Here’s how it makes dinner easier and more fun:

If you make bold component and stash it away, you’re already well on your way to a whole bunch of easy meals.

…

Take this humble eggplant!

Double-roast it until it’s smooth, creamy, and packed with smoky umami flavor.

Stash it away in the fridge or freezer.

Then use it to make a recipe in 5+ 15+ or 30+ minutes!

5+ minutes:

Throw it in a food processor with a few other basic ingredients to make the best baba ganoush you’ve ever had.

15+ minutes:

If you’ve got a few extra minutes, whip up this ricotta frittata with silky strips of smoky eggplant.

30+ minutes:

Or if you’re in the mood for a bit more of a project, make this deep dish pizza with eggplant, basil, and mozzarella.

There are also hundreds of ideas for mixing and matching between recipes.

Use a different component (like the garlicky mushrooms on page 77!) in the deep dish pizza.

Take the smoky eggplant and use it in another recipe, like the omelette on page 78.

The possibilities are endless!