Our 27 favourite cookbooks to hit the shelves in 2016

Sirocco by Sabrina Ghayour, $40.

Striking colours and beautiful flavour combinations are the highlight of the latest book from Persian-born chef, Sabrina Ghayour. A blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes made with simple pantry staples, it’s a delicious follow-up to her debut book, Persiana.

The Vegetable Butcher by Cara Mangini, $45.

Cara Mangini, a former executive at Bumble and Bumble hair products, quit her corporate life to work at Mario Batali’s Eataly and on an Organic farm in Napa Valley. She then opened Little eater, a produce-focused restuarant in Ohio. Her first book offers tips and step-by-step photos on storing, breaking down and cooking with veggies, plus more than 150 recipes.

The Vanilla Bean Baking Book, Sarah Kieffer, $32

Award-winning blogger Sarah Kieffer's cookbook preps kitchen novices with lush, step-by-step photography and offers experienced bakers enticing twists on classic recipes.

Simply Nigella by Nigella Lawson, $45.

This book celeberates food as soothing and uplifting, with recipes like a bowl of short-grain brown rice topped with avocado and ginger.

French Country Cooking, Mimi Thorisson, $45.

This book is as much a volume of memories as it is recipes. With beautiful stories, photographs and rustic French food at its best, it inspires the home cook with a taste of la vie française.

Life in Balance by Donna Hay, $35.

The gorgeous book by Donna Hay, the queen of food styling, is filled with healthy recipes. Her “fresher approach to eating” features easy-to-execute recipes, illuminating ideas and her legendary minimal design.

Appetites: A Cookbook by Anthony Bourdain, $47.

Kitchen Confidential author and TV host Anthony Bourdain releases his first cookbook in 10 years. Appetites is a collection of family dishes (he’s a dad now) and beloved recipes curated from his travels.

Fika & Hygge by ScandiKitchen, $33.

Hygge is the Danish philosophy that’s all about creating a cozy, intimate home, making time for family, friends and, most importantly, doing things you enjoy. The simple recipes here are at equal turns wholesome, warm and indulgent. A cozy, visual delight.

Vij’s Indian by Vikram Vij and Meeru Dhalwala, $35.

Utterly charming and theatrical, Vikram Vij of the award-winning Vij’s Indian restaurant in Vancouver found time to collaborate on a new cookbook with Meeru Dhalwala, in between running his empire of food trucks, tv gigs, takeout food and restaurants.

Lucky Peach Presents Power Vegetables! by Peter Meehan and the editors of Lucky Peach, $47.

The Lucky Peach magazine bros are unleashing a meat-free cookbook. The psychedelic collection is a collaboration between cheffy friends of the mag (like Momofuku’s David Chang and Sqirl’s Jessica Koslow) and the Lucky Peach test kitchen, and the recipes promise to be flavour bombs.

Martha Stewart’s Vegetables by the Editors of Martha Stewart Living, $40.

Martha’s 87th (!) book highlights the merits of adding garden vegetables into our everyday lives. Filled with tips for storing, preparing and even baking (i.e. Spiced Parsnip Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting), this elegant book features 150 mainly vegetarian recipes.

Oh She Glows Every Day by Angela Liddon, $32.

Vegan author and wildly popular blogger Angela Liddon’s of Oh She Glows has converted millions to the not-so-scary idea of a plant-based diet. Packed with more than 100 fresh and convenient family-friendly recipes like Fusilli Lentil-Mushroom Bolognese and Ultimate Flourless Brownies.

Edmonton Cooks by Tina Faiz and Leanne Brown, $38.

A quiet brigade of passionate chefs from Edmonton’s best restaurants and bakeries have compiled over 75 recipes in this book, ranging from the classics to contemporary.

Ottawa Cooks by Anne DesBrisay, $38.

Forty-one of the most inspiring cooks from the Hill present signature dishes and special staff meals.

Real Food, Real Good by Michael Smith, $32.

Chef Michael Smith’s 10th book focuses on a healthy food lifestyle, with recipes that are accessible, easy and inexpensive. From classic roast chicken to sprouted lentil salad and cozy granola cookies, there are over 100 recipes that tackle everyday cooking.

Super Food Family Classics by Jamie Oliver, $38.

Everyone’s favourite Brit is back with another book. Jamie Oliver’s latest is brimming with family favourites to expand your weeknight menus with balanced, nutritious dishes. Bonus: each recipe comes complete with easy-to-understand nutritional information, so you can get more of the good stuff on to your plates.

Slower is Better by Ricardo L’Arrivee, $35.

Economical, energy- and time-saving cooking has never been more stylish. This follow-up to the bestselling Slow Cooker Favourites will make you fall in love all over again with a slow cooker. Butter chicken, slow-cooked pork, duck confit — the options are endless.

Thug Kitchen 101 by Matt Holloway and Michelle Davis, $30.

The hilariously frank (and colourful) duo behind Thug Kitchen have published another plant-based cookbook full of tips, tricks and down-to-earth advice to help you eat healthily without wasting unnecessary time and energy in front of the stove.

A Taste of Persia by Naomi Duguid, $50.

Canadian author Naomi Duguid follows up her award-winning cookbook Burma with a culinary study of the Persian Empire. It’s an engaging and colourful journey through the history, flavours and traditions of cooking in Iran, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Kurdistan. 

Breaking Breads by Uri Scheft, $50.

Whether it’s a simple baguette, decorative challah loaves, or herbed foccaccia, Scheft’s passion for fresh loaves leaps off the page. This book is full of beautiful photography and delicious recipes to inspire the burgeoning home baker.

The Seasoned Life by Ayesha Curry, $35.

The first cookbook from Canadian-born Curry draws, in part, from her experience growing up in a multi-cultural Toronto suburb, and in Charlotte, North Carolina. Featuring 100 balanced and accessible family recipes, it’s also a little glimpse into her busy life with husband Stephen Curry and their two daughters, Riley and Ryan.

Bake with Anna Olson, $35.

Full of rich cakes, classic cookies and more, the newest book from the Food Network Canada star features 125 recipes to elevate your baking game as we approach the entertaining season.

Dolce Famiglia by David Rocco, $40.

An ode to “the tradition, the simplicity, and a little bit of the chaos of the Italian family table”, Rocco’s latest book gives you the tools to cook simple, rustic fare the whole family will enjoy.

The Baker in Me by Daphna Rabinovitch, $45.

Canadian baker-extraordinaire Daphna Rabinovitch has something to teach both the novice and the expert. This well rounded baking bible covers everything from the basics of measuring to tricks and techniques to seriously elevate your craft.

Batch by Joel MacCharles and Dana Harrison, $35.

Canadian preserving authorities Joel MacCharles and Dana Harrison have been local heroes since they launched WellPreserved.ca in 2008. Showcasing seven preserving techniques for beginners and experts alike, Batch is the guidebook to enjoying seasonal food all year-round.

Araxi by James Walt, $38.

Farm-to-table pioneer James Walt, chef of Whistler’s excellent Araxi restaurant, has adapted more than 80 signature dishes based on local, sustainable ingredients for the home cook.

Come To Our Table, South Georgian Bay Community Cookbook, $40

From the natural wonderment of the escarpment to the clear crystal waters and sweet limestone soil, this region has a way of affecting you. Pairing a rich farming tradition and food community with personal and sweet touches by local artists, purveyors and photographers, this book is a rousing shout-out to the commitment and pride for this community project.

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