A World of Flavour: 5 Travel-Inspired Cookbooks

Cookbook

Photo: Kathrin Ziegler

Even before pandemic travel restrictions, there was the joy of browsing through a regional cookbook when the travel bug bit. After all, the best cookbooks are more than just a collection of recipes, but also a travel guide of sorts. They give a glimpse of the culture, community and scenery of a region, and perhaps, through the author’s personal stories, a window into another way to live. And now more than ever a trip to the bookshelf can help us escape the isolation and stress of an ongoing global pandemic.

Here, we’ve rounded up some of our tried-and-true cookbooks to bring home the flavours of a far-flung destination.

 

Bitter Honey: Recipes and Stories from the Island of Sardinia by Letitia Clark (April 30, 2020)

A popular vacation spot for Italian locals, the beautiful sun-drenched sister island of Sicily serves up Mediterranean cuisine that is like the place itself — rustic and relaxing, simple but fresh. Seasoned chef and food writer Letitia Clark invites you into her home on this island paradise with easy to prepare recipes like roast chicken stuffed with ricotta and chard, coupled with a fresh salad of celery, orange, anchovy and hazelnut.

 

In Bibi’s Kitchen: The Recipes and Stories of Grandmothers From the Eight African Countries That Touch the Indian Ocean by Hawa Hassan and Julia Turshen (October 6, 2020)

Embark on a culinary journey along the spice route of Africa with these recipes and anecdotes from bibis (grandmothers) from South Africa, Mozambique, Madagascar, Comoros, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia and Eritrea. With dishes like Matoke (stewed plantains with beans and beef) and Kicha (Eritrean flatbread), you’ll experience a taste of authentic African soul food from the comfort of home.

 

Carpathia: Food From The Heart of Romania by Irina Georgescu (March 17, 2020)

This stunning book from Romanian food writer Irina Georgescu celebrates the country’s culinary diversity with unique dishes that take you to the very heart of the Balkans, from bold and hearty stews served with a side of polenta fritters to the signature dish of stuffed sauerkraut leaves.

 

World Food: Mexico City by James Oseland (October 27, 2020)

Former Saveur magazine editor James Oseland will transport you to the culinary capital of Latin America for the debut of his new World Food cookbook series, which explores some of the world’s best foodie destinations. (Next up in the series: Paris.) From street food to insider tips from top chefs on classic cuisine, you’ll be inspired to bring the best of buzzy Mexico City to your kitchen.

 

Mosquito Supper Club: Cajun Recipes from a Disappearing Bayou by Melissa M. Martin (April 21, 2020)

Melissa Martin, owner of the small New Orleans eatery Mosquito Supper Club, shares the traditional Cajun recipes she grew up eating on the Louisiana bayou, along with a generous serving of stories about her community and its cooking. Sadly, as the title suggests, Louisiana is gradually losing its coastline to rising waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Named a best new cookbook by Bon Appétit and Food & Wine.

A version of this story was published on Nov. 9, 2020

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