This time of year, the lead up to Christmas and ‘gifting season’, brings so many new cookbook releases it can be difficult to keep up. But I’m hoping these reviews will help you wade through the new releases and decide what you want to add to your collection, borrow from your local library or gift someone you think might like a new cookbook.
This selection of cookbooks is quite the mixed bag, so I hope there is something for almost everyone here.
More cookbook reviews will be on their way to you soon, with the final instalment of my Cookbooks Worth Waiting For series for 2026, so keep an eye out for that.
*Thank you very much to Murdoch Books who gifted me copies of both Made Simple and Cosy Baking Life.
Made Simple by Danielle Alvarez (Murdoch Books)* - It was a nice surprise to receive a copy of this book prior to its publication date, as it has so many recipes I want to make! Made Simple feels quite different to Danielle’s previous two books, less ‘chef-y’, more home cooking that can fit into your day to day life, but still be incredibly delicious. I’ve had a good read of this one and I’m really liking Danielle’s approach to food and cooking, it’s realistic, approachable and achievable, without compromising on flavour. Little shortcuts can be taken, maybe even things Danielle wouldn’t have recommended previously, but the nightly dinner dilemma sometimes requires simplicity and it’s nice to see someone who is a chef acknowledge which short cuts might be worth it, rather than always recommending the long way or alternatively, making everything a short cut or ‘hack’ (which isn’t my preferred way of cooking!).
Murdoch Books have published a few books I would sit in the category of ‘helping you decide what’s for dinner’ this year, and while on the face of it some might even seen more similar than just that, Made Simple along with Easy Italian Dinners and Home Food come to mind, they do actually each bring something different to the table. I’ve found I am using each of these books, and enjoying them for different reasons, but also the overarching reason maybe is that you can never have too much flavour packed yet realistic dinner inspiration. So if you thought maybe you didn’t need another cookbook that’s aims to help make your daily dinner dilemma, less of a dilemma and more of an opportunity to make and eat really nice yet often simple/easy recipes, think again because you probably need Made Simple as well!
In terms of recipes I am keen to try the Italian Wedding Soup (p.38), Prawn and Risoni Puttanesca (p.131) and White Wine with Basil, Tomatoes and Soupy Rice (p.195) to name a few.
Lozhka: Eastern European Soups, Stews and Other Things to Eat with a Spoon by Alissa Timoshkina (Quadrille) - As with Alissa’s previous two books, Lozhka is incredibly well researched and is a book you can sit down and read, as well as cook from. Design wise, Lozhka has a similar feel to Alissa’s last book Kapusta, beautiful illustrations and beautiful photography that is moody yet homely and inviting. The idea of creating a cookbook around which utensil one may use to eat the recipes with, is such a different yet simple way of collating and sharing recipes, and fits so well with the Eastern European focus of Alissa’s research and recipes. The introductory section of this book is well worth reading, as Alissa explains the ‘why’ behind this book and the Eastern Europeans nations, cultures and communities whose recipes are shared in this book or have inspired recipes in Lozhka.
The chapters take the reader through, soups and broths, stews and grains, dumplings and pasta and sweets - all to be eaten with a spoon. I wasn’t sure with this book being released in Australia later in the year while we are heading into Summer, if many recipes would be suitable to make for warmer weather. However, this isn’t just a winter cookbook, there are dishes that would be lovely to enjoy while the weather is warmer, as well as warming dishes for the colder months. I am particularly keen to try the Salmon, Rice and Dill Pickle Soup (p.52), Zelnacka (Moravian Sauerkraut Soup) (p.66) and Mancare de Mazare (Romanian Green Pea Stew with Chicken Meatballs and Lots of Dill) (p.78).
Cosy Baking Life by Michelle Lu (Murdoch Books)* - This is a really cute baking book, that focuses on cosy bakes that you can enjoy at home. Michelle gives lots of tips for baking success throughout the book, so even if you haven’t baked much before, this is a great place to start (it may be a smaller sized book, but there is a lot of information and fun packed in!). If you are a more experienced baker, the more challenging recipes like macrons and yeasted bakes might be more your thing. Michelle’s recipes may be a little familiar in some ways, but all have a cosy twist unique to Michelle’s style of baking, especially the yeasted bakes that are made onto little animals. There are also cafe recommendations for a few different cities around the world, and tips to create your own cosy cafe set up at home. Some drinks recipes round out the book, so you always have something nice to drink with your baked goods, rounding out the at home cosy cafe experience. If you are looking for a baking book that’s fun and a bit different to the rest, you will love this one.
The Kitchen Book by Ella Risbridger (4th Estate) - This is Ella’s third cookbook, the first with food photos, and has Ella’s trademark style, where maybe you come for the writing as much as the recipes. Ella’s food writing is kind of conversational in nature, and Ella hopes this book will bring you some nice recipes that you will be able to weave into your life in an achievable way and become such firm favourites you make them without needing to look at the recipe. So much so, maybe you even forget where you got the recipe in the first place. The recipes just become part of your life, and make your life just that bit better (10% better maybe?). There are many recipes in The Kitchen Book you could make without too much fuss, or a big food shop as many recipes rely on pantry ingredients. So if you have a relatively well stocked pantry (which most cookbooks assume you do! See Ella’s The Big List at the beginning of this book for her kitchen recommendations both utensil and food wise), you will be able to make many things from this book without too much planning and organising. I am looking forward to trying the Pumpkin and Raisin Roasted Rice (p.35) and the White Chocolate Tahini Snickerdoodles (p.208).
