5 Top Picks

Curated by Naomi Bussin

I have looked at a LOT of books this year, as usual.  Here for you are 5 new cookbooks that I love, and that would make great gifts.  Remember to check out my previous articles – I love those too! 

Evolutions in Bread: Artisan Pan Breads and Dutch Oven Loaves at Home – Ken Forkish 

Ken Forkish’s previous book, Flour Water Salt Yeast, is a classic, making Ken Forkish the OG of bread baking. In this new book he has simplified his recipes and techniques for the home baker, making them easier and with less waste. I am now making more bread than before, which I did not think was possible.  Love the multigrain bread and the pan loaves that are way easier to slice.  Good for – novice and experienced bakers alike

 

Don’t Worry, Just Cook:  Delicious, Timeless Recipes for Comfort and Connection – Bonnie Stern

Bonnie Stern is Toronto’s own beloved cookbook author and teacher.  There’s a little bit of everything in her latest – a little Italian, some Asian, a good dose of Middle Eastern and a smidgen of Ashkenazi Jewish classics, all supported by Bonnie’s reliable, easy to follow recipes.  Think about beef kebabs with eggplant, chickpeas, Swiss chard and tahini, or almond cake with caramelized pears. Good for – everyone

  

Dinner in One: Exceptional & Easy One-Pan Meals – Melissa Clark 

Melissa Clark is another rock-solid cookbook author. I have several of her books and promise that this one will be used.  All 100 recipes in this book are made in one pot, pan or dish – who wouldn’t love that?  Loved the kale and farro stew with Parmesan and creamy burrata and the wine-braised mushrooms and gnocchi. Good for – everyone who doesn’t like washing dishes 

 

Sicilia: A love letter to the food of Sicily – Ben Tish 

I love this because I went to Sicily and the food is just as great as everyone says – but so what?  This cookbook makes it accessible and the recipes are good. Ben Tish owns a Sicilian restaurant in London, but these recipes work for the home cook. Loved the pasta with pistachio pesto, and the sweet ricotta torta with dark chocolate and orange zest. Good for – anyone who loves citrus, seafood and nuts and /or would love to go back to sunny Sicily 

 

The cook you want to be: everyday recipes to impress – Andy Baraghani 

Andy Baraghani, formerly of Bon Appetit, has created one heck of a fundamental cookbook, full of modern, delicious, approachable recipes and beautiful pictures. The book is vegetable forward, vaguely Middle Eastern (Baraghani leaned on his Persian heritage for this book), but the recipes are varied. Think broken feta with mint and walnuts, cold soba with lemony peanut and crunchy veg, chickpea cacio e pepe with caramelized lemon. Good for – people who love vegetables and strong flavours

 

There are a number of sure-to-be popular books that are coming out later this fall. Here are a few that I can’t wait for – 

Modern classic cocktails: 60+ stories and recipes from the new golden age in drinks – Robert Simonson 

Smitten Kitchen Keepers: New Classics for Your Forever Files – Deb Perelman 

What’s for Dessert – Simple Recipes for Dessert People – Claire Saffitz 

Via Carota: A Celebration of Seasonal Cooking from the Beloved Greenwich Village Restaurant – Jody Williams and Rita Sodi