We are finally emerging from the health food craze month, into a bit of “normalcy” in February! What I am loving most is that cookbook authors are still encouraging their readers to eat well, without sacrificing things you love. More and more people are cooking plant-based, vegan, or just healthier in general! Not only that, but people want to cook faster without eliminating flavor. Truly, February 2021 is going to open many doors for all of us!
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1. Under the Olive Tree: Memories and Flavours of Puglia
I absolutely love the premise of the Under the Olive Tree: Memories and Flavours of Puglia cookbook. Through many of these recipes, we will discover more about Puglia and other regions of Italy. Most of these recipes were passed down by demonstrations, so this is the first time they’ve been written down.
Puglia is renowned for its olives vegetables, and fruits, and these dishes do not shy away from utilizing all of their fresh ingredients. This particular cookbook makes sure those ingredients shine!
I am in love with all the delicate illustrations throughout this cookbook. It reads almost like a journal, which is fitting as many of these meals have been passed down for many generations.
2. How Wild Things Are: Cooking, Fishing, and Hunting at the Bottom of the World
If you’re looking to discover something fascinating and new, check out the How Wild Things Are: Cooking, fishing and hunting at the bottom of the world cookbook! This is not only an adventure to a new place for most of us, but also about a chef who took a chance.
The author, Analiese Gregory decides to slow her life down after dealing with anxiety and high stress restaurants. She moved to Tasmania to learn how to get in touch with nature and herself. This cookbook is written in a way to inspire and empower all women to follow their dreams.
It’s a rugged and stunning cookbook with many heartfelt stories and 50 yummy recipes!
3. Africola: Slow Food Fast Words Cult Chef
Duncan Welgemoed is a well beloved Michelin star chef who has graced us with an uncensored and daring cookbook we have been waiting for! Africola: Slow Food Fast Words Cult Chef cookbook dives into South African cooking and redefines “Michelin star” meals.
One of my favorite features of this cookbook is that everything is locally sourced and sustainable. Welgemoed’s primary focus is to create low impact meals that taste absolutely delicious.
I love how snarky the chapters are and the presentation of the cookbook as a whole. Africola: Slow Food Fast Words Cult Chef is down to earth and encourages us to embark on a food adventure.
4. Florentine: The True Cuisine of Florence
This might just be me, but once I started looking through Florentine: The True Cuisine of Florence cookbook I immediately wanted a plane ticket straight to Florence! This is a visually striking and informative cookbook about the food culture in this amazing Italian city. Florence, unlike any other Italian city, tends to be isolated when it comes to food. This cookbook will introduce you to a whole host of new dishes.
Like I said above, this is a stunning cookbook. We get a look at the rich history of the city itself – there are pictures of architecture, statues, and food. If you’re looking for a way to immerse yourself in the world of Florence, this cookbook will be your tour guide.
Not only does the food look appetizing and beautiful, but the dishes are quite easy to put together. The author Emiko Davies urges her readers to shop for fresh ingredients for best results! I genuinely cannot wait to taste this bit of Italy.
5. Japanese Soups: 66 Nourishing Broths, Stews and Hotpots
We are still in the middle of soup season, which is why I am so excited for this cookbook, “Japanese Soups: 66 Nourishing Broths, Stews and Hotpots.” There’s nothing like a warm bowl of soup on a snowy or rainy day, it warms me right up.
Admittedly, I’ve only had 3 kinds of Japanese soups, which I am sure you all are familiar with – ramen, miso, and shabu-shabu. This cookbook has 66 wonderful recipes that are traditional and modern. There is a wide variety of kinds of soups ranging from light to meaty and hearty.
Learn how to make your own soup stocks and what ingredients you should always have on hand to elevate your Japanese soups and stews! This cookbook will make next winter a breeze.
6. The Lost Orchard: A French Chef Rediscovers a Great British Food Heritage
The Lost Orchard: A French Chef Rediscovers a Great British Food Heritage is filled with so much knowledge. There is a wonderful science behind growing fruit trees. Now we can read about Raymond Blanc’s 7 year project behind his orchard and his kitchen.
There are recipes in the back of this cookbook, but overall this is educational. We learn in detail about the different fruit varieties and methods behind cultivating them, particularly from the author’s orchard in the United Kingdom. He carefully details his experiences and his passion for fruit trees is very apparent.
Even if you have no desire to learn about fruit trees, this is more Blanc’s memoir about his orchard. It is a fascinating read, written with a lot of love.
7. Road Trip Cooking: The Best Recipes for Your Campfire, Stove or Barbecue
Road trips and van living are becoming more and more popular, especially among the younger folk. How do you sustain that kind of living without constantly buying food from restaurants or fast food? Take a look at Road Trip Cooking: The Best Recipes for Your Campfire, Stove or Barbecue cookbook to find out.
This cookbook shows us that we don’t require as many cooking appliances as we think we do. Everything is incredibly simple to prepare and all ingredients will be easy to find at your local supermarket or even better, the wild!
I’d love to take this cookbook with me while I go camping. There are easily over 30 recipes to look over that will spark the imagination. Lead a simpler life with the Road Trip Cooking: The Best Recipes for Your Campfire, Stove or Barbecue cookbook.
8. The Shortcut Cook: More than 60 Classic Recipes and the Ingenious Hacks that Make Them Faster, Simpler, and Tastier
There is a lot of hype about using fresh ingredients all the time. Many people argue that chefs will always homemake their own sauces, dips, breads, and especially pasta. These are all myths and many chefs utilize as many shortcuts as possible without infringing on flavor and nutrients. We will find out what some of the best chefs do with The Shortcut Cook: More than 60 Classic Recipes and the Ingenious Hacks that Make Them Faster, Simpler, and Tastier cookbook.
This is the perfect cookbook for those who want to save on time and still amaze their family and friends when hosting big meals. It is filled with useful tips and tricks to save time and enhance flavor.
These are shortcuts used by the professionals, so there is no shame – Leave the pretension behind!
9. Foolproof One-Pot: 60 Simple and Satisfying Recipes
I am so busy that I honestly forget I have a pressure cooker or a large stock pot… This includes one of my giant earthenware bowls stuffed in my cupboard! With the Foolproof One-Pot: 60 Simple and Satisfying Recipes cookbook I can now incorporate all these useful tools and have something to look forward to.
There are all kinds of recipes in here – you will wonder why you haven’t done one-pot cooking this entire time! These dishes range from classics like pesto or cacciatore to something more unique like Ghanan peanut chicken stew! There are 60 amazing recipes you will find in this cookbook.
This cookbook and the dishes included are definitely convenient. I know this will quickly become a favorite in my household!
10. Clodagh’s Weeknight Kitchen: Easy & Exciting Dishes to Liven up Your Recipe Repertoire
Here is why I enjoy the Clodagh’s Weeknight Kitchen: Easy & Exciting Dishes to Liven up Your Recipe Repertoire cookbook so much – unique and effortless recipes. I pigeonhole myself into cooking the same three or four things on weeknights, because it is so easy. But they’ve become a bit boring and are mostly just there for convenience. Finding new exciting recipes that take a half an hour to make would be a godsend.
The way this cookbook is divided is so wonderful. We have quick fixes, one and done, meat-free, cupboard standbys, Friday night in, and quick and easy desserts! If you have free time, you can stock your cupboard or be able to throw everything in one pot and call it a day. Depending on your mood, Clodagh has your back!
These dishes are not only for dinners, but also breakfast and some lunches. There is a surplus of fantastically distinct recipes that you will keep in your arsenal every week.
Which of these cookbooks are you looking forward to the most?
~Kaiti
