Holiday reading
Whether you are taking a break from preparing for the festive season, relaxing at your holiday house or travelling to some exotic destination, holidays are for reading and here are some books that will fit the bill.
All prices in Australian dollars.
Recipes for a good time by Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz.
Murdoch Books. RRP$59.99.
This makes a stunning gift at any time.
The Sydney Morning Herald's hottest chefs of the year 2013 Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz throw open the doors of their Sydney Kitchens with their delectable dishes like boozy banana cake, TCB (taking care of business) Punch, empanadas de carne and more.
Let Ben and Elvis help you make homemade bread and pate, construct Argentinian asada and most importantly,have fun while you cook.
A coffee table book you can bring into the kitchen.
From India, food, family and tradition by Kumar and Suba Mahadevan.
Murdoch Books. RRP$59.99.
Another beautifully designed book with an exotic printed silk cover.
Contemporary Indian food has never looked or tasted better than when cooked by the inimitable Kumar from the famed Abhi's and Aki's restaurants in Sydney.
Kumar and his wife Suba have created a magnificent book which is more than just a recipe book, but also traces their personal stories of an arranged marriage, international adventures and their success in creating two of the best loved Indian restaurants in Australia.
Having dined at Aki's in Woolloomooloo, I can attest that the food tastes just as wonderful as it looks in the book.
And I'm going to try the recipe for Karela Masala or bitter melon curry, followed by ShaiTukda or Mughal bread and butter pudding.
Anyone who had a heart by Burt Bacharach with Robert Greenfield.
Atlantic Books. RRP$32.99
Anyone who has a heart will enjoy this autobiography of Burt Bacharach, who has lived a life most of us can only dream of.
As a young man he used to sneak into New York City jazz clubs to hear Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie play and later became Marlene Dietrich's regular accompanist.
He composed music for Barbra Streisand, Dionne Warwick, Rod Stewart and Dusty Springfield, among other luminaries.
He also reveals his struggles and regrets in the book, the most devastating of which was the death of his beloved daughter Nikki.
This is a fascinating story of one of the musical greats of all time.
Blending the Cultures by Tanya Bartolini.
Self-published. RRP$39.95.
Tanya Bartolini's book is about her family and how food unites them.
After World War 2, her grandfather took the brave step of moving to Australia in search of a better life for his children.
Blending the Cultures is the result of plenty of experiments, a love of food and the desire to tell her family's story.
The recipes are easy to follow. Try Nonna Lucy's pot roast, risotto and tortelli di patate.
