I'm a visual person, having worked in advertising, and with some fabulous food photographers and stylists too (way before I ever thought I'd end up writing a food blog, I might add!) and I still believe that one of the best parts of buying new cook books and magazines is feasting on the photography. The photos often made me decide whether a dish would be beyond my skill level too, but obviously would need to have a big yumminess tick too.
Stephanie Alexander has changed this for me. And I adore her for it. The cook's companion is changing my foodie life, day-by-day as I realise quite how much I refer to it, and also how much I trust her to have written up the perfect recipe. No photography required, just a little mental visualisation.
Because it's 1000 pages long it really does have Stephanie's take on most things. Lately, I've even been checking her recipes for the things I would never need a recipe for; basic pasta, bolognese, burgers, muffins etc. They all have a little special Stephanie twist. All I can say is that I look forward to getting better acquainted with my new bible, and a huge thank you to my mum for buying it for me.
These madeleines are for my friend Jess. She has not had the best few weeks, and we now live half a world away from each other so it's so much harder to be there for her. If I were closer I would be popping around for long chats and tea, and keeping her well stocked in cakes. And as for madeleines, Jess and I have already spent many an afternoon drinking too much coffee and tea, eating too many madeleines to count. She would love these honey ones. Miss you Jess x
These madeleines worked out just how I had hoped. Not sickly sweet, just a hint of honey, and so light and moorish.
Little girl enjoying her 'tea' with a madeleine. It's so cute how much she enjoys the tea ritual already.
