January 2025 New Cookbook Review

Welcome to a new year of exciting books! This January, as usual, the focus is on healthy eating and the books released reflect that. Our 2025 Cookbook Preview Post is continually updated. Don’t forget that you can create a wishlist and share it with your loved ones. In case you missed it, in a recent weekly roundup, I shared a few highlights of this coming year’s offerings.

Our January 2025 EYB Cookbook Club Summary and February 2025 Great Big Cookbook Club Summary can be found at the links provided.

A while ago we announced that we have connected the EYB database to ckbk’s library of digital cookbooks. ckbk is a cookbook subscription site where you can access the full content of 940 great cookbooks, the majority of which are indexed here on EYB (and more will be indexed every week). For all the details, please see Jane’s post. If any of this month’s books are a part of the ckbk library, we have identified them as such: ckbk.

If you would like to order any of these titles (or preorder/order any other books or items) using our affiliate links below or BUY BOOK button on the book details page, earns Eat Your Books revenue as an Amazon Associate from qualifying purchases when using our links:

USA * Canada * UK * Australia 

Please also remember your local bookstores – for preorders as well – authors state that preorders really help with their budgets for publicity, etc.

If there is an  available for a cookbook, look for the orange icon in the blurb. Clicking on that link will take you directly to the Preview.

Lastly, if events are planned for particular books/authors, I have included a link. Be sure to check our Calendar frequently for new entries – there are loads of events around the world as more in-person and virtual events are being planned.

To jump to a particular country’s listing, please click on the links below.

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Australia

United States

Art Is In – The Cookbook by Kevin Mathieson and Shawna Wagman is a tribute to the vision of Chef Kevin Mathieson (who died in 2023), whose creativity and passion for food inspired all who knew him. His dream and the heart of the renowned Art Is In Bakery lives on through this collection, lovingly completed by his family and dedicated team. Inside, you’ll find recipes for Beef brisket tourtière, Chewy chocolate walnut cookies, Banana tarts as well as breads, pizza, sandwiches, pastries and more. More than just recipes, this book honors the art of food and food making, weaving together flavors, stories, beautiful food photography and the legacy of a chef who made every meal an experience to remember. I ordered this book and am enjoying paging through the comfort food.

Soy Sauce! by Laura G. Lee is a joyful picture book for kids and food lovers of all ages (with real soy sauce as paint!) that celebrates the iconic kitchen staple and the magical way food connects family and friends across the world. One character Luan makes a classic Chinese soy sauce; another Haru uses his own recipe at his family’s traditional Japanese brewery; and the third Yoo-mi’s Korean soy sauce features special ingredients to make it spicy and sweet. With unique ingredients that reflect different Asian cultures, and a brewing process that can take years, even decades, soy sauce holds deep meaning and flavorful history in every drop.

Eat What Elephants Eat: Vegan Recipes for a Strong Body and a Gentle Spirit by Dominick Thompson: While in prison, the author decided to heal his body and soul and he vowed never again to harm another living thing. He started by eating only plants, too. The diet made Dom strong again in every way. The book shares eighty simple vegan recipes and meal plans for a vegan lifestyle that anyone can follow. Dom answers questions all vegan-curious people ask: How do I stay focused? What are the health benefits? Is it expensive? (No!) What about protein? (Yes! Lots!).

Taste of Home Vintage Recipes Made Easy: 285 Retro Dishes and Yesteryear Baked Goods by Taste of Home Editors: The team at Taste of Home simplified all the favorites you grew up with, making them quick to prepare today! Short ingredient lists, convenience items, modern kitchen appliances and simple shortcuts mean you can quickly whip up the same foods that originally took hours to make. Whether hosting a retro cocktail party, serving an old-fashioned Easter brunch or simply baking a chocolate cake just like Mom’s, you’ll find all the classic recipes you need here—each streamlined for the way you cook today. Big on flavor as well as convenience, the specialties in Vintage Recipes Made Easy promise to bring back the delicious memories you adore with only a fraction of the work.

The 30-Day Carnivore Boot Camp: A Beginner’s Guide to Successfully Doing an All-Meat Lifestyle by Jacie Gregory: As the carnivore diet has gathered legions of new devotees, studies from Harvard and Boston University link the diet to improvements in weight loss, insulin sensitivity, gut health, and heart health. The 30-Day Carnivore Bootcamp offers an accessible introduction to carnivore eating with practical implementation strategies that present the how and the what of the diet, rather than burying you in the why.

Cold Kitchen: A Year of Culinary Journeys by Caroline Eden was released in the UK in May of 2024. A welcoming refuge with its tempting pantry, shelves of books and inquisitive dog, Caroline Eden finds comfort away from the road in her basement Edinburgh kitchen. Join her as she cooks recipes from her travels, reflects on past adventures and contemplates the kitchen’s unique ability to tell human stories. This is a hauntingly honest, and at times heartbreaking, memoir with the smell, taste and preparation of food at its heart. From late night baking as a route back to Ukraine to capturing the beauty of Uzbek porcelain, and from the troublesome nature of food and art in Poland to the magic of cloudberries, Cold Kitchen celebrates the importance of curiosity and of feeling at home in the world.

Light & Easy Mexican Cooking: Track Your Macros and Lose Weight the Simple Way with 60+ Delicious, Low-Calorie Meals by Jaimee Raquel Partida: Health and wellness coach Jaimee Raquel Partida has taken her childhood favorites to the next level, proving that nutrient-dense meals don’t have to be bland or boring. Tacos de Huevo (Breakfast Tacos) will make the most important meal of the day both delicious and full of protein, Pollo y Nopales en Salsa Roja (Chicken and Nopales in Red Sauce) is perfect for meal prep so you don’t have to worry about missing your macros and Protein Fresas con Crema (Strawberries and Cream) ensure that you serve your sweet tooth without overloading on sugar.

The Happy Healthy Plant-Based Cookbook: 75+ Colorful Recipes to Nourish Your Whole Body, Feed Your Family, and Have Fun Along the Way by Dusty Stanczyk and Erin Stanczyk is divided into three parts. Part 1 is a guide to learning how to eat, move, and rest at your best. Part 2 is a meal, movement & mindfulness plan covering 40 days of transformation. And Part 3 contains 75 plus plant-based recipes the whole family will love. Discover how to make healthy choices for you and your family as you move to healthy eating—without losing flavor. In addition, the cookbook includes full-color photographs, a grocery and equipment essentials list, tips for plant-based pregnancy, and much more.

Micro Peas – Boneless Chicken: The Mini Cookbook Series by Danielle Renov: Danielle Renov, Instagram star and author of the bestselling Peas, Love and Carrots cookbook, shakes up your kitchen with the brand-new Micro Peas Mini Cookbook series. Each volume zeroes in on one must-have ingredient, showing you how to whip up dishes that are quick, delicious, and totally doable. In the first of this kosher “mini cookbook” series, Danielle takes us on a culinary journey through the world of boneless chicken – both white and dark. From Greek chicken salad and Broiled Buffalo chicken wraps to Loaded chicken borekas and General Tso chicken, this little book packs big flavor into every page. The recipes are easy to follow, delicious, and designed for your busy life.

Start with a Vegetable: More Than 100 Easy, Tasty, Plant-Forward Recipes for Everyone by Jessica Smith: Get more plants into your diet with minimal fuss and delicious results. Plan your next meal around favorites such as carrots, cauliflower, or sweet potatoes, or try your hand at the underused asparagus, Brussels sprouts, or kale, turning them into more than just side dishes.

Big Veg Energy: Plant-based Just Got Better by Christina Soteriou is also being published in the UK. Experience vegetables like never before with 100 simple, tasty and nutritious recipes to be enjoyed by all. Packed with flavor in every bite, these are hearty meals that showcase just how delicious plant-based food can be. Christina also shares tips for making sure your meals are packed with protein and nutrients as well as being totally delicious.

Italian Cooking with Nonna: 80+ Plant-Based Recipes Inspired by Classic Italian Dishes by Giuseppe Federici is a comforting and delicious collection of 80 authentic plant-based Italian recipes that will delight the taste buds and bring your family together for generations to come. This beautiful cookbook celebrates rustic Italian home cooking and the joy of plant-based eating, but also the power of family and how food transcends generations and brings us together.

Kawaii Café Ramen: Classic, Fun, and Delicious Ramen Meals to Make at Home by Amy Kimoto-Kahn covers everything you need to know, including how to put together a bowl of piping hot ramen in a myriad of ways with a choice of four soup bases, ramen noodles (homemade or store-bought), and traditional and non-traditional ingredients. Enjoy bowls of pork, chicken, and beef ramen, or branch out with seafood, vegetarian, and spicy soups—and even cold ramen and a breakfast version topped with bacon and a poached egg. Make your soup base in advance and you have a quick, easy, and special midweek family meal.

Simply Jamie: Fast & Simple Food by Jamie Oliver was released in the UK in September. In five knockout chapters covering Midweek Meals, Weekend Wins, Reliable Roasting Pans, Pantry Love and Delicious Desserts, Jamie has produced a cookbook that will fit seamlessly into your life. Simply Jamie exists to inspire you to get cooking – it’s full of delicious, achievable recipes you’ll love to make. Whatever your needs, you can trust that these tried and tested recipes will slot right into the rhythms of your week – from 20-minute-to-table dishes and no-time-to-shop pantry rescues to weekend wins that create smart leftover ideas, meaning mealtimes are simple in the days that follow.

Easy Meal Prep: Save Time and Eat Healthy with over 75 Recipes by Erin Romeo: This title is a relaunch of The Visual Guide to Easy Meal Prep and will guide you in prepping a week’s worth of meals in a few hours. There are over 75 healthy and delicious recipes and tips and tricks for food planning.

United Kingdom

The Natural Supplement and Nutrition Guide: For Every Stage of Life by Henrietta Norton: From acne to anxiety, strength to sleep, cure your ailments, boost your energy and transform your health with this practical and accessible guide from qualified nutritional therapist and founder of Food-Grown supplements brand Wild Nutrition, Henrietta Norton.
Organised by health need, including fitness and muscle recovery, stress, sleep, heart health, dry skin, low energy, stiff joints, depression, gut health, weight management, fertility and more, each entry offers expert guidance on which supplements might be beneficial to you but also suggestions for relevant foods to turn to and practical and easy cooking tips to help you get the most out of your diet and nutrition. It also provides a comprehensive introduction to incorporating supplements into your daily routine, including support for each different life stage.

Rooza: A Journey through Islamic Cuisine Inspired by Ramadan and Eid by Nadiya Hussain is an exploratory and celebratory journey of Muslim cuisine, with 30 days of main meal and dessert inspiration for Ramadan, from the many communities around the globe. For the recipes themselves, Nadiya draws inspiration from across the Islamic world. The intention is for the recipes to resonate with readers from across the Muslim community and from all generations, combining both a sense of the familiar and the opportunity to discover something new. Beautifully and timelessly packaged, and including Nadiya’s most loved uplifting hadiths and Qur’anic quotes, this will be a book which can be gifted, treasured, and returned to year after year.

Great British Menus – Home Banquets: 80 Ultimate Menus from Britain’s Best Chefs by Avril Beaven: The author has become a British institution, showcasing the nation’s top chefs as they put their hearts on a plate and compete for a spot in a glorious British banquet. To celebrate the TV show’s 20th anniversary, Great British Menus brings together showstopping recipes from the show’s entire run – starters, fish courses, mains and desserts from chefs at the top of their game, representing every region of the British Isles.

The Green Slow Cooker: Vegetarian and Vegan Meals All Year Round by Heather Whinney: Whatever the time of year, there is nothing more satisfying than knowing mealtimes are sorted. From pot to table, cooking in the slow cooker is minimal effort for maximum flavour with all ingredients thrown together in one pot and cooked low and slow. Eating more vegetables all year round has never been so easy. From light and bright Thai green curry to fresh and fragrant Stuffed aubergines to comforting and earthy Miso ramen to warming and hearty Mac and cheese with butternut squash, there is a slow cooker recipe inside for anyone who wants to eat vegetarian and vegan meals that fit around their busy lives.

Slimming Kitchen Secrets: Good Food Without Sacrifice by Laura Meyer: It might sound too good to be true, but recipe creator Laura Meyer, a Weight Watchers Ambassador and Gold Member, discovered that the key to losing weight and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is eating food that you truly look forward to. By getting smart about ingredients and portions, and making just a few simple tweaks to her cooking, Laura found a way to eat fabulous low-calorie meals every day without feeling like she was missing out, while also feeding her growing family.

Easy Air Fryer – Big & Bold Delicious Food by Jamie Oliver: Air fryers save you time and money. Now discover just how delicious air frying can really be, with Jamie. Whether you’re new to air frying or an expert, Jamie Oliver’s here to help you take your gadget to the next level – enter Easy Air Fryer. The result of months of experimentation, this is the first book to show you just how delicious and versatile air frying can be. Whether prepping ahead or cooking to order, Jamie will have you making meals people won’t believe were created in the air fryer. The US version will be released in May.

Richard Hart Bread: Intuitive Sourdough Baking by Richard Hart was released in the US in November. This is a comprehensive guide to the craft of baking bread, featuring more than 60 recipes filled with all the expertise and experience of the founder of Copenhagen’s Hart Bageri and former head baker at San Francisco’s Tartine. Through gorgeous photography, explanatory videos accessed on page through QR codes, and thorough descriptions of methods, you’ll have all the tools you need to make great breads. Rich in stories and Richard’s boundless enthusiasm, this book will make you fall ever deeper in love with bread.

The Flexitarian Cookbook – Adaptable Recipes for Part-time Vegetarians and Vegans by Ryland Peters & Small: Many of us are looking to eat less meat and/or fish, as the number of environmental, ethical and health-related reasons for doing so stacks up. The concept of not centering every meal around an animal-based protein is well on its way to settling into mainstream society. There is a whole middle-ground of home-cooks, placed somewhere between carnivore and vegan, who are doing their best to reduce meat consumption, but enjoying it on occasion when the urge strikes; the flexitarians – this book is for them.

Unprocessed Made Easy: Quick, Healthy Family-friendly Meals by Delicia Bale: Much-loved online recipe writer and registered nutritionist Delicia Bale (@NutritiouslyDelicia) makes reducing the number of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) you eat simple with these 75 easy recipes. There are spins on your classic family favourites with the same delicious flavours but fewer industrially processed ingredients.

Unprocess Your Family Life: Transform your Family’s Health with Easy Unprocessed Meals by Rob Hobson: The author, an expert nutritionist, addresses common challenges faced by families, such as dealing with different diets, and making quick and healthy meals on a busy schedule. He looks at the weak spots in the day where convenience leads the charge, empowering the whole family to make healthier decisions, making mealtimes a joyful and stress-free experience. Full of practical tips, easy swaps, and sections dedicated to cooking with your kids and teenagers, the entire family can now enjoy nutritious, unprocessed food at home, without sacrificing flavour.

An A-Z of Chinese Food: Recipes Not Included by Jenny Lau is not a recipe book, but a deliberate ‘anti-glossary’ – a delectable edible anthology that serves up Chinese flavour beyond just its taste. Jenny Lau always found herself sitting between cultures, connected to both east and west. Hungry to understand herself, she threw herself into researching the Chinese food of her heritage. The result is An A-Z of Chinese Food – a surprising, unputdownable and deliciously enriching anthology that uses food to explore who we are and how we relate to the world. From A is for Authentic, breaking down our assumptions of who ‘owns’ what cuisine, to R is for Rice Cooker, a humorous entry from the point of view a hard-working kitchen appliance that has seen a family through its ups and downs, An A-Z of Chinese Food will change the way you think about, see, and eat, food.

Plant Academy: Plant-based Techniques & Recipes for Creative Cooking by Lauren Lovatt focuses on over 50 techniques with 40 recipes, including how to make nut milks and cheeses, how to handle ferments and how to create intriguing flavour and texture profiles, this contemporary handbook is a must-have for anyone who wants to elevate their plant-based cooking. Starting with the staple ingredients that should be in every vegan’s pantry, the book moves on to explain all the elements of building a successful plant-based dish, from curating creative combinations to refining the way in which you plate up.

Grubby Recipes by Grubby: With over 60 plant-based recipes, Grubby Recipes is packed with flavour, tips and tricks to inspire you to cook delicious and nutritious vegan meals from scratch. Tried and tested on Grubby’s 100,000-strong fan base, these speedy meals take less than 30 minutes to prepare and are packed with protein and plants! Whip up twists on comfort food staples such as Aubergine, lentil and courgette moussaka, Butternut squash risotto or Gochujang mac and ‘cheese’. Enjoy nourishing healthy meals such as Mexican black bean stew, Sticky tofu rice noodle salad or Juicy harissa mushroom shawarma. Or indulge at the end of the week with a fakeaway treat such as Nduja and tender stem flatbread pizzas, Smoky pulled aubergine loaded fries with green goddess sauce, Black bean enchiladas or a Crispy Tofu banh mi.

The Slimming Foodie Air Fryer: Quick, healthy meals all under 600 calories by Pip Payne shares 80 deliciously simple recipes for the nation’s favourite appliance. Using everyday ingredients that won’t the break the bank and clever swaps to cut down on the calories, these meals will keep the whole family eating healthily throughout the week.

Chinese Made Easy: Simple, Modern Recipes for Every Day by Kwoklyn Wan dives into Chinese cooking with a delicious collection of more than 70 authentic, easy-to-follow recipes. With clear, uncomplicated instructions and accessible, supermarket-friendly swaps for traditional Chinese ingredients, this title demystifies the process of cooking flavourful Chinese dishes at home.

Danube: Recipes and Stories from Eastern Europe by Irina Georgescu takes you on a gastronomic adventure like no other as you journey along the Danube River, unearthing the hidden gems of Eastern European cuisine. Inspired by the lands of the Danube, its people and food, Irina explores the rich tapestry of flavors, traditions, and stories that have shaped the cuisine of this captivating region. With over 80 extraordinary recipes, 90% of which are for vegetarians and vegans, this cookbook is a testament to the vibrant and diverse cultures of Romania, Serbia, and Bulgaria. More than just a collection of recipes; Danube is a unique tribute to the unsung heroes–the home cooks who have preserved centuries-old culinary traditions, taking you behind the scenes, into the bustling markets, cozy kitchens, and the warm hearts of those who have shaped Eastern European cuisine. With stunning location and food photography throughout, Danube is your passport to a world of flavors, stories, and traditions that will leave you hungry for more.

Big Veg Energy: Plant-based Just Got Better by Christina Soteriou is also being released in the UK (see above). Experience vegetables like never before with 100 simple, tasty and nutritious recipes to be enjoyed by all. Packed with flavor in every bite, these are hearty meals that showcase just how delicious plant-based food can be. Christina also shares tips for making sure your meals are packed with protein and nutrients as well as being totally delicious.

Plant Protein: 80 quick and delicious high-protein vegan recipes packed with healthy wholefoods by Gigi Grassia: The vegan nutrition coach is already helping over half a million followers on Instagram to cook healthy, yummy, easy meals which are high in complete proteins and 100% plant-based. Gigi is a qualified personal trainer and ultra-marathon runner – so she knows how to fuel an active lifestyle powered by plants. In her book, she demystifies how protein works and how we can easily incorporate it in our diets without relying on animal products. You’ll also find a list of pantry and fridge staples, tips for batch-cooking to get you organised for busy weeks, and 80+ healthy, protein-rich recipes.

The Official Bridgerton Cookbook by Regula Ysewijn is being released in the UK this month. This title allows you to prepare a feast worthy of Queen Charlotte herself, with dishes like Lady Featherington’s towering Salmagundi salad, stacked high with persimmon and watercress, or Colin Bridgerton’s Aegean Fasolada. For an intimate tête-à-tête, share a glass of mixed-citrus Vin d’Orangerie and browned-butter Artichokes for Two. If you long for something sweet, try Queen Charlotte’s Pink Perfection, an oversized macaron finished with fresh raspberries and edible gold, with a side of That Ice Cream, a no-churn, bourbon-cherry treat fit for the Duke of Hastings.

Proper Healthy: 80 Plant-based Recipes with a Boost by Calum Harris was released in the US in December 2024. Eating healthy means missing out on the food you love, right? Wrong. If you’re looking for a no-nonsense way to eat well, then Proper Healthy has you covered. Calum Harris has done all the hard work for you, working with a registered dietician to create easy, plant-based dishes that come packed with up to four health benefits to boost your meals. Whether it’s helping your gut health, upping your protein-intake, restoring energy levels or eating lower-calorie meals, these unapologetically tasty, hassle-free recipes are guaranteed to deliver.

Australia

The Essential Wok Companion by Marion Grasby is here to inspire you, and to elevate and emphasise the beauty in this everyday kitchen utensil: the wok. Each chapter is dedicated to a particular style of wok cooking – stir-fries, noodles, char, simmer, steam, smoke and fry. More than just recipes to follow, Marion gives you the technical tools and confidence to get the best flavours from your wok. From in-depth visual information and how-to sections on cutting meat and vegetables, to advice on how to look after your wok and what oil to use. When I learned that Marion had a new book – I ordered immediately. The book is filled with many photographs on super-sized pages. Recipes include Stir-fried glass noodles, Butter chilli crisp mushrooms, Breakfast egg, sausage & tater tacos, and Whipped feta, broccolini & hot honey. Marion’s books are killer.