Sprinkled throughout this book are charming tidbits: anecdotes, tips, and trivia. But perhaps the book’s most refreshing aspect is its authoritative demystification of cooking....

After eating these shrimp, a five-year-old has been known to say, “Wow, Mom, thanks!” And they’ve driven a grown woman to shamelessly lick her plate.

Take that can of broth, add a few ingredients and give them 30 minutes on the stove, and you will have a broth you can build a reputation on.

You needn’t publicize the miso in this recipe, unless you know it will be greeted with enthusiasm. For the uninformed, the miso here tastes like bits of browned chicken.

This is the all-embracing side dish. Couscous is already cooked when we buy it. All you need to do is rehydrate the grains.