsamic syrup, raspberry and lemongrass, chocolate and thyme to name but a few.
In Just Desserts the first few chapters deal with the basic building blocks fruit, ices and creams, mousses and souffles. The recipes are presented in a clear and easy-to-follow way; the mouthwatering photographs of finished desserts are backed up with revealing and informative step-by-step technique photographs. Each recipe stands alone but where it could be combined to make a more special dish there are suggestions in the margin Slow Roasted Peaches with Orange Caramel Sauce would be served with White Peach Parfait and Dried Peach Slices, for example. Gordon loves classics but here each one has an individual twist Summer Pudding, for instance, is made with brioche rather than bread and served in a spectacular stack; Treacle Tart is made with a superlight pastry and served with Lemongrass Creme Fraiche.
Not only is Just Desserts a superb collection of delicious recipes for every occasion, it is the definitive book on superlative contemporary dessert making. Glamorous yet authoritative, it will be many years before a better book on the subject is produced.
I look forward to buying and personally reviewing both books - as well as sharing the thoughts of other reviewers!
