DESCRIPTION

With three little boys less than two years apart and a packed schedule as an online creator, Caroline Chambers often doesn't feel like cooking. Can you relate? When you just can't motivate yourself in the kitchen, this is the simple cookbook you should reach for.

Inspired by Caro's wildly popular Substack newsletter of the same name, What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking is brimming with efficient recipes that take the guesswork out of dinner--in fact, each one is a complete meal: protein, veg, starch, done! The recipes are organized by the amount of time they take to cook, so whether you have 15 minutes to throw together Peanutty Pork and Brussels or a little bit longer to simmer Turkey Bolognese with Sneaky Veggies, dinnertime is totally doable. On top of that, Caro gives you more ways to choose, so you can search by protein (Chicken thighs waiting in the fridge? Make White Chicken Chili. Nothing but beans in the pantry? Cannellini Caprese with Burrata is it!) or mood (Tomato Farrotto is perfect for a cozy craving, and Crunchy Honey Harissa Fish Tacos are an excellent way to show off). Most importantly, these recipes include Caro's famously extensive swaps, riffs, tips, shortcuts, and more to be sure they work best for you, helping you save money, improvise, and even learn a thing or two. They don't compromise quality or flavor--and they deliver every time. With as few ingredients, steps, and, of course, dirty dishes as possible, dinner awaits!

Perfect for beginners and those seeking easy cookbooks for simple meals, What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking is the ultimate "I don't want to cook" cookbook. With its focus on efficient, flavorful recipes and minimal ingredients, this easy dinner cookbook appeals to time-constrained parents, working professionals, and anyone who craves delicious homemade meals without the fuss. Readers seeking uncomplicated cookbooks for beginners will appreciate Caroline Chambers' approachable style, clever shortcuts, and flexible recipe options, making this book a go-to resource for satisfying meals on even the most exhausting days.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Caroline Chambers grew up in the kitchen on her mom's hip, learning how to cook in their Winston-Salem, North Carolina, home. Her professional food career began in her early twenties when she worked as a chef and caterer. After a stint in a professional test kitchen, Caro struck out on her own as a freelancer, developing recipes for a host of publications as well as brands such as Boursin Cheese and Kim Crawford Wine, and in 2018, she published her first cookbook, Just Married. In 2020--at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic--Caro began sharing her recipes and connecting with home cooks on Instagram (@carochambers), and launched her newsletter, What to Cook When You Don't Feel Like Cooking, which flew to the top of the Substack charts; her podcast, So Into That, followed in 2023. Caro lives in Carmel Valley, California, with her husband, George, and their three young sons, Mattis, Calum, and Cashel--one of whom can almost always be found in the kitchen on her hip. When she doesn't feel like cooking, Caro's go-to meal is Veggie Peanut Noods (page 52).

REVIEWS

"This cookbook will be your ticket to sanity this fall."
—Wall Street Journal

I wish I could say I'm shocked by the fact that I flipped through the recipes in this book and thought, Yeah I'd make that. And that, too. And oh, I have everything I need at home for that, and omg my kids will love me if I make that for them. But as a longtime fan of Caroline Chambers, I am extremely (luckily) familiar with her genius knack for knowing exactly what the busy modern cook needs. This collection of keepers is going on the most reachable shelf in my kitchen.
—Jenny Rosenstrach, New York Times bestselling author of Dinner: A Love Story

"Highly approachable and friendly to all skill levels, this book fits the bill for anyone who hesitates to prepare meals; a must-have for time-constrained cooks. Essential for every collection."
—Library Journal, STARRED Review

"As a mom of three boys, Caro knows what both parents and kids crave, and my own two picky children magically devour every recipe of hers. This cookbook feels like chatting with your wise and funny friend who always gives you something good to eat and a little too much to drink. It is a how-did-we-live-without-it gift for us all, and I can't wait to happily dog-ear and smudge it up."
—Joanna Goddard, founder of Cup of Jo

"Nobody understands the reality of needing to cook when you might not feel like it more than Caroline Chambers. From time to energy to a mostly empty fridge, this book--rather rudely, as I'll now need to come up with new excuses--covers every angle to find a delicious and doable solution."
—Deb Perelman, New York Times bestselling author of Smitten Kitchen Keepers

"I've always been a cook who celebrates imperfection, and I think Caro might be my kitchen soulmate! She wants you to know how to do your thing with her recipes, no matter what ingredients you have on hand or how much time (or energy) you have to cook them. In her world, it's impossible to make a mistake. This is Live, Laugh, Love cooking at its finest!"
—Dan "Grossy" Pelosi, New York Times bestselling author of Let's Eat