Whinney Heather, Parrish Margaret. Everyday easy 30-minute dinners: quick assembly, fresh and light, from the pantry

DK Publishing, 2010. — 230 p. — ISBN 9780756661892.Fast food that is good food—surely that is the holy grail for all of us? Sometimes it feels like the last thing we have time for is to cook a meal from scratch and it’s all too easy to reach for the additive-laden, preprepared meal in the freezer, but preparing delicious, nutritious food doesn’t have to be time-consuming. The truth is that oven heating those frozen burgers takes nearly as long as making your own. (Don’t believe it? Turn to page 178.) Many favorite recipes from around the world are often easier, and quicker, to make than they appear. Thailand’s famous Pad Thai, Paneer and Peas from India, and the Caribbean classic Rice and Beans can all be made in minutes. Speedy cooking is made much simpler if you are prepared for those days when you have no time to shop. Having the basics in the house means you can cook up a feast at the shortest notice. The Useful Information section at the start of the book gives invaluable advice on Stocking Up: what to keep in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, how to store it, and how to use it. Next, a selection of step-by-step Techniqueswill refine your core cooking skills and help you save on preparation time, whether you are cooking the perfect pasta or preparing a prickly pineapple. These show you the best quick cooking methods, such as broiling, frying, and steaming—all great choices when you need good food, fast—and ingredients, such as eggs, that are one of the best ingredients a time-strapped cook can have on hand.
Following this is a range of Recipe Plannersthat showcase recipes by themes such as Healthy, One-pot, and Vegetarian so cooks in a hurry can easily find something suitable. For those of you who are particularly short of time, look no further than the Within 15 Minutes section!