Simply Julia: 110 Easy Recipes for Healthy Comfort Food

Food writer Turshen (Small Victories) provides a peek into her home kitchen in this appealing compilation of more than 100 no-fuss recipes for healthy comfort fare. Recipes feature the usual shortcut techniques (one pot, sheet pan, make-ahead) and employ pantry staples such as jarred kimchi, canned salmon, and Ritz crackers. Turshen’s tweaks on heavy classics go a long way toward lightening them up: a shepherd’s pie uses turkey in place of lamb and is topped with a cauliflower puree rather than mashed potatoes, and chili is given a vegan spin. There are flexible recipes such as her Kitchen Sink Frittata with spinach, sausage, shallots, and tomato (all the vegetables can be swapped out for whatever is on hand) and international dishes such as biryani, pelau, and parsnip latkes. Among the desserts are a pear, polenta, and almond cake and lemon ricotta cupcakes. Turshen’s love of lists helps cooks get organized (“Five Things That Are Always in My Fridge,” “Five Tools I Swear By”), while suggested menus for a vegan Thanksgiving take the worry out of planning. Turshen’s what-works-for-you approach succeeds in reminding home cooks that “delicious food doesn’t have to be complicated.” This spirited collection charms on every page. (Mar.)