Presenting…The Simple Bites Kitchen cookbook

I‘ve been counting down the days to this very post: the one where I reveal the cover of my next cookbook, The Simple Bites Kitchen and share a few details about this personal project.

As of now, the edits are a wrap, the cover is confirmed and this labour of love is getting ready to go to press. We also have a set release date: October 3, 2017. That’s just six months away!

So how did this book come to be? And what is it all about anyway? Keep reading for the story, a few behind-the-scenes photos…and the cookbook’s cover reveal.

Almost as soon as I wrapped up my book tour for Brown Eggs and Jam Jars, I threw myself into recipe development for The Simple Bites Kitchen. It was helpful to have a new project to throw myself into, so soon after coming off a thrilling book launch.

In many ways, the warm response to the release of my first book propelled me to make the second even better. I was determined to create another collection of recipes that would help out every young family in their kitchen and around the table.

From February through May of 2015, I spent the bulk of my time in my kitchen, developing recipes, tasting and testing recipes, writing them out and sending them to a team of testers. Week after week, I unpacked multiple bags of groceries to stock the pantry shelves. My dishwasher ran three times a day, and Danny took care of a pile of hand washables every evening.

Many recipes were our tried and true favourites, which I was finally forced to transcribe to paper from the memory files in my head. Other recipes were creations from my days as a pastry chef and line cook that I adapted for the home baker and cook. Those recipes required much more testing, like the Apple Almond Galette pictured below, which I perfected after about eight attempts.

Then, in May, we started the photography for the cookbook and worked, on and off, through the summer and into the fall. I teamed up again with the very talented Tim and Angela Chin, who photographed my first cookbook.

You, dear readers, shared your feedback on my first book, which was phenomenally positive, but one thing stood out: you wanted a photo for every recipe. I was determined to deliver, and am happy to tell you that every recipe in this cookbook has an accompanying photo! Yep, right down to the last crouton.

While I took the lead on cooking and styling the dishes, Team Tim and Ange lent their creative eye to the photography.  Together we made thousands of beautiful images – and then chose about 130 of the best. I can’t wait to share them with you.

Because of the cookbook’s specific title and the personal content, I was determined to shoot the entire book in my kitchen. And so we did!

We stayed out of studios and sets, opting for my back patio, garden bench, kitchen counter and dining room table instead. As a result, the photographs closely mirror the personal recipes and stories in the cookbook.

It truly is an honest reflection of the Simple Bites kitchen. If you’ve ever wanted to come over and cook alongside me for a day – this cookbook gives you the chance to do so on every single page.

My team at Penguin then took the manuscript and images and created an original design that is absolutely beautiful and suits my work to a T.

They also created this….

It’s a cover!

The Simple Bites Kitchen: Nourishing Whole Food Recipes for Every Day is packed with 100 delicious recipes for modern families. 

It features nourishing breakfasts, lunchbox inspiration, supper solutions and healthy snack options. There’s a homestead garden-inspired chapter of vegetarian goodness and a round-up of my most essential pantry staples. The cookbook also includes canning recipes to keep your preserves pantry well-stocked all year, cooking tips and simple tutorials. Because I love bringing people together over food, there are also ideas for homespun hospitality.

While my first cookbook featured quite a few special occasions, outings and events, my second has more of a weeknight, no-nonsense approach. There are only a handful of desserts, but the hefty ‘Everyday Suppers’ chapter provides ample inspiration for fast, fresh and family-friendly dinners.

I can’t wait to share this book with you.

And so … Good news! My new book is finally available for preorder. This helps ensure that you will have it as soon as it becomes available (occasionally a few days before) and also helps us to gauge interest in the cookbook. So please tell your friends and family about it.

Find The Simple Bites Kitchen: Nourishing Whole Food Recipes for Every Day

Thank you all for the tremendous support. It means so much to me.

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53 Comments

  1. Congratulations! I’ve been looking forward to this for a long time. I can’t wait to see it in print. xo

  2. Congratulations, Aimee…being honest when I say BEJJ was my “gateway” cookbook and the cookbook that introduced me to preserving (and convinced me to actually go through with it as me and my girlfriend, both in our early 20’s, nervously preserved strawberry rhubarb jam together last June and have kept up with our own projects ever since), labeling my pantry stores and really committing to eating seasonally. The Canadian culture really resonated with me, as it does in your blog! I share your recipes and blog links with my friends and family often. From a faithful reader in Nova Scotia, thank you for this new book, I cannot wait!

    1. Thanks so much for sharing, Ariel. That’s just amazing, and your feedback means so much to me. Thank you for continuing to read and for sharing my content around. That is a huge help, and allows me to keep on doing what I do.

      Lucky you to live in Nova Scotia. We love visiting – and we’re actually in the Halifax area on the upcoming long weekend!

    1. Thanks for the support, Marlene. It’s a lot of work, yes, but I love what I do and am so blessed to have opportunities like these.

  3. I am so unbelievably excited!! Brown Eggs and Jam Jars was the first cookbook I ever read cover to cover and am pre-ordering today! I can only imagine how wonderful and inspiring The Simple Bits Kitchen will be.

  4. Congratulations! You must be very excited… as am I. We use BEJJ almost daily, and this will be a wonderful “sister” cookbook!

  5. Aimee, these images are gorgeous and I love the “weeknight” approach. I have already preordered and passed the info on to many friends. I cannot wait to turn these pages!

    1. I preordered 2. Love it that some of the recipes are Haidi’s. I learned so very much about cooking from her.

  6. Congratulations Aimee – I’m so excited! I can’t wait to read it – particularly the weeknight dinner recipes, for which I’m constantly seeking inspiration (busy working Mom alert!). Thank you so much for this sneak peek!

  7. So excited! I actually got chills these behind the scenes pics because I love how much of you and your own story you pour into your cooking. The focus of this book sounds fabulous. BEJJ is one I reach for when I’m looking for hearty comfort food or dishes for entertaining, so I’m excited to have your take on everyday meals.
    Pre-0rdered!

    1. Side note: I love that BEJJ is a hefty paperback, so it lies flat when it’s open on my counter. Glad to see the same with this one!

    2. Ah, what an amazing response. Than you so much for sharing! And thanks for the order. I’m honoured that my book will have a place in your kitchen.

  8. I actually teared up a little reading this. I am supremely happy for you, Aimee! I can’t wait for this peek into your kitchen, and I’ve got a spot on my bookshelf (next to BE&JJ, of course) ready.

  9. Congratulations! I’m so excited to see this book. Weeknight dinner and lunchbox inspiration are soooo needed over here. Beautiful cover as well!

  10. I would be so happy if I could get the book today!!
    Will you have your tour schedule soon? I’m hoping you will be heading West–Vancouver???
    Easter Blessing to you and your precious family!

    1. Pam – thanks for a great response! Yes, I am planning on a book tour stop in Vancouver. I’ll announce the dates here some time in the fall.

  11. Simply stunning cover, Aimée! I am sure that the recipes will be as amazing as the cover! I’m really looking forward to making new weeknight recipes. Can’t wait to get my copy.

  12. I can’t wait!! So excited for you and proud of you. I know how much effort, passion and love you put into event page. And the release date is our birthday! I can’t think of a present I’d rather have. ??

  13. HUGE CONGRATULATIONS! It looks like a work of ART!

    We cannot wait to read the new cookbook, and as you showed me the photos last summer, I knew then that it would supersede your first cookbook.

    Knowing how hard you worked last summer, we hope you have a refreshing break in summer of 2017.

    1. Thanks for the support! I do love my work, and since it so naturally aligns with daily life, I seldom feel any desire for a break.

  14. Congrats dear! 😀 This is wonderful news!
    I was so happy to find a dedicated copy of your first cookbook on the shelves of Indigo, I hope I’ll be able to have your second one signed in person 😉 My eyes sparkled when you mentioned ”homestead garden-inspired chapter of vegetarian goodness ” and more caning recipies…! 😀 Can’t wait to read it and to see the amazing pictures 😉

    1. Oh lucky you! I’d be honoured to sign a copy of the new book in person this fall. I’ll probably be doing an event at Appetite for Books in Westmount. Stay tuned!

  15. I’m bemused by the photograph for every recipe “thing.” For me, it’s not necessary and feels like filler. On the other hand, my nieces maintain that a photo for each recipe is a necessity and do not purchase cookbooks without copious photographs. I am looking forward to your latest effort. Your first one was great.

    1. Sure, – good point! Some of my favourite and most used cookbooks don’t have a single image! But we have become a visual society. Fortunately, I have loads of fun creating the images of my recipes.

      Thank you for the support. I’m thrilled to hear you enjoyed Brown Eggs and Jam Jars. xo

  16. I am so excited about your new book. It sounds like it is going to be amazing. I loved the previous one. Congrats!

  17. Aimee, your second baby/book sounds amazing! It’s obvious how much passion and hard work went into it! You tested your tart 8 times!!! Woah! I can’t wait to bake it, sounds incredible! I love the fact it was shot in your house! So looking forward to holding the book in my hands and cooking from it!

  18. Just preordered my copy–you knew you’d get me with those gorgeous grapefruits on the cover! <3 I can't wait to discover this new set of recipes of yours. I'm sure I'll love your second book just as much as your first–or perhaps even more so.

  19. Congratulations, Aimee!! I was ill for a while and only now get back to the recipes on your blog. So happy to read about the new book!