May Books - Some Maybe, Others Maybe Not

 

My first stash of library books for May - 

200 recipes, reviewed on Saturday 3*

The Folding Lady, reviewed Friday 2*

Stunning Stitches,see May 5th fun read, very detailed, but too complex to be of practical use to me. 4*

Nordic Knits for Children- again, a good read, excellent patterns, I can see Ro in that cover dress - but the patterns would take hours to knit, and I think the cost of wool would be prohibitive, so not for me. Still 4*

Upcycle - by Annie Phillips,  Sewing Bee winner. Some good patterns and instructions about technique. But you have to have the right things in the wardrobe to remake, and a desire to wear the new garment.
Do I want a balaclava made of crocheted granny squares? Or horrid orange fluffy cuffs on a pink blazer [I would dye it, and change the buttons!] The jeans skirt looks slightly strange. The floaty tablecloth dress is ok - but there are no quantities given just "adjust it to fit the tablecloth you have" 2*

Finally the OTK Extra Good Things. I admit to bias. I really like the stuff produced by Yotam and his team. I have two books already [here and here] I bought the first OTK book 2nd hand, and Julian gave me Simple for my birthday [thanks, I love it!]. This is an 'inspiration' book - every recipe includes the 'extra takeaway' - a sauce, sprinkle, topping or rub which you can make up and keep half in the fridge for a couple of days the use to "zhuzh up" a completely different recipe. It is big on adding flavour to your dish.  Ways to incorporate all the spices in my new kitchen drawer into exciting 'Ottolenghi-style' recipes. 5*