Tenderheart

by Hetty Lui McKinnon
Tenderheart cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Cookbooks / Food Writing
Buy online
Waterstones
Hardback • £35.00
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 6156
  • Added: 2025-11-03
  • Updated: 2025-11-05
  • ISBN: 9781035054602
  • Publisher: Pan Macmillan
  • Published: 2024-08-15
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Tenderheart is a unique blend of memoir and cookbook, where Hetty Lui McKinnon shares her deep appreciation for vegetables and her bicultural identity. Through over 180 recipes, she pays homage to her father, a Chinese immigrant in Australia, and the crates of produce he brought home from work. The book features 22 essential fruits and vegetables, each inspiring a variety of dishes that speak to the soul as much as to the stomach. Winner of the James Beard Vegetable-Focused Cooking Book Award, Tenderheart is a testament to the beauty and versatility of plant-based ingredients. From Miso Mushroom Ragu to Sweet Potato and Black Sesame Marble Bundt, the recipes are as flavorful as they are meaningful, offering a glimpse into McKinnon's upbringing and her love for her father.

Reviews
Eliot Eats · Eliot Eats · 2023-12-29
heartfelt 4.00

This cookbook is a must-read for the story it tells, much like Yogurt & Whey, though not as lyrical. It's a heartfelt journey through vegetables and family memories.

Eliot Eats found Tenderheart to be a compelling read, primarily for the narrative it weaves around vegetables and family. The reviewer likens it to Yogurt & Whey, appreciating the personal stories and recipes that bring the book to life. While not as lyrical as some other cookbooks, it stands out for its heartfelt approach and the way it connects food to family memories. The recipes are inventive and flavorful, making it a book that resonates on multiple levels.

Quick quotes

    Tenderheart is one of those cookbooks that you must read for the story.

    It's a heartfelt journey through vegetables and family memories.

    The recipes are inventive and flavorful.

The Cut · The Cut · 2023-06-05
heartfelt 4.25

Tenderheart is dedicated to the reviewer's father, who introduced the family to a variety of fruits and vegetables through his job at a produce market.

The Cut's review of Tenderheart highlights the book's personal dedication to the author's father, who played a significant role in introducing the family to a wide array of fruits and vegetables. This connection adds a layer of depth to the cookbook, making it more than just a collection of recipes. The reviewer appreciates the heartfelt tribute and the way it enriches the reading experience. The recipes are not just about cooking; they are a celebration of family and heritage, making Tenderheart a book that is both personal and universal.

Quick quotes

    Tenderheart is dedicated to your father, who introduced your family to a ton of fruits and vegetables through his job at a produce market.

    This connection adds a layer of depth to the cookbook.

    The recipes are a celebration of family and heritage.

Nigella · Nigella · 2023-06-01
special 4.50

Tenderheart is a standout cookbook that would be the star of any week it was released. It's a love letter to vegetables and a memoir through recipes.

Nigella's review of Tenderheart is filled with admiration, describing it as a standout cookbook that would shine in any lineup. The reviewer highlights the book's dual nature as a love letter to vegetables and a personal memoir told through recipes. This blend of culinary and emotional elements makes it a truly special read. The recipes are not just about food; they tell a story that speaks to the soul, making it a book that resonates deeply.

Quick quotes

    It would be the star of the show any week it came out.

    This truly special book speaks to the soul as much as to the stomach.

    A love letter to vegetables and almost a memoir through recipes.

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