New Australian Cookbooks - Lambs Ears and Honey

This look at just some of the wonderful new Australian cookbooks available is a long post – sit down and start making your shopping list!

Maybe it’s because of Covid, and no-one had anything else to do, or maybe it’s just the time of year, but there’s a bumper crop of new Australian cookbooks to covet right now. Whether you’re thinking about indulging yourself, or stocking up on Christmas gifts – pull up a chair and let me tell you all about some of them. ?

Last month’s selection for Lambs’ Ears Cookbook Club was Lucy Tweed’s Every.Night.Of.The.Week. (RRP $35) – and it was a bit hit, with many members posting their delicious dinner pics repeatedly. Lucy’s recipes are quick, punchy and complete crowd pleasers. On the days when simply getting a meal on the table is the goal, this woman totally has your back with a selection of ‘sanity solutions for the daily dinner grind’ that are simple, fresh, and always delicious. I can guarantee you will find at least a few dishes in between the covers of this new Australian cookbook that will become family favourites.

Stephanie Alexander is a well established legend in Australian food, and her newest publication Home (RRP $59.99) is an essential addition to any kitchen shelf. A collection of more than 200 recipes from a woman whose food career has spanned five decades, each is a testament to her expert skills in communicating the fundamentals of technique. There are detailed dishes for the more ambitious cook, and more simple combinations for everyday dishes, plus a selection of inspirational essays on people places and the experiences she has garnered over her unparalleled vocation. This will sit proudly next to “The Cook’s Companion”, her classic from 1996.

There’s no denying that the influence of chef Neil Perry on the food culture of Australia has indeed been profound, and he is arguably Australia’s most influential restaurateur. In his tenth cookbook Everything I Love to Cook (RRP $59.99), he revisits legendary dishes from those flagship restaurants and modern classics from his long-running Good Weekend column. This is definitely food that we’re all going to love to cook – from a Cuban sandwich, to twice cooked duck with mandarin sauce, to the perfect prawn, tomato, nectarine and hazelnut salad – there’s more than 230 recipes in this baby. I just know you’ll find something.

Much-loved Masterchef star Gary Mehigan is back with his first cookbook in seven years, Good Food Every Day (RRP $39.99). He takes us into his own kitchen and shares the recipes he’s been serving at home for many years – regular, down-to-earth meals that he comes back to over and again. To make things simple, the dishes are categorised as Everyday Favourites, Inspire (try something new), Worth the Effort, and For Sharing. In this new Australian cookbook, Gary shares his 30 years of food experience, along with a genuine passion for making and eating good food, every day.

Perfect for the entertaining season, Miguel Maestre’s Feast (RRP $39.99) contains 100 new hearty, abundant and generous dishes to share with family and friends. His food is a nod to the food of his Spanish heritage, but is also firmly based in his modern Australian kitchen, and is full of the bold, fresh flavours he loves. Think lamb montaditos with a chunky Romesco sauce, chicken and chorizo ballotine, kingfish cevice and patatas bravas – this is food for big family dinners and share plate get-togethers. (Feast is also the December selection for Lambs’ Ears Cookbook Club.)

Released just yesterday is Masterchef Dessert hall of Fame inductee Reynold Poernomo’s The Dessert Game (RRP $36.99). Co-founder of KOI Dessert Bar, Reynold is a true dessert legend and shares his skills in a cookbook that will get anyone churning out kick-ass sweet treats. Starting with some flavour combo tips, he progresses through the quick and easy dishes that even a beginner can master in Level 1, to Level 2 desserts that will add a little flair to your repertoire, before advancing to Level 3 – serious and challenging dishes that will definitely stretch your skills. This new Australian cookbook is everything you need for total sweet victory. ?

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