Seasons to Share by Jacqueline Alwill

Not everyone is embracing the term ‘wholefood’. If you fall into that category and are tired of having quinoa and kale pushed onto you then step away now, my friends, step away. But do so and risk missing out on some pretty tasty treats that could actually become staples in your family. Nutritionist Jacqueline Alwill has a talent for creating food that brings friends and family together over wonderful meals. Her cauliflower rice and silverbeet salad has become a regular dish for my ravenous teenagers. Her book has a selection of nutritious recipes organised by season, which can be enjoyed as part of a menu for a themed occasion or as individual meals.

Milkbar Memories by Jane Lawson

Jane Lawson has penned many cookbooks in her life. You may have the excellent Snowflakes and Schnapps in your collection. She has also written about Japanese food, and barbecue; but Milkbar Memories is not reminiscent of her early works, rather, it’s a trip down memory lane to a time when you could get a bag of lollies for 20 cents from the corner shop. Retro in style and theme, but very much a contemporary cookbook in its approach, Milkbar Memories is the author’s ode to wonderful old-fashioned treats from her childhood. There are over 120 recipes for various treats including musk sticks and savouries that you may have purchased from the fish and chip shop, including vegetarian options. Each recipe is beautifully photographed and includes a wonderful description of each dish. Some of these descriptions made me laugh out loud! Check out the recipe for hippy trippy vegie burger to ‘get my drift’ as we used to say in 1975. This book is essential for anyone riding the nostalgia wave.

The Kitchen Shelf by Rosie Reynolds and Eve O’Sullivan

This is a sensible cook book. The type of cook book you may reach for on a Thursday eve when the kitchen cupboard and fridge are looking empty. Firstly the authors, both incredibly experienced chefs and stylists from the UK, list 30 shelf essentials: think, cans of tomatoes, chickpeas, coconut milk and supplies of rice and pasta. The idea being that with just two fresh ingredients, a pick from the shelf and you can have a meal in minutes to eat while watching the latest episode of The Good Wife. Think roasts, pizzas, pastas and sweet no-fuss treats. Think easier than waiting for take away deliveries and better for you, the environment and your finances. This cookbook is a perfect edition for those in a rush, for those that need a little nudge and for those that just simply cannot handle another trip to the supermarket.

Sirocco by Sabrina Ghayour

Sirocco, the second cookbook from the award-winning author of Persiana, is another treat for us all from Sabrina Ghayour. Think a taste of the East to West style dishes in a collection of 100 appetising and clear recipes. If you are a fan of Sydney Road eateries and Ottolenghi-style salads then this sweet book is made for you. Ghayour is quite famous over in the UK and this cookbook shows us why. Her strength lies in her straightforward, no fuss style. I imagine she writes as she talks and the result is like having her in the kitchen with you. If you’re after the flavours of the Middle East and want pretty dishes to liven up your foodie habits, then this book is the perfect stepping stone to a new, spicy you.

Savour by Peter Gordon

There is something quite quirky and impressive about New Zealand food. The combinations can seem pretty strange at first glance, but not at first bite! You have to give in to the food combinations and to the great decadence of it all. Celebrated chef Peter Gordon has constructed a wonderful selection of unique dishes ready for any occasion, including, for example, chilli chocolate teriyaki mackerel, or nuts with duck confit. The chapters are divided by the core ingredient and each could be a main meal or a side dish. There is a little magic in these recipes: you need to feel ready to leap out of your comfort zone and move away from the iceberg lettuce. It’s time to change things up and this book is the perfect stepping stone.

Craft Brew by Euan Ferguson

This is a ripper of a book, crucial for anyone brewing in their backyard or dreaming of becoming the next taste sensation on the artisan landscape. This collection has recipes from the most exciting, groundbreaking and revolutionary craft breweries in the world, including our own award-winning Two Birds Brewing company, which is owned and created by women. There are 50 international craft breweries who have each volunteered a recipe (from the mighty Brew Dog to the much-loved Brooklyn in New York) to create an unique, useful and technically accurate book for the homebrewer. Added bonus for the beginner: there is a solid introduction to all the tools and gadgets required for all-grain brewing at home.

Chris Gordon