It’s hard to go past Ashia’s recent book The Laden Table – (see extract) – but, in terms of one I’ve had a chance to cook out of most, her first is an Indian cookbook we should all have on our shelves. Not just because you can easily find all the ingredients in Aotearoa, but because the recipes are superb. I possibly shouldn’t admit it here but, of all those I’ve tried, it’s the Spicy Shepherd’s Pie I come back to. Served on a cold winter’s night, it’s the ultimate in comfort.