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Jamie’s America by Jamie Oliver
Cookbook Reviews By Amy @ cookbookmaniac

I have never really been drawn to the work of Jamie Oliver. I received his Italy book as a Christmas gift and was very impressed with its layout and use of colours. His recipes seemed enticing but i have yet to find inspiration from them to really test them. I was very drawn to the idea of Jamie at Home. Cooking from the garden and using seasonal products to reduce your carbon footprint and be healthy. Fantastic idea. Same problem. I didn't cook from any of the recipes. They just haven't grabbed me by the eyeballs and lured me into the kitchen like a big bad wolf. One day i was walking through a small bookshop and came across Jamie's America. "Interesting" i thought aloud. The striking cover with its red, white and blue and Jamie quite happily posing was enough for me to pick it up and flick through…

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More from Magnolia by Allysa Torrey
Cookbook Reviews By Amy @ cookbookmaniac

I am a HUGE Sex and the City fan. So naturally, I had to go on the Sex and the City tour when I was in New York. One of the sites we went to was the Magnolia Bakery. I remembered the scene where Carrie and Miranda eat pink cupcakes on a bench. But did not realise it was this bakery, nor did i realise how iconic the bakery was. The tour guide bought us all a cupcake. They were unlike any cupcake i had ever eaten before. The vanilla bottom was light and the butter cream was pillowy soft and over-the-top. It was very indulgent and (gasp) i couldn't finish it. But that didn't take away from the impression it has forever made in me. I can no longer make a cupcake with just a swipe of runny icing. I must make mountains of icing placed in a icing…

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The Japanese Kitchen by Kimiko Barber
Cookbook Reviews By Amy @ cookbookmaniac

There is something about the Japanese cuisine that captures my heart and taste buds. It seems that every time we visit a Japanese restaurant or cafe, I am inspired to recreate or research whatever it is that i have experienced. It is more than just a plate of food. It is the current seasons best offerings, prepared with utter reverence to its natural taste and texture. When my partner and i go out to eat, it is usually the Japanese cuisine that we go searching for. Ramen, Izakaya (bar & grill), sushi train, sukiyaki etc etc. It is so simple and yet complex. It is mysterious but approachable. It is so healthy and one of the world's most misunderstood cuisines. The Japanese Kitchen is a good starting place for people who have just opened the door to the Japanese cuisine. It goes into the history and uses of essential ingredients…

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