1. Cuba: The Cookbook by Madelaine Vázquez Gálvez and Imogene Tondre
Publisher: Phaidon
Dancing and flirting. Cold beers and strong cigars. Crumbling dusty-pink houses and picture-perfect beaches.
There is a sensuality and headiness to Cuba that draws people from around the globe, but while a trip to the island has always been a feast for the eyes, it is fast becoming an actual feast, too. This brightly coloured cookbook feels like sunshine on a page, and it explores why island mentality doesn’t exist in Cuba, at least when it comes to cooking.
With a national cuisine that is influenced by Spain, Ghana, China, France and Russia, this small Caribbean nation puts the inner-city streets of London and New York to shame when it comes to gastronomy with a global twist. And with recipes including fresh lobster cooked with yams and plantains, and grilled dorade made with sweet vegetables, this is your ideal summer companion.