The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.?Why trust us?

Restaurant cookbooks for delicious lockdown recipes, from Dishoom to Leon

If you’re missing eating out, dust off your apron and prepare to be head chef?

Eva Waite-Taylor
Thursday 21 January 2021 13:46 GMT
Whether it’s Indian or Italian, recreate your favourite dishes at home
Whether it’s Indian or Italian, recreate your favourite dishes at home (The Independent)

Have you ever had a delicious restaurant meal and attempted to recreate it at home and had no luck? Us too.?

Chances are that’s because you’ve not got the right cookbook in front of you, and as Mary Berry says you should always read and follow a recipe carefully.?

Luckily, many of our favourite restaurants have started to release their own recipe books detailing some of their best dishes and details on how you can make them yourself at home.?

Of course, with a national lockdown stipulating that eateries must be closed, you may feel even more motivated to try and rediscover old favourites from home.?

While DIY makeaways and delivery services are booming, with even fine dining options available, sometimes they don’t quite cut it, especially if you’re pining after a special meal you had BC (before-covid) at a restaurant that isn’t offering the service.

To help you on your quest to cook up restaurant-quality food at home, for Valentine’s Day or otherwise, we’ve found our favourite restaurant cookbooks to help you on your way throughout lockdown and beyond.?

Whatever the cuisine, whether you’re craving Dishoom’s signature house black daal or Circolo Popolare’s classic risotto, there’s something for every tastebud here. If you’re in the mood for food, read on.

You can trust our independent round-ups. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.?

1
‘Jikoni: Proudly Inauthentic Recipes from an Immigrant Kitchen’ by Ravinder Bhogal, published by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

jikoni-cookbook.jpg

The passion project of Ravinder Bhogal, chef and restaurateur of Jikoni, this book, much like the restaurant, is in part influenced by African and Indian flavours, as well as a range of other ingredients including miso and kimchi. Split into sections for breakfast and brunch; snacks and nibbles; vegetables and salads; fish and shellfish; poultry and meat, and finally sweet things and desserts, within the pages you’ll find “inauthentic recipes” and new world tastes and smells. It also featured in The Independent’s guide to the cookbooks of 2020 you need, and the IndyBest’s review of the best gifts for foodies, with our writer noting her favourite recipes were prawn toast Scotch eggs with banana ketchup and the cauliflower popcorn with black vinegar dipping sauce. Bhogal’s Jikoni has also been longlisted for the André Simon awards.

Back to top

2
‘Dishoom: The First Ever Cookbook from the Much-loved Indian Restaurant’ by Kavi Thakrar, Naved Nasir, and Shamil Thakrar

dishoom-cookbook-indybest.jpg

This comes from one of the country’s best-loved mini chain of Indian restaurants, which serves up mouth-watering curries, stews and those bacon naan rolls all inspired by Bombay cafe culture. Whether you’re a longtime fan, or simply love Indian cuisine, and are looking to recreate the signature dishes at home, then this is a must-have. If you want to try before you buy, the writers head to The Independent’s food section where we’ve featured some recipes from the book. ?

Back to top

3
‘Towpath’ by Lori De Mori and Laura Jackson, published by Chelsea Green Publishing

towpath-indybest-restaurant-cookbook copy.jpg

Regent Canal’s hidden gem, Towpath is a much-loved spot serving up seasonal food, including everything from exceptional cheese toasties to hearty lentil dishes. It truly is home cooking at its best and the food is crafted to make you feel well-fed and comforted, whatever the weather. While the restaurant is always closed annually from November to March, if you’re missing your Sunday brunches, this one is for you. You can expect everything from fried eggs with caramelised sage and chilli butter to beetroot borani. It’s such a lovely recipe book that it was crowned IndyBest best buy in our guide to the best winter cookbooks, with our reviewer noting that it’s “the kind of recipe book you want to snuggle up on the sofa with, as well as use in the kitchen”.?

Back to top

4
‘River Cafe 30: Simple Italian recipes from an iconic restaurant’ by Ruther Rogers, Rose Gray, Sian Wyn Owen and Joseph Trivelli, published by Ebury Publishing

river-cafe-indybest

Another well-known and much-loved riverside café, this tome marks 30 years of memories and good food at The River Cafe in south west London. Championing good quality Italian cooking, River Cafe 30 is a collection of revisited and updated recipes as well as 30 new favourites from the menu today. Encapsulating the essence of the restaurant and its food, prepare to channel head chef Ruth Rogers energy at home.?

Back to top

5
‘Moro: The Cookbook’ by Samantha and Samuel Clark

moro-the-cookbook-indybest.jpg

The first cookbook from husband-and-wife team, Sam and Sam Clark, owners of London-based, Mediterranean restaurant, Moro that specialises in tapas. While much of the food at Moro is cooked over open flames, it doesn’t mean the recipes in this book won’t translate well to cooking at home. In fact quite the opposite, if followed properly, the dishes you create at home may just be as delicious as the ones you get when dining with them. Within the pages, you’ll find everything from hummus with ground lamb and pine nuts to chickpeas with spinach.?

Back to top

6
‘Leon: Ingredients and Recipes’ by Allegra McEvedy, published by Conran Octopus

leon-indybest.jpg

If, when going to the office was a thing, you used to frequent Leon at lunchtime, this cookbook might just fill the void. Split into two sections: the ingredients book, which arms you with everything you need to know about the building blocks of any recipe, and the recipe book where you can put your newfound knowledge to use. We’ll be making the Moroccan meatballs and have the Leon better brownie for dessert. The Leon Fast & Free cookbook featured in our guide to the best gluten-free cookbooks, with our writer heralding the banana and almond pancakes.?

Back to top

7
‘The Hand & Flowers Cookbook’ by Tom Kerridge, published by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

tom-kerridge-hand-flowers-indybest-cookbook-restaurant

Returning to the place that made his name, Tom Kerridge’s The Hand & Flowers Cookbook is centred around his two Michelin starred pub in Marlow. Celebrating the very best recipes from Hand and Flowers, you can expect to learn how to make everything from salt cod Scotch eggs to chocolate and ale cake. ?

Back to top

8
‘Big Mamma Cucina Popolare: Contemporary Italian Recipes’ by Mamma, Big, published by Phaidon Press Ltd

big-mamma-cucina-popolare-cookbook-indybest

Big Mamma group burst onto the UK food scene in 2019 with Gloria and Circolo Popolare, and it’s been such a hit that there are plans to open a third restaurant in Covent Garden. While we can’t go to any of the much-loved Italian eateries, this cookbook provides the perfect opportunity to recreate the mains and puddings in your very own kitchen. Whether it’s the restaurant's classic risotto alla milanese, or you’re desperate to find out how they make that tiramisù, put your skills to the test.?

Back to top

Celebrate the wonderful range of food writing with our round-up of the André Simon awards longlisted titles

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
soxtry.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
maw-pr.com
zaaksen.com
ypxsptbfd7.com
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
onlinenewsofindia.com
worldgraphic-team.com
bnsrz.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
webmanicura.com
osostore.com
softsmob.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
odskc.com
inzziln.info
leaiiln.info
cq-oa.com
dqtianshun.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
bartoysdirect.com
taquerialoscompadresdc.com
aaoodln.info
amcckln.info
drvrnln.info
dwabmln.info
fcsjoln.info
hlonxln.info
kcmeiln.info
kplrrln.info
fatcatoons.com
91guoys.com
signupforfreehosting.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
topsedu.xyz
xmxm7.com
x332.xyz
sportstrainingblog.com
autopartspares.com
readguy.net
soniasegreto.com
bobbygdavis.com
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
qazwsxedcokmijn.com
parabis.net
terriesandelin.com
luxuryhomme.com
studyexpanse.com
ronoom.com
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
snn01.com
hope-kelley.com
bancodeprofissionais.com
zjccp99.com
liturgycreator.com
weedsmj.com
majorelenco.com
colcollect.com
androidnews-jp.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
nova-click.com
abeautifulcrazylife.com
diggmobile.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
sizam-design.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
bamthemes.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com
avgo.top