Miss Dahl's Unnatural Acts and Autumn Breakfasts

It's safe to say you don't expect a story about a pet rabbit buggering a guinea pig to death to figure in the introduction of your new cookbook, but this is no ordinary cookbook - it's Sophie Dahl's. While that particular item might sound like a most odd inclusion, it actually does fit. That pet rabbit was named 'Pancake' and the poor guinea pig whose heart exploded from the interspecies violation was called 'Maple Syrup.' (Isn't maple syrup supposed to go on top of the pancake? Maybe that was the problem.) The point is, food, as is storytelling, has always been a significant facet of Sophie Dahl's life, from her own fondness for it from childhood to her cherished family rituals.

(To be honest, I'm not even sure whether that recollection was real, from one of her dreams, or if Pancake and Maple Syrup were little figurines that Miss Dahl imagined a story around that would make her grandfather Raold proud, but it doesn't matter.)

I mentioned Miss Dahl's Voluptuous Delights the other day in a post but now that I have it and can see how wonderful it is I feel compelled to say so. The pages even feel beautiful - the paper stock is thick and lightly textured and the photographs, as you can see here, are as tantalising as cinnamon roast peaches with vanilla yogurt (serves 2 greedy people). The recipes aren't peripheral to the aesthetics of the book - they are creative yet homey and simple and are things you will actually want to make, and eat.

Try not to consume it all in one sitting.

 

Comments

[TERI REES WANG]

Food for story telling is totally up my fresh-fruit-boat-alley!

[chelsea]

team nigella!