Listing all the tasty dishes in Irish food writer and photographer Donal Skehan's Meals in Minutes might tempt readers to eat the cookbook itself.
Skehan simplifies delicious meals, building them around a small group of staple ingredients such as garlic, onions, Tabasco and honey. His methods encourage even those who proclaim they don't cook not only to enter the kitchen, but possibly craft their own original dishes. With just one pot, amateur chefs can make mouth-watering dishes like Thai Chicken Stew, Cauliflower Mac & Cheese Bake and Indian Chicken Pilaf. From one pan spring entrees like Vietnamese Caramel Salmon, Shaking Beef Stir Fry, and Dark and Sticky Lamb Steaks. There's also a chapter devoted to "kitchen cheats," meal-prep shortcuts that don't sacrifice flavor. The best part for those who want to eat well but have little time to spend on cooking? Many of these dishes can be made in under 30 minutes. Bon appétit. --Paul Dinh-McCrillis, freelance reviewer