What do you think?
Rate this book
Stews: One-Pot Comfort Food From Around The World
Dive into the rich, comforting world of one-pot cooking with Stews, a collection of 100 irresistible recipes that honor the ancient, universal tradition of gathering around a simmering pot of bold and delicious flavors.
From the self-proclaimed “CEO of Stews,” Xavier Bramble—whose journey spans from running a student food service in his dorm room to dazzling audiences on BBC’s Young MasterChef—this cookbook is your passport to vibrant, flavorful meals that are as easy to make as they are to share.
With every recipe, you’ll travel to kitchens across the savor the bold spices of India, the hearty comfort foods of France, the zesty and warm ingredients of Brazil, or the nostalgic aromas of your own childhood.
Inside, you’ll find recipes
Greek Beef StifadoWest African Chickpea StewChile ColoradoLouisiana Red Beans and RiceFrench Beef BourguignonMoroccan Sea Bream TagineWhether you’re feeding a crowd or craving a cozy night in, Stews is your guide to creating soul-satisfying meals with minimal effort and maximum flavor. No fancy techniques—just simple, affordable, and utterly delicious dishes that bring people together.
With Stews, you’ll discover that the oldest way of cooking is still the most joyful. So grab a pot, gather your ingredients, and let Xavier Bramble show you how to stew your way around the world.
From the self-proclaimed “CEO of Stews,” Xavier Bramble—whose journey spans from running a student food service in his dorm room to dazzling audiences on BBC’s Young MasterChef—this cookbook is your passport to vibrant, flavorful meals that are as easy to make as they are to share.
With every recipe, you’ll travel to kitchens across the savor the bold spices of India, the hearty comfort foods of France, the zesty and warm ingredients of Brazil, or the nostalgic aromas of your own childhood.
Inside, you’ll find recipes
Greek Beef StifadoWest African Chickpea StewChile ColoradoLouisiana Red Beans and RiceFrench Beef BourguignonMoroccan Sea Bream TagineWhether you’re feeding a crowd or craving a cozy night in, Stews is your guide to creating soul-satisfying meals with minimal effort and maximum flavor. No fancy techniques—just simple, affordable, and utterly delicious dishes that bring people together.
With Stews, you’ll discover that the oldest way of cooking is still the most joyful. So grab a pot, gather your ingredients, and let Xavier Bramble show you how to stew your way around the world.
224 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 24, 2026
20 people are currently reading
5506 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
2026
December 12, 2025Non-fiction November TBR
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Celebrate
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Celebrate
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There are tons of amazing recipes in this bookthat I am sure many people will absolutely love. I'm not one of them, but I know that quite a few of my family members would love at least ten of these, if not more, which is why I requested the cookbook. Also, I do love several different stews and was hoping to find one I liked, but that isn't always going to happen.
Still, the cookbook well organized and has great instructions.The photographs are absolutely amazing. I definitely would recommend this cookbook!
Still, the cookbook well organized and has great instructions.The photographs are absolutely amazing. I definitely would recommend this cookbook!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book Review: Stews: One-Pot Comfort Food From Around the World by Xavier Bramble
Rating: 4 Stars
I recently picked up Stews by Xavier Bramble, and it’s a seriously fun dive into the world of one-pot cooking. The book features 90 tasty stew recipes that celebrate the timeless tradition of gathering around a bubbling pot full of bold, comforting flavors. Xavier, who cheekily calls himself the “CEO of Stews,” clearly knows his stuff—from his early days cooking in a student dorm kitchen to impressing judges on BBC’s Young MasterChef, his passion for food really shines through every page.
What I love about this cookbook is how it takes you on a little culinary trip across the globe. You get to sample everything from India’s spicy stews to French classics like Beef Bourguignon, plus Brazilian warmth, Moroccan tagines, and even nostalgic dishes that might remind you of home. Some recipes are pretty straightforward and quick, while others need a bit more patience and a few specialty ingredients—but nothing too crazy if you have access to some global spices or a well-stocked pantry.
The book’s layout is super user-friendly, with clear instructions and helpful labels that let you know what kind of time or effort you’re signing up for. And I have to mention the photos—they’re absolutely gorgeous and make you want to dive right in with your own pot. Oh, and the cover? Totally eye-catching and inviting.
All in all, I’d definitely recommend Stews if you’re into hearty, soul-warming meals that bring people together without needing fancy kitchen skills. It’s a solid 4-star from me because while there’s a ton to love, some recipes do require ingredients that might not be super easy to find everywhere. But hey, that’s part of the adventure! Grab your pot and start stewing your way around the world with Xavier as your guide.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Rating: 4 Stars
I recently picked up Stews by Xavier Bramble, and it’s a seriously fun dive into the world of one-pot cooking. The book features 90 tasty stew recipes that celebrate the timeless tradition of gathering around a bubbling pot full of bold, comforting flavors. Xavier, who cheekily calls himself the “CEO of Stews,” clearly knows his stuff—from his early days cooking in a student dorm kitchen to impressing judges on BBC’s Young MasterChef, his passion for food really shines through every page.
What I love about this cookbook is how it takes you on a little culinary trip across the globe. You get to sample everything from India’s spicy stews to French classics like Beef Bourguignon, plus Brazilian warmth, Moroccan tagines, and even nostalgic dishes that might remind you of home. Some recipes are pretty straightforward and quick, while others need a bit more patience and a few specialty ingredients—but nothing too crazy if you have access to some global spices or a well-stocked pantry.
The book’s layout is super user-friendly, with clear instructions and helpful labels that let you know what kind of time or effort you’re signing up for. And I have to mention the photos—they’re absolutely gorgeous and make you want to dive right in with your own pot. Oh, and the cover? Totally eye-catching and inviting.
All in all, I’d definitely recommend Stews if you’re into hearty, soul-warming meals that bring people together without needing fancy kitchen skills. It’s a solid 4-star from me because while there’s a ton to love, some recipes do require ingredients that might not be super easy to find everywhere. But hey, that’s part of the adventure! Grab your pot and start stewing your way around the world with Xavier as your guide.
⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Xavier Bramble grew up loving food and it shows. His story is one of a person that follows his passion (and his stomach) around the world, learning about the most global comfort food: stews. I have followed his Instagram @xavskitchen for a while and was very interested in seeing Xav's life of culinary experience on the page. It blew me away. Here we have 80 (!) stews from all over the world (and I mean ALL over the world). Some of them require time, attention, and harder to find ingredients. Some are quick and easy. All are within reach of someone with common kitchen equipment and (in some cases) access to in-person or online sources for global spices. You know upfront what you are getting into, since recipes are coded with one or more of these categories:
super speedy (45 minutes or less)
weekend cooking (take a bit more time)
worth the wait (rmore involved and require time and attention)
flex the flavor (harder to find ingredients, so plan ahead)
My favorite dish in the entire world is beef rendang from Indonesia. Xavier has a very do-able version here but reminds us that this recipe is worth the wait and requires you to flex the flavor. Definitely a weekend dish. If you're in a hurry, you can try a Morrocan Loubia, one of the super speedy recipes with a base of cannellini beans in a rich tomato sauce.
I am very grateful to NetGalley and Harper Celebrate for the opportunity to provide me with an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review. Honestly, I can't wait for this to release on February 24th so I can grab a print copy for my cookbook collection!!!
super speedy (45 minutes or less)
weekend cooking (take a bit more time)
worth the wait (rmore involved and require time and attention)
flex the flavor (harder to find ingredients, so plan ahead)
My favorite dish in the entire world is beef rendang from Indonesia. Xavier has a very do-able version here but reminds us that this recipe is worth the wait and requires you to flex the flavor. Definitely a weekend dish. If you're in a hurry, you can try a Morrocan Loubia, one of the super speedy recipes with a base of cannellini beans in a rich tomato sauce.
I am very grateful to NetGalley and Harper Celebrate for the opportunity to provide me with an advanced reading copy in exchange for my honest review. Honestly, I can't wait for this to release on February 24th so I can grab a print copy for my cookbook collection!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
Stews by Xavier Bramble is a beautifully crafted and thoughtfully curated cookbook that feels more like a special-occasion culinary experience than an everyday, weeknight guide.
The recipes are diverse and intriguing, showcasing a wide range of flavors and techniques that go well beyond the standard stew repertoire. It’s clear a lot of intention went into both the recipe development and the overall vision of the book. The photography is especially stunning—rich, atmospheric, and inviting—which makes this a pleasure to read even when you’re not actively cooking from it.
That said, this is not a casual, pantry-based cookbook. Some of the ingredients may be difficult to source for the average home cook, and many recipes feel better suited to slow, intentional cooking rather than daily meals. For readers looking for quick or highly accessible stews, this may not be the best fit.
However, for those who enjoy exploring new ingredients, expanding their culinary comfort zone, or cooking something truly special, Stews is a wonderful addition to the shelf. It’s an inspiring book that encourages slowing down, savoring the process, and treating stew-making as an art form.
Stews by Xavier Bramble is a beautifully crafted and thoughtfully curated cookbook that feels more like a special-occasion culinary experience than an everyday, weeknight guide.
The recipes are diverse and intriguing, showcasing a wide range of flavors and techniques that go well beyond the standard stew repertoire. It’s clear a lot of intention went into both the recipe development and the overall vision of the book. The photography is especially stunning—rich, atmospheric, and inviting—which makes this a pleasure to read even when you’re not actively cooking from it.
That said, this is not a casual, pantry-based cookbook. Some of the ingredients may be difficult to source for the average home cook, and many recipes feel better suited to slow, intentional cooking rather than daily meals. For readers looking for quick or highly accessible stews, this may not be the best fit.
However, for those who enjoy exploring new ingredients, expanding their culinary comfort zone, or cooking something truly special, Stews is a wonderful addition to the shelf. It’s an inspiring book that encourages slowing down, savoring the process, and treating stew-making as an art form.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Stews is a celebration of one-pot comfort food with a big variety of cuisines. From French beef bourguignon to Portuguese feijoada, Caribbean sancocho to Swedish fiskgryta, there’s something for everyone.
The recipes are solid and well-written, though I would have liked to see the author put a bit more of their own spin on some dishes. There’s not much to separate the Beef Bourguignon or Bo Kho from others you can find online or in other cookbooks.
Despite the variety, the ingredients are pretty accessible. Most are common enough that anyone who cooks even a little will probably have them in their pantry already.
Every recipe includes a picture of the finished dish, which is super helpful for anyone unfamiliar with a recipe, new to cooking, or just wanting to flick through and look at tasty food. I would have liked a longer chapter on sides, though, to help round out the meals a bit more.
The food photography is gorgeous, and the page design's pretty good overall. The only real drawback is the colour choices: white text on pale backgrounds isn't easy to read. A proper accessibility review would be helpful.
The recipes are solid and well-written, though I would have liked to see the author put a bit more of their own spin on some dishes. There’s not much to separate the Beef Bourguignon or Bo Kho from others you can find online or in other cookbooks.
Despite the variety, the ingredients are pretty accessible. Most are common enough that anyone who cooks even a little will probably have them in their pantry already.
Every recipe includes a picture of the finished dish, which is super helpful for anyone unfamiliar with a recipe, new to cooking, or just wanting to flick through and look at tasty food. I would have liked a longer chapter on sides, though, to help round out the meals a bit more.
The food photography is gorgeous, and the page design's pretty good overall. The only real drawback is the colour choices: white text on pale backgrounds isn't easy to read. A proper accessibility review would be helpful.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"From the self-proclaimed “CEO of Stews,” Xavier Bramble—whose journey spans from running a student food service in his dorm room to dazzling audiences on BBC’s Young MasterChef—this cookbook is your passport to vibrant, flavorful meals that are as easy to make as they are to share.
With every recipe, you’ll travel to kitchens across the savor the bold spices of India, the hearty comfort foods of France, the zesty and warm ingredients of Brazil, or the nostalgic aromas of your own childhood."
This is an absolutely gorgeous cookbook, filled with stews from around the world and easy to follow instructions. There's stews for every diet out there, with vegan options too. Although some ingredients may be a little more difficult to source, most are available at large grocery stores or specialty food shops. It's winter here now, so I'm thinking of trying a few of these out, like rendang (p. 121) or sudado de pollo (p. 68). Yummmm
I received a free ebook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
With every recipe, you’ll travel to kitchens across the savor the bold spices of India, the hearty comfort foods of France, the zesty and warm ingredients of Brazil, or the nostalgic aromas of your own childhood."
This is an absolutely gorgeous cookbook, filled with stews from around the world and easy to follow instructions. There's stews for every diet out there, with vegan options too. Although some ingredients may be a little more difficult to source, most are available at large grocery stores or specialty food shops. It's winter here now, so I'm thinking of trying a few of these out, like rendang (p. 121) or sudado de pollo (p. 68). Yummmm
I received a free ebook copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
December 22, 2025
As the title may give you a clue, this book is all about stews. The author started cooking for himself at university – the foods he’d grown up with. His friends started spreading the word about his cooking he decided to start putting his cooking and recipe videos on Canva and then TikTok.
There are 80 recipes in this book and the chapters are:
Welcome to Stews
Veg
Beans
Poultry
Beef
Pork and Lamb
Seafood
Sides and Spices
The origins of the stews are international, just about every ingredient can be sourced in the typical US grocery store. Although the names of most of the stews won’t register with many Americans. The ingredients are recognizable and the instructions are easy to follow.
This book is beautifully photographed and the meals look delicious. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an early e-copy of this book for review.
There are 80 recipes in this book and the chapters are:
Welcome to Stews
Veg
Beans
Poultry
Beef
Pork and Lamb
Seafood
Sides and Spices
The origins of the stews are international, just about every ingredient can be sourced in the typical US grocery store. Although the names of most of the stews won’t register with many Americans. The ingredients are recognizable and the instructions are easy to follow.
This book is beautifully photographed and the meals look delicious. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an early e-copy of this book for review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Since cooking is not my best skill I love a stew. I do have the ability to put stuff in a pot and come back later. I love that the recipes here encompass a huge range of different cuisines and a wide diversity of flavors. The book’s design is a little plain Jane, but the food photos do make you want to dive in and get eating. However, the recipes are a bit intense, the lists of ingredients, yikes….it’s a lot. Maybe if your a real cook you have these things on hand, but I would need to spend heaps of money to create some of these dishes.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an early look.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an early look.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Stews is a warm, globally inspired cookbook that celebrates the simplicity and richness of one-pot meals. I appreciated the clear key that shows how long each stew takes to make, which makes the book especially approachable. There’s a strong mix of vegetarian and vegan options, and the conversion chart at the back is a helpful touch for U.S. cooks.
As someone curious about cuisines beyond my own, I enjoyed encountering ingredients and flavor combinations that were new to me. This book invites exploration without feeling intimidating, making it a great resource for cozy, flavorful cooking.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book for review.
As someone curious about cuisines beyond my own, I enjoyed encountering ingredients and flavor combinations that were new to me. This book invites exploration without feeling intimidating, making it a great resource for cozy, flavorful cooking.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book for review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Stew can definitely be considered a perfect food or meal and very versatile. Unfortunately for me, I only knew a couple of stew recipes before reading this book and I'm so glad I did! I really enjoyed reading this book and finally getting great ideas for trying recipes I never even considered. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to read something new.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a great international cookbook by a young man who began cooking in college and went viral with his recipes. He turned it into a passion and has traveled the world learning authentic one pot stews of all sorts. You will need to source some specialty ingredients for a lot of these but you could also substitute and still keep the spirit of the dish.
Each recipe has a full page photo. No nutritional information is provided. One section is for vegetarian stews and most of them are dairy free and gluten free.
I read a temporary digital copy of this book for review.
Each recipe has a full page photo. No nutritional information is provided. One section is for vegetarian stews and most of them are dairy free and gluten free.
I read a temporary digital copy of this book for review.
December 20, 2025
In the fall and winter, stews and soups are my jam! And these recipes, taken from cultures all over the world, just make my mouth water. The pics are outstanding!
I’ve been dreaming about a trip to Morocco so last night I made Loubia, a Moroccan staple with white beans in a tomato base. The recipe was easy to follow, without obscure ingredients (the only one I needed to buy was parsley), and SO DELICIOUS. I can’t wait to try more!
Thanks to Harper Celebrate and NetGalley for this ARC!
I’ve been dreaming about a trip to Morocco so last night I made Loubia, a Moroccan staple with white beans in a tomato base. The recipe was easy to follow, without obscure ingredients (the only one I needed to buy was parsley), and SO DELICIOUS. I can’t wait to try more!
Thanks to Harper Celebrate and NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a huge soup/stew lover I knew that this cookbook was going to be a keeper, and I wasn't wrong! Instead of just offering the basic soups we can find anywhere, this cookbook offers recipes that aren't common to most households. The first one Lentejas Con Calabaza from Spain kicks off what is a solid cookbook with new recipes to try!
I love that the recipes celebrate a variety of places---Peru to Japan to Ethiopia. This book has it all. Well done!
I love that the recipes celebrate a variety of places---Peru to Japan to Ethiopia. This book has it all. Well done!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I didn't know I needed a stew cookbook until I opened this one.
Everything looks amazingly tasty in here, full of recipes from places we are not used to seeing in cookbooks, which is so refreshing and intriguing.
Full of big bold flavours that I totally want to try as soon as I step out of summer and go into the cold months.
You want to have this book in autumn and winter; this is going to be your new best friend.
Everything looks amazingly tasty in here, full of recipes from places we are not used to seeing in cookbooks, which is so refreshing and intriguing.
Full of big bold flavours that I totally want to try as soon as I step out of summer and go into the cold months.
You want to have this book in autumn and winter; this is going to be your new best friend.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me review this before it comes out next month. I love the way this cook book is set up as chapters along with the serving sizes being on the smaller size. You really get to see the authors love of all types of food as you get stew from all corners of the world. Can’t wait to add this one to my cookbook library when it comes out
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Netgalley ARC- Great collection of recipes from around the world. Using ingredients that are easily found these recipes shine with a variety of flavors. Lots of good photos make it easy to armchair travel while enjoying a bowl full of deliciousness.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.
So many stews to enjoy from all around the world. I like that it tells you when things maybe hard to source or find and the times are listed for each stew. I would like to try many of these yummy recipes.
So many stews to enjoy from all around the world. I like that it tells you when things maybe hard to source or find and the times are listed for each stew. I would like to try many of these yummy recipes.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Not just a cookbook, but a whole journey! I really loved the little stories before every recipe.
All the photos and page colour choices were very inspiring, always tuning me into a good mood to experiment in the kitchen.
Thanks to netgalley.com for providing a free copy of the book.
All the photos and page colour choices were very inspiring, always tuning me into a good mood to experiment in the kitchen.
Thanks to netgalley.com for providing a free copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A diverse range of recipes for tasty meals. A must read for anyone looking to get a yummy meal on the table. Thank you to Harper Celebrate and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Very nice cookbook. Wow some of these recipes are amazing! I was familiar with a few from my travels to foreign countries. Beautiful photos.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5*
This cookbook is beautiful. The whole book is colorful in pictures, language, and feel. There are a wide variety of worldly recipes. I truly enjoyed it and recommend it.
This cookbook is beautiful. The whole book is colorful in pictures, language, and feel. There are a wide variety of worldly recipes. I truly enjoyed it and recommend it.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews