While 2025 saw major cookbook releases from household names like Mary Berry and Rick Stein, some of the year's most rewarding titles flew quietly under the radar. From nutrition-focused guides to heritage-rich celebrations, we highlight the standout cookbooks you may have missed and the delicious recipes that make them essential additions to your kitchen shelf.
Nutritional Support for Midlife: A Cookbook Reboot
MENOlicious, a collaboration between journalist Mariella Frostrup and chef Belles Berry, addresses the nutritional needs of women experiencing menopause. Published by DK RED for £22, the book is framed not as a restrictive diet but as a 'reboot', developed with input from dietician Hala El-Shafie.
The method is built on six pillars: nutrient-dense food, blood sugar balance, phytoestrogens, hydration, limiting triggers like caffeine, and exercise. Promisingly, 90% of the recipes take 30 minutes or less to prepare, offering accessible meals designed to support hormone balance and bone health.
Dishes range from matcha bircher muesli to fisherman's curry. A standout recipe is their Porridge Bread, a simple, seed-packed loaf rich in omega-3s and fibre. The recipe, which serves 14, requires just yoghurt, oats, seeds, and walnuts, baked for 55 minutes for a wholesome, comforting result.
Celebrating Heritage and Sweet Treats in Equal Measure
Content creator Remi Idowu, a Forbes 30 Under 30 lister, released her debut Sugar and Spice (Ebury Press, £26). The book uniquely elevates sweet and savoury dishes to equal status, deeply rooted in her Ghanaian and Nigerian heritage.
Idowu's self-taught style, learned from her mother's home cooking, shines in accessible recipes. The book covers 'classics with a twist' and 'better than takeaways', alongside cherished family dishes. A highlight is her Groundnut Soup, a rich, slow-cooked comfort food made with chicken, smoked turkey, and a hearty peanut butter sauce, traditionally served with fufu.
Protein-Packed, Joyful Eating from a Nutritionist
Following her bestselling first book, nutritionist Emily English (@emthenutritionist) returned in 2025 with Live to Eat (Seven Dials, £25). Her philosophy champions delicious, nutritious food without restriction, focusing on protein, fibre, and balanced eating.
The book includes practical tips on stress, sleep, and movement, alongside recipes designed for satisfaction. A perfect example is her Salmon and Spinach Filo Cottage Cheese Quiche. This high-protein twist on a classic uses blended cottage cheese for a creamy custard and filo for a lighter crust, delivering under 255 calories and 20g of protein per serving.
These titles prove that 2025's culinary landscape was about far more than just the biggest names. They offer targeted support, cultural celebration, and balanced nutrition, ensuring there's a brilliant new cookbook for every kind of cook.
