Lindy's Books and what the papers say

Artisan Drinks : Delicious alcoholic and soft drinks to make at home by Lindy Wildsmith

photography by Kevin Summers

16th October 2014

Published by Jacqui Small

Nothing can beat the joy and sense of fulfilment in sipping and sharing drinks you have
created yourself. Ever wondered how to go about this? If so, this is the book for you.

ARTISAN DRINKS celebrates the pleasure to be had from making your own drinks, a pursuit that gets under your skin encouraging you to create more and more. With over 100 recipes for both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, acclaimed cook and food writer Lindy Wildsmith takes you from the freshly harvested ingredients to the finished product in your glass. Along the way, she rediscovers artisanal techniques and takes a wholesome approach to sourcing natural ingredients for infusing, macerating, pressing, brewing and fermenting your own drinks.

With clear, step - by - step instructions and beautiful photography from award-winning photographer Kevin Summers, every flavour and nuance is captured. Following a seasonal introduction, Lindy divides the book by style of drink, covering everything from cordials and sparkling drinks, to country wines, beers, ciders and perries, liqueurs and finally tisanes and teas. Find out how to mix and match the drinks you’ve made in celebratory punches and sophisticated cocktails and mocktails.

This inspirational collection combines old-fashioned favourites such as Lemon Barley Water
and Ginger Beer with natural creations such as Clover Flower Wine and Rosehip Syrup, and
modern classics such as Italian Lime Siroppo, Strawberry Rum Cordial and Damson Gin Fizz.
Sourcing and safety as well as storing and keeping are featured throughout the book.
Make the most of nature and become intimate with the seasons and the plants and flowers
that grow around you. Lindy guides you through what to make when, as well as sharing useful
tips on how to conserve your drinks to either enjoy with

Cicchetti: Delicious Italian Food to Share. Out April 2013 – Race Point Publishing. Co-written with established food writer and TV cook Valentina Harris. Eat one or twenty one; that’s up to you!

Anyone that has strolled around Venice in search of something to eat will surely have come across Cicchetti. They are served in bars, ‘bàcari’ and other eateries and are the Venetian equivalent of tapas; irresistible little snacks of every imaginable configuration. Eat them on sticks at the bar with an ombra (an aperitif), or at a table and on a plate for lunch.
This book, as its title might imply, is not only about Cicchetti but about appetisers from all over Italy. Lindy has concentrated on the Cicchetto proper which is uniquely Venetian, whereas Valentina has extended the culinary journey around the regions to share with you some of the finest stuzzichini produced traditionally by friggitori, bars and rosticcerie from Milan to Palermo. She has also written about the regions conjuring up both their culinary and physical characteristics. Join them on this elegant culinary journey.

Cured (Salted, spiced, dried, smoked, potted, pickled, raw). 2010 – Jacqui Small.

Originally, curing was a necessity – the only way food could be preserved before the advent of refrigeration. Now, it’s a luxurious way to enjoy unique, intense flavours in foods ranging from meat and fish to, fruit and vegetables.

Seven sections – each dedicated to a different method of curing – de-mystify this ancient technique and show how every cook can create delicious cured food in their own kitchen.

A truly global celebration of deliciously preserved dishes, recipes range from New York Deli pastrami and Native American venison jerky to the Japanese pickled and marinated fish, Sashimi and Shimi Saba. From Europe come smoked salmon and salt beef, German Liverwurst Sausage, salt cod dishes of both the Mediterranean and Scandinavia, and Italian classic antipasti in the form of Venetian Carpaccio and ruby red Carne Salada.

Lindy Wildsmith covers cultures and cooking from around the world both modern and ancient. Cured details Native American, Japanese, historic Roman and Greek, and current European practices and includes ceviche and crudo.

Nurturing flavour over days, weeks or even months is a unique and addictive way to prepare food, producing mouth-watering results every time. Home-produced delicacies taste even better for having been patiently prepared and eagerly anticipated – truly great Slow Food, deeply infused with fantastic flavour.

and what is more important....what you had to say about it...

Hi Lindy,

I had to email you to say thanks. I bought your book at Abergavenny Food Festival this year and the book seller very kindly got you to sign it for me. In it you wrote "don't be surprised if you get addicted" and blimey how right you were! I have just tried my very first Pancetta and I am over the moon. So much so I now want to do many more things. I will be giving friends and family a thick Christmas slice for them to cube (oh how much to I want a slicer now).
Anyway thanks again, great book.

Heidi

Sunny Days & Easy Living by Lindy Wildsmith
Photography by Martin Brigdale - £10.99

Food always tastes better outside with The Barbecue often taking centre stage. Why not try the Aromatic Pork Burger in Pita Bread or Spiked Tiger Prawns with Lime and Chilli Marinade? Accompaniments include Mango, Kiwi and Coriander Salsa and Chilli Tomato Chutney as well as great salads and sides, such as Fennel and Orange Salad with Mint and Sesame Sweet Potato Packets. Families Outdoors features simple dishes for hungry hordes; try Pot Luck Summer Pasta; Caramelized Vegetable Tarte Tatin and end with a Fruit Platter with Spiced Caramel. For Picnics, why not share a Roast Pepper, Mozzarella and Italian Cured Meat Focaccia Pie? For a cold feast, take along dips and spreads or a salad such as Herbed Lentil Salad with Hard-boiled Eggs and Anchovies. Round off the meal with a slice of home-baked Pineapple and Thyme Loaf Cake. Enjoy Elegant Al Fresco dishes such as Fanned Steak with Rocket Crème Fraiche or a Blueberry Frangipane Tart. Finally, ideas for cooling Drinks include Sparkling Iced Mint Tea.