FOOD FILE: A pick of the best cookery books published this year
NEVEN'S FOOD FROM THE SUN
Neven Maguire (Collins, £20)
This lovely book is a blast of sunshine in midwinter from the Irish mammy's favourite celebrity chef. Maguire jets off every January in search of inspiration, and his travels in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia, Bali and the US have inspired this cracking book, crammed with gorgeous recipes and stunning food photography by David Munns. Quite possibly the cookery book of the year, and it's written by an Irish chef. Must cookChicken and wild mushroom wontons with black bean sauce.
VENEZIA - FOOD DREAMS
Tess Kiros (Murdoch, £25)
Just when you thought Kiros's books couldn't get any more beautiful, along comes this incredible production. An ode, in words, pictures and recipes, to the staggering beauty of Venice. It's just a pity the food eaten there by visitors so often underwhelms. The secret to eating well in Venice? Rent a flat, shop at the Rialto market, and use Kiros's recipes to cook up a storm. Must cookRisotto di asparagi e scampi (asparagus and scampi risotto).
OTTOLENGHI: THE COOKBOOK
Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi (Ebury, £25)
One of the most feverishly awaited cook books of the year, and guess what, it's even better than expected. These guys are seriously cool, and their London restaurants are über-hip. Famed for their inventive salads and "stuff the diet" cakes, the Ottolenghi crew bring a fresh and exciting approach to cooking. Must cookCaramel and macadamia cheesecake.
TRISH'S FRENCH KITCHEN
Trish Deseine (Kyle Cathie, £19.99)
The Northern Irish farmer's daughter reinterprets the rules and takes the pomposity out of French cooking. She may be down from three to two kitchens (family home in the suburbs of Paris and city pad), and pining for her country kitchen's copious larder, but her recipes are still as approachable and practical as ever. Must cookRoast salmon with melting cabbage, chestnuts and beurre rouge.
BAKE
Rachel Allen (Collins, £20)
Luscious cakes, crumbly biscuits and voluptuous meringues from Ballymaloe wonder woman. It's not all sugary sweet though, there are lots of savoury tarts and oven-cooked meals to pore over. Don't miss the 30-day muffin recipe, so called because the batter keeps for that period of time in the fridge. Perfect for spontaneous domestic goddess moments. Must cookGingerbread house and people.
TURQUOISE: A CHEF'S TRAVELS IN TURKEY
Greg and Lucy Malouf (Quadrille, £30)
Part travelogue, part history book, but mostly a handsome compendium of recipes celebrating a rich and varied culinary heritage, and one that not many of us are familiar with. There's more to Turkish food than köfte and kebabs, and the Australian authors do a commendable job of introducing their readers to this vast melting pot of Oriental and European influences. Must cookHot yoghurt soup with chicken threads and corn.
A KITCHEN YEAR
Paula McIntyre (Gill Macmillan, £14.99)
This one's not much of a looker compared with the lavish productions it sits alongside in book shops. But the Northern Irish chef and food writer's interesting collection of somewhat offbeat, but very approachable recipes, arranged month by month, make up for the rather basic paperback format. McIntyre is a self-confessed smoking addict - woodchips, not tobacco - and she shares tips on how to add a distinctive smokey flavour to everything from tomatoes to butternut squash, and salmon, of course. Must cookCider-brined turkey with maple chilli glaze.
CHINESE FOOD MADE EASY
Ching-He Huang (HarperCollins, £16.99)
Food entrepreneur, TV presenter and writer, Ching-He Huang is the modern face of Chinese cooking. Born in Taiwan to Chinese parents, she also lived in South Africa before coming to London aged 11. Famous for springing up in front of unsuspecting victims with her portable wok in pursuit of footage for her BBC TV show, she champions fresh tasting, low-fat and quick Chinese cooking, and her book features healthy versions of old favourites such as sweet and sour pork and crispy duck with apricot and plum sauce. Must cookChinkiang vinegar scallops with ham.
BUONISSIMO
Gino D'Acampo (Kyle Cathie, £14.99)
Move over Giorgio, there's a new hot Italian on the block and he's serving up Italian food that has, in his own words, "never been so sexy". With recipes to suit a variety of occasions - romantic dinners, supper for one, everyday meals and party food, Buonissimo is pleasing to look at and useful, too. Must cookPlayboy eggs (yes, really).
RIPAILLES
Stéphane Reynaud (Murdoch, £25)
A weighty tome running to almost 500 pages, this quirky, beautifully bound book will appeal to Francophiles searching for a reliable, comprehensive guide to traditional, regional French food, presented in an engaging and attractive way, and backed up by 299 recipes, colour photography and charming illustrations. The title, roughly translated, means feast, and this one's a party for the eyes as well as the stomach. Must cookDuck à l'orange