The wonders of the modern age mean we don’t necessarily have to have a cookbook in the kitchen any more – these days an iPhone or an iPad can provide you with just as much information – potentially even more given your instant access to the internet and the liberal use of videos on the apps. So whether you’re looking for a helping hand, a bit of culinary inspiration or you just love a bit of kitchen gadget geek, read on for the pick of the culinary apps. In no particular order…
The Great British Chefs Apps
The best of British – our kitchen masterminds have come together to produce apps – a more general recipe based one and a festive one (perhaps pick that one up next year…!). It’s won plenty of awards – and this is of no surprise looking at the quality. Featuring 12 chefs who jointly hold 15 Michelin stars and showcasing 180 recipes (including everything from scallops with Iberico ham to bubblegum panna cotta), this is a steal at the price. It’s packed with videos and step-by-step photos of recipes and techniques from the likes of Marcus Wareing, Nuno Mendes and Tom Aikens amongst others.
Matt’s Pantry
As well as working as a high end private chef, Matt has also had time to create an app that’s functional as well as fun. He starts out by showing how to shop once and cook for five nights. Recipes are simple and all ingredients come with highlighted images of what they are just in case they’re unfamiliar to you. The app kicks off with 100 recipes in four weeks’ worth of menus that you can add to as future recipes are released. You’ve also got handy wine and beer pairings with the food as well as one really useful feature – a pantry basics list of all the items you should always have on hand to whip up some kitchen magic.
The Photo Cookbook
The Photo Cookbook uses stunning hi-resolution photographs of food to make cooking simple; having all the processes clarified is rather like having an expert on hand to answer the questions we always have when we’re reading a cookbook – Am I doing that right? Should this look like that? The basic version of the app has 84 recipes and more than 700 photos. Further purchasing allows you to bolster this to 240 recipes and 2000 photographs – plenty of food eye candy. Unlike some of the apps, consumer information can be pulled up on any of the ingredients used in a recipe at any time. They’ve also just released a baking cookbook, too.
Seafood Watch – Sustainable Seafood Guide
After the success of TV campaigns from the likes of Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall and Jamie Oliver, we’re all keen to do our bit for the environment and source as ethically as possible. But once the TV is turned off, sometimes the message is not so clear – particularly with the packaging we frequently find in shops – with different catching methods and different origins displayed, making the right choice is often quite tricky. Help is at hand with the Seafood Watch app which allows you to choose your region and gives you information about which fish you should choose for your supper.
Jamie’s 20 minute meals
Jamie has cornered another bit of the food market here with a very high quality app full of his trademark simple, stylish recipes. The app is exactly what you’d hope for – videos, shopping lists and the grinning chap himself. It’s broken down into categories like ‘simple risottos’ and ‘quick curries’ in familiar Jamie-style. The app also contains videos that demonstrate tips and handy kitchen techniques as well as voice-overs on the recipes (although you can turn these off if you prefer to cook in silence!).