James Beard Award–winning writer Aleksandra Crapanzano shares the secrets of the cakes Parisians bake at home, from the simplest yogurt cakes to a deceptively easy bûche de Noël, from yuzu madeleines to boozy flourless chocolate confections. When we think of French desserts, we tend to imagine ornate creations and confections. Perhaps we envision a tarte Tatin, but rarely a homemade cake, whipped up on a weeknight with little fuss. But that is exactly what Parisians make and eat. Gâteaux are simple, delicious cakes, both sweet and savory, served to family and friends. As food-columnist Aleksandra Crapanzano spent time in Parisian home kitchens, she realized that the real magic is a certain savoir-faire, that distinctly French know-how that blends style and functionality in every aspect of life. By and large, the French do not try to compete with their chefs, nor with their boulangeres and patissieres. But many Parisians are natural cooks, and most finish dinner with a little something sweet, effortlessly made and casually served. The trick is having an arsenal of recipes that, once mastered, become blueprints, allowing for myriad variations, depending on what’s in season and what’s in the cupboard. It is a practical approach, and the French are nothing if not practical. That is the savoir-faire—from tying a silk scarf just so to popping a gateau in the oven without anyone even noticing. When you know what you’re doing, there’s no need to overthink it. It looks easy because it is easy. While the Paris culinary world is experiencing a fresh vibrancy, certain traditions remain intact yet may surprise in their modernity. For example, French cakes have less sugar. The pure taste of apples is not masked by cinnamon, and vanilla is never a given. A gateau may be lightly glazed, dusted with cocoa or confectioners’ sugar, drizzled with rose water, but rarely heavily iced. A splash of brandy, a squeeze of lemon or a thin blanket of ganache elevates even the easiest of cakes in mere minutes. And then there are savory cakes made with cheese, herbs, ham, baked into a delicious loaf. These cakes salés are ideal for picnic lunches, accompanied by a salad and a glass of Sancerre. Gâteau includes cakes for birthdays, summer feasts and winter holidays, last-minute dinner parties and school lunches, as well as beloved regional recipes and guest contributions from superstar Parisian bakers. Practical, simple, and filled with over 100 rigorously tested recipes and charming illustrations, Gâteau celebrates every day and sometimes fanciful French cakes in all their glory.

The Cottage Life reflects our collective desire to escape the chaos of modern existence; to live with more purpose, more compassion and more joy.   The Cottage Life is an essential guide to slow and simple living, inspired by the magical world of cottagecore. To follow the cottagecore aesthetic is to wear secondhand clothes that tell their own stories; to bake fresh bread and cakes, no matter how wonky the outcome; to spend time in nature, to observe and draw the plants, to breathe freshair and to connect with species beyond our own. It is taking the time to notice the seasons change, or to turn off your screen mindfully and pick up an old novel instead. It is lighting a fire on the first cool night of autumn and sipping a fresh cup of tea by the fireplace, or watching the first spring leaves unfurl after the long, dark winter. Celebrating the small joys in life, from the first birdsong of the morning to the taste of ripe plums on a summer afternoon. And, above all else, it is learning to slow down, connect with the world around you and be a more compassionate, conscientious citizen of the earth.   Each chapter explores different ways of embracing the cottagecore lifestyle, such as interacting with nature, eating seasonally and getting creative. Inherently low-impact and green, cottagecore embraces reuse and recycling and celebrates an old-fashioned no-waste ethic. Fortunately for most, possession of a country cottage is not essential to embody the cottagecore spirit. With guidance on nurturing your home and small touches for interior decoration, The Cottage Life brings country living ideals to any space.   Cottagecore is much more than a fashion trend or social media bandwagon. It is a peaceful protest against the darker elements of modern life—The Cottage Life is a gentle embrace with the past, encouraging you to truly enjoy the present and nurture a brighter future.    

Make more than 35 fabulous projects, from quick and easy scarves and mug cosies to blankets and arm warmers.  Versatile and easy to make, the granny square is the ideal starting point for many people when they first learn to crochet. In Granny Square Crochet, crochet teacher Catherine Hirst presents 35 projects which show how this traditional square can be updated and used in many different ways. The first chapter has over a dozen projects for the home, ranging from a blue-and-white mug cosy which can be made in less than an hour to a stunning bed cover. There are cushion and seat covers to brighten up your living room, plus place mats and a runner for your table. The second chapter has some beautiful accessories, including gloves, a scarf, bags, and even a dog coat to keep your pets warm in winter. The third chapter has a great range of patterns to make as gifts for children and babies, such as blankets, bibs, hats and toys. Each project is graded according to the level of skill required, and there is a comprehensive basic techniques chapter explaining all you need to know.

Explore the living history of soul food as the perfect craft beer companion in this cookbook by Harlem Brewing Company’s Celeste Beatty, the first black woman to own a brewery in the United States. Great beer has an uplifting effect on life and food. Interspersed with small-bite reflections from a twenty-year journey in the making of Harlem Brewing Company, Harlem. Brew. Soul. features:   Recipes infused with beer (food and cocktails) Beer-pairing menus Favorite chef dishes Small-batch beer recipes Historical notes on African brewing history A collection of family stories about early African American homebrew culture And more Highlighting heritage from each of their original homebrews, Harlem. Brew. Soul.amplifies the work, flavor, and heritage behind every beer, including Sugar Hill Golden Ale, Renaissance Wit, and 125th Street IPA. Through her many years of brewing beer and building her business, Celeste has developed relationships with the best and brightest in the food and beverage industries and is ready to share her own homebrew and soul food recipes, along with recipes from some of Harlem’s and North Carolina’s favorite restaurants and chefs, all interspersed with gorgeous photos and fascinating history and stories.

In My gunsteling-resepte deel sy haar lieflingresepte - van die eenvoudige botterbroodjies en gemmerbier wat sy jare gelede by haar ma leer maak het, tot watertandlekker beesstert, gebakte pere met kaneel en room en ander heerlikhede wat sy op pad na die MasterChef-finale ontwikkel het. Al die resepte, van smullekker souse en doopsouse, verleidelike nageregte en maklike eenskottelgeregte tot tradisionele gunstelinge en gesofistikeerde samesmeltings, word gekenmerk deur haar eiesoortige kombinasie van geure en bestanddele. Lieflike volbladfoto's van die voltooide geregte sal enigeen se mond laat water en aanspoor om sommer dadelik die resepte op die proef te stel.

Create delicious slow-cooked flavours with affordable ingredients using minimal energy with over 50 pressure cooker recipes. Pressure cookers enable the preparation of delicious meals cheaply, quickly and efficiently because the food is cooked in liquid at temperatures far higher than in a conventional saucepan, shortening cooking time by up to 70 per cent. After years in the culinary doldrums, the popularity of brands such as Instant Pot, has propelled all types of pressure-cooking gadgets back into favour and fashion. John Lewis says that purchases of pressure cookers have risen by 110 per cent, and their popularity is only set to continue with the current rises in energy prices and food costs. The pressure-cooking method is brilliant at sealing in flavour, so cheaper ingredients can be used to great effect and since the cooking time is shorter you save on energy too, making it one of the most eco-friendly cooking methods available. Time savings are impressive – braising beef takes just 30 minutes, a chicken casserole can be ready in 15 minutes. Pulses and grains cook in a fraction of the time, so it’s great news for veggies too. A John Lewis spokesman said: 'The cooking method often used by our parents and grandparents to tenderise cheaper cuts of meat is once again popular as thrifty, time-poor cooks rediscover the time and fuel-saving benefits of these marvellous machines' (Daily Mail October 2022).  Choose from over 50 recipes covering all tastes and occasions including Soups & Stocks, hearty Meat dishes, lighter Poultry & Seafood dishes, Vegetarian Dishes and Desserts.

The delicate art of paper flower craft has been around for centuries, originating in China in 100BC. Since then, the art has remained a powerful tool in calming the mind and encouraging a slower pace of life. Whatever your background, lifestyle or commitments, this book contains projects to nurture your personal skill set. Step-by-step instructions and inspiring illustrations will guide you through the process from start to finish. Paper crafting is an accessible hobby that can be easily practised at home by everyone of all ages. Whether you're looking for a rewarding activity to share with your children, or something to help you unwind after a long workday, paper flower crafting is a perfect choice. Use your newfound skills to create your own decorations for display or pleasure, and discover the wonder of nature in all its glorious detail by paying special attention to the colouring, textures and intricate details of your projects.