French Country Cooking by Mimi Thorisson

Just stop it. This book is too much: there are images of the French countryside, tales of successful parenting from a woman with 6 children and 14 dogs (!) who also has an ability to create feasts out of garden scraps and a little cheese. This book makes you realise that there are people out there living each day as if they were playing a part in the French Film Festival. You may already know the author of this tremendously beautiful book by her award-winning blog, ‘Manger’, her debut cookbook A Kitchen in France, or by her television show La table de Mimi. Included in this tome are recipes for salted butter chocolate cake, soufflés, hams, chickens (all weekday meals, clearly) – the list goes on. This is my choice of cookbooks for the month.

All Day Cafe by Stuart McKenzie

You may well have been to SoJo (South of Johnston) and dined on the delicious food there, admired the décor and felt inspired to try these winning combinations at home. You may then have realised that the genius of Stuart McKenzie is that all this style comes naturally to him – and that you, a mere human, may need help. And so you turn to his wonderful accessible and sensible cookbook, All Day Cafe. There are recipes for lemon tart, pulled pork, roast chicken and more. It’s the type of book that is filled with food you already love, with a sage nod to good design.

Acquacotta by Emiko Davies

Emiko Davies has been traveling her whole life, but it was not until she fell in love with the countryside of Italy (and her Italian bloke) that she made it her mission to share the glory of traditional Tuscan peasant food. Davies has pulled together a wonderful collection of recipes and stories from the Silver Coast region of Italy. There are pasta, soup, meat and fish dishes that will make your eyes water with longing. Beautifully presented, this cookbook is for all who travel – literally or metaphorically – to eat.

The Urban Farmer by Justin Calverley and Ceres

Are you wistful for your very own tomatoes, basil, and bees but you only have control over a window box? If yes, then this gift of a book is the perfect wayto get you started in harvest happiness. You may have heard Justin Calverley on 3RRR’s Dirty Deeds, or perhaps you’ve admired his work at CERES Community Environment Park; either way you know you are in fine gardening hands. He has over 20 years’ experience and it shows with this practical yet affable guidebook, which is perfect for new and established green thumbs.

Chris Gordon