Kindle Bargains

November 26, 2015 by Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial

A quick (un-sponsored!) heads-up on some great Kindle cookbooks currently available at Amazon.com…

. . . . .

Alice Medrich is one of my favourite cookbook authors of all things sweet.

I’m more than happy to pay full price for her books, so when these ones popped up on Amazon this morning for less than the cost of a takeaway coffee, I didn’t even bother trying to resist.

Workman Publishing heavily discount a few titles every month, and November was Alice’s turn. Her Pure Dessert has a print price of US$35.00 but is currently on sale in Kindle format for US$2.84…

Chocolate Holidays, print price US$15.00, Kindle price this month US$2.80…

Finally. this James Beard Award winner on baking with gluten-free and alternate flours is now just US$2.06 (print price US$35.00)…

I bought all three (of course!) and whilst I haven’t made anything from them yet, they all read well on my iPad. And I know from past experience that the recipes will be fabulous!

. . . . .

We’re huge Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall fans.

Watching River Cottage many years ago kickstarted our drive towards urban self-sufficiency. So when I saw this cookbook for just US$4.18, I didn’t even think twice before buying it.

I wasn’t sure I’d love it – the notion of limiting each recipe to just three main ingredients seemed a little forced – but it’s actually brilliant. The dishes are simple, and in many cases, I have the ingredients readily on hand.

Hugh’s red lentil, bacon and onion soup took no time at all to make and was wolfed down enthusiastically by Pete and Big Boy…

light olive oil for the pan
bacon (recipe says 4 slices – I used some nitrate-free bacon offcuts we had in the freezer)
1 onion, chopped
200g split red lentils, well rinsed
1 bay leaf
salt and black pepper

Heat a little oil in a medium saucepan and fry the chopped bacon until the fat starts to melt. Add the onion and fry over a medium heat until soft and lightly coloured, stirring constantly.

Stir in the lentils, bay leaf and 800ml water. Simmer gently for about 15 minutes until the lentils are soft and breaking down. Remove the bay leaf, then blitz with a stick blender until smooth, adding water if necessary. Season to taste.

I could have dressed the photo up a bit better (sorry), but the soup was absolutely delicious. Definitely one we’ll make again!

. . . . .

Finally, my last purchase of the day was this little US$2 gem. After all, it’s nearly Christmas…

. . . . .

As you know, I love everything about e-cookbooks.

I love that they don’t cost the environment in trees and energy, I love that they don’t create storage issues, I love that they’re portable, I love that they don’t get dusty and torn. I love not paying for postage. And because they have no built-in production costs, they’re often available at amazing prices. Surely that’s a win for everyone!

Posted in Frugal Living | 24 Comments

24 Responses

on November 26, 2015 at 2:04 pm EllaDee

Oooh… thank you. I’m on a self-imposed book buying hiatus but for Hugh I can make an exception :)
on November 26, 2015 at 2:07 pm Meaghan

I agree Celia. I read a lot more on my Kindle than on paper these days. I love the idea of being able to read at night without a light.

On another note, I found a ‘stash’ of NW sourdough starter granules that I’d ordered from the US years ago after you’d been using yours for awhile. I never used them as my starter kicked in before they turned up. Would you believe they are still viable. I mixed them up and within two days they were really vigorous. I then dragged my ‘old’ starter out (more than 2 years in fridge, not touched) and that only took two days. Goes to show how hardy these starters are. I was, and still am, always impressed with the baking that you do. I don’t comment often, but I often think of you when I’m baking sourdough so a big thanks for all the work you’ve put in with the blog that makes it easier for people like me to have a go. Cheers.
on November 26, 2015 at 2:54 pm lambsearsandhoney

Ooooh! I’ll be buying most of these – thanks for the tips.
on November 26, 2015 at 3:25 pm hotlyspiced

Great bargains for sure. I would like Hugh with the long surname’s cookbook. I love how you say you only need three main ingredients and how you almost always have everything on hand. That blue bowl is gorgeous. I do hope Small-Man did well in his HSC and is now enjoying a well-earned rest ahead of the results being posted xx
on November 26, 2015 at 3:37 pm Nancy |Plus Ate Six

For once I have to disagree with you Celia!! I love holding cooking books and I love seeing how a book opens onto a well used and splattered page. I’ve tried reading books on the kindle and iPad but I can’t get the hang of it I’m afraid. I’m so last century :)
on November 26, 2015 at 3:59 pm Francesca

While succumbing to novels on kindle for travel,I find I now enjoy reading in bed more as they are lighter than books and I can read at any hour without a light. But it saddens me that I can’t pass the book around and relive the experience with friends or husband . If I see books that I know I will share , I now buy the print version.
When it comes to cookbooks however, I always use books. I love the way they tempt me from the shelves. Most of my cookbooks come from Savers for less than a coffee too.
on November 26, 2015 at 4:42 pm Debra Kolkka

Thanks for the tips. The pop up shop is going well.
on November 26, 2015 at 6:13 pm fergie51

Kindle is now my everyday reader apart from when on holidays. Something about a bag of books, a hammock and especially a book on the beach that you just can’t recapture on the kindle. Love when I can’t sleep that I can read without having to turn on the light. I have Alice M’s sinfully delicious book and the lemon tart from that is a ripper.
on November 26, 2015 at 9:44 pm ladyredspecs

Celia the cakes slices and cookies I’ve made from Flavor Flours have all been outstanding. The pastries however has textural issues IMHO. Great buys, but I too like to hold a book in my hand. I usually have several open at once to cross reference, sadly Kindle’s not very cooperative in this situation.
on November 26, 2015 at 10:21 pm Chica Andaluza

I don’t have a kindle, but it’s always good to read recommendations! I love Hugh too but am hoping that Santa will bring me Rick Stein’s Venice to Istambul book – so many fabulous recipes :) Big hug x
on November 27, 2015 at 2:37 am ale

I enjoy cooking books but they are always expensive so this is an opportunity! I bought them at once. The sweet related ones.:):):)
Thanks for the information.
You are great.
Regards
Ale
on November 27, 2015 at 8:58 am Anne

Thanks for the suggestions. Got the first one already and thinking about the others. These are my first kindle books and it’s great to have recipes that don’t take up any extra room.
I too like to hold cookbooks, but can’t fit all I want in the house! So this may be the solution.
on November 27, 2015 at 10:49 am Susan

I can attest to Flavour Flours, it is great!
on November 27, 2015 at 12:15 pm Eva Taylor

I was planning to make a lentil soup for an Indian feast on Saturday, but I’ll divert and make this because it sounds and looks so darn good. I don’t have a kindle, I usually read books on my iPhone (yes, it’s small but I always have it with me no matter what) but I love these great sales! Thanks for the heads up, and the amazing soup!
on November 27, 2015 at 1:09 pm Lina

Thank you Celia! My kindle will love the fact that Hugh’s on there! Love love River Cottage!
on November 27, 2015 at 8:22 pm Lily Goh

Thank you sooooooo much for posting this!! I bought the AM books straight away😜 How do u find these deals out?? Thank you for sharing your wealth of info and I ❤️ your blog

Lily Melbourne

Sent from my iPhone

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- on November 27, 2015 at 10:09 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  Lily, as I mentioned to Maureen below, you can subscribe to the Workman Publishing newsletter – they offer great monthly deals!
  
  http://www.workman.com/ecookbook-club/deals/
  
  Enjoy! :)
on November 27, 2015 at 10:06 pm Maureen | Orgasmic Chef

I just bought 3 of those books. Thanks, Celia! Like Lily, I want to know how you found out about this sale. The lentil soup sounds great!
- on November 27, 2015 at 10:08 pm Celia @ Fig Jam and Lime Cordial
  
  M, Workman Publishing do monthly deals – you can sign up to their newsletter here: http://www.workman.com/ecookbook-club/deals/
  
  The books are quite varied, but there’s occasionally some serious treasures offered at hugely discounted prices! xxx
on November 28, 2015 at 7:32 am Gretchen

Thank you! I don’t have any of Hugh’s books and am headed to Amazon right now! That red lentil, bacon and onion soup has my name all over it! I love my kindle books.
on November 29, 2015 at 7:37 pm Coral

I bought Flavor Flours and Pure Dessert after reading your post…Thankyou!
I would love to know which recipes you have tryfrom these books. Also wanted to tell you how much I like your Biscotti recipe. It works very well Gluten Free using Orgran brand Gluten Free Flour. Love your Blog!
on December 1, 2015 at 1:18 am ChgoJohn

Quite the collection of books, Celia. Loved the idea of 3 ingredient cooking so much that I bought it. That lentil soup was calling my name. Thanks for pointing the way. :)
- on December 1, 2015 at 1:26 am ChgoJohn
  
  And the 12 Bottle Bar. Unlike the soup, it wasn’t calling my name. That would be weird. :)
on December 1, 2015 at 4:44 am Adeel | WhichToGo

It is a great bargain. I would love to have that Chocolate holidays book by my side. I love everything related to chocolates and would certainly love to know how well chocolate can be used in various recipes. Thanks for sharing the list and your tips.