[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #9b9b9b;”] W[/dropcap]hat are the best cookbooks 2019 edition? It’s a question I love to think about.
Especially at this time of year.
When I’m plotting my list for Santa!
My 8 Best Cookbooks 2019
1. Market Cooking
by David Tanis
Years ago I loved Tanis’ ‘Platter of Figs’ but only thought to explore his other works for my birthday this year. I love the premise behind the book of following the French philosophy of allowing what you find in the market to determine what you cook. I’ve made so many things from this book. The highlight was the baked fennel. So amazing!
2. The Karen Martini Collection
by Karen Martini
One of my all-time favourite cookbooks is Karen’s first called ‘Where the Heart Is’. I had mistakenly thought this newer release was a collection of all Karen’s recipes. But it’s just a ‘highlights’ tour. And a very good highlights tour it is. But if you haven’t added and Karen Martini to your collection, Where the Heart Is’ is still my fave.
3. Simple
by Yotam Ottolenghi
As much as I love Ottolenghi, I wasn’t expecting ‘Simple’ to be truly simple recipes. And it isn’t. Not in any Stonesoup 6-ingredients sense. But to be fair they are significantly less complex than the usual Ottolenghi creations. I’ve really enjoyed using these recipes as inspiration. Worth buying for the Avocado Butter idea alone.
4. A Basket By the Door
by Sophie Hansen
I met Sophie at the fabulous Food & Words writers festival in Sydney back in September. While I loved the story behind the book of providing ‘care packages’ to friends and family, I wasn’t expecting to want to cook that much from the book. Happily I was wrong! Even though there is a lot of sugar and flour, I’ve found plenty of inspirational ideas. Worth buying just to feel like you’re having a cosy chat in the kitchen with Sophie.
5. The Food of Morocco
by Paula Wolfert
This classic Moroccan cooking bible has been on my wishlist for year and years. So I was ecstatic that Santa delivered the goods this time. If you ever want to explore the incredibly flavoursome wonderful world of Moroccan cuisine, this book is the best I’ve read. And cooked from.
6. The Noma Guide to Fermentation
by Rene Redzepi
If you’re a food microbiology nerd like me, you will love this deep dive into the world of all things fermented and delicious. I especially found the kombucha chapter enlightening for inspiring me to really master the art of this humble fermented drink. Which has had the added benefit of reducing my wine consumption because I often find I’m happy to have a ginger kombucha with my dinner instead of my usual vino.
7. The Flavour Thesaurus
by Nikki Segnet
I’ve actually had this book for a few years (both the print and ebook versions). I love it because it’s such a brilliant reference for when you’re in the kitchen looking for inspiration of a new flavour combo for old favourite ingredients. Prefect for more advanced cooks who tend to buy ingredients first and decide what to cook later. Hoping Santa brings Segnet’s latest offering ‘Lateral Cooking’.
8. The Village
by Matt & Lentil
This is the second year The Village has made it into my best Cookbooks list. Mainly because I’ve used it more as a gardening reference. The Seasonal Planting Guides which detail what you could be planting each season are worth it alone.
I’ve linked directly to Matt & Lentils website so you can buy the books from them. They ship anywhere in the world and you get to really support the authors! These aren’t affiliate links (as opposed to the other ones on this page :)
My Christmas Cookbook Wish List
Just in case Santa / a certain Irishman happens to be reading this ;)
- Lateral Cooking by Nikki Segnet
- The Whole Fish Cookbook by Josh Niland
- Heart of the Artichoke and Other Kitchen Journeys by David Tanis
- Food: What the Heck Should I Cook? by Dr Mark Hyman
- Hummus and Co by Michael Rantissi & Kristy Frawley
- The Art of Flavour : Practices and Principles for Creating Delicious Food by Daniel Patterson
- Ostro : The Pleasure That Comes from Slowing Down and Cooking with Simple Ingredients by Julia Busuttil Nishimura
More Cookbook Love…
- 8 Best Cookbooks 2018
- 8 Best Cookbooks 2017
- 13 Favourite Cookbooks of 2015
- 10 favourite cookbooks for 2012
- 5 of My Favourite Things!
- 14 Fun & Random Facts About Me
- The Cookbooks archive
Your Best Cookbooks 2019?
I’m always on the lookout for new cookbooks. If you have any favourites please let me know in the comments below!
Have fun in the kitchen (and reading on the sofa)!
With love,
Jules x
______________________
ps. Looking for a Simple Cookbook gift idea?
Then check out my print book
‘5-Ingredients 10-Minutes‘.
It’s as easy as cooking can get without sacrificing flavour or resorting to processed ingredients.
More details at:
www.5ingredients10minutes.com
NOTE: This post contains affiliate links so if you buy you’ll be supporting Stonesoup in a small way too. Thank you!
I picked up “Mastering the Art of Japanese Home Cooking” from Chef Morimoto. Lots of good recipes with appetizing photos.
ooh that sounds right up my alley Jessica – love Japanese! Thanks for sharing :)