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The best cookbooks for Christmas gifts

December, 2020
Words by The Sundae Agency
4 min read
It’s December, congrats we made it through 2020! As if this year hasn’t thrown enough at us, we’ve got one final curveball to face- Christmas shopping (cue panic). If you’re scrambling to find last minute holiday gifts for your friends and fam- don’t stress, we got you. This year we’ve got a simple and undeniable theory. Everyone loves food right? Well, how could you go wrong with gifting a whole book about it? To make things easier, we’ve made a list of our fave cookbooks that make the perfect Christmas gift.

1. No Eggs on Toast, The Hardware Société:

Pic courtesy of hardwaresociete.com

This book follows Will, Di and the rest of the Hardware family on their mission to redefine breakfast and brunch. From Melbourne to Paris, this story is full of adventure, determination, family, and of course amazing food. With three dozen recipes that will put your usual breakfast to shame, No Eggs on Toast is the perfect gift for the ultimate brekky goer.


2. Thug Kitchen, Matt Holloway and Michelle Davis:


With the tagline ‘Eat Like you Give a F*ck’, this may not be the right gift for your mother-in-law, but boy is it worth a read. This hilarious and approachable guide to a healthy vegan lifestyle will have you living your best plant-based life. Some reader favourite recipes include the “Lemony Lentil Soup”, “Creamy Peanut Slaw” and “Banana Cream Pie” (um yum).


3. Ottolenghi Simple, Yotam Ottolenghi:

Pic courtesy of ottolenghi.co.uk

Just like our gift-giving approach for this year, Yotman Ottolenghi has kept it simple. With 130 easy but flavoursome Middle-Eastern inspired recipes, this cookbook sheds light on the whole less is more thing. The recipes are coded using the acronym SIMPLE, where S= short on time: less than 30 minutes, I= 10 ingredients or less, M= make ahead, P= pantry, L= lazy and E= easier than you think. It’s as simple as that! Ottolenghi’s Simple would make the ideal gift for a busy family or working couple.


4. Cravings by Chrissy, Chrissy Teigan:


Get a glimpse into the glamorous (but still very real) life of Chrissy Teigan. Cravings by Chrissy is full of recipes “for all the food you want to eat”. We’re talking “Chicken Pot Pie Soup”, “Three-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse” and “Pad Thai Carbonara”. It’s funny, relatable and c’mon it’s got Pad Thai Carbonara. We’re claiming this one as the perfect gift for the entertainer!


5. More Plants Less Waste, Max La Manna:

Pic courtesy of @maxlamanna

Less waste but more taste. Max La Manna has inspired thousands with his sustainable, healthy and of course delicious approach to food. More Plants Less Waste includes 80 tasty recipes that will not only satisfy your stomach but also help you reduce waste and save money. Max also shares his DIY home-hacks, such as home-made natural deodorant and house cleaner. The perfect gift for an eco warrior (or perhaps a non-eco warrior who could use a little encouragement!)


6. Carla Hall’s Soul Food, Carla Hall:

Pic courtesy of carlahall.com

Carla Hall delivers food for the soul with 145 original recipes designed to satisfy all of your tastebuds. Inspired by her Nashville roots these dishes make for the perfect comfort food. Recipes include “Ghanaian Peanut Beef Stew with Onions and Celery”, “Carla’s Famous Hot Fried Chicken” and “Coconut Cream Layer Cake” (okay, I’m drooling writing this).


7. Weeknight Baking, Michelle Lopez:

Pic courtesy of @hummingbirdhigh

Short on time but keen on shortbread? The critically acclaimed blogger behind Hummingbird High, Michelle Lopez, shares delicious recipes without having you in the kitchen for hours on end. From pies, to cookies, to cakes and everything in between, Weeknight Baking is the ultimate guide to time-saving treats. The ideal gift for a busy baker!


8. Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow., Shalane Flanagan and Elyse Kopecky:

Pic courtesy of @elysekopecky

Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. is the perfect cookbook for the health-conscious, time-conscious athlete. The New York Times Best Seller shares recipes that Shalane Flanagan ate while training for her 2017 TCS New York City Marathon. It’s full of pre and post workout meals, high protein snack ideas and quick n easy dinners. It’s tasty food to nourish and sustain a hardworking human.


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