A Year in My Real Food Kitchen

Emma Galloway of My Darling Lemon Thyme blog/book fame has returned with a new cookbook to inspire those who enjoy eating a vegetarian and gluten free diet. Full of sumptuous recipes that will inspire you to expand your cooking repertoire, this is a beautiful collection.

I’m liking

I love to use up what I grow in the garden, but sometimes inspiration is lacking (like right now, where I literally have around twenty silverbeet plants and I am fresh out of ideas for how to turn it into something new). This book is arranged seasonally, so what you have to hand (or can purchase for a reasonable price) is what you will find in the appropriate section of the book. Since being sent my copy, I’ve also bought a number of items of the shelves that I wouldn’t normally necessarily have purchased – in order to give some of these recipes a go. It’s been fun and I’ve been largely pretty impressed with the results. Cooking such exciting options as beetroot gnocchi and black bean chocolate torte for gluten free friends/family is always going to go down well, right?!

There’s a great mix of snack-like foods, dinners, desserts and baking here. I also love the fact that there’s little condiment recipes scattered throughout, to enhance flavours and add a fresh element. The photography is stunning and every recipe is pictured.

Things that made me go hmmmm

If your kids aren’t used to eating this way, they might struggle to adjust. But if you’re wanting to add in some healthy, full of flavour vegetarian options to their diet, then this is really the optimum way to start (note: not necessarily the simplest). You’ll have fun along the way too, because the food looks exciting and inviting.

The conclusion

With nothing processed in sight, Emma Galloway is inspiring. She’s renowned world-over for her simple, delicious food that strikes a great balance of traditional but innovative.  If you’re trying to go gluten free, or even cook with less gluten, this book will really make the journey an inspiring one. I can’t wait to get my hands on some grapefruit to try the Grapefruit Curd Slice with Rosemary and Pine Nuts… I’m not sure it will be a winner with my kiddos but the foodie in me is truly excited by the challenge.

This book was kindly provided for review purposes by the publisher.

A Year in My Real Food Kitchen by Emma Galloway is published by HarperCollins New Zealand, RRP $44.99.