Those of us in the Northern hemisphere are starting to feel the cold, and yearn for warming stews, and hearty suppers. But depending on where you are in the world, cooking for the coming season could mean a very different thing indeed. Perhaps you are just venturing outside, for grills and fresh sunshine-soaked days. Wherever you are, our trio of new books have something for you.

Mastering the Grill: The Owner’s Manual for Outdoor Cooking is serious about taking things outside, and contains everything you need to turn you into a grill-master. Authors Andrew Schloss and David Joachim have given you a comprehensive guide to equipment and technique – The Grillmaster’s Manual, followed by their section on The Grillmaster’s Recipes.

Try Scotch Steak in the Coals with Stilton Butter, some Roasted Onions with Gorgonzola Crumble, followed by Grilled Papaya with Sweet Saffron Butter and Lime Mascarpone Cream.

Food writer and radio producer Von Dias takes us on a tropical culinary tour in her book Islas: A Celebration of Tropical Cooking: 125 Recipes from the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Ocean Islands. Puerto Rican born, the heart of Von’s work is her exploration and celebration of the legacies and resilience of island peoples.

The recipes and stories in the book reflect her extensive research of these cultures. Try Lemongrass Adobo Grilled Chicken with Pineapple with Okra Salad, or some Stewed Red Beans with Pumpkin.

As Andrew Schloss writes in the introduction to his book Art of the Slow Cooker: 80 Exciting new Recipes: “By measuring culinary ease with a stopwatch, we forget that there are ways to cook, as old as fire itself, that take little work and even less attention as they infuse food with a goodness that only time can give.”

With temptingly titled and evocatively introduced sections on subjects such as The Art of Homemade Soup and Sweet and Slow, you know this is a place to find comfort and nourishment. Keep warm with Parmigiano Pumpkin Soup with Frizzled Prosciutto, or Lamb Shanks Braised with Prunes and Brandy. Then treat yourself to a Supremely Edible Fruitcake.