Smitten Kitchen Keepers

I've already dog-eared about six recipes and the instructions are refreshingly short—nothing that assumes I own a stand mixer or have all afternoon. The author writes like a friend who's actually tested everything, and so far the weeknight dinners have all worked on the first try.

The recipes are actually weeknight-doable, which I didn't expect from a cookbook this pretty. Made the one-pan chicken twice already and both times it came out right.

I've been cooking through this book for a week, and the chocolate chip cookie recipe alone justifies the purchase. The ingredient lists are straightforward, and I appreciate that Perelman explains the "why" behind each step. My only small wish is that the binding would lay flatter for easier reading