First of all let me begin by saying that I love to peek into people’s homes! I love to walk my neighborhood right at dusk when people are turning on their lights, but haven’t yet pulled their curtains to. I don’t look at the people, I look at their things. I love to see what’s hanging on someone’s wall, what lights they have, the color of their rooms. So, I love In Her Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Grandmas Around the World. I get to peek into each of these homes from all around the world.
The idea for this book is truly intriguing. Going all over the world, visiting grandma’s, taking a photo of them in their environment and posting one recipe from each. It is a wide range with everything from Moose Steak from a grandmother in Alaska to Tiramisu alla Toscana from Italy. But as you can imagine, what I really love are the photos and the stories behind the photos.
As an example, the grandmother from La Paz Bolivia is 71 year old Julia Enaigua. She is a vendor and every day rides a bus to the farmer’s market and buys big bags of produce to take back to her city’s market. She sets up her stall and sells until almost all of the vegetables are gone. Since her husband died a few years ago, she returns to an empty home. Her recipe is Queso Humacha (vegetables and fresh cheese stew). The photo is her in her kitchen. Gleaming pots and pans behind her on rustic shelves.
I don’t even know if I will make anything from this book. I have plenty of cookbooks to cook from, but only this one to let me get a glimpse into the lives of fellow women who cook from around the world.
Amber @ Caleigh's Kitchen says
I actually just got this book in the mail yesterday and cannot wait to dig in! I loved the concept behind it too!
Rachael {La Fuji Mama} says
I am totally like you. I love getting a peak into someone else's kitchen, as well as learning their stories. What a beautiful concept for a book!
Lauren @ Wicked Spatula says
What a fascinating concept for a cookbook!
Lisa @ Low Carb Yum says
I also like to see how others make use of their space. I often browse through photos of homes for sale to get ideas. This sounds like a wonderful book that I would enjoy more for the stories and pictures rather than recipes. Thanks for sharing!
Marye says
Ha! I thought I was the only one who did that. Yep -- I want to know what the inside of your house looks like, how you've decorated, what colors you've used. This sounds like my kind of book. 🙂
Esme says
I have heard really good things about this book-I wish that I requested it.
Susan | LunaCafe says
I have the book too--just waiting to review. I really is an amazing slice of women's lives across cultures. I find myself leafing through it often. So many stories, boiled down somehow to each iconic dish. You really capture the essence here.
rue says
I love looking inside peoples homes for the same reason and love walks at dusk. Sounds like a fascinating read!
xo
Terri steffes says
Yeah, I like to do the same thing on my walks, too. I also like to go to open houses AND I am known for opening a real estate app and looking at pictures of houses for sale. The book sounds great and that recipe you mentioned, I drooled at queso.
Marjie says
I often look at people's blog photos just to catch a glimpse of their houses and lives. It's fascinating to see what others enjoy, and what's important to them. This sounds like a lovely book.
Dee Dee (My Midlife Kitchen) says
I'm getting ready to get on a plane, and this is going to be on my Kindle ASAP. Thanks for the idea!
Kayte says
Thanks, I just put a hold on it at my library so I should have it soon!
Louise says
HI Pam!
What an interesting concept for a cookbook. I'm somewhat of a snooper myself but I'm more apt to try and see in windows while driving by houses at dusk. (I actually feel guilty at times:)
Thanks for sharing this book, Pam. I hope you will be linking up to Cookbook Wednesday...
Louise says
Thanks Pam!!! I'll be hosting Cookbook Wednesday until June at least. Marjie may take the reins in June while I prepare for the Picnic Game! I'm really liking this book:)
JessicaJ says
This sounds like a fascinating read. I love reading about cooking around the world.