Top 10 recipe books for Christmas 2014
Want to buy a book for a foodie relative or friend this Christmas? Here are our picks of this year's top titles.
It will come as no shock to hear that we here at Lovefood adore recipe books. And we’re pretty sure that if you’re reading this, then you do too.
So here are ten great books (and a couple in hand) you might like to buy as a gift for your foodie family and friends, or request for yourself. If you have any more suggestions, please add them to the list using the Comments below.
1. Jamie’s Comfort Food – Jamie Oliver
The most recent of Jamie Oliver’s many books, Comfort Food is brimming with recipes perfect to try out in cold weather.
The pictures are mouth-watering, as are the end results, and it’s a big book – so prepare to spend some time salivating, and a lot of your spare time in the kitchen. You'll want to try it all.
2. Nigella Christmas – Nigella Lawson
Christmas-themed meals from Nigella Lawson, along with ideas for cocktails, canapés and party food. Perfect for all the celebrations to come.
The downside is that it’s themed around Christmas, but with a few tweaks you can make your favourite recipes from it at other times of the year by removing a few of the more overtly ‘Christmas’ flavours.
3. Best Ever Dishes – Tom Kerridge
Tying in with his 2014 TV show of the same name, Tom Kerridge’s Best Ever Dishes is packed full of recipes that make great everyday meals even better.
If you’ve seen the show, you’ll already have an idea of what to expect – wholesome, down-to-earth and delicious food.
4. Great British Bake Off: Christmas
Another Christmas-themed book, this time from the winners of series 1-4 plus other contestants. It also includes all of Paul and Mary’s Masterclass recipes.
Again, Christmas is limited to a specific time of year, so if you prefer to have an all-rounder, the Big Book of Baking from GBBO should see you though, as it contains loads more recipes from judges and contestants.
5. This book turns the addictive TV series Breaking Bad on its head with inspiration for addictive sweet treats and bakes.
Packed with in-jokes that fans are going to love, but there are a few spoilers inside – so make sure the recipient has finished watching the show before you give it to them!
6. What To Bake & How To Bake it – Jane Hornby
This is a cracking book. Full of lovely baking recipes, it guides you through them with step-by-step instructions and excellent full-colour photographs.
Spot-on for beginners, or simply for those who are unsure of what to make next.
7. Pâtisserie – William and Suzue Curley
Husband and wife team William and Suzue Curley go to great lengths to explain professional techniques with clear explanations and plenty of pictures. It’s a good choice for more advanced home cooks who are looking to expand their skillset, as it covers a wide range of techniques and then offers the opportunity to put these into practice with its recipe collection.
8. The title of Lorraine Pascale's latest is slightly misleading, as this book doesn’t walk you through specific skills in a dedicated chapter. However, it does offer plenty of recipes which are variably challenging and do require you to try new things. Particularly good for beginners, but the recipes are rather fun and well worded.
9. River Cottage Light & Easy – Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall
Wholesome, healthy food from River Cottage food guru Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
Every recipe is wheat-free and dairy-free so if you suffer from an intolerance, this will provide you with plenty of inspiration for recipes to enjoy throughout the coming year.
10. When Wine Tastes Best 2015
A gift for the wine lover in your life. It includes December 2014 as a ‘bonus’ month so you can put it straight into use.
Utilising a ‘biodynamic’ calendar, the book claims to be able to predict the optimum days for enjoying wine, and which days to avoid.
You might not believe that claim (and I'm not sure if I do), but it’ll at least be a talking point for your next Christmas party.
What are your favourites? Make your recommendations in the Comments below.
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