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I don't know about you but fifteen minutes is about how long it takes me to shuffle through the take-out menus and place an order, let alone wait for the food to come. Of course, the trick is to make sure your fridge is stocked well enough to be armed with the food you need to actually cook the recipes on a moment's notice. Most recipes are on the healthy side, although it is by no means a bland, "health food cookbook." There are plenty of options for vegetarians.

The Complete 15-Minute Gourmet is a great starter-book for new cooks. If your idea of cooking simply is in the style of David Tanis or Alice Waters, this might not be the book for you. It's a straight shooter and uses ingredients you can find at any market. We're talking Ramen Noodle Soup with Spinach and Corn, Creamy Dill Crab Cakes, and Chipotle Burgers.

With fifteen minutes to spare, I'd give any of those recipes a whirl.

For a list of The Kitchn's quick recipes (our limit is a whopping 30 minutes) click here. Here's a few to get you drooling:

• Beets on Crostini with Goat Cheese
• Creamy Pasta with Tomato, Bacon, and Ricotta
• Tomato and White Bean Panade
• Pasta with Feta, Broccoli and Sausage
• Tangerine Curd

More Paulette Mitchell:
• Buy The Complete 15-Minute Gourmet (Amazon, $16.49)
• Visit PauletteMitchell.com