I Dream of Dinner (so You Don’t Have to): Low-Effort, High-Reward Recipes

Inspired by her mother and nonna, who “cook quickly but thoughtfully,” recipe developer Slagle serves up a collection of tasty dishes that can be whipped up in 45 minutes or less. Ingredients (which put to work “pantry lurkers” such as grains and canned beans) are presented via a shopping list to the left of directions that repeat them in boldface with measurements and prep; it’s an unusual yet effective style that can be read with a brisk scan (a necessity when dinnertime looms). Slagle amps up eggs, scrambling them with harissa, chopped dates, and pita chips that soften like migas in a browned-butter mix. Beans and legumes become deeply flavored in short order, thanks to boosters such as pickled peppers and their brine in Sloppy Joe’d red lentils, and anchovies in Slagle’s olive oil–braised chickpeas. Beyond the dishes that spotlight chicken and seafood are tempting meatless pairings, such as fennel and radicchio with macerated apricots, as well as innovative ways to treat tempeh, including crisped in a salad with kimchi. Meanwhile, cooking tips (like patting raw chicken dry before browning) open chapters with sure-footed nuggets of wisdom for “off-road[ing]” and “recover[ing] if there’s a screw-up.” This makes the task of cooking feel like a celebration. (Apr.)