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Pineapple Upside Down Cupcakes
American Recipes By Amy @ cookbookmaniac

It's been a while since my last post. I've been busy re-designing my blog layout and house-hunting. Both tasks are proving to be a big challenge, but I will soldier on and not give up. I am too determined to have the blog layout of my dreams and a humble abode. One thing is for sure I have a bad habit of diving into the deep end of things without a crash helmet. There are some important lessons that I have learnt: Firstly, patience and understanding is a virtue. My poor sister has to put up with my nonsense explanations, multiple emails, random phone calls and constant questions. She really is a gem for doing this probono. Secondly, don't listen to anyone (except your mortgage broker) when it comes to advice about home loans and real estate. It is currently an unstable/unpredictable economic climate where legislation and laws change almost…

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Roasted Eggplant with Saffron Yoghurt by Ottolenghi
European Recipes By Amy @ cookbookmaniac

"Oh my goodness. You have so many cookbooks. Do you cook from them all?" This is the question asked by most people who are perplexed by the size of my collection. In fact the IKEA shelf that I purchased specifically to house them is now full and there are books overflowing onto the floor. Most of the books that end up on the floor are far too obese for the lean wooden shelves Ripailles - yes, I am talking about you. Quite often I purchase a cookbook for its potential. This is the possibility of creating something that will satisfy my greedy appetite. If I only get one 'great recipe' out of a cookbook, then I consider it worth its value, at the very least. I recently purchased Ottolenghi - The Cookbook and was flabbergasted by the quality and diversity of the recipes. I could not flick pass one page…

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Chinese Five Spice Duck with Bitter Salad by Karen Martini
Asian Recipes By Amy @ cookbookmaniac

This recipe was the easiest thing to put together and photograph. I didn't prep, nor expect it to turn out quite like it did. It's funny how the harder I try, the less successful the outcome. No matter how often this happens I still love that little surprise at the end when I am astonished by my own cooking. This is my first attempt at five-spice anything. It must seem silly that I've started off by using a Chinese recipe from an Italian chef - even when I have quite a few Asian cookbooks in my collection. This particular recipe jumped out at me and I decided to give it a try. I am glad I did. I made some slight alterations (because I was lazy), this turned out to be super easy, delicious and pleased my toughest critic... Mum. Recipe adapted from Where the Heart Is by Karen Martini…

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