“Simple, Fresh, Delicious” – the title of this cookbook, while simple in itself, invokes a feeling of relaxation and ease, and of uncomplicated goodness that can only come from really good food made from fresh ingredients.
Australian born cookbook author, food stylist and chef, Lovoni Walker shares her life-long passion for food this latest book. “I love food and I come from a family that loves food,” says Walker. With over 15 years in the food business, Walker came to Canada in the winter of 2000 and set up her food business in Nisku. “I think the industry is really new here and holds so many opportunities. At Fabulous Food Creations we do food styling and photography for cookbooks and marketing-advertising companies; we teach private cooking classes and, of course, work on our line of cookbooks and test recipes. The test kitchen gets quite a work out!”
Recipes as fresh as Curried Chicken and Mango Wraps celebrate the individual flavors of each ingredient, without stressing the at-home-gourmet with wild food preparation methods and hard to find ingredients. The meals have a global appeal and each recipe is made with ingredients that are locally accessible and easy to work with.
“Simple, Fresh, Delicious”, the first cookbook in the “Simple, Delicious” series, has over 85 recipes for mornings, soups, salads, sandwiches, appetizers, main dishes and, of course, dessert. Future books focused on health and nutrition are in the works. The “Simple, Fresh, Delicious” cookbook opens with an impressive chapter focusing on cooking basics and essentials. With clear instructions and serving suggestions for classics like home made chicken broth, mayonnaise, and roasted red peppers, the book is designed to help even the most novice chef feel more confident in the kitchen. “Simple Fresh, Delicious” manages to bring exotic flavors to the everyday kitchen with ease.
A refreshing appreciation for time is written into each recipe, with most recipes marked “30 minutes or less” or “make ahead”. With so many people feeling the pinch when it comes to grocery and time budgeting, it’s a nice surprise to discover elegant and flavorful meals like Thai-style beef lettuce wraps or peppered buffalo steaks with roasted corn salsa can be prepared in less than half an hour. The “make ahead” options include savory dishes like Moroccan lamb stew with almond couscous, and many of the recipes include refrigerator and freezer storage time information.
Lovoni Walker puts a twist on seasonal favorites like summer popsicles by creating whimsical liqueur popsicles in flavors like berry lime and mango pineapple. Her pears with blue cheese on toast recipe makes an elegant yet really very simple snack or after dinner savory. And to think – it’s so easy! Walker’s dark chocolate brownies are well known to those who have been to her local book signings, and the recipe once again proves that classic food can be tasty, yet simple. “The key to a really good brownie, “says Walker, “is using really good chocolate.”
It’s difficult to flip through the pages of “Simple, Fresh, Delicious” without admiring the artistic, yet simple presentation of the foods in the photos. The food arrangements are colorful and artistic, yet elegant. It’s as much a pleasure to read “Simple, Fresh, Delicious” as it is a great recipe reference.
Whether you’re looking for ways to jazz up your everyday menu with fresh ingredients that won’t tax your time or your wallet, or you’re simply looking for a great new cookbook to give to a friend, “Simple, Fresh, Delicious” celebrates really good food and reminds the reader that everyone really can cook like a chef.
