The Yummy Mummy Kitchen: 100 Effortless and Irresistible Recipes to Nourish Your Family with Style and Grace

The first sentence of this book by Yummy Mummy Kitchen blogger Delio—“I’m not the Yummy Mummy”—is reassuring. This isn’t about an author extolling her own supermom-as-superchef credentials. The title of her blog and book, she explains, are inspired by her British grandmother, whom she calls “the original Yummy Mummy.” And the book is inspiring, not intimidating. It’s filled with terrific and accessible (mostly meatless, with a few exceptions) recipes, along with real-mom advice from the author (who admits that pouring a small glass of wine makes dinner prep more fun, and that her standing Friday afternoon play date/cocktail hour with girlfriends helps her to be a better mom) and her grandmother. The recipes range from snacks (such as kid-friendly Cheesy Broccoli Brown Rice Poppers and Grape and Rosemary Flatbread) to entrees (such as Grilled Eggplant Stuffed with Spinach and Cheese, Rice Noodles Primavera with Tofu and Peanut Sauce, Halibut with Blood Orange Salsa, and Crispy Baked “Fish and Chips”). There are also breakfast foods, like Apple Oat Muffins, and simple desserts, like Salted Brown Butter Cookies and Apricot Almond Crumble Bars. It’s true that the dreamy color photos make the book feel aspirational, but the easy recipes and helpful features (like seasonal weekly menus, complete with shopping lists) make this volume a useful resource for busy families. (Apr.)