Yoghurt is recipe in author’s book quest
A FOOD photographer from Tytherington who has contributed to more than 40 cookbooks has written one of his own.
Ilian Iliev’s ‘Cooking With Yoghurt’ reflects his Bulgarian background, as yoghurt is one of the main ingredients used in the country’s cuisine.
The book contains 170 recipes from all parts of the world including Asia, Europe and Africa and features recipes from Ilian’s childhood.
The father-of-three, who lives on Kentwell Drive with wife Tsveta and their children, said: “I think people will be curious to see how yoghurt can be used in lots of cooking and not just in desserts.
“My book is focussed on healthy living and some of my recipes use yoghurt instead of the unhealthier alternatives of cream and mayonnaise.
“One of my favourite dessert recipes is tiramisu with yoghurt.
“And one British people might find more unusual is a cold yoghurt soup with carrot, which is really refreshing in hot weather.”
Ilian, 50, is not only a food photographer.
His work has covered subjects as diverse as the solitude of life as a monk and the brutal horrors of war.
But his love of cooking inspired him to turn his lens on food.
He said: “The book took about a year to create and I really enjoyed it.
“All the recipes in it have been tested on my friends and family too.”
That family includes daughter Amelie, 12, who is Ilian’s main cooking partner at home.
Ilian said: “Amelie and I do all the cooking together.”
The photographer’s first book will be followed by a second which he has already finished writing.
The subject of that one is cooking with cheese, focussing on one food being a theme he favours. He said: “When I was writing it I found some unexpected recipes such as cheese chocolates.”
‘Cooking With Yoghurt’ is published by New Holland publishers in Sydney, Australia and is available for pre-order on Amazon now.