What goes with what 100 recipes, 20 charts, endless possibilities

The latest from Turshen (host of the podcast Keep Calm and Cook On and author of bestselling cookbooks like Simply Julia) is sure to be a hit. Known for her practicality, she opens by imparting her philosophy for being relaxed, creative, and confident in the kitchen. The chapters are divided into the basics, such as sandwiches and salads, veggies, soups, and mains. Recipes within are deceptively simple, are built to rely upon pantry ingredients, and are easy to alter. Simple cooking doesn't mean boring food, however. The recipes cover a wide variety of cuisines, with zhuzhed-up staples (such as Italian sausage-and-ricotta meatballs and tuna mac salad) breathing life into weeknight meals. Chapter and recipe narratives are filled with encouragement and tips to turn pantry contents into dinner. Vignettes cover Turshen's personal culinary history; there's even a poignant interview with her mother about body image. Home cooks will love Turshen's practical charm and recipe construction as much as they love the delicious dishes they produce. VERDICT The world will never have enough practical weeknight cookbooks, but what will make this one fly off the shelves is Turshen's unique cooking philosophy and wonderfully tasty results.--Sarah Tansley