Eight inspiring new food & gardening books
Cooking with Kindness by Edgar’s Mission
This wonderful cookbook gives and gives. The recipes are gathered from all over Australia, representing the very best from the kitchens of our most famed chefs. Each recipe is sourced from a restaurant that serves amazing meals, without an animal in sight. Included are recipes from such Fitzroy favourites as Smith & Daughters, Transformer and more. All royalties go to Edgar’s Mission, a not-for-profit sanctuary that provides a safe haven for over 450 rescued farm animals. All in all, this would be a perfect gift for those wanting their book of choice to have a little conscience to it.
The Great Australian Cookbook by various
Speaking of cookbooks that are good and do good, The Great Australian Cookbook is back, with another wonderful array of recipes from all over. OzHarvest will once again receive royalties, to support its work nourishing those in need. The book features 165 recipes from our most famed chefs (with snapshots in their homes), including Melbourne’s own Stephanie Alexander, George Calombaris, Frank Camorra, Matt Wilkinson and many more.
Matt Moran’s Australian Food by Matt Moran
Matt Moran appears on television, in newspapers, and seems like a regular-type person heading an empire of great food and service. It’s all very impressive, as is his latest cookbook – a type of reference book sharing all the food he loves to make for his family and friends. Inspiration has been taken from his various locations, from Sydney Harbour to his farm, but none of the recipes are difficult – and all of them honour fresh, colourful ingredients. Say what you like, but this bloke knows exactly what he is doing.
Poh Bakes 100 Greats by Poh Ling Yeow
Poh said in a recent interview, ‘I love baking so much I’ve been known to park myself in front of the oven to watch a cake cook, like television.’ If that doesn’t give you a clear idea of what this gorgeous book is about, then consider the menu at her Adelaide destination cafe and bakery, Jamface. She describes the Jamface baking philosophy as the love child between a Parisian patisserie and the Country Women’s Association. This cookbook holds exactly the same philosophy, with recipes for sausage rolls and perfect brioche buns. (There’s even a recipe for your pet puppy!) Like the Poh we know, it’s all heart.
The Modern Cook’s Year by Anna Jones
There are huge fans of Anna Jones in our office. Her recipes are an indispensable addition to every cook’s bookshelf, and show you how to make the most of seasonal produce, using unassuming, hugely inventive flavours and ingredients. Divided into six seasons (perfect for Australia’s climate), this book contains over 250 delicious vegetarian recipes, interspersed with tips on everything from seasonal music playlists, to seasonal flowers. It’s a pretty edition and it’s set to influence and entice you into greener (vegetarian) pastures.
The Tivoli Road Baker by Michael James with Pippa James
You may have queued at the Tivoli Road Bakery in the early hours of the weekend, in the hope that you’ll get your hands on your favourite sourdough loaf. It’s that sort of place, and for good reason: its baked goods and salads are absolutely delicious. Michael James shares his secrets of baking and creating, and the growers vital to his success. Included in this compilation are seasonal favourites, including Christmas cake, plus the inventive use of native Australian flavours such as red gum honey and wattle seed A flawless collection of recipes that are already well loved.
Champagne by Robert Walters
Did you know that the very first champagne was not a wonderful, tightly-bottled collection of delighted bubbles, but rather a still wine? Bubbles were considered a mistake. The history of how we started there and finished with a heady collection of sparkling wines all over the world is answered in this book, by wine merchant Robert Walter. This volume will help you determine the ideal bottle of bubbles to bring to the next party.
Grow Your Own by Angus Stewart & Simon Leake
Deep breath, everyone out there sprouting a green thumb (or simply a willingness to get your hands dirty): it’s time to sow seedlings! And having a small outdoor space is simply no excuse. These authors have been knee-deep in soil for years now – and this important, incredibly detailed book shares the breadth of their knowledge. Listed are the steps needed to plant food on your rooftop, down the side of your home, in your courtyard, or even on your apartment windowsill.
