We've all had a lot more time in our own kitchens this year, making elaborate meal plans, returning occasionally to doing 'the big shop'. We're all craving freedom, but if there are any glimmers of hope to take from the present mess, getting into cooking is one of them. It's never been easier to make yourself an incredible meal from the comfort of your own gaff, and here are some of our favourite cookbooks from 2020, whether you want to expand your horizons or give an amazing gift.

Ottolenghi FLAVOUR – Yotam Ottolenghi

With over 100 recipes in their latest book, Yotam Ottolenghi and his co-writer Ixta Belfrage are generous with the wisdom they pass on. FLAVOUR is much, much more than an instruction manual though, with the two breaking down three important factors that create flavour (process, pairings and produce) and explaining the science behind their genius. The ultimate meatless ragu is particularly special. This book could change the way you think about vegetables, whether as meals in themselves or as accompaniments to meat and fish-based dishes.
Available from Abe Books and Bookshop.org.

Dumplings and Noodles – Pippa Middlehurst

Has the great lockdown of 2020 got you thinking about getting adventurous and making your own Bao, Gyoza, Biang Biang or Ramen? Well the winner of the BBC hit Britain's Best Home Cook, Pippa Middlehurst, is here to show you all the skill that goes into those wonderful meals. Beginners will find Dumplings and Noodles easy to follow, and more advanced cooks will be wowed by Middlehurst's mouth-watering recipes.
Available from Abe Books and Bookshop.org.

Cook, eat, repeat – Nigella Lawson

One of Britain's most beloved chefs, Cook, eat, repeat shows off Lawson's flair on the page as well as in the kitchen, peppered with beautifully written essays like 'Death to the Guilty Pleasure' and 'What is a recipe?'. If you're here for the food, Nigella's still one of the greats, serving up Beef Cheeks with Port and Chestnuts, Butternut with Chilli, Ginger and Beetroot Yoghurt Sauce, and of course her iconic, delectable desserts (how about some Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake, Rice Pudding Cake; or will it be the Cherry and Almond Crumble?)
Available from Abe Books and Bookshop.org.

One Pan Pescatarian – Rachel Phipps

Want to eat more plant-based recipes but not quite ready to commit and go the whole way? This could be the book for you. Rachel Phipps' collection of veggie, vegan and fish-based recipes incorporates bold flavours from all around the world, and includes comfort dishes (Slow Cooker Mixed Bean Chilli), healthy plates (California Kale, Orange, Almond and Mushroom Salad) and brilliantly simple fish dishes (Devilled Crab Gnocchi, One Pan Smoked Salmon Kedgeree).
Available from Abe Books and Bookshop.org.

7 Ways – Jamie Oliver

More than twenty years have passed since The Naked Chef first appeared on TV, and Jamie Oliver's still managing to find new ways to write and talk about food. 7 Ways focuses on 18 of our staple ingredients, the things we often pick up at the supermarket out of muscle memory, and gives us a few brand new ways to cook them. Seven ways, to be precise.
Available from Abe Books and Bookshop.org.

Nadiya Bakes – Nadiya Hussein

The beloved star (and winner) of The Great British Bake Off has delivered a comprehensive baking cookbook that covers all your classic bases and gives you the chance to experiment and add some flair and flourish to your repertoire. Become a champion of cakes and bakes, a titan of tarts and pies, rustling up Raspberry Amaretti Biscuits, Honey Cake with a Salted Hazelnut Crumb or Spiced Squash Strudel for friends, for family, or for yourself.
Available from Abe Books and Bookshop.org.

Simply – Sabrina Ghayour

Whether you're looking for something simple you can rustle up quickly, or something that'll challenge you and test your credentials, the latest cookbook from the author of Persiana is a treasure trove of middle-eastern recipes. Simply is divided into five chapters, starting with 'Effortless Eating' (baked sweet potato & za'atar chips, anyone?) covering you for 'Something Special' (such as the spiced pork wraps with green apple salsa) and finishing off with 'Cakes, Bakes & Sweet Treats' (lets face it, persian puds are the best). Just thinking about all of this is making us peckish.
Available from Abe Books and Bookshop.org.

The Roasting Tin Around The World – Rukmini Iyer

Iyer's Roasting Tin series has become a best-selling sensation, and no wonder. Nutritious, delicious meals with very little cleaning and washing up to do afterwards? Perfect. The Roasting Tin Around The World features 75 quick and easy dishes from all round the globe, each adhering to Iyer's mission statement that, no doubt, we can all get behind: 'minimum effort, maximum flavour'.
Available from Abe Books and Bookshop.org.

The Hairy Bikers' Veggie Feasts

Si and Dave are back, and they (along with everyone else it seems) are looking at vegetarian recipes in the year 2020. Focusing on simple ingredients, the duo serve up more of their inimitable hearty and warming comfort food, but this time their meals are low on animal produce. From a Chilli Bean Bake to an Indian Shepherd's Pie, Pickled Onion Bhajis to, intriguingly, Cheese and Marmite Scones, it's them alright – but not as you know it.
Available from Bookshop.org.

Speedy BOSH! – Henry Firth and Ian Theasby

Two of the biggest names in plant-based eating are back with their latest BOSH! cookbook. The joy of these vegan recipes is their simplicity, you won't need to go foraging for ingredients, everything is easily picked up from most major supermarkets. These outstanding, innovative meals will satisfy even the most committed carnivore, and make long-standing veggies rethink what meatless means.
Available from Abe Books and Bookshop.org.