If there was ever a year to get into cooking at home, it was 2020.
Whether you wanted to become a bread connoisseur or you attempted to make your own sushi at home, most of us had ample time to get busy in the kitchen and explore some dishes that may have been outside of our comfort zones before.
This, to us, is a silver lining of 2020, the year things heated up, and we all got cookin’!
So, what better way to carry this can-do attitude into 2021 than by gifting or receiving a new cookbook full of fresh-to-death recipes to try?
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We’ve compiled a list of some top-notch culinary reads that we think are worth gifting to your loved ones (or yourself) in order to keep the good vibes and deliciousness baking, frying, and boiling well into the future.
Here are six cookbooks perfect for holiday gift-giving this year.
Matty Matheson: Home Style Cookery
Matty Matheson: Home Style Cookery
Chef Matty Matheson has had a big year. In addition to recently launching his new Toronto burger joint, the Ontario-born chef released a follow up to his New York Times bestseller. Home Style Cookery is all about the magic of making things at, well, home. From basic staples like focaccia to bread and butter pickles to absolute show-stoppers (Hard Smoked Merguez Sausage and Polenta, anyone), Matheson’s new book is well worth buying considering the wide array and impressive amount of recipes inside of it.
Amy Ho: Blooms and Baking
Blooms and Baking
Amy Ho is known in the Canadian baking scene for her incredible sweet treats and sugary delights (seriously, she’s amazing). The Vancouver influencer and baker came out with her first book of recipes this year, Blooms and Baking. The book offers readers recipes for vibrant goodies like Jasmine and Honey Éclairs and Orange Blossom Ganache, to name a few, alongside step-by-step photos of how to make your creations picture-perfect. Earlier this year Ho shared her essential baking tips for new bakers with Dished, check them out ahead of attempting her recipes.
Jenell Parsons: You Wanna Piece of Me?
@thepiehole/Instagram
If there’s anyone that knows pies, it’s Jenell Parsons. If you don’t recognize this pie aficionado from her celebrated family of shops, The Pie Hole in Vancouver, BC, then maybe you’ve seen her alongside the mayor of Flavourtown, Guy Fieri himself, on a recent episode of Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Soon, regardless of where you live, you can get a taste of The Pie Hole’s epic offerings via You Wanna Piece of Me? and there are a whopping 100+ pie recipes in this book for you to tackle. While it’s not out just yet, you can pre-order this ahead of its release on November 17.
Kelsey Siemens: The Farmer’s Daughter Bakes
The Farmer’s Daughter Bakes
Kelsey Siemens has taken her blog, The Farmer’s Daughter, and created a book for treat lovers to enjoy in the comfort of their own homes. Siemens’ farmhouse kitchen creations like apple crisp cheesecake with salted caramel (drool) and sour cream-cardamom cake donuts are inspired by her family’s stunning Abbotsford, BC, farm.
Angus An: Maenam
Discover Thai cuisine as you’ve never seen it before with award-winning Chef Angus An and his new cookbook, Maenam. This book’s title is also the name of his popular restaurant located in Vancouver, BC (which also happens to be a favourite of A-lister Kate Winslet when she’s in town). An has included over 100 of his signature recipes for home cooks of all skill levels who are hungry to whip up some vibrant, flavourful meals like stir-fries, soups, curries, snacks, and desserts too.
Angela Liddon: Oh She Glows for Dinner
@ohsheglows/Instagram
She’s baaack. Earlier this year New York Times best-selling author Angela Liddon released a third installment of the popular plant-based cookbook series Oh She Glows, this time with a focus on dinner and lunch-friendly vegan eats. The crowd-pleasing recipes in this book come complete with detailed dietary and cooking labels, simple ingredient lists, and storage and reheating instructions. Oh She Glows for Dinner offers everything from meal-worthy salads to hearty soups and stews.
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