Earlier in the year, I compiled a list of cookbooks due to be released in the first half of 2022, that I was really looking forward to.
Now that all of them have been released, and I’ve had time to bake a couple of things and read through the books, I thought it would be nice to come back to the list and see how they faired after looking forward to them so much.
Cinnamon and Salt: Cicchetti in Venice by Emiko Davies - This book is as lovely as you might expect if you have any of Emiko’s other books. I especially like the in depth history about cicchetti in Venice, it is clear a lot of time and research has gone into this book. The recipes are interesting, but I have to say there aren’t many I will probably make. Sometimes down to the fact that I can never be bothered to deep fry anything, and also they are things that I would enjoy in small quantities at a restaurant, but maybe not make myself - here is a recipe from the book Emiko shared via her newsletter which will give an idea of the types of recipes in this book. Having said that, I don’t think this book is any less useful. As I said the history is very interesting, and it’s almost like being in Venice again when I am immersed in it all.
Around the Kitchen Table by Sophie Hansen and Annie Herron - As I suspected, I am really enjoying this book. It has a cosy calm vibe and there quite a few recipes I want to make. I have already made the Pot-Roasted Rhubarb (p.70) which was a great way to cook up some rhubarb very easily. We also made Angela’s Chicken (p.162), however was a little underwhelmed by the flavour (feedback was maybe it needed some dried black olives to up the flavour, or my personal favourite capers and/or anchovies). I guess some recipes won’t hit the spot with everyone, but I am still looking forward to trying more from this book, and would still highly recommend it.
A Good Day to Bake by Benjamina Ebuehi - Benjamina has done it again! I am really loving this book, Benjamina’s use of flavour is so exceptional, and again (like her first cookbook, A New Way to Cake), makes this book different from other baking books. I have already made the Miso and White Chocolate Cookies (p.168), and the rhubarb Ginger and White Chocolate Cake (p.80) - both will be made again! To find out more about this book check out this review from Shipshape Eatworthy which I found really helpful.
The Year of Miracles by Ella Risbridger - The most recent release of all in this list, so I haven’t made anything from this book yet. There are of course many recipes I would like to try, but beyond that I am so enjoying Ella’s writing and the beautiful illustrations by Elisa Cunningham as well. I have been enjoying reading though the book so much, that I ended up purchasing the hardcover version of Midnight Chicken (Ella’s first cookbook) - I already own the paperback version, however after seeing Ella’s new book in all its hardcover full colour glory, I could see how much I was missing out on in her first cookbook!
Nistisima by Georgina Hayden - When I added this to my cookbooks worth waiting for list, I said I had a feeling that this book, being all vegan recipes, would be the exception to my general distain for all vegan cookbooks. I was right, and would recommend this book to everyone. I have really enjoyed getting to know more about the process of fasting as part of the religious year, and the variety of recipes there are in this book. This book was picked as one of the cookbooks of the month in Jamie Oliver’s Cookbook Club on Facebook in April, so if you are interested to see some more you can find more there - here is Jamie introducing the book for April.
Did you add any of these books to your collection too? Let me know what you think of them in the comments below!
Keep an eye out for my next cookbooks worth waiting for list, which will feature the cookbooks I am most looking forward to in the second half of 2022.
Links to books on Booktopia removed 15/07/2024.