This year we did an impromptu feast at my folk’s house for the holidays. I had to make at least three dishes and haul them up to their place! I knew I was going to be exhausted by the time Christmas is over. That’s why I am trying to find new cookbooks that will help me out now the holidays are over.
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Easy cooking, for me, is heating up a box of macaroni and cheese. I can’t live off of Kraft forever! I want to learn how to make quick comforting meals for weekdays and lazy weekends. Check out some of these new cookbooks coming out that will help!
One Pan Perfect
Donna Hay
We love Donna Hay here on Cookbook Divas! Her recipes are approachable and intuitive.
Donna Hay loves to make it easy for home cooks. Her cookbook, One Pan Perfect features over 120 recipes. Better yet, you only need one pot, pan, tray, or bowl. You and your family will be able to eat tasty meals in no time.
My favorite feature of the One Pan Perfect cookbook is the QR codes trickled throughout. Scan these with your phone and you can cook each recipe with Donna herself. Cooking couldn’t get any more effortless!
As usual, the photography is fabulous. Most of the dishes are showcased in a beautiful minimalist way.
The recipes I am most excited about are the Coconut Caramel Tart, Coconut Pumpkin Prawn Noodle Soup, and All in One Crispy Baked Tacos! All of it is super easy to make! I can’t wait to look through One Pan Perfect on our YouTube channel.
Milk Street Instant Pot: Bold, Fast, Fresh — A Revolution of Flavor in an Instant
Christopher Kimball
The Milk Street Instant Pot: Bold, Fast, Fresh A Revolution of Flavor in an Instant cookbook comes out right after the holidays. Perfect timing!
I love cooking in my Instant Pot, especially with a small kitchen. You can make massive meals in a short period of time! This cookbook has 150 scrumptious Instant Pot and multicooker recipes designed for your schedule.
Instant Pots and other multicookers can totally transform your meals. Imagine having hearty stews and elaborate dishes throughout the week! These appliances make cooking easy and convenient.
Milk Street Instant Pot: Bold, Fast, Fresh A Revolution of Flavor in an Instant cookbook presents recipes such as:
- Potato and Green Pea Curry and Eggplant
- Tomato, Chickpea Tagine
- Chicken in Green Mole
- Lemony Orzo with Chicken and Arugula
- Short Rib Ragu
All of these dishes take the Milk Street approach to cooking – fresh flavor combinations and innovative techniques from around the world. With so much variety, the Milk Street Instant Pot: Bold, Fast, Fresh A Revolution of Flavor in an Instant cookbook is going to be essential for your shelf.
I really enjoy the Milk Street series of cookbooks. I think as a home cook, they are some of the best out there.
The Comfortable Kitchen: 105 Laid-Back, Healthy, and Wholesome Recipes (A Defined Dish Book)
Alex Snodgrass
Alex Snodgrass is the food lover, health enthusiast, and founder of the popular blog The Defined Dish. You can also find her on Instagram! If you are looking for healthy and easy recipes to start the New Year with, her cookbook “The Comfortable Kitchen: 105 Laid-Back, Healthy, and Wholesome Recipes (A Defined Dish Book)” is a dream!
As the title states, you will find 105 tasty, comforting, and healthy meals in this cookbook. The recipes are helpful for those with busy family lives. Alex Snodgrass makes cooking effortless!
The dishes with photos look appetizing. My mouth is watering just looking at them!
I am dying over the potatoes above. Once I get my hands on this cookbook, that is the first thing I am serving up! Other recipes include:
- Green Curry Poached Halibut with Herbs
- Texas Style Brisket Tacos
- Herby Green Olive Pasta with Feta
- Sheet Pan Honey-Sesame Cauliflower
- Salmon al Pastor
- Balsamic Steak Salad with Creamy Gorgonzola Dressing
One about this cookbook that I am in love with is the drink pairings! I was surprised to see each recipe include various cocktail suggestions. I wonder if she provides cocktail recipes in the back? I will have to find out!
One: Pot, Pan, Planet: A Greener Way to Cook for You and Your Family: A Cookbook
Anna Jones
Is it so much to ask that every meal only requires one pot, pan, or sheet?That makes cooking meals easier, and the cleanup is just as effortless. The One: Pot, Pan, Planet: A Greener Way to Cook for You and Your Family: A Cookbook is the perfect way to wind down from the holiday season!
There are over 200 recipes for weeknight meals, weekend feasts, to desserts. You will also find information to help you reduce waste, use leftovers, make kitchens plastic-free, and become a more environmentally mindful shopper! This is the perfect cookbook to help you turn a new leaf.
Chapters are divided into unique sections:
Introduction
- One Pot
- One Planet I
- One Pan
- One Veg
- Quick
- One Planet II
- One Tray
- Waste Less
The photography is gorgeous throughout this cookbook. Each photo showcases vibrant and fresh dishes that highlight sustainable cooking.
You will find recipes like:
- Lemon & Parmesan
- Persian Noodle Soup
- Arepas with Black Beans & Salsa Verde
- Quick Squash Lasagna
- Saag Aloo Shepard’s Pie
- Crispy Butter Beans with Kale
Bonus, the recipes are very easy to follow! If you’re looking for effortless, One: Pot, Pan, Planet: A Greener Way to Cook for You and Your Family: A Cookbook will make the perfect addition!
30 Minute Mowgli: Fast Easy Indian from the Mowgli Home Kitchen
Nisha Katona
Nisha Katona is well known for her curries in the UK. Indian is the ultimate comfort food. Being able to have a wildly flavorful dish on the table in less than 30 minutes seems impossible! Luckily, Nisha Katona has us covered.
All the recipes are meals that range from light lunches to large mains. All you need to do is pair them with one of the simple sides such as rice, noodles, potatoes, or a chapati wrap.
The chapters are themed around ingredients like chicken, meat, fish, vegetables, and desserts. There’s an additional chapter called “Ma, Look Away” for Nisha’s favorite pasta dishes!
You’ll find recipes such as:
- Chicken Dhansak
- Gingerbread Lamb Steaks
- Million Dollar Green Dahl
- Gin and Tonic Salmon
- Greenbean and Mango Dahl
I am really curious about the Gin and Tonic Salmon. There are a lot of recipes throughout this cookbook I have never seen before! There are plenty of outside-of-the-box recipes in the 30 Minute Mowgli: Fast Easy Indian from the Mowgli Home Kitchen cookbook.
10-Minute Chinese Takeout: Simple, Classic Dishes Ready in Just 10 Minutes!
Kwoklyn Wan
Kwoklyn Wan brings us Chinese takeout to our kitchen in ten minutes. That is quicker than DoorDash! This also means you get full control over all the ingredients and flavors. His previous cookbooks are filled with amazing recipes! I have full confidence we are in good shape following his instructions.
10-Minute Chinese Takeout: Simple, Classic Dishes Ready in Just 10 Minutes! is perfect for post-holiday fatigue. In most of his recipes, there are tips and handy shortcuts you can use to get dinner on the table faster.
Chapters include:
- Soups and Snacks
- Vegetables
- Seafood
- Meat
- Chicken and Duck
- Rice and Noodles
There are a lot of recipes that I am shocked can be made in ten minutes or less. For instance, Ginger and Orange Chicken, Beef Filet with Bean Sprouts, Satay Lamb Steak with Coconut Rice, and General Tso’s Spicy Tofu.
Usually, Chinese food is notorious for an obscene amount of prep work! One of Kwoklyn Wan’s tips is to use frozen ingredients for quicker cook time. I’m glad he doesn’t shame us for not using exclusively fresh ingredients!
What are some of your favorite easy winter comfort meals you make?
~Kaiti
