What cookbook to buy this month…

I’ve decided to start documenting my inspiration, because a good cookbook can see me through! I’m going to use links to the Amazon store too – and they’ll know you’ve referred you if you click through my links, so if you fancy purchasing, go ahead and click through below! I can genuinely recommend these three books as my fave places to get inspiration on glum January days, when I want a healthy but tasty tea that’s going to satisfy.

Diana Henry – A Change of Appetite

For eating healthily almost by accident

Diana Henry is a long-term fave of mine, with previous offerings such as Salt Sugar Smoke and Roast Figs Sugar Snow – but this one is an absolute stonker for January. It’s broken down by season, too, so you’ll be eating seasonally without having to think too hard. With ideas like the red lentil and carrot koftes I tried out on the blog for a vegan friend, as well as recipes for warming winter salads like Roast pumpkin, labneh, walnut gremolata and pomegranates, you’ll be eating healthily by accident by reading it. I’m serious.

Yottam Ottolenghi – Plenty More

For an injection of colour and healthy Middle Eastern meze

Yottam is another firm favourite – him and Diana are amongst the very few who introduced me to nice salads. I mean, who needs to kill themselves with simple lettuce, tomato and cucumber? Be inspired to use grains and seeds, fruits and vegetables. Yottam’s recipes always look inviting; plates covered in jewel-bright, gleaming pomegranate seed and coriander leaves. This is healthy eating as a way of life, a way to try out new and exciting foods. It’s something that won’t restrict or bore you but excite you and fulfil you. Yum…

Maria Elia – Smashing Plates

For when you need culinary inspiration and Greek passion

Maria is another chef whose aim is to inspire. With her Greek background, you sense that she loves her heritage, and just wants you to know what she knows, to love it too. Her carrot keftedes are a firm favourite when nothing but a small and tasty burger will do (with all the smugness of it being veggie and vaguely healthy, as well as utterly delicious) and during peach season, all I want to eat is her astounding Peachy Greek Panzanella. It’s the kind of book you’ll turn to for inspiration and an injection of culinary passion, when the days feel long and drawn out and you want to be good, but lack the motivation. Her sincere passion will give you the lease of life you need in the kitchen.

I hope my culinary inspiration for this month will become yours x