Travels, Food and Memories

Orchards in the Oasis

Winner of the Guild of Food Writers Kate Whiteman Award for Work on Food and Travel 2011  Celebrated cookery writer Josceline Dimbleby is widely credited with introducing new ways of using spices to the domestic kitchen. This enchanting memoir explores the food influences of her rich and varied life and provides an outstanding collection of exciting recipes. As an itinerant child with a diplomat stepfather, Josceline spent much of her time in the kitchen - in a succession of different countries - watching cooks transform food with spices and herbs. As a consequence, she acquired not only a taste for food but also a passion for discovering other lands and different cuisines. From Syria to Morocco, from North America to Burma and Laos, her adult life built on and broadened her early gastronomic experiences. She found that her astonishing memory of tastes - together with her natural ability to combine flavours and textures harmoniously - enabled her to create very personal interpretations of dishes she had eaten around the world. Orchards in the Oasis is Josceline's absorbing account of her lifelong love affair with food and flavourings. It is interspersed with 75 inspiring but accessible recipes from the diverse cuisines she has experienced on her travels: Rose petal tart from Syria, Peruvian potatoes, Bosphorus mussel stew, Marrakesh meatballs and Chicken noodle hotpot from Vietnam. Evocatively illustrated with mouth-watering food photography and the author's personal photographs of her travels, it is, indeed, an irresistible memoir.

Josceline Dimbleby is one of our most successful and creative cookery writers. She has written more than 24 books on food and cooking, including the first cookery books ever to be sold in Sainsbury's stores, sales of which exceed 2 million copies. She was food columnist for the Sunday Telegraph for over 15 years and has also contributed to many other newspapers and magazines. In 1979 Josceline received the Andre Simon Award for Best Cookery Book for Josceline Dimbleby's Book of Puddings, Sweets and Savouries, and in 1993 she was named 'Cookery Writer of the Year' at the Glenfiddich Awards. She has also featured on numerous radio, and TV programmes, including BBC Food & Drink, MasterChef, Junior MasterChef and Carlton Food Network.

Josceline Dimbleby

All over the world there are popular specialities made with minced meat. The Americans have hamburgers, the Greeks moussaka, the Mexicans chilli con carne and the Italians have their famous Bolognese. The use of mince in many of the most recognisable dishes of the world is a testament to its versatility. It can be fried, baked, roasted or stewed; used to stuff, top or fill; and can be spiced, soaked or left plain. And in times of economic pressure, here is a relatively cheap ingredient that will provide an ingenious and tasty meal worthy of any occasion. First published in 1982 exclusively for Sainsbury's, where it became a best-seller, this superb book has now been updated to suit today's tastes, without removing any of its original charm. If you are in need of something different, why not try the Fennel surprise pork rissoles with carrot sauce or Onion and yogurt soda buns stuffed with spiced lamb; or if you are wanting something more classic why not try the Salmon fish cakes with goat's cheese and spring onions or Spinach and beef layer pie. With a complete new look, including stunning colour photography specially taken for this fully revised edition, this book provides a delightfully unique and mouth-watering collection of traditional, original and often very unusual, recipes.

Josceline Dimbleby

Books by Josceline Dimbleby

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