Pass the plate 100 delicious, highly shareable, everyday recipes

Foodie influencer Gelen debuts with an eclectic and endlessly appealing collection of recipes for any occasion. Taking inspiration from her experiences working in professional kitchens, she puts a new spin on dozens of classics. For example, she gives chicken nuggets an upgrade with a coconut-panko coating and pineapple-basil dipping sauce, opts for butter beans in place of penne to go with her vodka sauce, and bakes risotto with blistered tomatoes and burrata instead of simmering it. Some recipes pay tribute to her native Transylvania, among them one-pan garlicky chicken couscous, cabbage roll casserole, and cremes (a slice of vanilla custard on puff pastry), while others draw from cultures across the globe. Whether showing readers how to prepare the West African-inspired peanut butter chicken mafé stew, mushroom shawarma, or tacos inspired by arayes (Middle Eastern meat-stuffed pita pockets), Gelen makes sure all of the ingredients are easily obtainable. Her thorough instructions are a breeze to follow, and Gelen's notes throughout are valuable (for the upside-down pineapple coconut cake, canned or frozen pineapple will work in a pinch). This is a treasure trove of inspiration that home cooks will turn to time and again. Agent: Nicole Tourtelot, Gernert Co. (Sept.)

Introduction In Romania, though I was an only child, I grew up in a large family, surrounded by lots of loud aunts, uncles, and a bunch of cousins who were like my siblings. When we'd get together, the room would instantly become super loud, but as soon as the food got to the table, it would create a sense of calmness. The aroma of the food was so inviting and comforting, whispering at us to enjoy life. We'd set up these big pots and pans of chicken soup, roast chicken, mici (Romanian flavored meat rolls), couscous, and cabbage rolls, plus all the accompaniments--so many homemade pickles, marinated roasted peppers, fresh bread, piles of fresh scallions, raw garlic cloves, chiles, and dips. The person closest to the food would plate everyone's meal, telling everyone at the table to "pass the plate" so they could fill it for them. I wanted to channel that spirit of good food and family here in my first cookbook, filling it with recipes that are so delicious but easy to make, using ingredients you probably already have. I hope this becomes a cookbook you can count on for any occasion, from a latenight snack emergency, a special anniversary, a breakfast gathering, to a cozy Wednesday night in. The food in this book is a diverse collection, drawing from my immigrant background, including living in Transylvania for most of my life, moving to the US, where I became familiar with classic American foods, and working in various professional kitchens with so many talented folks. You'll find American classics with unique twists and upgrades, such as my rich and creamy Brie mac and cheese with garlicky panko, alongside nostalgic Eastern European dishes I crave when I'm missing home, like my garlicky one-pan chicken couscous or ginormous cabbage roll cake. You'll also find fun dishes born of letting loose in the kitchen and being creative and resourceful, like my crispy ketchup rice for breakfast or a humble no-bake salted milk chocolate pie. I believe cooking should be an enjoyable experience, not some stressful task you always postpone. With these highly doable recipes, I want you to feel comfortable in the kitchen, regardless of your background or skill level. With this in mind, most recipes in the cookbook use pantry-friendly, humble ingredients that you can find in most grocery stores across the country and are as stress-free and flexible as possible. I made it a point to make my instructions thorough and the design easy to follow along. There's truly something for everyone, and I can't wait to see what you find for yourself and make your own. My dream is that Pass the Plate will live on your kitchen counter, developing so many creases and grease stains because it's so well-loved that you come back to it repeatedly, enjoying recipe after recipe. If this cookbook keeps you inspired, satisfied, and brings you closer to your community, I have fulfilled my biggest goal. I hope you will love the food so much that you can't help but ask for seconds and pass the plate to the person next to you. Excerpted from Pass the Plate: 100 Delicious, Highly Shareable, Everyday Recipes: a Cookbook by Carolina Gelen All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.