Book reviews: May 2022

Pick of the month

Horn Barbecue
Matt Horn
Allen & Unwin NZ
$55
Reviewed by Esha Chanda

Whether you’re a rookie who’s just bought their first backyard smoker or a seasoned barbecue veteran, you’ll find a whole world of new ideas in this authoritative guide to cooking low and slow. The gorgeous cookbook is packed with 70 delicious recipes, plus tips and tricks to ensure cooked-to-perfection meats.

And it’s not just all about smoked meats. Horn shares a ton of recipes of comforting sides, pickles, desserts, and sauces and rubs that any backyard cook can master. The Oakland-based chef and pitmaster also delves into his journey and narrates the story behind his love for barbecue. The book is well laid out, features easy-to-follow recipes, and has some of the most beautiful food photography; it’s a testament to the self-taught craftsman’s passion for the art of barbecue.

More good reads

Sustainable Kitchen
Abi Aspen Glencross & Sadhbh Moore
Allen and Unwin
$32.99
Reviewed by Lisa Potter

If COVID lockdowns have taught us one thing, it’s a newly found appreciation for even the beginnings of self-sufficiency. Sustainable Kitchen is perfectly poised with projects, tips, and advice to shop, cook, and eat in a more eco-conscious way.

With step-by-step projects for adapting your kitchen habits and changing the way you think about food, the end result is not only better for the planet but also can help save money, connect to your community, and see you enjoy less waste and more taste.

If you’re a keen hunter, the recipe for goat or wild venison casserole is sure to become a firm favourite. Plus, there’s even a recipe for Dog Nip treats for the hard-working hunting dog.

The Flexible Baker
Jo Pratt
Allen & Unwin NZ
$39.99
Reviewed by Esha Chanda

The latest title in the Flexible series, this beautiful new baking book is full of foolproof and delicious recipes with adaptable options for gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and vegan bakes. Jo Pratt brings together 75 recipes with more than 200 variations, covering a wide range of bakes, from sweet and savoury to cakes and traybakes, cookies, pastries, bread, and everything in between.

There are some fabulous and easy recipes, with each page featuring dietary details and alternatives bakers can use to cater to their requirements without compromising the flavour. With colder months approaching, there’s probably nothing better than spend your evenings and weekends baking some sweet onion and blue cheese swirls, chicken and chorizo sausage rolls, or the delicious-looking rich chocolate truffle cake to go with your afternoon tea.

Living the Dream: Life by the water in NZ
Derek Morrison
Random House
$55
Reviewed by Steve Atkinson

This book may not be the ideal read if you are the envious type or suffering COVID-times PTSD. The well-put-together aggregation features people in some spectacular and not-so-spectacular dwellings, whose common thread is that they all live beside the water in locations all around New Zealand.

The photography and text are all top-notch, which makes it ideal to pick up off the coffee table during dreary autumn days to recall the summer that was. And for those considering a change of lifestyle, I guarantee you will be charged up after reading just a few pages.

Dark Horse
Gregg Hurwitz
Penguin Random House
$37
Reviewed by Steve Atkinson

Gregg Hurwitz gives us another instalment of clever-tough guy literature with another Nowhere Man outing. This time the person once known as Orphan X is in an unusual situation of helping a drug lord find his kidnapped daughter.

In the process of working through the case, Mr Nowhere (or is it Man?) starts to build an emotional connection to the bad guy, which conflicts with his Commandment #4: Don’t make it personal.

Will they find the missing daughter? Will all her limbs still be intact? Should the drug lord’s head honcho have come out of the closet? All these questions are answered within. Enjoy the ride.