Preppy Kitchen super easy 100 simple and versatile recipes

Bestseller Kanell follows up Preppy Kitchen with an impressive and memorable collection of flavor-packed recipes made with minimal fuss. Plenty of sweet and savory options--including skillet steaks with garlic-herb butter, balsamic-roasted zucchini and chickpeas with soft cheese, and piña colada macaroons--are quick enough that they can easily be prepared on weeknights. Other dishes, such as overnight cinnamon rolls, Cuban-style pork roast, and grilled peaches with honeyed ricotta, require extra time, but instructions are a breeze to follow. Throughout, Kanell shares dozens of suggestions for adapting the recipes to suit a variety of preferences. For example, there are instructions for making the crispy orange-glazed chicken strips in either the oven or the air fryer, and readers can swap out gouda and thyme in the drop biscuits for crumbled feta and dill or pepper jack and basil. Sidebars offer tips and tricks (apple cider or unsalted broth can be used in place of whiskey for the whiskey-glazed chicken thighs) and boost confidence (for best results on the seared scallops with browned butter linguine, Kanell advises readers to look for dry sea scallops). This will be a go-to for busy home cooks looking to spice up their repertoire. Agent: Janis Donnaud, Janis A. Donnaud & Assoc. (Aug.)

Kanell (Preppy Kitchen) and his Preppy Kitchen enterprise have become an online phenomenon with over 10 million subscribers. His second book is a solid representation of his approach and brand. From the first page, readers are swept away by the stunning photography that lures them in to eat with their eyes and dive into the delights of the offerings. Early chapters outline ingredients and equipment lists along with some easy items to keep on hand to save time. The array of recipe categories takes readers from make-ahead pancake and waffle mix to crispy orange-glazed chicken to no-churn homemade ice cream and everything in between. The book covers a large variety of options that will help cooks feel they are putting something delicious and appealing on their tables, highlighting different cooking devices such as air fryers, slow cookers, and instant pots. Kanell assumes a certain level of kitchen skill and the ability to have ingredients on hand, which may be off-putting for some. VERDICT An attractive and practical resource for everyday cooks, but it might be slightly out of reach for newer cooks and those on a budget.--Ron Block