The Minimalist Cooks Dinner

Minimize weeknight stress with easy, satisfying, and sophisticated meals from a New York Times–bestselling, six-time James Beard Award–winning food writer.

Distilling recipes down to their simplest, most flavorful ingredients has become the trademark of Mark Bittman. No one does it better—and now, you can do it from home every night of the week. You don’t have to rely on having perfect ingredients or expert skills to feed your family and friends. Along with serving tips, wine suggestions, and quick and easy side dishes, these recipes will elevate your meals, not your anxiety.

Whip up the hearty Whole-Meal Chicken Noodle Soup, Chinese Style, and you won’t even need a side. Pizza with Arugula, Corn, and Bacon can be baked or grilled, using homemade or store-bought dough, and transformed by a variety of toppings to suit your taste. Getting the most out of Crabby Crabcakes means using fewer “filler” ingredients and showcasing the crabmeat. And pair the Forty-Minute Cassoulet with 60-Minute Bread for a traditional dinner with an uncomplicated twist.

No dish is off the table for Bittman and his minimalist methods. He “has definitely mastered the art of simplicity while keeping food flavorful and appetizing” (Daniel Boulud).

“Cementing his reputation for quick, uncomplicated and rewardingly tasty fare within reach of any cook, Bittman overflows with inspiration in the basic recipes and in the suggestions that can be undertaken ‘With Minimal Effort’ accompanying each one . . . Cooks with discerning tastes but little time will be very glad to add this to their library.” —Publishers Weekly