I was hunting for a cookbook with simple, straightforward and delicious recipes that I would want to make again and again when I purchased this book (called Cook Simple in the UK) and it turned out to be just what I was looking for.

Diana Henry is an award winning food writer and it is easy to see why. Her passion for food is infectious and with this book she shows how you can have great food on the table with the minimum of effort. It is the kind of book i anticipate turning to increasingly often, whether for quick mid-week meals or effortless entertaining.

I love that Diana offers serving suggestions with many of the recipes, as well as heaps of variations and alternative ingredient suggestions. There is several ideas for sprucing up basic ingredients, such as flavoured creams, flavoured butters and a selection of sauces, salsas and relishes to transform grilled meat or fish. The sections on no-cook starters and desserts are also particularly appealing, with ideas for elegant and simple ways to start and end a meal.

My favourite recipes so far have been the seared tuna with avocado salsa (see review); trofie with prawns feta, parsley and lemon and the all-in-one chocolate cake.

The only thing I am less keen on is how fruit heavy the dessert section is - but I think that's just a personal thing as I'm not a fan of stone fruits which many of the recipes are based on. It also may be less...