KITCHEN SHELF

Catherine Steel samples must-reads for the savvy cook

Must-reads for the savvy cook.

Keepers by Cherie Metcalfe, Allen and Unwin, $45

For many of us, it’s the tried and true cookbooks that have the most dog-eared pages on our kitchen shelves.

These are the most used titles, full of classics requiring little effort and delivering consistently delicious fare for friends and whānau. New Zealand chef Cherie Metcalfe, founder of food brand Pepper & Me, set out to create just such an accessible tome when writing the 60 recipes for her cookbook, Keepers.

Honing in on her time working in restaurants and on superyachts, she’s created a bunch of easily achievable recipes for dishes you’ll want to make again and again.

Easy to find your way around, the book is split into accessible sections such as Morning Glory, A Bit On The Side and The Main Event. Tuck into Spiced Mince With Eggs, a 30-minute dish that can be devoured at breakfast, lunch or as a simple dinner. Treat your tastebuds to Tarka Dahl, a vegan delight full of flavour, or Jalapeño Popper Chicken, a rich and zesty dish for those who are drawn to hearty perfection.

The condiments section will help you master salsas and sauces; think Harissa Paste or Home-made Tomato Passata – handy goto’s that nail that sought-after x-factor.

This is perfect for anyone wanting to keep their hand in the classic-recipes basket, but with a flavoursome twist.

The Abundant Garden by Niva and Yotam Kay, Allen and Unwin, $45

Pakaraka Permaculture is a thriving organic farm nestled in the Kauaeranga Valley in the heart of the Coromandel Peninsula.

Harry Parke and Jeanette Fitzsimons established the property in 1991 and were joined by Niva, Yotam, Lily and Dina Kay in 2014.

With a background in permaculture and regenerative farming, Niva and Yotam were keen to share their gardening knowledge, so they set up a market garden and the Education Centre for Regenerative Living.

Yotam and Niva’s new book, The Abundant Garden, is packed full of information and techniques, expanding on that goal to help others experience the pleasure of gardening through education.

There’s a vast amount of knowledge imparted in the pages, from how to benefit garden and soil ecosystems, battle climate change, and grow healthy, nourishing food, to determining the best location for a garden, choosing a garden size that matches your lifestyle and the ABCS of healthy soil.

Other topics include garden-bed styles, plant propagation, weeding, irrigation and mastering year-round crops as well as ways to tackle pests and diseases using regenerative techniques.

This is a go-to guide to gardening, whether you’re an absolute beginner wanting to learn the basics or looking to expand on your existing knowledge.