HERE'S a round-up of 2024’s 20 best cookbooks, showcasing a delightful variety of culinary creations. From kid-friendly lunchbox ideas to inventive Thai comic book recipes, these books bring fresh flavours and unique storytelling into the kitchen.
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Amrikan: 125 Recipes From the Indian American Diaspora | Khushbu Shah
Khushbu Shah's Amrikan celebrates Indian-American culinary ingenuity, blending traditional recipes with American pantry substitutions. Dishes like green chutney pizza, saag paneer lasagna, and masala deviled eggs highlight the creative adaptations born of immigrant experiences. Recipes like breakfast cereal chevvdo reflect cultural authenticity, with nostalgic touches like its storage in cookie tins. Shah’s blend of humour and heritage makes this a vibrant tribute to diasporic innovation and the unique intersections of culture and cuisine.
Fabulous Feasts, Fables and Family | Tabinda Jalil Burney
This culinary memoir recreates the dishes and cuisines the author grew up eating in her childhood home in Uttar Pradesh. Burney adds, “True mastery of home cooking is one that takes many years to perfect.” This book implores readers to recreate and cook dishes from their own childhood.
Be it Khageena (a desi version of scrambled eggs); Hari Matar ki Ghungi, made when fresh green peas were in season; and Uttar Pradesh’s breakfast dish made in the monsoons, Dal Bhari Roti, it presents an assortment of dishes many from the younger generation might no longer be aware of.
From the King’s Table to Street Food | Pushpesh Pant
Pushpesh Pant’s From the King’s Table to Street Food: A Food History of Delhi is a tribute to the city’s culinary resilience through its turbulent history. Pant captures the essence of dishes like Mughlai kebabs, chaat, and the city’s beloved nihari while contextualising their evolution. “Delhi’s cuisine is a reflection of its layered history and changing demographics,” Pant explains. The book delves into how invasions, migrations, and socio-economic changes shaped the capital’s gastronomic identity. A must-read for history buffs and food lovers, it showcases Delhi’s ability to preserve its culinary soul despite modern transformations.
Chinese Enough: Homestyle Recipes for Noodles, Dumplings, Stir-Fries, and More | Kristina Cho
Kristina Cho’s Chinese Enough combines heartfelt storytelling with a vibrant collection of Chinese-inspired recipes. Blending tradition and individuality, Cho reinterprets classics like steamed pork cakes and dumplings while innovating with dishes like cheesy chrysanthemum pockets and smoked mackerel rangoons. The book reflects her experience as a first-generation Chinese-American, exploring identity and belonging.
Immunity In A Spoon Of Ghee | Ratna Rajiah
Easily one of my best reads this year, this book celebrates everyday superfoods from the Indian kitchen. “Eat what your grandmother ate. Incidentally, dal-chawal, sambar-rice, dal-roti or curd rice — all now considered 'meh' food — are some of the healthiest meals in the world,” grins the author, emphasising holistic health practices. Highlighting recipes like golden milk and tulsi tea, it serves as a practical guide to leveraging ancient wisdom in daily life. A treasure trove for health enthusiasts, it reinforces the idea that nature’s best medicines are often the most familiar.
Wanderlust Creamery Presents: The World of Ice Cream | Adrienne Borlongan
Adrienne Borlongan’s Wanderlust Creamery is an ice cream lover’s dream, combining food science with global inspiration. The book breaks down the chemistry behind ice cream, offering a foundation for experimenting with flavours. Recipes include salted kaya toast, inspired by Singaporean breakfasts, and kinako grape jelly, a Japanese twist on PB&J. Borlongan’s storytelling and creativity inspire readers to craft their own flavours while savouring the cultural narratives behind each scoop. Whether replicating her ube malted crunch or creating original concoctions, the book delivers a delicious journey through the science and art of frozen desserts.
Memories on a Plate | Shruti Taneja and Rohini Kejriwal
This anthology, curated by Shruti Taneja and Rohini Kejriwal, beautifully weaves stories of food, memory, and familial ties from 100 kitchens across the world. Contributors share recipes like tamarind fish curry and heirloom pulao, alongside heartfelt anecdotes of cooking with grandparents or reliving flavours from ancestral homes. “The book began as an intention to capture the deep-rooted emotional ties people have with food,” reflect the authors. The stories, the design and its nod to nostalgia make this an irresistible read.
Julia Child’s Kitchen: The Design, Tools, Stories, and Legacy of an Iconic Space | Paula Johnson
Paula Johnson invites readers into the heart of Julia Child’s legacy—her iconic kitchen. Now preserved at the Smithsonian, this space served as Child’s culinary lab, brimming with tools, gadgets, and books that shaped her legendary recipes. Featuring vivid photography, interviews, and anecdotes, the book explores the kitchen's role in transforming American cooking. A blend of history and homage, this book celebrates the magic of food, design, and Julia's enduring influence on the culinary world.
Priya’s Kitchen Adventures | Priya Krishna
Priya Krishna’s Kitchen Adventures is a vibrant, kid-friendly cookbook that invites young chefs to confidently explore global cuisines. Drawing inspiration from classics like Madhur Jaffrey’s work, Krishna fuses bold flavours from India, Greece, China, and more into a playful, accessible guide. The book’s engaging tone and hands-on recipes make culinary exploration a joyous adventure.
India’s Most Legendary Restaurants | Ruth Dsouza Prabhu
From Tunday Kababi to Kozhikode’s Paragon this book celebrates the enduring charm of seven of India's most iconic restaurants. This book chronicles the stories behind culinary landmarks like Tunday Kababi’s secret galouti kebab recipe and Paragon’s famous Malabar Biryani. As the author notes, “These restaurants are living museums of India’s gastronomic history.” A love letter to India’s diverse culinary heritage, it’s a must-read for food enthusiasts eager to uncover the tales behind their favourite meals.
Superfoods, Super Life | Madhur Kotharay
This book explores the intersection of traditional superfoods, modern medicine, and dietary trends. “Ancient diets have timeless wisdom,” Kotharay asserts, urging readers to revisit staples like ragi, moringa, and turmeric. Packed with nutritional insights, the book bridges scientific validation and cultural tradition, offering recipes and practices for balanced living. Whether incorporating amla for immunity or ghee for gut health, Kotharay redefines these ingredients for contemporary diets.
Bazaar Bites | Priya Bala and Jayanth Narayanan
This book is a tribute to India’s vibrant street food culture, celebrating iconic dishes like Kolkata’s phuchka, Hyderabad’s biryani, and Chennai’s idli sambhar. The authors dive into the history and evolution of street foods, blending interviews with vendors and historical anecdotes. Recipes include recreations of popular delights such as pani puri, kheema pav, and jalebi, enabling readers to bring the magic of Indian bazaars home. A must-read for foodies and culinary explorers
Baby Knows Best: Chef Chinu’s Guide to Feeding Your Little One | Shilarna Vaze
Shilarna Vaze offers a comprehensive guide to introducing babies to wholesome, flavourful foods and debunking myths about bland baby diets. Featuring recipes like spinach and cheese parathas, beetroot hummus, and creamy lentil soup, the book stresses balanced nutrition and gradual flavour introduction. Merging personal anecdotes with practical advice, this read ensures that new parents feel confident while creating diverse meals for their little ones.
Pure Vegetarian: Sacred and Traditional Recipes from South India | Prema Srinivasan
An upgraded version of an old classic, the late Prema Srinivasan captured the essence of South Indian vegetarian cuisine, with tangy rasam, creamy avial, and crispy dosa in her book. The book highlights the spiritual significance of ingredients and the meticulous preparation involved in traditional cooking. What makes this edition special is a treatise on commonly used South Indian cooking vessels and their delicious stories!
Food Journeys: Stories from the Heart | Edited by Joel Rodrigues and Dolly Kikon
This anthology intertwines personal narratives with culinary traditions, reflecting people's profound emotional connections with food. Stories span cuisines and cultures, featuring dishes like Assam’s pitha, Goa's vindaloo, and Nagaland’s smoked pork. Recipes accompany heartfelt tales of family feasts, migration, and rediscovery. By combining storytelling with cooking, the book celebrates food as a unifying force, encouraging readers to embrace their culinary roots while savouring diverse traditions.
Mangifera indica: A Biography of the Mango | Sopan Joshi
Is there any fruit more beloved than the Mango? This book explores the historical origins of varieties like Alphonso and Dasheri while celebrating their role in cuisines through dishes like aam panna, mango pickle, and mango lassi. Joshi combines botany, history, and gastronomy with anecdotes from mango enthusiasts and farmers. Recipes for chutneys, desserts, and savoury mango curries reflect the fruit's versatility and timeless appeal.
Noodles, Rice, and Everything Spice | Mallika Kauppinen and Christina De Witte
A Thai comic book cookbook that cleverly combines recipes with graphic storytelling. This creative approach makes Thai cuisine approachable, blending cultural insights with instructions for dishes like Pad Thai and coconut rice. Every single one is approachable, easy to follow, and delicious.
PS: What sets this cookbook apart is that it is also a graphic novel!
The Book of Chai: History, Stories, and More than 60 Recipes | Mira Manek
Paying homage to India’s national drink, this book has everything from recipes for classics like masala chai, saffron-infused tea, to innovative blends like rose-lavender chai. The narrative weaves stories of tea-drinking traditions across India, from roadside stalls to royal palaces, and highlights chai’s role in fostering connections. It also includes tips for pairing chai with snacks such as samosa, nankhatai, and chai-spiced cakes. This blend of history, recipes, and cultural insights is perfect for chai lovers.
Tasty Tiffin | Archana Doshi
The author offers over forty creative and nutritious lunchbox recipes, making it a perfect read for parents worrying about what to pack for their ward’s school box. Featuring twists on Indian staples like dosas and biryani alongside international options like quesadillas and 10-minute rice dishes, it highlights quick, wholesome, and fun meals. The book includes practical substitution ideas and vibrant photos, making it a must-have for busy parents.
Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes | Sally Wise
Offering 100 savoury baking recipes that turn simple ingredients into irresistible snacks, this is perfect for those who enjoy preparing quick, savoury treats with common pantry items. Fun recipes include cheese and onion pastries, spiced crackers, and even a take on classic pizza dough that can be customised with any toppings. A great guide for beginners and seasoned bakers alike, it emphasises creativity in the kitchen.