You heard it here first: Our fabulous friend, culinary creator Kat Ashmore (aka Kat Can Cook), is releasing a new cookbook in 2026. Big Bites: Time to Eat! will hit shelves on Jan. 27, and we couldn’t be more excited.
If you’re not familiar with Ashmore’s recipes, then you need a deep dive. (Might we suggest starting with this fun video tutorial she did with our very own Katie?) Ashmore specializes in healthy, nourishing dishes that are as tasty as they are easy. If you’re constantly on the search for weeknight-ready meals that are easy to feed to your family on a hectic Tuesday, you’re sure to discover innovative new dishes and fun spins on old faves.
To celebrate the news of her new book, we called up Ashmore to get a sneak peek into its pages. Spoiler alert: We were delighted to learn that she’s continuing to embrace streamlined simplicity (all the recipes come together in under an hour). That said, she’s not sacrificing flavor — when you make an Ashmore-inspired dinner, you can expect to be genuinely proud of your hard (but not too hard) work. Read on for an exclusive interview about what to expect from Big Bites: Time to Eat!
KCM: Was there a particular recipe or story that felt central to shaping the identity of this book?
Kat Ashmore: The story that shaped the identity of the book is the one told by all of you. After launching my flagship book, Big Bites, I’ve heard time and time again that readers feel they have me right there in the kitchen with them. The personal nature of my recipes and my content comes from a spirit of hospitality. I’m welcoming you into my kitchen as a trained chef and busy mom as much as you’re welcoming me into yours.
Can you share a bit about the creative process — were there certain dishes, colors, or moods you knew had to be represented on the cover?
At the end of the day, I want to make food that people want to eat. I don’t just want a reader to “ooh and ahh” at the photos (though I think you’ll do that too). I want you to feel encouraged and inspired to make these recipes. This book is all about food that cooks in less than an hour, but has maximum flavor that has developed in that time. The cover represents mealtime at my home: Real foods that are crave-worthy and as fun to make as they are to eat.
How does this cookbook build on or differ from your previous work, and what can readers expect inside?
You’ll find the theme of recipes you’ve come to expect from me: No diets, just good food. The recipes are family-friendly by nature because I don’t believe in cooking multiple meals for my family and I aim to meet you exactly where you are. Plus, who doesn’t need stress-free, crowd-pleasing recipes that cook quickly?
What do you hope readers feel when they open the book for the first time?
I want readers to feel not only inspired, but capable. The best feedback I get is when home cooks tell me how proud they are to serve these recipes. Confidence in the kitchen can bleed into every other area of our lives. If I can be a part of that, it’s a massive honor.
Looking back, what does this cookbook represent for you at this moment in your career?
This represents exactly where I am in my life. Do I have formal culinary training? Yes. Do I go into the “why” of recipes and some of the food and baking science I’ve learned through my training and career in order to make you a better cook? Yes.
But I’m a mom of a 6- and 8-year-old and a business owner, so it’s safe to say I’m not de-boning rabbit or making croissants from scratch every day. You can make elevated, delicious food that supports your life even in the busiest seasons. That’s what I’m doing right along with you.
Eager to take a bite out of Ashmore’s newest batch of kitchen masterpieces? Preorder it right here.
