The Real Food Companion by Matthew Evans

I love Matt Evans’ practical recipes, the kindness with which he imparts advice and the generosity of his food and activism. This is an up-to-the-minute revision of his super successful The Real Food Companion and it is a beauty. There are more than 200 recipes of down-to-earth, honest, tasty food. Have this one handy for both reference and inspiration.

First, Cream the Butter and Sugar: The Essential Baking Companion by Emelia Jackson

Keep…

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Hetty Lui McKinnon’s new cookbook, Tenderheart, is a treasured collection of memories and recipes from a life of unbreakable family bonds and delicious, nourishing food. In this extract, Hetty shares her take on a favourite quick meal from her mother.

During my first year or two of university, I remember a lot of weekday lunches at home, just my mother and I. These were the early years after my father passed and, with my light study load, which…

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With a cornucopia of scrumptious cookbooks out in October, let me run you through a lightning round of quick recommendations.

Tenderheart by Hetty Lui McKinnon

Buy this book if: you fell in love with Hetty Lui McKinnon because her books walk the walk and talk the talk, but also because her writing is filled with family anecdotes and top tips for creating the perfect salad. This new book is for anyone who cooks for large gatherings, for fussy eaters and…

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From Shuki Rosenboim and Louisa Allan, owners of Very Good Falafel in Melbourne, comes a delicious 52 recipe collection with a focus on vegan salads. Very Good Salads is all about sharing food, perfect pairings, and very good falafels.

Bulgur wheat, saffron, broad bean and dill pilaf

Coarse bulgur wheat is one of our favourite grains to use at the shop, and this dish is one of our most popular ways to use it! Inspired by Persian pilafs with dill…

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Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Extra Good Things by Noor Murad & Yotam Ottolenghi

Do you know that little skip in your step you get when you smell jasmine in full bloom? It happens towards the end of September and coincides with another great gift: a new Ottolenghi cookbook! I know it’s impossible to consider right now, but I promise by mid-month you will be making harissa butter and spreading it over everything. You will be bottling jars of tamarind dressing and…

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Around the Table: Delicious Food for Every Day by Julia Busuttil Nishimura

Hands up if you have not fallen in love with the delightful Melbourne- based Julia Busuttil Nishimura yet? Her latest cookbook will soon fix that. Julia has received considerable and worthy praise for her practical and delicious recipes, designed for easy family meals and for occasions when all your friends visit. It all works a treat because Julia has pulled together influences from all over: recipes from her…

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Recently we tested a selection of recipes from Around the Table, the latest cookbook from beloved local chef Julia Busuttil Nishimura.

We were of course thrilled to then have Julia herself stop by to taste test our attempts and judge the best replication.

Rosalind McClintock made ‘Leek and Feta Tart’

This recipe was so easy! The pastry didn’t take long at all, didn’t require much care beyond getting the quantities vaguely right and the fact that I cut the…

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Chongqing Hot and Sour Noodles

A punchy, simple and deliciously warming noodle recipe from Chinese-ish, the new cookbook by Rosheen Kaul, head chef at Melbourne northside favourite Etta, and illustrator Joanna Hu.

Also known as suan la fen (酸辣粉), this sichuan street food dish of bouncy potato noodles in a sour and numbing broth is flavourful, textural, bright, fresh and packed fullof toppings. All you need are some basic Chinese pantry ingredients to build this bowl of seriously good…

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Chinese-ish: Home Cooking, Not Quite Authentic, 100% Delicious by Rosheen Kaul & Joanna Hu

I’m calling it. If you only buy one cookbook this year, make it Chinese-ish. Here are my reasons:

It is filled with utterly delicious recipes but is also a joy to read.

It celebrates the blending of cultures and identity through food, with a bounty of Chinese- influenced dishes from all over South-East Asia.

It is divided into different sections under the banners of: Chinese…

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Feel Good: Quick and Easy Recipes for Comfort and Joy by Melissa Hemsle

You know what I need now? A night in with a good book and a delicious home- cooked meal that will make me feel healthy and satisfied – the type of meal that encourages herbal tea as the beverage rather than (too much) wine.

This cookbook will help those that share my fantasy for the perfect evening. There are more than 100 recipes that are literally designed…

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