Every now and then a food writer with a fresh and authentic voice comes along, and Jack Monroe is that rare find. Her recipes are founded on the ideal of eating well on a budget, but there is nothing drab about her food: it's as vibrant as her voice; and A Girl Called Jack is full of food with bold flavour, recipes that beg to become part of your daily repertoire. I've chosen the Peach (tinned: no shame) and Chick Pea Curry, which I've already made and know will make again. This is a book with charm and brio, and a true helpmeet in the kitchen.
From A Girl Called Jack by Jack Monroe, published by Michael Joseph, 2014.
Photos by Susan Bell.