Cookbooks: 250 Best Meals in a Mug by Camilla V. Saulsbury

The fact that this book is even called for is a sign of the times. Single family households who barely have time to eat, let alone shop and cook, want solutions to keep their bodies going. After all, knowing all of your take out numbers by heart can only get you so far. Enter 250 Best Meals in a Mug (Robert Rose).

To be clear, for the most part, these recipes are real and whole foods. As the author points out, “Most of these meals can be created from scratch in less time than it takes defrost a processed store-bought meal.”

So what can you make in a mug? As it turns out, pretty much everything from Manhattan Clam Chowder to Moroccan Date and Chickpea Tagine, Quiche, Chile Rellenos, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Paella, Risotto, Tabbouleh, Shrimp and Grits and even the delectable Mexican beef stew, Caldillo.

The emphasis here is on individual portions that will get you right through your day, from breakfast to dinner.

Another tightly written volume from Saulsbury, who is the author of several others from Robert Rose. ◊

Linda L. Richards is the editor of January Magazine.