News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

In our June cookbook picks we feature food from around the world, as well as laid-back Coromandel cookery and recipes that will take you right back to Summer. All these chefs’ favourite recipes are bound to become your favourites!

The Cake Decorating Bible / Juliet Sear.
“Juliet Sear is cake maker extraordinaire, baker to the stars and owner of the fabulously decadent Fancy Nancy Bakery in Essex. Her breathtaking , show-stopping cakes and biscuits see celebrities and style magazines flocking to get a glimpse of her latest extravagenza. Now you can learn the secrets, tricks and insider tips to making and decorating your own stunning baked creations.” (Book Jacket)

Coromandel Flavour : a year of cooking at the bach / by Deborah Hide-Bayne.
“Coromandel Flavour is a New Zealand/Aotearoa cookery book that captures the relaxed way of life we have here by the beach, and features local seasonal food. A mixture of artist’s sketchbook, reportage photography and recipe book, it pleases the eyes and the tastebuds.” (Books in Print)

Janella’s Wholefood Kitchen / Janella Purcell ; [photography by Heath Missen].
“Good health starts in your kitchen and Janella Purcell, Gourmand-awarded nutritionist, naturopath and cook, shows you how – easily and deliciously.” (Book Jacket)

Jerusalem : A Cookbook / Yotam Ottolenghi, Sami Tamimi ; [additional text by Nomi Abeliovich and Noam Bar ; food photography by Jonathan Lovekin ; location photography by Adam Hinton].
“The flavours and smells of this city are our mother tongue: wild herbs picked on school trips, days in markets, the smell of the dry soil on a summer’s day, goats and sheep roaming the hills, fresh pitas, chopped parsley, chopped liver, black figs, syrupy cakes, crumbly cookies.” – Yottam Ottolenghi & Sami Tamimi (Book Jacket)

A Global Feast : traditional meals in a new homeland / Afife Skafi Harris & Beryl Lee ; photographs by Brian Treanor.
In this book you will find:

• “Favourite recipes presented as meals by migrants from 28 different countries,
• The context in which the dishes are served, their origins and meanings,
• Over 100 tested recipes ” (Book Jacket)

Japanese Food and Cooking : a timeless cuisine : the traditions, techniques, ingredients and recipes / Emi Kazuko with recipes by Yasuko Fukuoka.
“This is a comprehensive and beautiful guide covering all aspects of Japanese cuisine, from its history and underlying philosophy, to its unique ingredients, methods of preparation, and cooking techniques.” (Syndetics summary)

Four Seasons : A Year of Italian Food / Manuela Darling-Gansser ; photography by Simon Griffiths.
“Manuela Darling-Gansser’s journey across Italy reveals authentic recipes and long-held food traditions. Like its landscape, Italy’s food is one of contrasts – rich spices, fresh herbs, exquisite cheeses, hearty pastas, decadent desserts, and plenty of oranges, lemons and pistachios. And all Italians would agree, the best food is cooked at home….. this collection of Manuela’s favourite recipes is sure to become a kitchen favourite.” (Books In Print)

The Lebanese Kitchen / Salma Hage.
“Phaidon’s cookbook division alternates between quirky, specialized works, such as its recent New Nordic release, Faviken, and definitive, all-inclusive mega-volumes like the 816-page India Cookbook. This collection by Hage, a Lebanese housewife with half a century of home cooking under her belt, falls firmly into the latter camp, with 500 straightforward recipes covering every aspect of her native cuisine…. Hage’s directions are concise, with recipes usually appearing two to a page, and accompanied by an array of delicious, full-page, color photos….”(Publisher Weekly)

Australia’s Favourite Recipes : cherished family recipes from around the country / edited by Leila McKinnon.
“Australia’s Favourite Recipes gathers the much-loved dishes from families all around the country.” (Book Jacket)

Everything green and fresh and wholesome is on the menu in this month’s selection of cook books.

Wild About Greens : 125 delectable vegan recipes for kale, collards, arugula, bok choy, and other leafy veggies everyone loves / by Nava Atlas ; photographs by Susan Voisin.
“Atlas (Vegan Express) successfully elevates leafy greens beyond the salad bowl with this collection of recipes that will appeal to vegans and meat-eaters alike. Though she excludes cabbages and common lettuces, Atlas introduces a host of other dynamic greens-from the “bold” arugula, to the now ubiquitous kale, to the “peppery” watercress-and includes plenty of tips for buying and preparation.” (Publisher Weekly)

The Art of Cooking with Vegetables / Alain Passard ; [translation by Alex Carlier].
“This is the English-language version of Passard’s 2010 Collages & Recettes. Chef and owner of the three-Michelin-starred Parisian restaurant L’Arpege, Passard illustrates these 48 sophisticated vegetable recipes-organized by month-with his own paper collages. The visual effect is whimsical, recalling children’s books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The quality of vegetables will matter here; Stand Up Asparagus, Globe Artichokes with Bay Leaves and Lime, and Yellow Beetroot Baked in a Dome of Coarse Salt all have five ingredients or fewer, and their simple preparations require attention to detail. VERDICT Readers who regard cooking as art will love this title.” (Library Journal)

Vegetables, Revised: The Most Authoritative Guide to Buying, Preparing, and Cooking, with More Than 300 Recipes
“This revised edition of Peterson’s 1996 classic vastly improves upon the original through the addition of color photographs that illustrate the vegetable varieties and step-by-step techniques. Peterson has reorganized the content into two sections: “Techniques for Preparing and Cooking Vegetables” and “The Vegetables: A to Z.” Library Journal

Vegan Pie in the Sky : 75 out-of-this-world recipes for pies, tarts, cobblers & more / Isa Chandra Moskowitz & Terry Hope Romero.
“Moskowitz and Romero, the reigning queens of vegan baking, offer a cookbook that elevates the latest dessert trend–pies and tarts–to delicious new heights.” (Syndetics summary)

Welcoming Kitchen : 200 delicious allergen & gluten-free vegan recipes / Kim Lutz with Megan Hart.
“Cooking for those with special food needs can make the pantry feel like an obstacle course, and for parents faced with cooking for a group of children with any number of unknown restrictions, the problem can feel almost paralyzing. Thankfully, Lutz and Hart (The Everything Organic Cooking for Baby & Toddler Book) have created this collection.” (Library Journal)

Veggiestan : a vegetable lover’s tour of the Middle East / Sally Butcher.
“Written in her trademark engaging and knowledgeable style, Sally Butcher takes a fresh look at many of the more exciting ingredients available on our high streets today as well as providing a host of delicious recipes made with more familiar fare.” (Books in Print)

Vegan Cooking for Carnivores : over 125 recipes so tasty you won’t miss the meat / Roberto Martin ; foreword by Portia de Rossi ; afterword by Ellen DeGeneres ; photographs by Quentin Bacon.
“Roberto Martin shares over 125 delicious vegan recipes that he hopes will make healthy vegan cooking accessible and easy for everyone.” (Books in Print)

Quick and Easy Vegan Slow Cooking : more than 150 tasty, nourishing recipes that practically make themselves / Carla Kelly.
“Finally, a cookbook of hassle-free meals for vegans – with more than 150 delicious recipes that both experienced cooks and slow-cooker newcomers can create and enjoy! For on-the-go vegans and others looking to eat healthy-Quick and Easy Vegan Slow Cooking is the answer. Utilizing easy-to-find, economical ingredients, Carla Kelly crafts practical main meals that readers will make and eat daily.” (Books in Print)

The Gardener & the Grill : the bounty of the garden meets the sizzle of the grill / Karen Adler & Judith Fertig.
“Known as the BBQ Queens, Adler and Fertig (coauthors, 25 Essentials: Techniques for Grilling Fish) are barbecue instructors and competitors. Their latest cookbook is full of creative ideas for grilling with garden-fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs ….This book does not illustrate the finer points of grilling, so readers will need some prior knowledge of equipment and technique. VERDICT A refreshing departure from meat-centric BBQ bibles.” (Library Journal)

Nobu’s Vegetarian Cookbook / Nobu Matsuhisa; photographs by Masashi Kuma.
“Nobu’s restaurants are known the world over for the quality of their ingredients and for the skill and originality with which the food is prepared and presented. Now, in this first cookbook by Nobu to focus on vegetable dishes, the master chef shares his expertise and deep knowledge of Japanese cuisine in sixty recipes that showcase vegetables in all their variety.” (Books in Print)

Herbivoracious : A Flavor Revolution with 150 Vibrant and Original Vegetarian Recipes
“After introductory notes on ingredients and equipment, Seattle blogger Natkin (herbivoracious.com) offers 150 vegetarian recipes for appetizers, soups, salads, mains, desserts, and more, noting vegan and gluten-free options. Natkin’s recipes abound with international influences, and he’s carefully adapted them for home cooks.” (Library Journal)

Terre à Terre : the vegetarian cookbook / Amanda Powley with Philip Taylor.
“The leader of the pack among vegetarian restaurants for more than 18 years, and lavishly garlanded with awards and praise, this is Terre a Terre’s first book, and what a book it is! More than 100 recipes from the repertoire that has made Terre a Terre the top vegetarian restaurant in Britain are accompanied by sumptuously taste-bud stimulating food photography by award-winning food photographer Lisa Barber.”(Syndetics summary)

The Sprouted Kitchen : a tastier take on whole foods / Sara Forte ; photography by Hugh Forte.
“Sara Forte showcases her tasty take on whole foods with 100 easy, produce-rich recipes that take advantage of whole grains, unsaturated fats, natural sugar alternatives, and bright, seasonal flavors”–Provided by publisher.

It’s cook-off time with all your favourite celebrity chefs.

Barefoot Contessa Foolproof : recipes you can trust / Ina Garten ; photographs by Quentin Bacon.
“Already a best seller, Food Network star Garten’s latest asserts several known truths: it’s hard to get dinner on the table, entertaining is stressful, and recipes can be scary. Seeking to help home cooks bolster their cooking repertoire, Garten offers “foolproof” (i.e., tested, consistent, and clearly explained) recipes like Easy Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Croutons, Parmesan Fennel Gratin, and Raspberry Crumble Bars, alongside tips meant to allay fears and answer frequently asked questions.” (Library Journal)

15 Minute Meals / [Jamie Oliver].
“This is Jamie Oliver’s simplest and most straightforward book to date. It pushes the concept of fast, everyday food to a new level, without compromising on flavour. It’s designed to excite and inspire people to prepare a balanced, nutritional, no-nonsense meal every night of the week.” (Books In Print)

Tyler Florence Fresh / photographs by John Lee.
“Tyler turns ingredients into superstars in Tyler Florence Fresh, a new look at easy and sophisticated cuisine. Tyler Florence shows off his bold side with a celebration of fresh everyday foods prepared in innovative and delicious ways.” — Provided by publisher.

Manu’s French Bistro / Manu Feildel ; photography by Chris Chen.
“Have you ever wondered how the French make entertaining at home look so effortless? Join Australia’s favourite French chef, Manu Feildel, as he guides you through one hundred classic bistro recipes that will expand your dinner party repertoire and impress your guests.” (Library Catalogue)

Ruth Pretty Cooks at Home / photography by Murray Lloyd.
“From her signature lemon and basil club sandwiches to her deliciously rich and ever-popular dark chocolate marbled mousse, Ruth Pretty certainly knows how to put on a good spread. In RUTH PRETTY COOKS AT HOME, Ruth shares stylish cooking ideas, entertaining secrets and more than 100 delectable recipes so you too can cook to impress at home.” (Books In Print)

A Cook’s Life / Stephanie Alexander.
“A Cook’s Life is a very personal account of one woman’s uncompromising commitment to good food, and of how it shaped her life and changed the eating habits of a nation.”–Back flap.

Anjum’s Indian Vegetarian Feast / Anjum Anand ; photography by Emma Lee.
“In ‘Anjum’s Vegetarian Feast,’ Anjum adapts the true flavours of India, with her trademark concern for healthy eating and a good diet, to make dishes that are light, bright, modern and balanced, providing all the protein and other nutrients we all need for perfect health.” (Books In Print)

Reza’s Indian Spice : Eastern recipes for Western cooks / Reza Mahammad ; photography by Martin Poole.
“As you cook, the tanatlising, exotic aromas that drift through our This Morning kitchen will also drift through yours…..and the wonderful results will leave you enraptured.” Phillip Schofield (Book Jacket)

The Great Northern Cookbook / Sean Wilson.
“In the Great Northern Cookbook, Sean Wilson – former Coronation Street actor, now award winning cheese maker and chef – is our guide to the culinary highlights of the North. A proud Lancastrian, Sean serves up timeless recipes and reveals the history behind the foods you love.” (Book Jacket)

My Favourite Food for all Seasons / Janelle Bloom ; photography by Steve Brown.
“In this Janelle’s fourth book she presents more irresistible recipes that always satisfy. This book is divided into the seasons each chapter detailing what the best produce is to buy and cook throughout the year. With both sweet and savoury recipes that are foul proof anyone can give them a go! So whether it’s Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter you’ll never go wrong with this one!” (Books In Print)

Ching’s Fast Food : 110 quick and healthy Chinese favourites / Ching-He Huang.
“With her trademark passion, TV star chef Ching-He Huang brings a new and exciting dimension to Chinese cooking. Confidently fusing Chinese and Western cultures in over 100 quick and easy dishes bursting with flavour, Ching’s fresh and healthy take on the Chinese takeaway, without compromising on taste, has revolutionised Chinese cuisine.” (Books In Print)

Domini at Home : How I like to Cook / Domini Kemp.
“Domini’s new book is packed with practical advice for cooking at home: including lots of midweek dinners, flexible recipes and ideas for upcycling and adding value. Accompanied by stunning photography and Domini’s signature warm, friendly and approachable encouragement for the at-home cook.” (Books In Print)

Crazy Sexy Kitchen : 150 plant-empowered recipes to ignite a mouthwatering revolution / Kris Carr with Chad Sarno.
“The woman who made prevention hot is now making it delicious! This book is a veggie manifesto for plant-empowered gourmands and novices alike, and it’s filled with inspiration, education, cooking tips and over 150 nourishing, nosh-worthy recipes.” (Books In Print)

Bread, cake-decorating, food for entertaining, and retro sixties cooking — we hope you enjoy our picks of this month’s new cookbooks!

Greedy Girl’s Diet : eat yourself slim with gorgeous guilt-free food / Nadia Sawalha; photography Keiko Oikawa.
“Nadia Sawalha has always loved cooking, but until recently rarely ate her own food. Like a lot of women, whilst her family tucked in to delicious dishes, she nibbled on diet food. Later, ravenously hungry, she binged, somehow convincing herself that the calories didn’t count if nobody saw her eating them.” (Library Catalogue)
“Nadia’s approach is simple and sensible – a little less oil, a leaner cut of meat, brown instaed of white rice, more herbs and spices, and a dessert every day. The 100 recipes in her Greedy Girl’s Diet are healthy, satisfying nd full of flavour.” (Book Jacket)

Gluten-Free & Vegan Bread : artisanal recipes to make at home / Jennifer Katzinger ; photographs by Kathryn Barnard.
“Jennifer Katzinger makes baking artisanal gluten-free and vegan breads at home simple. This cookbook contains recipes for yeasted breads, fougasse, flatbreads, sweet breads, sourdough, quick breads, savory breads, sandwich breads. More than 60 recipes, including Country Baguette, Cinnamon Pecan Rolls, Kalamata Olive Bread, Simple Focaccia, Quinoa Crackers, Matzo Flatbread, Walnut Wild Rice Bread, Quick Anadama Bread, Irish Soda Bread, Cranberry Pecan Bread, and fifty others.” — Provided by publisher.

The Busy Girl’s Guide to Cake Decorating [electronic resource] / Ruth Clemens.
“Find out how even the busiest of busy girls can whip up impressive homemade treats in next to no time! Ruth Clemens, finalist on the original series of The Great British Bake Off, shares her secrets in creating speedy but gorgeous cakes, bakes and biscuits. Choose from 25 beautiful projects to make in under an hour, under 3 hours or less than a day and be amazed at what you can achieve!” (Book Jacket)

The Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook : the ultimate guide to the gluten-free, milk-free diet / Pamela J. Compart and Dana Laake.
“This special diet has become an essential step of treatment for families struggling with autism and ADHD. And these recipes for gluten- and casein-free foods, meals, and snack are simple to prepare and yummy, – making it easier than ever to please kids who have behavioral or developmental challenges, or are just picky eaters.” (Book jacket – Syndetics summary)

Modern Australian Food / [food director, Pamela Clark].
“Australian food has changed dramatically over the past 30 years. We have become a nation of foodies, knowledgeable and discriminating. Modern Australian Food showcases the best of our recipes from our city café culture, to country cooking to coastal food.” – back cover.

Nutmeg & Custard / Marcus Wareing ; with Chantelle Nicholson.
“Nutmeg and Custard is Marcus Wareing’s definitive guide to the kind of food you will want to share time and time again with family and friends. With over 100 stunning recipes …..divided into themed chapters … there is something here for everyone who loves great food.” (Book Jacket)

Take One Pot : super simple recipes cooked in one pot, / Georgina Fuggle, photography by Tara Fisher.
“The beauty of cooking in one pot is that it involves minimal fuss. All the recipes can be created in just one single vessel – the roasting tin, the casserole, the deep frying pan or the baking dish, so no specialist equipment is required. The recipes cater to cooks of all levels of expertise and include tips on how to get ahead, recipe variations and serving ideas. Whether you’re cooking a family meal or a quick supper, Take One Pot delivers satisfying and comforting food.” (Library Catalogue)

Food for Life / Petrea King ; recipes compiled by Sally Parker.
“This long-awaited first cookbook from the Petrea King Quest for Life Centre contains 100 life-enhancing recipes – from cleansing juices and nutritious salads to sweet treats. As a naturopath and herbalist for 30 years and at the Petrea King Quest for Life Centre, Petrea has witnessed the profound benefits of a healthy, healing diet in over 60,000 people.” (Library Catalogue)

Spice Trip / Stevie Parle & Emma Grazette.
“Stevie Parle and Emma Grazette are on a mission to spice up Britain’s kitchens and demystify the treasures hidden away in our cupboards. They have been on an incredible spice trip to all corners of the world to discover the secrets of six essential everyday spices and poured the best recipes, therapies and mementoes from their journey onto the pages of this book for us all to take home and use.” (Library Catalogue)

The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Sixties Cookbook : more than 100 retro recipes for the modern cook / by Rick Rodgers and Heather MacLean.
“Smartly timed to coincide with the new season of AMC’s Mad Men, this compilation of retro recipes from Rodgers (Thanksgiving 101) and Maclean (co-author, Fabulicious!) covers all the requisite dishes for 60s-style entertaining, including Piggies in Blankets, a rumaki that suggests substituting pineapple or dates for those averse to chicken liver, a tomato and shrimp aspic, and Chicken a la King…. Rodgers and Maclean provide plenty of fun food ideas.” (Publisher Weekly)

Delicious Dishes for Diabetics : eating well with type-2 diabetes / Robin Ellis.
“This is a food lover’s guide to eating well with diabetes. Based on Mediterranean cuisine – one of the healthiest in the world – British actor Robin Ellis shares his lifetime collection of healthy recipes.” (Book Jacket)

Good news for all those who are starting off the New Year with good resolutions – lots of healthy cookbooks to choose from, and plenty of tips and ideas to keep you motivated.

The Fresh Energy Cookbook : detox recipes to supercharge your life / Natalia Rose and Doris Choi.
“After reading and following the plan outlined in nutritionist Rose’s The Raw Food Detox Diet, chef Choi discovered she was no longer willing to eat the food she served to clients. In the wake of this realization, she dissolved her catering company and teamed up with Rose to start a detox food delivery service. Their new cookbook contains a balance of raw and cooked dishes that will appeal to serious detox dieters and curious home cooks who’d like light, healthful meal ideas.” (Library Journal)

Dr. Mao’s Secrets of Longevity Cookbook : eat to thrive, live long, and be healthy / Mao Shing Ni ; photography by Philip Dixon.
“This cookbook shares recipes from some of the most famous “longevity capitals” of the world, gathered from Dr. Mao’s extensive centenarian and patient interviews. The recipes make use of the top ten healing and longevity foods, while still tasting delicious!” (Book Jacket)

Wheat Belly Cookbook : 150 recipes to lose the wheat, lose the weight, and find your path back to health / William Davis, MD.
“This cookbook companion to the New York Times bestseller Wheat Belly serves up 150 great tasting wheat-free recipes to help readers lose weight and beat disease.”(Library Catalogue)
“Join the wheat-free revolution right from your kitchen with 150 sumptuous dishes for any occasion designed to slim you down and improve your health. The Wheat Belly Cookbook is your guide to living a slim, vibrant, delicious life.” (Book Jacket)

More Anti-inflammation Diet Tips and Recipes : protect yourself from heart disease, arthritis, diabetes, allergies, fatigue, and pain / Jessica K. Black.
“Inflammation is linked to heart disease, cancer and stroke (the three leading causes of death) as well as arthritis, diabetes adrenal stress and fatigue. The Anti-Inflammatory diet laid out in Dr. Black’s books eliminate common allergenic foods, processed foods, sugars, toxins and trans fats and adds whole foods and more vegetables for essential nutrients. By reducing inflammation it also reduces stress on the body and nerves and facilitates cellular regeneration and whole-body health.” (Book Jacket)

So Easy : luscious, healthy recipes for every meal of the week / Ellie Krieger ; photography by Alexandra Grablewski.
“As weekly host of the Food Network’s “Healthy Appetite,” Krieger is known for creating light and healthy dishes that are easy to prepare. With 150 delicious fortifying recipes, “So Easy” makes it simple to tackle any mealtime situation. 50 color photos.” (Syndetics summary)

Round the World in Eighty Dishes : the world through the kitchen window / Lesley Blanch ; with illustrations by the author.
“Russia, Afghanistan, Turkey, America, Egypt, Romania and Bulgaria are just some of the countries where this adventurous and inquisitive traveller has investigated the cooking pots and enjoyed – or otherwise – the hospitality of the locals. An incurable romantic, Miss Blanch invests the food she describes with the aura of exoticism.” -Elizabeth David – (Book Jacket)

Tart It Up! : sweet & savoury tarts & pies / Eric Lanlard ; photography by Kate Whitaker.
“From a ‘proper’ Quiche Lorraine to an indulgent Raspberry Cheesecake Pie, Eric lanlard , best selling author of Home Bake and co-author of Cox Cookies and Cake, shares his secrets for creating delicious pies and tarts every time you bake.” (Book Jacket)

The $120 Food Challenge / Sandra Reynolds ; photography by Rob Palmer.
“Can you feed a family of four on $120 a week? In these days of rising food costs it sounds impossible, but Sandra Reynolds – home cook, household budget supremo and single mum – shows how. Based on Sandra’s enormously successful blog, this book provides tried-and-tested advice on how to budget, plan meals, shop strategically and cook from more than 100 delicious recipes…” (Book Jacket)

Under the Walnut Tree / Anna Bergenström, Fanny Bergenström ; [translated by Susanne Lomander].
“Fresh and delicious, Under the Walnut Tree is an inspiring, beautiful cookbook that cherishes the ingredients that come with the seasons.” (Book Jacket)

Vegan Food Gifts : more than 100 inspired recipes for homemade baked goods, preserves, and other edible gifts everyone will love / Joni Marie Newman ; photography by Celine Steen and illustrations by Kurt Halsey.
“Written by veteran cookbook author Joni Marie Newman…Vegan Food Gifts shows you just how easy it is to create great homemade gifts that are not only kind and eco-concious but delicious too.” (Book Jacket)

New Zealand Healthy Food Guide
Each issue gives helpful hints on all aspects of healthy living, recipes and healthy shopping guides, plus directories and regular featured articles on healthy living. The bonus is that it is a New Zealand magazine.

In this month’s selection of cookbooks, the emphasis is on down under – celebrating New Zealand and Australian chefs and their cooking. Have a browse!

Celebrate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc / Wine [text by] Belinda Jackson ; food [text by] Jan Bilton ; editor Michael G. Ryan.
“Celebrate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc showcases the phenomenon that established New Zealand as a world-class wine producer. Enjoy the pleasures of gourmet food matched with the internationally -acclaimed winner for which New Zealand’s premier wine producing region is renowned.” (Book Jacket)

Whittaker’s : A Passion for Chocolate Since 1896 / from Andrew & Brian ; [writing, Simon Farrell-Green ; photography, Brian Culy].
“Whittaker’s is a much-loved Kiwi brand and a genuine family business going back four generations. This luscious book takes a light-hearted look at the history of the business, and how the chocolate is made, and then gives a range of fully tested recipes…..” – Publisher information.

NZ Rugby Kitchen : celebrating the love of food, family and rugby / [photography credits, Kieran Scott, Melanie Jenkins].
“Celebrating the love of food, family and rugby – with recipes from key New Zealand rugby players present and past. With recipes from the likes of Richie McCaw, Piri Weepu, Dan Carter, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams – the list goes on – plus older stars like Colin Meads, Andy Leslie and Graham Henry … hearty, tasty recipes that Kiwi men and their families love to eat….” – Publisher information.

The Wild Bunch : movers, shakers and groundbreakers of the New Zealand Wine Industry / Joëlle Thomson.
“In The Wild Bunch Joelle Thomson gives us eighteen tales of tenacious pioneers who have championed innovation in New Zealand’s world-class wine industry.” (Book Jacket)

The Taste of Central Otago : more recipes from Arrowtown’s Saffron / Pete Gawron ; photos by Aaron McLean.
“In 2007 Pete Gawron’s first cookbook, Saffron: Food from the Central Otago Heartland, wowed readers and was quickly reprinted. Its dazzling combination of stunning recipes and magnificent photos of the Arrowtown district conjured up the spirit of Central Otago…. Now, in this second book, Pete Gawron shows how he transforms local produce into utterly delicious, artfully presented dishes.” (Global Books)

Riverstone Kitchen : Simple / Bevan Smith ; photography by Fiona Andersen.
“This second book from Riverstone Kitchen is full of mouth-watering recipes that are easy to prepare, as well as simple growing tips for the keen home gardener and cook. Accompanied by inspiring images of both the food and garden RIVERSTONE KITCHEN: SIMPLE shares the secrets from one of New Zealands most-loved restaurants.” (Global Books)

Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wines, 2013 / [Michael Cooper].
“Cooper’s annual Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wines is a bible for every wine buyer. If you have a cellar or enjoy good wine, this should sit beside your favourite chair.” – Nelson Mail (Book Jacket)

Get Fresh / with Al Brown.
“In Get Fresh acclaimed New Zealand chef Al Brown heads to the far corners of the country tracking down the best markets, finest produce and freshest ingredients to create a meal that captures the quintessential flavour of each region” – Publisher’s information.

Matt Preston’s 100 Best Recipes : simple and delicious recipes everyone should know / [Matt Preston].
“No one knows food like Matt Preston, one of Australia’s most loved TV personalities, award-winning food journalist and recipe writer, judge on Master Chef Australia… and a seriously good home cook. Gathered here for the first time are Matt’s best recipes for the dishes he cooks at home for his own family…These are the definitive recipes for every kitchen and will soon become the everyday cookbook you won’t be able do without!” (Libaray Catalogue)

James Halliday’s 1001 wines Under $20 / [James Halliday].
“Good wine in Australia doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and it’s about to become even easier to choose the right bottle at the right price. For the first time ever, the country’s leading wine authority has compiled his pick of the best Australian wines under $20. With tasting notes, rankings, drink-to dates and food matches for 1001 top-notch wines, James Halliday’s 1001 Wines under $20 is the most comprehensive guide to value wines in Australia.” (Library Catalogue)

Wendyl Nissen’s Supermarket Companion : how to bring home good food / by Wendyl Nissen ; [illustrations by Alex Scott].
“A guide to additives in supermarket foods including numerous basics such as bread, meat, soft drinks, dairy products and snack foods. Includes recipes for natural and healthy alternatives to each of these. Also includes a comprehensive guide to every food code from 100 to 1520, explaining where the additives come from, what they do in the food and whether they have any potential adverse health effects. Also has a handy illustrated checklist of additives that should be avoided” – Publisher information.

The buzz words for this month’s selection of cooking titles are: food writing, fast (but healthy) food, economy, health and taste.
It’s all about sharing food with friends and family, while not spending too long in the kitchen. It’s also about entertaining and being entertained.

Best Food Writing 2012 / edited by Holly Hughes.
“Epicure, foodie, gastronome, gourmet, gourmand, glutton – whatever term you embrace, our cultural facination with food shows no sign of waning. And as in previous years, BEST FOOD WRITING 2012 is the place to go for heaping helpings of the most provocative, entertaining, delicious food writing of the year.” (Book Cover)

Home Cooking : A Writer in the Kitchen / Laurie Colwin ; illustrated by Anna Shapiro.
“Weaving together memories, recipes, and wild tales of years spent in the kitchen, Home Cooking is Laurie Colwin’s manifesto on the joys of sharing food and entertaining.” (Global Books)

Cooking off the Clock : Recipes from my Downtime / Elizabeth Falkner ; photography by Frankie Frankeny.
“Presents a range of recipes for full meals and quick snacks that can be prepared with limited time and resources, in a volume that also shares the author’s imaginative approach to classic comfort foods.” (Library Catalogue)

“101 Recipes You Can’t Live Without : The Prevention Cookbook / Lori Powell.
“Irresistible, easy dishes that will help readers cultivate healthy bodies. Half of Americans take dietary supplements, with little proof that they do anything to protect their health. What has been proven: the healing power of nutrients in food. In 101 Recipes You Can’t Live Without, readers will learn how to get everything they need from their plates–deliciously and without overdoing it on calories…. With 101 Recipes You Can’t Live Without you have the tool you need to craft the healthiest possible diet without feeling deprived. “–Provided by publisher.

101 Classic Cookbooks : 501 Classic Recipes / The Fales Library, New York University ; Marvin J. Taylor and Clark Wolf, editors ; text by Marvin J. Taylor.
“In this collection, some of the most respected figures in the food world have come together to choose 101 of the most important cookbooks of the twentieth century, the books that changed the way we eat over the years. From these 101 cookbooks, 501 signature recipes have been selected that reflect the author’s unique viewpoint, codify a revolutionary new technique, or magically invoke a particular time and place.” (Library catalogue)

Fresh Food Fast / food director, Pamela Clark.
“This collection of recipes shows you how it is possible to cook delicious, fresh food fast in less time than it takes for pizza to be delivered.” (Book Cover)

Eat Well, Save More / Cath Armstrong.
“In the current economic climate many Australians are on a limited budget. In Eat Well, Pay Less! thrift queen Cath Armstrong demonstrates how you can feed four people (or one, two or three with healthy, delicious food for only $80 per week.” (Library Catalogue)

Fresh and Light : 180+ New Recipies and Flavour-packed Ideas to Find the Perfect Balance / Donna Hay.
“Fresh and light is my answer to my own best efforts to juggle for the perfect balance. Designed to complement my existing repertoire, it’s full of new recipes that combine the freshest ingredients, pantry staples and my personal tricks for a lighter touch. I’ve never been a fan of diets and this book is no exception. I don’t even like the thought of anyone being on a diet! For me, it’s always been about balance. Fresh and Light is mindful of fat and carbohydrates, but is focussed on flavour and variety — without the guilt.” (Global Books)

Vegan à la Mode : More than 100 frozen treats for every day of the year / Hannah Kaminsky.
“This book is overflowing with creamy, dreamy imaginatiove delights that will have you churning ice cream around the clock.” – Julie Hasson, author of Vegan Diner – (Book Jacket)

The Stress Free Diabetes Kitchen : over 140 easy & delicious diabetes recipes designed for no-hassle cooking / by Barbara Seelig-Brown.
“Author Barbara Seelig-Brown has spent the last decade creating and expanding the Stress Free Cooking® brand. Now she wants to bring this quick, easy, hassle-free method of cooking to people with diabetes. Just as she does with her general audience, Barbara aims to reshape the perception that cooking is time-consuming, boring, and unpleasant…. In this new book, Barbara takes the ingredients that have made her television shows and cooking classes so popular and reshapes them for those with diabetes.” – Provided by publisher.

Odd Bits : How to Cook the Rest of the Animal / by Jennifer McLagan.
“The eagerly anticipated follow-up to the author’s award-winning Bones and Fat, Odd Bits features over 100 recipes devoted to the ‘rest of the animal’, those under-appreciated but incredibly flavourful and versatile alternative cuts of meat….Jennifer McLagan provides expert advice and delicious recipes to make the odd bits part of every enthusiastic cook’s repertoire.” (Global Books)

This selection of new books will be irrisitible for those with a sweet tooth. Offerings include delectable baked treats like cream puffs, cakes, puddings, tarts, slices, biscuits, fruit loaves, caramel and butterscotch custards, cheesecakes….and so it goes.

Little Squares & Slices / [food director, Pamela Clark].
“As the title suggests, this is a book full of delicious little squares and slices that can be eaten for morning or afternoon tea, as a lunchbox treat or as a heavenly after-dinner indulgence. Some of them are rich, luscious and decadent little mouthfuls (especially the ones made from chocolate and coffee, caramel and butterscotch and custard and cheesecake) some are more restrained (those made from oats and grains, and fruit and nut). All are irresistible and with 80 recipes included, there is sure to be something to suit everybody’s taste.” (Global Books)

Delicious : Simply the Best : Celebrating 10 Delicious Years / Valli Little.
“This is a celebration of what delicious does best – inspiring yet accessible recipes that are perfect for novice cooks as well as experienced foodies looking for new ideas.” (Library Catalogue)

Pastries & Puffs / food director, Pamela Clark.
“A beautiful little hardback book all about puffs, pastries and little cakes. There are irresistible cream puffs, eclairs and mini croquembouche with step-by-step photographs to show you how to make them — they are much easier than they look!” (Library Catalogue)

Sweet! / Sally Wise.
“Like all of us Sally Wise loves a sweet treat, at the end of the day, in the middle of the afternoon – or any other time. Here she has drawn on her talents as an everyday cook and a mother of six, including one child with coeliac disease, to create a book of delicious treats from old fashioned custards and puddings to tarts and slices, from cookies and biscuits to cakes of all sizes and varieties, from fruit pies to confectionary.” (Global Books)

Coming Home / Cathy Armstrong ; photography by Michele Aboud.
In Coming Home, Cathy Armstrong shares her favourite recipes from a lifetime of cherished moments, alongside homespun craft projects and cherished memories…” (Library Catalogue)

Treats from Little and Friday / Kim Evans ; photography by Rene Vaile.
“Owner of two Auckland cafes, Little and Friday, shares her recipes for tarts, biscuits, savouries and cakes, adapted for the home cook.” (Library Catalogue)

The Sweet Life : The Basics and Beyond– / Kate Bracks.
“Indulge your own sweet tooth with this glorious book of baked treats and dessert recipes from Australia’s MasterChef 2011 winner; and don’t forget the golden rule — always lick the bowl!” (Library Catalogue)

The Afternoon Tea Collection / [food director, Pamela Clark].
“Afternoon Tea is the perfect way to entertain guests. This beautiful paperback is a bumper bind-up collection of all the delicate morsels that are perfect for afternoon tea. From dainty savoury bites and sandwiches, our famous scones, delectable sweet tarts, biscuits and slices, to fruit loaves and classic cakes, this is an ideal Christmas gift.” (Global Books)

The Hairy Bikers’ Big Book of Baking / [Si King & Dave Myers].
“With their irrepressible enthusiasm for great food, Si King and Dave Myers AKA the Hairy Bikers travel the length and breadth of Europe to discover the best baking recipes from the Continent. From Norway to Southern Spain, the guys eat their way across ten countries, making friends and swapping recipes along the way.” (Library Catalogue)

In our picks this month: lots of inspiration for healthy, delicious eating! Bon appétit!

Portion Size Me : A Kid-driven Plan to a Healthier Family / Marshall Reid and Alexandra Reid.
“Hi my name is Marshall Reid. When I was ten I asked my mom if we could make a change and try to be healthy for a month. This book is the story of my family’s journey to healthier living. I don’t want to spoil anything other than it was a success! So come on, let’s Portion Size Me!” (Book Jacket)

Love Italian Food : Recipes for Friends and Family from a Home in Asolo / Maddalena Caruso ; [with photography by Stefano Scatà].
“At last, a book that will transport you straight to Italy to enjoy fresh seasonal produce for every occasion and to celebrate the glorious diversity of Italian home cooking.” (Book Jacket)

Pure Vegan : 70 Rcipes for Bautiful Meals and Clean Lving / by Joseph Shuldiner ; photographs by Emily Brooke Sandor and Joseph Shuldiner.
“Forget restrictions and rigidity, and leap into the joy of pure vegetarianism: an exuberant celebration of food, the earth and your life. Your plate will overflow with brilliant colors, rich flavors, and life-enriching nutrients, satisfying your mind, body, and – last not least – taste buds.” (Book Jacket)

Practical Paleo : a customized approach to health and a whole-foods lifestyle / Diane Sanfilippo.
“Practical Paleo is the resource you’ll reach for again and again, whether you’re looking for information on healthy living, delicious recipes, or easy-to-understand answers to your questions about how a Paleo lifestyle can benefit you, your family and your friends.” (Book Jacket)

Eat to Beat Cholesterol / Nicole Senior & Veronica Cuskelly.
“Eat to Beat Cholesterol is not just another diet or cook book. It can tip the balance towards a healthy heart and make healthy living a reality for you and your family. In this full updated edition, you can discover the truly delicious world of heart-friendly foods.” (Library Catalogue)

Quinoa for Families / Rena Patten.
“Rena’s back, with more delicious, simple recipes using everyone’s favourite supergrain – quinoa. Whether or not you’ve read Cooking with Quinoa, this book is the perfect introduction to the seed, quinoa, or the next must-have cookbook for your collection.” (Global Books)

Start Fresh : Your Child’s Jump Start to Lifelong Healthy Eating / Tyler Florence ; photographs by John Lee.
“Chef Florence believes that everybody deserves to eat delicious, flavorful food prepared with care and the freshest ingredients – and that goes for babies, too. In “Start Fresh,” he takes the expertise he has used to create his own line of organic baby food and presents quick, user-friendly recipes for 60 purees packed with simple, easy-to-digest fruits, vegetables, and grains.” (Syndetics summary)

Everyday Paleo Family Cookbook : Real Food for Real Life / Sarah Fragoso ; [recipe photos by Michael J. Lang].
Featured are more than eighty delicious, easy-to-prepare recipes that are free of grains, dairy, sugar, and legumes.

The Accidental Vegan / Devra Gartenstein
“In the last decade, veganism has moved into the mainstream as home cooks seek out healthy, fresh, economical, and environmentally sustainable foods. Omnivorous author Devra Gartenstein’s pioneering classic vegan cookbook, first published in 2000, gets a timely make-over with 20 new recipes, simplified instructions, and a focus on fresh and local ingredients.” (Syndetics summary)

Healthy in a Hurry / text, Karen Ansel ; recipes, Charity Ferreira ; photographs, Maren Caruso.
“Healthy in a hurry : easy, good-for-you recipes for every meal of the day.” (Book Jacket)

Variety is the theme of this month’s cooking selection : Italian, Asian, Kiwi, British and more, from baking deliciously sinful treats to every day cooking, vegan and healthy choices.

Hugh’s Three Good Things… on a Plate / Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall ; photography by Simon Wheeler ; illustrations by Mariko Jesse..
“How often have you wished there was a magic formula to simplify cooking? Well, there is. Put three good things together on a plate and, somehow, the whole is always greater and more delicious than the sum of its parts. Looking back over nearly two decades of professional cookery, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall has worked out the combinations that make magic. Salty, sweet, crunchy. Sharp, rich, crumbly. Hot, bland, crisp……Hugh has used the formula of three to create two hundred recipes….. Because the possibilities are endless, Hugh has also suggested two hundred three-word recipe ideas, which can be used as a springboard for improvised cooking…..this book will unlock a whole new world of fantastic food. Three Good Things. It really is that simple.” (Global Books)

Italian Kitchen / Anna Del Conte ; photographs by Jason Lowe.
“With four chapters – Antipasti, Pasta, Risottos and Dolci – Italian Kitchen is a bible for the fundamentals of Italian cooking. There are simple starters like Bruschetta with Tomato; timeless pasta sauces like Pesto; distinctive risottos; and delectable puddings like Chocolate and Pear Cake. Anna Del Conte is the grande dame of Italian cooking.” (Global Books)

The Complete Book of Modern Asian / [senior editor: Stephanie Kistner].
“The ultimate compendium of Asian food, this is the follow up to the best-selling cookbook, The Complete Book of Modern Classics. Modern Asian is the food we eat now – delicious little morsels to serve as finger food at parties, light piquant starters, some of which can also be served as lunch dishes. Main courses made from seafood, lean meat, chicken and duck, noodles and vegetables. Delicious side dishes which you can eat with non-Asian meals, and some wonderful desserts. Each chapter contains a ’star’ recipe – the one that has become so popular it’s now almost mainstream. It’s a beautiful book with recipes that will convert you to modern Asian food.” (Syndetics summary)

Pizza / Pete Evans.
“Pete Evans has had a life long love affair with pizza. His mother would make them from scratch for him and his friends – dialling a delivery service was never an option – and he later trained with an Italian pizzaiolo so he could learn all the tricks of the pizza-maker’s trade. The pizza restaurant Pete founded in Sydney has won many prestigious awards. The more than 90 recipes in this book cover classic pizzas and more modern versions, and include breakfast pizzas, seafood pizzas, vegetarian pizzas and pizza desserts.” (Syndetics summary)

Alex Mackay’s Cookbook for Everybody, Everyday / photography by Peter Knab.
“Alex Mackay believes that cooking is an adventure and that good food should be for everyone. You don’t have to spend a fortune on hard-to-come-by ingredients or have an encyclopaedic knowledge of cooking methods to eat well and healthily. Alex knows that most of us shop in the supermarket and work from nine to five. The trick is to know a few basic recipes and to recreate them in different ways so that they never grow tired.” (Global Books)

Miss Hope’s Teatime Treats / [Miss Hope].
“A delightful collection of over 50 teatime recipes, from the wonderfully original and quirky confectioners, Hope and Greenwood. Celebrate the cream tea in all its guises. In this charming book, Miss Hope treats you to an array of teatime delights, from Potted Prawns and Scotch Eggs, to Marmalade Cake, Sea Salt Millionaire’s Shortbread and Custard Tarts, all washed down with the perfect beverage such as a Sparkling Jasmine Tea or an Earl Grey Vodka.” (Global Books)

How to Bake / Paul Hollywood ; photography by Peter Cassidy.
“At last, the star of BBC2’s The Great British Bake Off reveals all the secrets of his craft in How to Bake. The son of a baker, Paul Hollywood is passionate about busting the myths that surround baking, sharing his finely honed skills, and showing that with the right guidance, anybody can achieve success time after time. With this in mind, he has filled this book with easy-to-follow, clearly explained, utterly delicious recipes.” (Global Books)

Bangers to Bacon : A New Zealand Guide to Making, Cooking and Using Sausages and Cured Meat / Jeremy Schmid ; photography by Devin Hart.
“As a nation we love our sausages, whether its the good old kiwi-style banger from the school sausage sizzle, the gourmet venison sausages from the local butcher, or even the vegetarian snags on the barbie, sausages are a staple in the New Zealand household. Jeremy Schmid demonstrates step-by-step processes to make fresh sausages; hot smoked, cured, dried and vegetarian sausages; dry cured and wet brined meats……The book is set to appeal to a wide audience – hunter, home cook and foodies, or anyone looking for new self-sufficiency skills to add to their repertoire.”–Publisher.

The hairy dieters / Si King & Dave Myers.
“Si King and Dave Myers, aka The Hairy Bikers, are back with a brand new mission. They’re searching for healthy, delicious recipes created by ordinary members of the public, with the aim to persuade Britain to lose weight without losing their love of food. This beautifully photographed cookbook will tie-in with the new series on BBC2 which will kick-start with the Bikers’ personal mission to shed some pounds with the help of the Great British public and showcase their brand new identity: The Hairy Dieters.” (Global Books)

Vegan à la mode : more than 100 frozen treats for every day of the year / Hannah Kaminsky.
“Hannah Kaminsky has developed an international following for her delicious vegan recipes and mouthwatering food photography. Here she shares more than 100 of her best frozen dessert recipes, including coconut chai ice cream, blood orange frozen yogurt, pink pomegranate marble gelato, chocolate sorbetto, and apples and honey semifreddo. Due to inhumane animal practices and increasingly prevalent health issues, more and more Americans are turning to a diet free of all animal products. Whatever your motives for going vegan, there s no reason not to indulge in creamy, delicious ice cream.” (Syndetics summary)