Jenny’s Best Books of 2022 and Cookbook Gift Guide with Giveaway
December 3, 2022 by JennyThis was yet another fantastic year for cookbooks and I will try to keep my list fairly reasonable in length but I assure you this year has outshone those before and may outshine years in the future. Once you take a look at this list, be sure to enter our worldwide giveaway for a set of cookbooks provided to us from Ten Speed Press, Clarkson Potter, Hardie Grant and Quadrille, Knopf and Random House. Four stacks of six books – four winners – one stack for each – as shown in each photo below.
I am going to highlight a few titles in each section and list the remaining books to keep this from being overwhelming. Please remember my best books list include titles from around the world and 2022 was a big year for releases due to books being delayed from 2021 because of COVID. Please click on the book title for more information about each book, including EYBD Previews and more.
Remember you can send your loved ones a link to your wishlist here at Eat Your Books to guide them with holiday shopping.
General/international cookbooks:
Home Food: Recipes to Comfort and Connect by Olia Hercules is the author’s fourth cookbook and most personal title yet. Each book that is published from this talented food writer (and wife of Joe Woodhouse) is a gem and each release shines brighter than the one before. Olia’s books are warm hugs filled with comforting recipes and beautiful narrative.
BUDMO!: Recipes from a Ukrainian Kitchen by Anna Voloshyna: Budmo is Ukrainian for cheers and the vibrant cover reflects the beautiful dishes that are shared within its pages. The publisher says it best: “A gorgeous magenta pkhali comes alive with roasted beets and a tangy pomegranate molasses. Borscht is reinvented with green sorrel and semi-soft eggs. And Voloshyna even shares a personal recipe for her Ukrainian grandmother’s duck – roasted to a delicious crispy-brown perfection.”
Mezcla: Recipes to Excite by Ixta Belfrage: For Ixta, combining tastes from around the world is her job and her heritage. Inspired by her Brazilian, Mexican, and English roots and living in Italy, London, and beyond, Ixta’s recipes take inspiration from these corners of the globe to create unapologetically fusion dishes that pack a serious punch.
Persiana Everyday: All New Recipes from the Best Selling Author of Persiana by Sabrina Ghayour: An all-new collection of more than 100 fuss-free, crowd-pleasing recipes for everyday eating from the author of the award-winning, Sunday Times bestselling cookbook Persiana. Designed to ensure maximum flavour with the greatest of ease – including no-cook, quick-prep, quick-cook and one-pot dishes, Persiana Everyday is full of generous, inviting and delicious recipes to cook again and again for family and friends. Find out more in our promotional post.
Pierogi: Over 50 Recipes to Create Perfect Polish Dumplings by Zuza Zak is divided into ten chapters across 50 recipes. In North, South, East, West and Central we delve deep into the regions of Poland, along with the dumplings, traditions and stories that define them. In the Modern, Vegan, Festive, Creative and Gluten-free chapters, we find a fun take on dumplings for a contemporary audience. Find out more in our promotional post.
Pasta Grannies: Comfort Cooking: Traditional Family Recipes From Italy’s Best Home Cooks by Vicky Bennison, the author of the bestselling cookbook, Pasta Grannies, brings you more heartwarming recipes and stories from our favourite Italian grandmothers in this easy-to-follow family recipe book that will show you how to make authentic-tasting Italian food that the whole family will enjoy. Find out more in our promotional post.
The Woks of Life: Recipes to Know and Love from a Chinese American Family by the Leung Family: This is the story of a family as told through food. Judy, the mom, speaks to traditional Chinese dishes and cultural backstory. Bill, the dad, worked in his family’s Chinese restaurants and will walk you through how to make a glorious Cantonese roast duck. Daughters Sarah and Kaitlin have your vegetable-forward and one-dish recipes covered – put them all together and you have the first cookbook from the funny and poignant family behind the popular blog The Woks of Life.
Cook: Your Friend in the Kitchen by Karen Martini is a 900 plus page tome with over 1,000 recipes from the one and only Karen Martini. Cook is the essential Australian cookbook for the food you’re cooking at home today. Covering a generous breadth of cuisines and ingredients across well over 1000 recipes, this book bursts with Karen’s love of cooking, and the inspiring ideas and enduring principles that make her flavours timeless. I have all of Karen’s titles and she does not disappoint.
Homage: Recipes and Stories from an Amish Soul Food Kitchen by Chris Scott is a first-of-its-kind, richly narrative cookbook that celebrates an under-explored foodway in the African diaspora: Amish soul food. The book shares 100 dishes born of a unique blend of Southern, German, and Dutch cuisines, including Chicken fried steak with Sassafras country gravy, Charred radicchio salad with roasted grapes and shaved Amish cheddar, and the ultimate Whoopie pies. Filled with stunning imagery and comfort dishes that will stand the test of time, this is a keeper.
I Dream of Dinner (So You Don’t Have To): Low-Effort, High-Reward Recipes by Ali Slagle shares 150 ingenious recipes that make suppertime a snap every night, from the New York Times recipe columnist. These are quick but flavor-filled dishes that will satisfy everyone around the table. Recipes include Eggs with smoky scallion oil; BLT stir-fry (the T stands for tofu); Pasta with rosemary fried walnuts; and Black bean soup with lots of Fritos. Review
The Cook You Want to Be: Everyday Recipes to Impress by Andy Baraghani: One of Bon Appétit’s favorite talents shows us how to define and develop our individual cooking style – and become the cook we want to be – in 120 recipes. The imagery and dishes shared here are spectacular and not overly complicated: Spicy coconut chowder with toasted garlic; Tangy pomegranate chicken and Broken feta with sizzled mint and walnuts.
Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture from My Kitchen in Mexico by Rick Martinez: Here the author travels to each of the seven regions in Mexico to explore 100 unique dishes, the recipe for each accompanied by stunning on-site photography. His recipes are based on his favorite home-tested version of each dish, veering from tradition when inspired. Rick always keeps availability of ingredients in mind and provides substitutions and replacements when needed. Another vibrant cookbook that will introduce us to Mexican cuisine with fun recipes and stunning photography.
More best titles perfect for gifting:
- Arabiyya: Recipes from the Life of an Arab in Diaspora by Reem Assil
- Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Extra Good Things
- Milk Street: Cook What You Have: Make a Meal Out of Almost Anything by Christopher Kimball
- Korean American: Food that Tastes Like Home by Eric Kim
- First Generation: Recipes from My Taiwanese-American Home by Frankie Gaw
- Simple Pasta: Pasta Made Easy. Life Made Better. by Odette Williams
- Smitten Kitchen Keepers: New Classics for Your Forever Files by Deb Perelman
- A Year at Catbird Cottage: Recipes for a Nourished Life by Melina Hammer
- Dinner in One: Exceptional & Easy One-Pan Meals by Melissa Clark
- The Wok by J. Kenji López-Alt Review
- Around the Table by Julia Busuttil Nishimura Review
- Borough Market: The Knowledge: The Ultimate Guide to Shopping and Cooking by Clare Finney and Angela Clutton
- One: Pot, Pan, Planet: A Greener Way to Cook for You, Your Family and the Planet by Anna Jones – Review
- Spice: A Cook’s Companion by Mark Diacono – Review
- The Italian Pantry: 10 Ingredients, 100 Recipes – Showcasing the Best of Italian Home Cooking by Theo Randall
- My America: Recipes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi and Joshua David Stein
- Nistisima: The Secret to Delicious Vegan Cooking from the Mediterranean and Beyond by Georgina Hayden
- Is This a Cookbook?: Adventures in the Kitchen by Heston Blumenthal
- Supper: Recipes Worth Staying in For by Flora Shedden
- Chinese-ish: Home Cooking, Not Quite Authentic, 100% Delicious by Rosheen Kaul
- Via Carota: Vegetable-Centric Recipes from the Beloved Greenwich Village Restaurant by Jody Williams and Rita Sodi and Anna Kovel
Baking:
Savory Baking: Recipes for Breakfast, Dinner, and Everything in Between by Erin Jeanne McDowell offers a collection of savory bakes from French onion muffins to perfect crepes. Along with the base recipes are variations, Erin’s helpful tips to boost flavor (roasting garlic, crispy onions etc) as well as tutorials in understanding yeast, rise times and more including step-by-step technique photos will have you creating dishes that will have your family and friends clamoring for more. Find out more in our promotional post.
Delectable: Sweet & Savory Baking by Claudia Fleming is everything and more that one would expect from the author of the iconic The Last Course: The Desserts of Gramercy Tavern. Filled with a plethora of step-by-step technique photographs and Claudia’s wealth of information, this book is an impressive love letter to the craft of baking.
Justice of the Pies by Maya-Camille Broussard: The author launched her social mission-based bakery, Justice of the Pies, as a way to honor her father’s memory and their shared passion for pie – and justice. She also gives back to her community through teaching, donating, and empowering others.
Bigger Bolder Baking: Every Day by Gemma Stafford: The pastry chef, cookbook author, and creator of the hit online show Bigger Bolder Baking presents her follow-up to her popular first book Bigger Bolder Baking. Her new title features 125 new recipes for any home baker to bake with confidence every day. Find out more in our promotional post.
Showstopping Cakes by Rahul Mandal shares advice from stacking a tier cake to piping flowers, creating the perfect flavour pairing and avoiding a curdled cake batter or buttercream, Rahul shares his scientific knowhow on achieving sublime bakes – as well as advice on how to fix things when they go wrong. Look for a promotion on this gorgeous book soon.
The Pain D’Avignon Baking Book: A War, An Unlikely Bakery, and a Master Class in Bread by Uliks Fehmiu and Kathleen Hackett: For thirty years Pain d’Avignon has been pursuing an excellence in the art of the bread making inspired by the old-world methods while partnering with New York’s top chefs to bring a five-star bread to our everyday life. With 60 recipes including their iconic Cape Cod-inspired Cranberry and Pecan bread, Classic Sourdough, Thyme Baguette with a Touch of Lemon, and Plum Galette with Pistachio Paste, The Pain d’Avignon Baking Book is a tried-and-true collection of must-make breads and pastries, with extraordinary and immersive storytelling.
What’s for Dessert?: Simple Recipes for Dessert People by Claire Saffitz is another spectacular offering from the author of Dessert Person. Claire returns with 100 recipes for all dessert people whether you’re into impressive-yet-easy molten lava cakes, comforting rice pudding, or decadent chestnut brownies. Countless vibrant photographs are generously offered in this must have keeper! Measurements are given in weight and volume.
All About Cookies: A Milk Bar Baking Book by Christina Tosi provides a collection of over 100 new cookie recipes and inspiration to create your own masterpieces, from the founder of Milk Bar, host of Bake Squad, and inventor of the Compost Cookie. Similar to All About Cake, the baking guru shows you how to mix and match ideas, flavors, and textures to turn us into cookie wizards.
Tava: Eastern European Baking and Desserts From Romania & Beyond by Irina Georgescu is outstanding. Filled with vibrant imagery and recipes to inspire you like no other baking title before. A must have. Recipes include: Transylvanian griddle breads with cheese and honey; Folded curd cheese pies; Armenian Kurabia shortbread with mahlep and Cherry and basil sour cream cake. I honestly have goosebumps looking at the pages and content in this book.
New European Baking: 99 Recipes for Breads, Brioches and Pastries by Laurel Kratochvila is another stunning baking cookbook. Find out more in our promotional post.
Modern Asian Baking at Home: Essential Sweet and Savory Recipes for Milk Bread, Mooncakes, Mochi, and More; Inspired by the Subtle Asian Baking Community by Kat Lieu is vibrant, inspiring and filled with delicious approachable sweet and savory bakes. Just a few recipes that stood out include Mochi Pon de Ring Donuts, Dreamy Matcha Basque Cheesecake, Crème Brûlée Mille-Crêpes Cake and Korean Garlicky Cream Cheese Milk Bread Buns. Learn more here.
Gateau: The Surprising Simplicity of French Cakes by Aleksandra Crapanzano is a work of art with lovely illustrations and filled with recipes for many French cakes. Find out more in our promotional post.
Giuseppe’s Italian Bakes: 60 Inspired Recipes Like Papa Used to Make by Giuseppe Dell’Anno, who won hearts the world over when he was crowned winner of the Great British Bake Off in 2021. In his first cookbook, Giuseppe shares his skill, knowledge and love of baking through over 60 new sweet and savoury recipes. Look for our Quick Bites and giveaway coming soon.
Lune: Croissants All Day, Every Day by Kate Reid is the debut cookbook from Lune, a world-renowned croissant bakery in Australia. Everything about this title is stunning – the photography, recipes and detailed instructions will inspire all levels of bakers to try their hand at laminated dough and the lovely baked goods that can be created from same.
Other baking titles:
- Good & Sweet: A New Way to Bake with Naturally Sweet Ingredients by Brian Levy – Review
- Happy Belly: The Cake Book by Aaron McInnis – Review
- Snackable Bakes: 100 Easy-Peasy Recipes for Exceptionally Scrumptious Sweets and Treats by Jessie Sheehan – Review
- Sweet Paris: Seasonal Recipes from an American Baker in France by Frank Adrian Barron – Review
- The Cookie Bible by Rose Levy Beranbaum: See my peek inside preview.
- Mochi, Cakes and Bakes: Simple Yet Exquisite Desserts with Mochi, Yuzu, Matcha and More by Catherine Zhang
- Chicano Bakes by Esteban Castillo
- Expressions: Art in Pastry by Julie Jones
- The Perfect Loaf by Maurizio Leo
- Bread Head: Baking for the Road Less Traveled by Greg Wade
- First, Cream the Butter and Sugar by Emelia Jackson
Special Books:
- Food IQ: 100 Questions, Answers, and Recipes to Raise Your Cooking Smarts by Daniel Holzman and Matt Rodbard – Review
- Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking: 30th Anniversary Edition by Marcella Hazan – reprinted to inspired a new generation of cooks on the 30th anniversary of the original publication
- The White House in Gingerbread: Recipes by Roland Mesnier with Mark Ramsdell by Roland Mesnier and Mark Ramsdell
- Cassoulet Confessions – Promotional post.
- RecipeTin Eats: Dinner by Nagi Maehashi
- From Scratch: More Than 200 Handmade Pantry Essentials and Life-Affirming Kitchen Miracles by Fiona Weir Walmsley
Cocktail Books:
- Cheer: A Liquid Gold Holiday Drinking Guide by Mike Wolf
- Bar Menu: 100+ Drinking Food Recipes for Cocktail Hours at Home by André Darlington
- The Cocktail Edit: Everything You Need to Know About How to Make All the Drinks that Matter by Alice Lascelles
- Modern Classic Cocktails: 60+ Stories and Recipes from the New Golden Age in Drinks by Robert Simonson
- Pour Me Another: 250 Ways to Find Your Favorite Drink by J. M. Hirsch
- The Bartender’s Manifesto: How to Think, Drink, and Create Cocktails Like a Pro by Toby Maloney, Emma Janzen, and The Bartenders of The Violet Hour
- The Cocktail Cabinet: The Art, Science and Pleasure of Mixing the Perfect Drink by Zoe Burgess Find out more in our promotional post.
Special thanks to the publishers of the 24 books we are giving away in this promotion as shown above – the titles of which are also shown in bold font. Four winners will be chosen randomly and each one will receive one of the sets. Entry options include answering the following question in the comments section of this blog post.
Which book in our summary would you like most in your collection?
Please note that you must be logged into the Rafflecopter contest before posting or your entry won’t be counted. For more information on this process, please see our step-by-step help post. Once you log in and enter your member name you will be directed to the next entry option – the blog comment. After that, there are additional options that you can complete for more entries. Be sure to check your spam filters to receive our email notifications. Prizes can take up to 6 weeks to arrive from the publishers. If you are not already a Member, you can join at no cost. The contest ends at midnight on March 11th, 2023.
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