Cookbook reviews

Topsy-Turvy Banana Gingercake
Topsy-Turvy Banana Gingercake

Topsy-Turvy Banana Gingercake excerpted from The Cinnamon Bun Cookbook: Recipes for irresistible cakes, bakes, sweet treats and more by Hamlyn and Eloise Goode. Photography Octopus Publishing Group.

The Cinnamon Bun Cookbook: Recipes for irresistible cakes, bakes, sweet treats and more by Hamlyn and Eloise Goode.

Smothered in small-town coffee shop in fall vibes, this recipe book is a love letter to the coziest season of all.

For fans of the runaway BookTok trend for heartwarming, small-town romances, now you can bring the coziness into your kitchen with over 40 irresistible recipes.

It’s the season to reach for warm cupcakes, sweet crunchy biscuits, gooey cinnamon buns and cozy up with a blanket to sip on a delicious cinnamon hot chocolate.

Fall is jam-packed with the heady tastes of cinnamon, ginger, apple, maple, and comforting warm spices. From Glazed Pear & Cinnamon Loaf for chilly mornings to Spicy Apple Parkin for toasty warm evenings, The Cinnamon Bun Cookbook celebrates the season with a charming selection of deliciously decadent recipes that satisfy even the sweetest tooth.

The Cinnamon Bun Cookbook has over 40 indulgent recipes to bake, poach or roast, packed with seasonal puddings that look sensational, but are not overly complicated or time-consuming to create. Discover your favorite cinnamon recipe with inspirational ideas that you’ll love, time and time again.

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Porcini-Seasoned Steak au Poivre
Porcini-Seasoned Steak au Poivre

Porcini-Seasoned Steak au Poivre excerpted from Milk Street Shorts: Recipes That Pack a Punch by Christopher Kimball. Photography by Joe Murphy.

Milk Street Shorts: Recipes That Pack a Punch by Christopher KimballTransform your home cooking with the smartest, simplest, most powerful recipes from the James Beard Award-winning team at Milk Street.

In the kitchen, brevity is brilliant. Short recipes are the ones cooks remember best—not only because they’re simple to make and easy to repeat, but because they are boiled down to their elemental beauty and charm.

In Milk Street Shorts, Christopher Kimball and his team of cooks and editors have developed a repertoire of nearly 150 genius recipes that are casual, improvisational, and fun. These recipes are not just short—they’re bolder, better cooking because they’re short. Their essential cleverness gives them power that does not require long ingredient lists or all-day cooking.

And every recipe packs a punch—throw-it-together meals like “Nothing Soup,”Chili Crisp Peanut Noodles, and Five-Ingredient Pork and Kimchi Stew, snacks and side dishes like Sunflower Hummus, Crispy Spiced Chickpeas, and Salt and Vinegar Smashed Potatoes, and smart ways to use your oven, like Reverse-Sear Pork Loin, Skillet Lasagna, and Two-Hour Turkey. Recipes are organized by simplicity—Short, Shorter, and Shortest—with chapters including skillet suppers, sheet-pan tray bakes, and weeknight desserts like Clementine Blender Cake.

Milk Street Shorts: Recipes That Pack a Punch by Christopher Kimball is available at Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and Indigo.ca.

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Tandoori-style Harissa Chicken Drumsticks
Tandoori-style Harissa Chicken Drumsticks

Tandoori-style Harissa Chicken Drumsticks excerpted from Persiana Easy by Sabrina Ghayour. Photography copyright © Kris Kirkham 2025

Persiana Easy by Sabrina Ghayour

Brand-new recipes from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Persiana and Persiana Everyday

A fresh collection of inspiring recipes from the bestselling Middle Eastern chef, each designed to be as easy and approachable as possible.

The hotly anticipated Persiana Easy brings together the irresistible flavours of the Middle East with simple, accessible cooking. From midweek meals and traybakes to pastries and desserts, these recipes are made to delight family and friends time and again.

Contents include

Dips, Snacks and Light Bites
Sweet Potato, Basil and Feta Dip
Crispy Za’atar Salt and Pepper Prawns
Popcorn Halloumi

Bread and Pastry
Turkish Pide Bread
Easy Bake Bagels(ish)
Fig, Goat Cheese, Thyme and Honey Rolls

Salads
Smoked Aubergine Salad with Pickled Chillies and Feta
Duck and Pomegranate Salad with Honey Pomegranate Sauce
Broad Bean, Pea, Orange and Goats Cheese Salad

Midweek Meals
Lamb Kofta Patties with Yogurt and Burnt Orange
Butterflied Orange Paprika Butter Chicken
Shish Kebab

Comfort Food
Turkish Lentil Soup
Couscous Royale with Spiced Lamb Shanks
Orange Spiced Pork with Charred Spring Onions and Pineapple

Roasts and Traybakes
Spiced Saffron Chicken Kebabs
Tray-baked Harissa Lamb Chops
Baked Meatballs with Tomato, Harissa and Feta

Vegetables and Side Dishes
Hot and Sour Green Beans
Mashed Chickpeas with Spice Oil
Stuffed Baby Peppers with Date Couscous and Feta

Sweet Treats
Citrus and Spice Almond Tart
Bokaj
Apple Borek (more…)

Tarte au Riz
Tarte au Riz

Tarte au Riz excerpted from Dark Rye and Honey Cake: Festival Baking from Belgium, the Heart of the Low Countries by Regula Ysewijn. Photography by Regula Ysewijn.

Dark Rye and Honey Cake: Festival Baking from Belgium, the Heart of the Low Countries by Regula YsewijnIn Dark Rye and Honey Cake, acclaimed food writer and historian Regula Ysewijn turns her focus to the bakes and culinary history of her Belgian homeland.

2024 James Beard Foundation Book Award Winner!

“A beautifully illustrated volume of recipes with history.” – The New York Times

Known as an expert in British baking and culture, acclaimed food writer and historian Regula Ysewijn turns her attention to her native Belgium for an intimate look at the culinary traditions and classic baked goods—including classic Carnival and Renaissance treats, pastries, pies, biscuits, cakes, breads and, of course, waffles.

Dark Rye and Honey Cake includes a lavish photo gallery of Belgian landmarks and landscapes, historical artifacts, and images of every recipe. Regula’s unique ability to capture the detail and beauty of Belgium in her recipes and photos provides readers with a breathtaking engaging, and personal account of food culture in Belgium.

80+ RECIPES: Discover dozens of Belgian bakes including, pastries, pies, biscuits, cakes, breads and, of course, waffles (more…)

IRAQI YELLOW SPICE–RUBBED CHICKEN
Iraqi Yellow Spice–Rubbed Chicken excerpted from Saveur: The New Classics Cookbook: More than 1,000 of the world's best recipes for today's kitchen by The editors of Saveur magazine. Photography by Maxime Iattoni.

Iraqi Yellow Spice–Rubbed Chicken excerpted from Saveur: The New Classics Cookbook: More than 1,000 of the world’s best recipes for today’s kitchen by The editors of Saveur magazine. Photography by Maxime Iattoni.

Saveur: The New Classics Cookbook: More than 1,000 of the world's best recipes for today's kitchen by The editors of Saveur magazine

From the editors of America’s favourite culinary magazine, Saveur: The New Classics Cookbook features more than 1000 well-curated global recipes in an essential collection for home cooks everywhere. This masterful selection celebrates the brand’s authority, heritage, and depth of worldwide culinary knowledge in what will become an indispensable and treasured guide for everyone who relishes authentic cooking and Saveur’s standard of excellence.

Offering authentic, from-the-source recipes for virtually every type of dish (from tapas and cocktails to salads, dumplings, one pot meals, and more), essential techniques, and practical advice, this thorough collection of recipes from the pages of Saveur represents a comprehensive foundation for any home cook looking for a go-to guide—and daily inspiration—from a trusted source. Also includes suggested menus for holidays and occasions; illustrative sidebars that showcase groups of ingredients (such as the Mexican pantry, different varieties of tomatoes, what makes a good tagine) or provide easy-to-follow instructions for techniques (like how to crimp a dumpling or fold an empanada); and two sections of gorgeous full-colour photographs that bring the cuisine to life.

The 16 chapters are organized by course and food type. A robust selection of pantry basics (DIY condiments, stocks and sauces, spice blends and rubs, and more) is also included. Each recipe includes a headnote (explaining the origin of the dish, offering suggestions for perfecting the method, or a serving suggestion) and there are illustrations and cook’s notes, imparting helpful tips (wear gloves when working with hot chiles, use young ginger for the best flavour) scattered throughout the book. Icons call out vegetarian dishes and other helpful information at a glance. Multiple indexes make it easy to find recipes for any occasion. (more…)

Fig, Prosciutto, and Burrata Salad
Fig, Prosciutto, and Burrata Salad excerpted from Sookie’s Recipe Book: Gilmore Girls: An Official Cookbook (Gilmore Girls: Official Cookbooks) by Elena Craig, Elizabeth Fish, and Micol Ostow. Photography by Ted Thomas.

Fig, Prosciutto, and Burrata Salad excerpted from Sookie’s Recipe Book: Gilmore Girls: An Official Cookbook (Gilmore Girls: Official Cookbooks) by Elena Craig, Elizabeth Fish, and Micol Ostow. Photography by Ted Thomas.

Sookie's Recipe Book: Gilmore Girls: An Official Cookbook (Gilmore Girls: Official Cookbooks) by Elena Craig,  Elizabeth Fish, and Micol Ostow

Straight from the Dragonfly Inn’s executive chef, Sookie’s Recipe Book teaches fans how to make iconic recipes as only Sookie St. James can!

Join Sookie in the kitchen for an in-world culinary journey through Gilmore Girls featuring easy-to-follow recipes for all her elaborate creations, including Famous Peach Sauce, Rocky Road Cookies, each course of the Bracebridge Dinner, and her iconic Hot House Tomato Salad. In this official cookbook, you’ll find the lovable chef’s uniquely enthusiastic (and perhaps a little frenzied) take on dozens of memorable gastronomical moments in the show. The more than 75 recipes include:

Breakfast: “I Have My Standards” Omelets, Blueberry-Lemon Pancakes, Belgian Waffles with Famous Peach Sauce, Shirred Eggs with Chive, Currant and Spice Scones

Starters: The Original Onion Dip, Rory’s Birthday Angel Wings, Walnut Arugula Gorgonzola Crostini, “The Lettuce is Dry” BLT Soup

Sandwiches, Sides, and Salads: Jackson’s Vegetables Carpaccio, Not Jackson’s Vegetables Ratatouille, Warm Potato and Chorizo Salad, Sweet Potato Biscuit Sandwiches

Mains: “Four in Four” Coq au Vin, Chicken and Dumpling Casserole, Pasta a la Sookie, Butternut Squash Pasta Purses, Bracebridge Dinner “Peacock” Pie (more…)

SMOKED PULLED PORK
Smoked Pulled Pork

Smoked Pulled Pork excerpted from Yellowstone: The Official Dutton Ranch Family Cookbook: Delicious Homestyle Recipes from Character and Real-Life Chef Gabriel “Gator” Guilbeau by Gabriel “Gator” Guilbeau. Food photography by Waterbury Publications Inc.

Yellowstone: The Official Dutton Ranch Family Cookbook: Delicious Homestyle Recipes from Character and Real-Life Chef Gabriel "Gator" Guilbeau by Gabriel "Gator" Guilbeau

Re-create recipes with Yellowstone: The Official Dutton Ranch Family Cookbook, featuring delicious dishes from the hit series as prepared by real-life chef and character “Gator.”

Whether it’s a hearty breakfast of Rip’s Fry Bread with Scrambled Eggs and Bacon (his favourite dish handed down by his mother), a quick week-night dinner with Beth’s Cheesy Hamburger Mac Casserole (no box needed), or a pick-me-up with Beth’s “Two Scoops of Ice Cream, Three Shots of Vodka” Smoothie, Yellowstone: The Official Dutton Ranch Family Cookbook compiles over 55 recipes inspired by and featured in the critically acclaimed hit series.

Gabriel “Gator” Guilbeau—a real-life chef and the set caterer for Yellowstone and fan-favourite character on the show—shares his hearty and delicious recipes from the Dutton Ranch. Learn Gator’s secrets to making a perfectly smoked pulled pork (a ranch hand staple), an authentic gumbo, and flawlessly fluffy biscuits. Whether you’re hosting a Yellowstone viewing party or serving up a comforting homestyle meal, wrangle up your ingredients and bring the exciting world of Yellowstone into your kitchen.

55 + RECIPES BY REAL-LIFE CHEF AND CHARACTER “GATOR”: Includes more than 55 simple and delicious recipes by real-life chef and beloved character “Gator” of the hit series Yellowstone, compiled into one faux leather-bound edition.

GEARED FOR ALL OCCASIONS AND SKILLS: Easy-to-follow recipes and everyday ingredients make Yellowstone: The Official Dutton Ranch Family Cookbook perfect for any occasion and skill level—whether a themed dinner party, viewing party, or weeknight meal. (more…)

Miso Caramel Apple & Pear Crumble
Miso Caramel Apple & Pear Crumble

Miso Caramel Apple & Pear Crumble excerpted from Comfort Food: with Spencer Watts by Spencer Watts. Photography by Steph Brown.

Comfort Food: with Spencer Watts by Spencer WattsChef Spencer Watts takes the very best of classic comfort food dishes and adds globally influenced flavours to make each dish new again. Chicken noodle soup becomes jerk rubbed duck noodle soup; mac and cheese becomes transformed with a rye crumble topping and chicken wings are dusted with dill pickle chips.

This new approach to comfort foods includes something for every kind of cook — some recipes are easy to follow, some more ambitious — all are delicious! Using readily available ingredients, Spencer Watts takes an imaginative approach to appetizers, bowls, main dishes, desserts and more! Recipes include Ham Hock and Pea Risotto, Wild Mushroom Soup, Caramel Popcorn Cake, Greek Style White Bean Ragu and more!

  • Table of Contents
  • Introduction
  • Chapter One: Forkless
  • Chapter Two: Fowl Language
  • Chapter Three: Bowls
  • Chapter Four: Carbaholic
  • Chapter Five: Any Given Sunday
  • Chapter Six: Sugar Coated

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Milk Chocolate Layer Cake
Milk Chocolate Layer Cake

Milk Chocolate Layer Cake excerpted from American Girl Birthday!: Cakes, Cupcakes & Specialty Treats by Weldon Owen. Photography by Nicole Hill Gerulat.

American Girl Birthday!: Cakes, Cupcakes & Specialty Treats by Weldon Owen

Make every birthday a special and delicious celebration with 50 party-ready recipes for cakes, cupcakes, and ice cream treats—plus ideas for party favours and games—from American Girl.

American Girl Birthday! features 50 sweet recipes suitable for every taste and any day of the year: fabulous cakes with fun frostings and toppings, cupcakes for every season, fruity and colourful ice pops, sundaes, and more.

Guarantee every party will be a hit with great flavour, sparkly decorations, and shareable treats. Kids can select their favourite cake or desserts for the big day, and make edible gifts for friends, all while gaining confidence and baking skills in the kitchen.

50+ RECIPES: Kids will learn to bake delicious cakes, cupcakes, ice cream treats, and more to mark and celebrate birthdays for friends and family.

EXPERT TIPS AND TRICKS: Young chefs will learn baking know-how and while mastering measuring, rolling, frosting, and decorating!

INSPIRING IMAGES: Beautiful colourful photos inspire birthday celebrations and ensure success. (more…)

Plum Tart with Streusel
Plum Tart with Streusel

Plum Tart with Streusel excerpted from The German Baking Book: Cakes, Tarts, Breads, and More from the Black Forest and Beyond by Jurgen Krauss. Photography © 2023 Maja Smend.

The German Baking Book: Cakes, Tarts, Breads, and More from the Black Forest and Beyond by Jurgen Krauss

From Jürgen Krauss, called “possibly the best-loved contestant in Great British Baking Show history,” comes a celebration of German home baking. Make classic German pastries, from apple strudel and stolen to show stopping celebration desserts like Black Forest cake. It’s sehr gut!

The German Baking Book is a celebration of German home baking from Jurgen Krauss, who won the hearts of viewers and three Star Baker honours from the judges of The Great British Baking Show. A self-taught baker, Jürgen has drawn on the flavours, techniques, and memories from his childhood, his European travels, and his wife’s Jewish heritage, to create a collection of authentic German baking recipes from his home to yours.

Jürgen’s gentle charm can be felt with each delightful recipe. From German classics such as Black Forest gateau, and coffee cake, to festive bakes including lebkuchen and gingerbread, each of Jürgen’s delicious recipes are crafted with care and simplicity.

The German Baking Book is a must-have for fans of The Great British Baking Show and home bakers with a love for classic and festive German baking. (more…)