Japan: The Vegetarian Cookbook by Nancy Singleton Hachisu & Ellie Smith

Nancy Singleton Hachisu, one of the most recognised voices in Japanese food (perhaps you saw her on that excellent television series Salt Fat Acid Heat?), has created over 250 vegetarian recipes that will delight every sense. There is even a chapter dedicated to fried food! This is the perfect book for home cooks and a companion for all of us that have her other fabulous title: Japan: The Cookbook. And of course, the images are delightful.

Sweet Enough: A Baking Book by Alison Roman

Sweet Enough is not a cookbook that applauds perfection, but rather aims to get you in the kitchen producing baked dishes for everyone in your life. Even Alison Roman says the mushroom pie recipe makes the most delicious dish she has ever eaten (it is certainly now in my top 10) and she shows you how to make simple yet truly scrumptious food without any fuss or fancy tools.

From Salt to Jam by Katrina Meynink

This is my favourite cookbook this month. I have already earmarked all the sauces, seasonings, and dressings to make. If I achieve this, then my home menu is set for months. Included in these recipes are ideas for how each sauce (and some of her recipes allow you to make 14 litres of the stuff!) can create several dishes that will delight everyone you know. This is a practical, no-nonsense gift for every busy person everywhere.

Rice Table by Su Scott

As a Korean living in the UK, Su Scott was thrown into a homesick crisis of identity when she became a parent. And so, this wonderful personal cookbook was created. Amongst recipes for fermenting and the famous Korean Fried Chicken recipe (cannot get enough of this dish) are musings on parenting, living away from your home country and on identity. This is an important because it is a reminder that food crosses oceans and brings love and peace into a home.