Food and gardening
The best food & gardening books of the month
Regular readers will understand that although one of the bestselling cookbooks over the festive season was all about air frying, this is not something that I’m automatically drawn to. I favour cookbooks that have a certain largesse about their content, a style that inspires, delights even, every sense within your being, and one that you know you will savour for years to come. I often think of cookbooks as having an anthropological element; this is what we are eating now…
Cookbook highlights from the year
I’m proud to let you all know that this year, for the first time, I kept a sourdough starter in my fridge. I also watched my adult kids argue, chop, disagree, stir and use every dish in the house in order to create delicious family meals. This year my cookbooks were bent, splattered and marked for inspiration, for banana bread recipes, noodle soups, and quick, cheese-heavy meals. This year has given us so much anguish, so much anxiety and so…
The best cookbooks of 2020
Every year our staff vote for their favourite books and music of the past 12 months. Here are our top five cookbooks of the year, voted for by Readings’ staff, and displayed in no particular order.
(You can find all our best picks for books and music here.)
A Year of Simple Family Food by Julia Busuttil Nishimura
A Year of Simple Family Food is a beautiful and inspiring offering from much-adored Melbourne cook Julia Busuttil Nishimura whose philosophy…
The best new food & gardening books of the month
This month, our food and gardening columnist recommends four cookbooks from Australian foodies.
To Asia, With Love by Hetty McKinnon
This is what we love about Hetty McKinnon’s recipes: uncomplicated, kind and generous dishes served with a little twist here and there. Her latest cookbook is a riot of flavour and colour with family mealtime considered. If you love a little spice in your life, this cookbook is the complete package and will very quickly become a favourite, even for…
Three new cookbooks for the home kitchen
This month, our food and gardening columnist is recommending two delicious new cookbooks, and one impressive ‘beverage bible’.
Ottolenghi FLAVOUR by Yotam Ottolenghi & Ixta Belfrage
Yotam Ottolenghi has become associated with certain flavours. We might say at a meal, ‘This is an Ottolenghi- inspired recipe.’ By that we might mean we are serving chickpeas with toasted sesame seeds, or a meal based on the glorious colours that fresh vegetables give us. In my household, not a week goes by…
Four delicious new cookbooks in August
Our food and gardening columnist recommends four delicious new cookbooks to enjoy this month.
7 Ways by Jamie Oliver
I love Jamie Oliver. I reckon he has done more for the way we eat than any other cook in modern history. In his latest book, he considers the top ingredients we buy week in, week out. We’re talking about those meal staples we pick up without even thinking. He understands how families work; grab this book if the thought of…
The best books for beginner gardeners
Today is World Environment Day and it’s always an excellent opportunity to reflect on ways we can take better care for the world around us. Here, our food and gardening columnist Chris Gordon explains why a garden can be the perfect way to share joy and love, and shares some of her best bookish recommendations for those looking to start one of their own.
Like so many of us during this strange time, I’ve been walking and spending more time…
Chris Gordon's self-isolation cooking diary: Week 8
In this final instalment of Chris Gordon’s self-isolation cooking diary, she looks to planning a future feast in gratitude of others.
Likely, you are reading this column because you are part of the Readings family. You believe that independent bookshops make a difference to our community, that they are worthy of support. And as restrictions around Covid-19 begin to relax and our social parameters change, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who read my words and reached…
Chris Gordon's self-isolation cooking diary: Week 7
For this week’s cooking diary entry, our food and gardening columnist Chris Gordon looks to others for inspiration…
During isolation I have tried cooking a variety of delicious, inspiring dishes. I started off with a few simple ideas for inspiration, and from there I’ve tackled pickling, sourdough and hot cross buns (well, almost). I’ve also embraced my inner Nonna and learned some valuable lessons on how best to let your adults children take over the kitchen. Cocktails may…
Chris Gordon's self-isolation cooking diary: Week 6
Chris Gordon is our events and programming manager extraordinaire, as well as our monthly food and gardening columnist. Here is the latest instalment of her self-isolation cooking diary.
What have I learned this week?
Making sourdough bread is not for the faint-hearted – even if you do live in the north.
If you haven’t attempted to make it, are you even in lockdown?
This process is not something that you can start and finish in one afternoon.
It will involve…
Browse our blog by category
