Halloumi burgers with smashed avocado and tomato relish, Chinese sweet corn soup with egg ribbons or whipped tahini with a mountain of panko on asparagus, the recipes in Delicious Tonight: Foolproof Recipes for 150+ Easy Dinners, by Nagi Maehashi, a New York Times best-selling author (2024, Countryman Press, $35), are creative, unfussy, international and clever, and anything but ordinary.The book will become the recipients cooking school, with a QR code for each recipe that leads to a how-to video. The videos, stunning and sumptuous photos, paired with the organization of each recipe makes this a must-have, stand-out cookbook.

One of the biggest obstacles that new cooks face is coming up with something creative for dinner, and Maehashi has plenty of creativity. We love that she doesn't just give step-by-step instructions on how to go from ingredients to meals, but she also gives ideas for hundreds of variations and thousands of unique combinations. That's the kind of advice that's invaluable for a new cook. Sure, learning how to read a recipe is crucial, but Maehashi's methods also teach cooks how to make smart swaps and make the most of flavor combinations, as well as the "why" behind some of the things recipes often call for. We also love that this is a cookbook for visual learners. Every recipe has a QR code beside it, which you can scan to access a complete how-to video. If you've ever wanted a friendly, knowledgeable, brilliant chef in the kitchen with you, this is the book, and Maehashi is that chef.--Tasting Table

Australian blogger Nagi Maehashi (the force behind the website RecipeTin Eats and the food bank RecipeTin Meals) knows a thing or two about keeping recipes simple yet vivacious. Does it really work to pan-fry fish fillets in spring roll wrappers? It does! Marinara plus coconut milk for a Coconut Shrimp Curry? Why not! And sure, go ahead and garnish that Kale-Apple Salad with handfuls of maple bacon pecan crumble! Maehashi's exuberant, no-fuss style is contagious - now I, too, keep a jar of "Charlie" (It's brown sauce. Get it? Charlie Brown?) on hand for stir-fry night. I bet you will too.--T. Susan Chang "NPR"

Publisher: Countryman Press

Pub date: 2024-10-29

Length: 360 pages