Food may be an absolute necessity of life but it’s also one of our most enduring pleasures.
— Joan Bishop
It is this warm philosophy that shapes Joan Bishop’s recipes. Her love of quality food, and of the pleasure that lies in its sharing, are passions evident in her column for the Otago Daily Times, which she has now been writing for twenty-five years, and in her bestselling cookbooks.
Now Joan has compiled a collection of her favourite recipes in a gorgeous new collection, the name of which — A Southern Woman’s Kitchen: Crockpot Cooking and More for the Family Table — refers to the region where Joan was born, raised, educated, and still calls home. These are the recipes she makes most often for her own family and friends, using fresh, in-season produce such as the season’s first, tender asparagus or crisp new Braeburns, whenever possible from the local farmer’s market.
“My cooking methods are easy and the equipment I use is fairly basic. I cut the odd corner here and there. I cheat in the kitchen,” says Joan of her approach. “I want fast, fresh food with strong, natural flavours for little effort. I’m all for simplifying, but not at the cost of taste and quality.”
The recipes in this beautifully packaged collection are perfect for the realistic, everyday cook — one that may be time-poor, but does not want to sacrifice quality or taste. So while some of the recipes may have longer cooking times (and the collection contains many recipes for the slow cooker) but the preparation time is short, leaving you with more time to spend on what really matters: the company around the table.
“Sharing food with friends and family is the way we celebrate the events that mean the most to us,” says Joan, “and not only the momentous occasions, but the small everyday happenings that occur. Many of these, often small, moments are the inspiration for my recipes.”
Joan’s long life in food means that she is a fountain of knowledge on the provenance of recipes and on hints and tips. The detailed header notes of many of her recipes are fascinating and instructive. This book is a great celebration of her long career and her stellar reputation.
About Joan Bishop
Joan is a true southern woman. Born, raised and educated in Dunedin, she has been school teacher, air hostess and more recently until retirement, Southern Territory Manager for Sunbeam Appliances. A very experienced cook and recipe developer with a talent for innovative thinking, she has written a monthly food column for the Otago Daily Times for the past 25 years.
Joan is best known as the author of Joan Bishop’s New Zealand Crockpot & Slow Cooker Cookbook. Originally published in 1985, it has been continuously revised and updated, with the latest edition published in 2011; the total sales in New Zealand exceed 125,000 copies. She thoroughly deserves the title ‘Queen of the Crockpots.’
It is a bit mean of me to blog about this gorgeous book now as it is not available until 15 June but I received an advance copy and just can't help myself from bursting into print. I may be in trouble with the publishers! But cookbook lovers should put their name down for a copy now at their local bookseller or library. It is a wee gem.I am going to make a dinner dish from it over the weekend so will write about that once done, if the publishers agree!
A Southern Woman’s
Kitchen: Crockpot Cooking and More for the Family Table
Joan Bishop
RRP: $39.99
Released: 15 June 2012
Random House NZ - Longacre