Fast and Fresh - Tapa dura

Louise Pickford comes up trumps with this attractively presented collection of tasty treats - all made fast and easy, no worry involved. As Louise says in her introduction, cooking should be fun not a chore. And when sharing a meal with friends it is more enjoyable to be with them than slaving away in a hot kitchen. From simple dips and salads for starters to vegetarian curry and garlic-roasted poussins to mouth-watering chocolate mousses, all made in less than half an hour, the recipes are scrumptiously described and gloriously illustrated by food photographer Peter Cassidy. Louise covers the gamut of gastronomic tastes - meat, fish, dairy and vegetarian, ending on every sugar-lover's dream - mouthwatering desserts. Certainly several notches above the current plethora of cookery books on fast food, the recipes here being more sophisticated and excitingly different, taking inspiration from Louise's travels around the world. - Lucy Watson

At the end of a busy day, or in the middle of a lazy weekend, it's easy to opt for takeaways and convenience foods. What if you could prepare a delicious meal in the time it takes to order that takeaway? This book provides recipes that can be ready in minutes.