TOO DELICIOUS is the second cookbook from Claudia Shaw-d'Auriol and Dominica Yang, keen cooks, foodies and society regulars. The book was published in late 2008 and is a collection of their best-loved recipes.

Like their first book all proceeds from book sales goes to a worthy cause, this time it is Room to Read. Room to Read is an international charity that helps children gain access to education through a variety of programmes, such as the provision of books, opening of libraries and scholarships for girls.

About the Book

A collection of 60 recipes divided into savoury and sweet; healthy and indulgent dishes, with an equal sprinkling of east and west and sometimes a marriage of the two. Recipes sometimes have unusual twists on classic dishes, such as the Apple Crumble Ice Cream. 

The authors are clearly passionate about cooking, from the way they talk about food in the book's introduction through to the brief description by the author with each recipe. Alternate pages reveal a recipe from each author.

Recipes are applicable for a simple family meal or dinner party to impress. There is also food that can be enjoyed on a picnic or boat trip. 

The two pullout author quotes from the book sum up a lot about their attitude to cooking. Claudia: "Baking is a precise art - follow directions. Cooking is a free art - follow your heart!" Dominica: "Food, family, laughter - the perfect recipe!" 

Pros

Claudia and Dominica are not professional chefs, this gives the book a feel that anyone can make the dishes, which are as creative and interesting as any professional's. The authors even reassure the reader at times, for example the recipe for Little Lemon Soufflés comes with the endorsement that the recipe is practically foolproof.

The recipes are easy to follow, most with only a handful of steps. The ingredients used are easily accessible and mostly inexpensive.

The full page photos of finished dishes gives you a real sense of what it would be like to dine at their houses. As Susan Jung, food editor for SCMP said, "The recipes in TOO DELICIOUS are varied, imaginative and enticing. Claudia and Dominica's family and friends are fortunate to have such talented hostesses cooking for them!"

Every recipe is tempting, especially if you are looking at the book when hungry.

Cons

I found it difficult to find any cons, a first in my cookbook reviews. Although, a friend thought that the font size could be bigger.

Reasons to Buy

Support a worthy cause. According to the authors for every seven copies sold one girl can be educated for a year, and 105 copies will establish a library where it is most needed.

The recipes, for reasons described above. There are recipes for all tastes. Some of the recipes that I want to try out are the Cod with a Fennel and Saffron Sauce, described as an elegant and delicate dish, and the Passion Fruit Parfait. 

Recipe

Click here for the recipe for Spicy Chicken with Basil.

Where to Buy

The book is available from most bookstores or can be ordered online, for details see Claudia and Dominica's website below.

More Information

www.claudiaanddominica.com

www.roomtoread.org