Return to listing

Prepped! By Vanessa Kimbell (Spring Hill, £20)

Vanessa is a newcomer to the cookbook scene, but as a trained chef and mother of three children, she’s certainly adept at juggling her life while making sure her family eats well. She does this by preparing various recipes in batches, such as Elderflower & Rose Syrup, which is then called on for recipes for a cocktail, sorbet, salad dressing, jelly and fish dish. Spiced Tomato Jam is used in a chopped salad, chicken puff parcels, while plum brandy adds flavour and alcohol to trifles, cocktails and mincemeat. It may sound like a confusing concept, but once you identify the main recipe for each chapter you can see how Vanessa has adapted it to suit a range of recipes.

The photography, by Brian Dunstone and Tony Hardacre, is inspiring and the recipes just make you want to get into the kitchen: Vanilla, Mango & Chilli Pork; Chocolate Cupcakes with Lavender Cream and Hot or Cold Lemon Chicken Rice Salad are just a few highlights. 
 
With accolades from Jason Atherton and Chantal Coady, it’s clear that Vanessa isn’t simply a flash in the pan. This interesting and unusual book is well worth a look.

Tell us what you think of this book

Buy this title from our Shop and earn 26* reward ePoints

*rewards correct at time of publishing

Return to Homepage