My Top 5 Cookbooks of 2017

Disclosure: Some of the cookbooks recommended in this post were sent to me free of charge as review copies. Others I purchased myself. All opinions expressed are, as always, my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase via the links I receive a small commission which helps with the running costs of this blog. Full Disclosure Policy.

Do you love cookbooks as much as I do? There were some wonderful new titles published last year, and these are some of my favourites – My Top 5 Cookbooks of 2017.

At Home at Highclere by The Countess of Carnarvon

If you enjoy a cookbook with a side of history and human interest, At Home At Highclere is definitely the book for you!  Lady Carnarvon of Highclere Castle (The Real Downton Abbey) shares the inside story on entertaining at this fabulous property in anecdotes, photographs and recipes.

Step back into the weekends at Highclere many years ago, and learn more about their very famous historic guests. Read about what it’s like to spend a weekend there in the present day, and meet some of the staff who help keep this very famous estate running at peak efficiency.

This is definitely a coffee table book, full of amazing photographs and a joy to look through, but it’s also a cookbook you can use. There are recipes for everything from a fairly basic, but very delicious, Pea and Mint Risotto, to much more complex dishes served at dinner parties in days gone by. There’s definitely lots of inspiration for the keen cook, although novice cooks may struggle a little. There’s also a fantastic section of classic British puddings, many of which really do deserve a revival!

A feast for the senses and one of my current favourites to curl up with a cup of tea, At Home at Highclere would make a fantastic gift as well as a great addition to any cookbook collection.

At My Table by Nigella Lawson

Based on the premise that the table is the centre, not only of our kitchens, but of our homes and even our experience of life, At My Table is a collection of stories, memories and recipes from the inimitable Nigella Lawson. For warm, witty writing and recipes that are almost always foolproof, you just can’t beat Nigella.

At My Table offers new twists on old favourites, as well as some innovative new recipes that took me deliciously outside my comfort zone. While How to Be a Domestic Goddess and Feast remain my favourite cookbooks from Nigella, At My Table is already showing signs of being well-used!

Favourite recipes so far include Chicken with Red Grapes and Marsala, the mouth-watering Slow Roast Pork Shoulder with Caramelised Garlic and Ginger and a Warm Blondie Pudding that is pretty much irresistible.

Have Your Cake and Eat It by Mich Turner

From cookies and tray bakes to show stopper meringues, roulades and layer cakes, there’s something for everyone in this gorgeous book by celebrity baker Mich Turner MBE. Even better, Mich has made a real effort to include nutritious ingredients in the recipes to make them wholesome as well as delicious.

With gluten-free, dairy-free, lower sugar and even fat free options, Have Your Cake and Eat It is a cookbook for those who want to bake and enjoy the fruits of their labours whilst still being mindful of what they eat. I can’t wait to try the Prune and Cashew Blondies and the Carrot Cake with Orange Cream Cheese Frosting & Walnut Praline!

The Flexible Vegetarian by Jo Pratt

If one of your New Year’s Resolutions is to eat less meat and fish, The Flexible Vegetarian is for you! It’s also great for households where family members may have different dietary requirements. All Jo’s recipes can be cooked with or without meat or fish, offering welcome versatility and flexibility.

Jo includes basic recipes for things like homemade vegetable stock, soups and hummus. She also shares kitchen tips. There are more complex recipes as well, but everything is very practical. Favourite recipes so far include Brussel, Quinoa and Sweet Potato Cakes and a seriously yummy Roast Tomato and Basil Pesto.

Soulful Baker by Julie Jones

Mouth-watering recipes and beautiful photographs make Julie Jones’ Soulful Baker an irresistible choice for anyone who loves to bake. This is definitely one of those cookbooks I can read like a novel, savouring each page. The photographs are beautiful and inspiring, but all the recipes are very accessible.

Part memoir, this is a collection of recipes born out of the sorrow of losing her mum to the ravages of dementia, Julie’s sweet, soulful book would be a welcome addition to any cookbook collection. This book really resonated with me as my late Mom also suffered from a form of dementia.

As well as traditional cakes and bakes, there’s a wonderful section on Bread and Yeasted Dough with lots of really helpful tips as well as recipes. Julie’s Sweet Pastry Recipe is the closest one I can find to my late Mom’s – and as it’s a recipe Mom didn’t write her recipe down, it’s brought me a great deal of joy!

More Cookbook Recipe Inspiration

Nigella’s Italian Breakfast Banana Bread

Strawberry Pudding Cake

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