Books for cooks

This month’s top new releases

The New Way to Cake by Benjamina Ebuehi (£17, Page Street Publishing)

Although most of us are on the healthy eating wagon in January, we can’t get through the month without a sweet treat. This modern collection from 2016 Great British Bake Off quarter finalist Benjamina is a breath of fresh air, putting a new spin on classics with the addition of fragrant spices, citrus and floral flavours. Find recipes such as masala chai carrot cake, hot chocolate & halva pudding, and earl grey & blueberry teacakes. Must-try recipe Honey loaf with sweet dukkah

The Veggie Chinese Takeaway Cookbook by Kwoklyn Wan (£15, Quadrille)

We’re all trying to eat more veg, cut down on takeaways and save money this month, so this book is perfectly timed, plus if you’re celebrating Chinese New Year, there are menu ideas inside. You can make these dishes in minutes and, from chilli salt tofu to a classic veggie chow mein, they are all far healthier – and tastier – than your average Chinese takeaway. Must-try recipe Hong Kong crispy noodles

Eat Green by Melissa Hemsley (£22, Ebury Press, out 9 Jan)

Whole-food champion Melissa Hemsley’s second solo book is very of-the-moment, with flexitarian, naturally gluten-free recipes that make vegetables the star (where meat and fish are used, veggie alternatives are given). They’re also waste-free, using up odds and ends like herb stems, veg tops and parmesan rinds. There are all-day breakfasts, lunchbox fillers, 30-minute meals, one-pots, celebration dishes and puddings – everything you need for flavour-packed, sustainable everyday cooking. Must-try recipe Spinach, tomato & egg curry with turmeric yogurt (pictured above)