Kimball, Christopher Milk Street: Cookish (0316540307)

In Cookish, Christopher Kimball and his team of cooks and editors harness the most powerful cooking principles from around the world to create 200 of the simplest, most delicious recipes ever created. These recipes, most with six or fewer ingredients (other than oil, salt, and pepper), make it easy to be a great cook--the kind who can walk into a kitchen and throw together dinner in no time.

In each of these recipes, big flavors and simple techniques transform pantry staples, common proteins, or centerpiece vegetables into a delicious meal. And each intuitive recipe is a road map for other mix-and-match meals, which can come together in minutes from whatever's in the fridge.

With most recipes taking less than an hour to prepare, and just a handful of ingredients, you'll enjoy:

* Pasta with Shrimp and Browned Butter
* West African Peanut Chicken
* Red Lentil Soup
* Scallion Noodles
* Open-Faced Omelet with Fried Dill and Feta
* Greek Bean and Avocado Salad
* And for dessert: Spiced Strawberry Compote with Greek Yogurt or Ice Cream

When it's a race to put dinner on the table, these recipes let you start at the finish line.