Book Review,
Australian Women’s Weekly
and
“Mince It”
“Mince It”
The Australian Women’s Weekly
Imprint: Australian Women’s Weekly
Format: Paperback
Size: 277 x 205 x 7 mm
Pages: 120
ISBN: 9781863969369
Published: 1st May 2010
Format: Paperback
Size: 277 x 205 x 7 mm
Pages: 120
ISBN: 9781863969369
Published: 1st May 2010
£6.99
I am a big fan of Australian Women’s Weekly Cookbooks, they are attractively priced and are always full of varied and diverse recipes which I am sure appeal to most people. This Book, “Mince it” is no exception, although I would not recommend it for vegetarians!
The book has a contemporary feel to it, Australian Women’s Weekly have changed their design format recently and the results are sleek with an air of modernity about them; the way that the cookbooks are set out are very user friendly and helpful with wonderful pictorial sections about selected food and kitchen equipment; this book has a great section at the front and back of the book entitled “Know your potatoes” as well as very useful section of Knife Skills too.
As with all of the Australian Women’s Weekly latest cookbooks, the photography is top notch and the food styling is attractive and appealing; the serving suggestions and ideas are fresh and exciting, as well as most of the recipes, which I found to be very innovative in this cookbook.
The contents of this book are as follows:
1. Minced Meat ~ a VERY informative section about all types of minced meat such as lamb, beef & veal, chicken & turkey, pork and sausage mince.
2. Chicken & Turkey
3. Beef & Sausage
4. Lamb
5. Pork & Veal
6. Glossary
7. Conversion Chart
8. Index
The index is extremely helpful in awarding each recipe a symbol to further aid your recipe selection ~ F for Fast, E for Easy and $ for Cheap ($’s being Australian, but still helpful)
The Glossary, as always, is extremely informative about less common ingredients, as well as being very helpful about certain food groups such as, Beans, Sauces, Sugars, Flour, Rice and Vinegars. Next to the Glossary is the Conversion Chart which is a must for European users, as it converts from Aussie cups and Metric to Imperial; this cookbook also has a brilliant bookmark flap at the back of the book with a condensed conversions chart featured, so you can have easy access whilst cooking, this really is a thoughtful and very useful feature.
The recipes, as I mentioned before, are diverse and innovative ~ this is NOT your standard minced meat cookbook and I like it all the more for that reason.
There are some wonderful Asian inspired recipes such as Sang Choy Bow and Pork Balls with Soy & Lime Dipping sauce as well as the more usual pasta dishes, but again they are modern and innovative; some recipes that leapt out straight away are: Pork, Mushroom & Sage Lasagne and Chicken, Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni. There are various burger recipes, as you would expect in a minced meat book and I was immediately drawn to the Turkey Burger with Cranberry Onions. Mexican inspired meals are also represented with several Chilli Con Carne recipes and some amazing looking Spicy Chicken Tacos. Meatballs, “Spag Bol” and Meatloaves also jostle for position with Curries and Spicy Stir Fries ~ Pies, Sausage Rolls, Salads and Soups are also there to entice you, I particularly liked the sound of the Harira Soup and Lamb, Potato & Rosemary Pie.
The selection of recipes is superb and it is hard to believe that you have a paperback cookbook in your hand with just 120 pages…..Australian Women’s Weekly certainly pack them all in and there are 100 recipes to tempt you. The layout of all the recipes is easy to follow with appealing photos alongside, and prep and cook times are listed as well as the nutritional count per serving, a very useful addition for weight watchers.
My overall impression of this book is that is looks extremely sleek and modern, which belies the subject matter of humble minced meat; there are some great family meals in the book, but also some recipes that would not look out of place at a dinner party table, and this varied choice of style and type of meals is refreshing and makes the book a good “all rounder” in most people’s kitchens. Well priced as always at £6.99 and £4.49 on Amazon, this is a “Must Have” book for amateur and more experienced cooks and I give this book a well deserved 5 stars.
Karen S Burns Booth
(With thanks to Octopus Publishing Group and Australian Women’s Weekly for sending me this copy to review.)
Looks a great book Karen and one that I don't have! We don't eat a lot of mince in our house though, but when I do buy it I am always looking for something different to do with it. I may just have to buy this book too. Todd will have a bird! lol
I've been a fan of the Australian Woman's weekly for years. Even back in the day when we lived in Brunei and long before I came to Australia…
It’s really funny that your reviewing the book because earlier today on my shopping trip, I was waiting to pay and began intently reading another copy but this one was for salads…it just happened to fall into my trolley, honest!
I've been a fan of the Australian Woman's weekly for years. Even back in the day when we lived in Brunei and long before I came to Australia…
It’s really funny that your reviewing the book because earlier today on my shopping trip, I was waiting to pay and began intently reading another copy but this one was for salads…it just happened to fall into my trolley, honest!
Thanks Marie ~ this has some great recipes for a change on the usual meatloaf, burgers and stewed mince…..as well as the comfy treats too, I'm sure Todd would love it!! LOL!
Neesie Natters, Ooops! I often have supermarket trolley additions of the same kind! LOL! Sounds like a film title! Salads, bet that is a great book, I am a BIG salad fan all year round.
I have an old cookbook from the 80s called 'Mince Matters' I have used it a lot. There is so much you can do with mince. This looks like a nice contemporary update.
I love the AWW books although I'm not sure I can get over it being called "Mince It" which conjures up entirely different ideas….!
The picture of the meat pie looks perfect for a winter supper. It must have been a lot of fun reading and then reviewing the cookbook.
Looks like a really practical book. I'd imagine it would be one of those food stained books in no time!!
Looks like a great book. My mum will love it – she likes all the Australian Weekly publications.
Great review, Karen–looks like a wonderful book! I can't get enough of cookbooks, and will have to keep my eyes wide open for this one!
Wishing you a beautiful day, my friend!
Julie
this book looks lovely with the colourful pictures