The Kitchen Shelf: Take a Few Pantry Essentials, Add Two Ingredients from the Store, and Make Everyday Eating Extraordinary

Sullivan and Reynolds, food writers and stylists, provide an invaluable guide to stocking the perfect pantry for delicious, fuss-free meals with little advance planning. The authors put forth two simple steps: stock the shelf and the fridge with essentials, and then pick up two ingredients from the store. From there, it's easy to create a variety of quick and satisfying meals, as their recipes show. They advise following the recipe closely the first time around and then changing things up the second time, which builds confidence and lets cooks tailor the meal to individual tastes. Each chapter starts with a basic recipe with three variations to show how easily adaptations can be made. The authors also include 30 recipe "heroes," staples that have a multitude of uses and are must-haves for every kitchen: canned tomatoes, flour, eggs, chocolate, and more. They also advise on spices and herbs to stock and equipment to keep on hand. Chapters are broken out by hero ingredients and recipes are varied and appealing, including sausage, chickpea, and kale stew; Greek spinach rice with feta; shrimp and tomato curry; and baby eggplant with spicy peanut dressing. While building meals around canned staples may not sound appetizing, the authors demonstrate how humble ingredients such as coconut milk can be transformed in recipes such as their coconut chicken soup; rice and peas with spiced pork loin steaks; and coconut and lime meringue pie. Home cooks will appreciate the time-saving techniques the authors offer and their families will delight in the tasty, fulfilling meals. (May)