Welcome to the coziest time of the year. Which means we’re hitting the great indoors, getting snuggly on the couch, and gearing up to cook for the holidays. So we rounded up the latest and greatest cookbooks — from delightful desserts and one-pot meals to flavorful sauces and salads, we gotchu covered. Catch you in the kitchen…
Baking books
“Bread Head” by Greg Wade and Rachel Holtzman
Seasoned baker and James Beard Award winner, Greg Wade, takes home cooks through the foundations of bread making. From a classic farmhouse sourdough to rich buckwheat brownies, you’ll feel like a confident baker in no time. Plus, the photographs are absolutely stunning. Loaf to see it. (Amazon, Bookshop)
“Nadiya’s Everyday Baking” by Nadiya Hussain
TV show host and “Great British Bake Off” vet Nadiya Hussain’s latest book is like a mood ring but for cooking. She has nearly 100 simple and doable recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert. It’s organized by occasion so you can have a delicious meal based on how you’re feeling. From “everyday kind of days” (aka when you’re short on time) to “rainbow days” (when you want a little bit of color in your meals), this one’s the perfect companion to get you out of a meal-prep slump. (Amazon, Bookshop)
“What’s for Dessert” by Claire Saffitz
Claire Saffitz’s last dessert-themed cookbook was a New York Times bestseller…and just in time for sweets season, here’s a new one that promises even easier recipes for the baking enthusiasts (or, in her words, “dessert people”). It’ll look great sitting out on the kitchen counter, too. Psst: This one comes out in early November so hit pre-order for now. (Amazon, Bookshop)
“Savory Baking” by Erin Jeanne McDowell
Erin Jeanne McDowell has some of the best baking videos out there — she’s always super clear and easy to follow, and this book for savory lovers is no different. She’ll take you through everything from easy and essential bakes to pizzas, flatbreads, and stuffed breads. Some highlights include ham and cheese croissants, buttermilk biscuits, and even crispy shredded chicken empanadas. She’ll also cover basic techniques, plus take you through some “sweet tooth breaks” for when the cravings hit. (Amazon, Bookshop)
“All About Cookies” by Christina Tosi
Your cookie jar is calling and it wants you to scoop this one up. Written by Milk Bar queen Christina Tosi, she’ll cover everything from sandies and sammies to no-bake options and bars. She’ll also show you how to mix and match to create your own recipes. Juuuust in time for all the cookie exchanges you have on your cal. Psst: Hit pre-order for now, it comes out early November. (Amazon, Bookshop)
“Justice of the Pies” by Maya-Camille Broussard
A baking book you’ll also actually want to read? Yes, please. Maya-Camille Broussard started her bakery (Justice of the Pies, in Chicago) in honor of her late father, who was a criminal defense attorney with a passion for baking. She shares sweet and savory pie recipes along with narratives of those fighting for social justice and equity with the dishes they’ve inspired. Pick this one up ASAP. (Amazon, Bookshop)
Cookbooks for meals, apps, and more
“Dinner in One” by Melissa Clark
One hour + one vessel = one delicious meal. New York Times food columnist Melissa Clark’s latest cookbook covers meals that can be made in a single pot, sheet pan, skillet, Dutch oven, casserole dish, or slow cooker. So you can make dinners and desserts in a pinch. And you’ll pretty much never have to do the dishes again. Bless. (Amazon, Bookshop)
“Mi Cocina” by Rick Martínez
Inspired by his 2019 trip through Mexico’s 32 states, fan-fave (and former Bon Appétit staffer) Rick Martínez recreates the dishes he tried during his 20,000 miles of travels. Like carne asada quesadillas, herb and cheese meatballs, and more. Yum, yum, yum. (Amazon, Bookshop)
“Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Extra Good Things” by Noor Murad and Yotam Ottolenghi
Fact: a homemade salad dressing (hi, Olivia Wilde) makes everything better. In cult-fave chef Yotam Ottolenghi’s latest, he delivers veggie-centric recipes and all the extra stuff that makes ’em delicious. Like sauces, condiments, and toppings you can add to any dish to make it sparkle. It’s a yes from us. (Amazon, Bookshop)
“Go-To Dinners” by Ina Garten
Bless Queen Ina for making dinnertime easier. Her latest Barefoot Contessa cookbook was inspired by her time in lockdown and having to cook constantly. Enter: these simple, weeknight recipes you can make and even freeze ahead of time. Plus, she highlights recipes she calls “two-fers” or dishes you can turn into something completely different the next day. We’ve got our eyes on the cacio e pepe scrambled eggs. Goodbye, cooking fatigue. (Amazon, Bookshop)
“First Generation” by Frankie Gaw
Hand-drawn illustrations and step-by-step photography help tell the story of designer Frankie Gaw’s Taiwanese American home cooking. From bao and scallion pancakes to delectable dumplings and hand-pulled noodles, these recipes and stories are inspired by Gaw’s family and their move to the US from Taiwan in 1985. One happy stomach coming right up. (Amazon, Bookshop)
“Rambutan” by Cynthia Shanmugalingam
Chef Cynthia Shanmugalingam paints a cultural picture of the ingredients, methods, and tastes that make up Sri Lankan food — all while making them accessible for home cooks. Our mouths are watering over treats like mango fluff pie and fizzy lemongrass lime soda. And the photographs and personal stories are *chef's kiss* too. (Amazon, Bookshop)
“Very Good Salads” by Louisa Allan and Shuki Rosenboim
Don’t sleep on the power of a good salad. We’re talking the ones that have crunch, fresh ingredients, tasty dressing, and all the extra toppings. In “Very Good Salads,” restaurant owners Louisa Allan and Shuki Rosenboim share recipes for snackable dips, soft pita, fluffy falafel, and Iraqi Jewish and Middle Eastern-inspired salads. You can eat them on their own, treat them as a side, or even use them for sandwiches. Your salad game? It’s about to be so strong. Psst: This one comes out in early November so hit pre-order for now. (Amazon, Bookshop)
“California Soul” by Tanya Holland
With 80 seasonally-inspired recipes, Tanya Holland mixes food journalism with history as she highlights the ingredients, traditions, and techniques African American families brought with them during The Great Migration. She shares dishes inspired by her personal family history, while also highlighting 15 contemporary Black Californian food makers and artisans. Because food is a form of storytelling too. (Amazon, Bookshop)
“The Woks of Life” by Bill Leung, Kaitlin Leung, Judy Leung, and Sarah Leung
There’s nothing more comforting than food and family. In this cookbook based on their popular blog, “The Woks of Life”, the Leungs tell the story of their Chinese American family through food. Judy, the matriarch, breaks down traditional dishes and cultural backstories, while her husband, Bill, imparts Cantonese home cooking techniques. Their daughters Sarah and Kaitlin break down easy one-dish recipes and veggie-forward meals — not to mention all the essential cooking tools and ingredients you’ll need. Family time = the best time. Psst: This one comes out in early November so hit pre-order for now. (Amazon, Bookshop)
“Smitten Kitchen Keepers” by Deb Perelman
According to food-blogging extraordinaire Deb Perelman, “keepers” are fail-safe, satisfying recipes you can always rely on. In this book, she unpacks 100 dishes that make shopping and prep easy and practical. Like a lunch-friendly crunch cucumber salad and the perfect spaghetti and meatballs. We wanna eat that. (Amazon, Bookshop)
“The Siete Table” by the Garza family
Mexican American dishes that everyone can eat = good vibes all around. In this one from the founders of Siete, the Garzas share 100 gluten-free recipes (many of which can also be adjusted to be dairy-free, vegetarian, or vegan dishes). Passion fruit margaritas, shrimp tostadas, churros, and salsa are just some of the many recipes you can use to get your next Taco Tuesday started. Brb, planning our next dinner party. (Amazon, Bookshop)
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