CUISINE REVIEW: Hairy Bikers: Big Book of Baking - Si King and Dave Myers

Release Date: 01/03/12

SYNOPSIS:

With their irrepressible enthusiasm for great food, Si King and Dave Myers AKA the Hairy Bikers travel the length and breadth of Europe to discover the best baking recipes from the Continent. From Norway to Southern Spain, the boys eat their way across ten countries, making friends and swapping recipes along the way. They discover the ultimate Black Forest Gateaux in Germany, the most incredible pastries in Southern France and cook cakes that will tickle the tastebuds of all home bakers. This is a welcome return of the Hairy Bakers. These recipes will delight and will bring a freshness to all home baking.


REVIEW:

OK, whilst I do love cooking the odd piece of Kitchen Showboating, I have to admit that my real passion is comfort food. IE, the recipes that when you’re feeling ill or down always work not only that emotional magic but twist into it that wholesome feeling of an internal hug. Whether this is the proverbial chicken soup for the soul or old family favourites, there are often comfort foods from around the world that you may not be familiar with, and that’s where the Hairy Bikers come into it with this title.

Whilst its mainly a baking title, there are some good wholesome recipes within such as a Hungarian Goulash Soup (served with Bacon Scones, mmmmm) as well as what you might think of as oddities such as the Scandinavian use of Cardamom within their recipes or other cultural icons that you’ve passed by on your everyday trips out such as Pain Aux Raisins.

This book is chock full of all sorts of goodies which when also accompanied by the TV Series Bakeaction makes it a title to turn to for inspiration time and again. All in a wonderful sense of recipes and whilst it’s a European tour, there will be some recipes that will more than inspire those in other countries further afield.