 With a collage featuring violet and lemon eclairs, croquembouche, candy-striped meringues, and rose-topped raspberry and white chocolate muffins, Love, Aimee x will appeal to those who love to bake, those who love to create pretty things, and those with a sweet tooth.
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 My Kitchen Year by Ruth Reichl (image courtesy Murdoch Books) My heart sank somewhat as I read the Prologue of Ruth Reichl's new book, My Kitchen Year, as I, too, once faced the situation of staring at an empty calendar after a life changing event. 
Cookbooks come in so many forms. Some are highly technical, loaded with instructions and minutiae. Others are more like a flimsy collection of recipes - and I mean that in the nicest possible way. And then there are those which offer a perfect combination of recipe and introductory text. Special Delivery by Annabel Crabb and Wendy Sharpe falls into the latter category - my favourite.
Margaret & Me by Kate Gibbs, image courtesy Murdoch Books
My Hungarian parents fled their homeland during the Russian uprising in 1956, leaving their extended family behind. I was born in Australia and unfortunately did not have the opportunity to meet any of my grandparents, much less spend time with them at the kitchen table. Margaret Fulton, Australia's national treasure, is one of my food heroes, hence, reading Margaret & Me has been a most heartwarming yet bittersweet experience.
 Apple Blossom Pie by Kate McGhie - image courtesy Murdoch Books In this beautiful book - with over 120 recipes and stories from her family's farm - award winning author Kate McGhie writes with wit and warmth as she explores the foundations and flavours of Australian country cooking, drawing on tradition to present classic, tried and true dishes as well as contemporary interpretations for today's table. Read my full review and my conversation with Kate here.
 My Family Table by Eleanor Ozich (cover appears courtesy Murdoch Books) Petite Kitchen has long been one of my favourite blogs. The photography is stunning, the writing engaging, and the recipes a treat - particularly for those who love simple, natural, nourishing food.  Food + Beer by Ross Dobson, image courtesy Murdoch Books Travelling across the UK and Europe recently, my man was in his element tasting a new beer with food at every opportunity. While he normally wouldn't imbibe, he did enjoy washing down his meals with local beers. So when Ross Dobson's latest book, Food + Beer, arrived on the doorstep, he quickly dived into it and nodded in agreement with the author's summary "Food + Beer = Happiness".  Naked Cakes by Lyndel Miller, image courtesy Murdoch Books Cake decorating, like sewing, has never been my forte. Perhaps I was standing behind the door when those skills were being handed out. Food stylist and cook, Lyndel Miller, has come to rescue of those who don't like working with fondant and don't have the patience to do all that painstakingly intricate decorative icing with a piping bag.  Courtyard Kitchen by Natalie Boog, $39.99, Murdoch Books. Read my review and my conversation with Natalie here.
 Pies and Tarts by Stéphane Reynaud, image courtesy Murdoch Books The opening of a French-style patisserie less than ten minutes from my home has inspired me to once again dip into the delicious pages of Stéphane Reynaud's Pies and Tarts, which, I must shamelessly confess, arrived for review at this time last year (at about the same time that I broke my foot!). Now, I realise that a broken foot is no excuse for not showcasing a cookbook, but I wanted to give this title a decent run. And, besides, despite 22 years of appraising new cookbooks, I have never been one to rush into my reviews. |