"Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love: Recipes to Unlock the Secrets of Your Pantry, Fridge, and Freezer: A Cookbook", by Noor Murad and Yotam Ottolenghi, was born of necessity from the challenges of cooking during the food shortages and uncertainties of a global pandemic. Nurtured with love, and strengthened and supported by the "skills and solutions" of the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen Team, this collection of 85 Middle Eastern-inspired recipes, cooking insights, and kitchen wisdom will elevate humble ingredients into memorable meals prepared with comforting ease. Beginning with basics such as hummus and pita bread, you will also find sections featuring legumes and grains, vegetables, meat, seafood, and dairy, nuts and seeds, vegan fare, and veggie and non-veggie mains. The desserts are tempting and varied. Beautiful color photos showing cooking techniques and finished dishes are interspersed with cooking tips and helpful hints. The three recipes I tried: "Cheesy Polenta and Tomato Sauce"--familiar, favorite flavors combined for a satisfying veggie main (can also be served as a side dish); "One-Pan Crispy Spaghetti and Chicken"--everyone loved this dish; and "Carrot Cake Sandwich Cookies"--packed with all the good stuff you want in a cookie, and then sandwiched together with an indulgent cream cheese filling. The Ottolenghi Test Kitchen Team obviously had a lot of fun putting together this cookbook, and you will have just much fun reading the book and cooking up some wonderful food.

Disclosure: "I've received a free copy from Clarkson Potter in exchange for a free and unbiased review." ( )