As the busy mom of three boys, I struggle to find fast and easy meals that my family will enjoy. That's why I was intrigued by the title of the latest cookbook from Quail Ridge Press: Best of the Best – Recipe Hall of Fame Quick and Easy Cookbook: Winning Recipes from Hometown America. As I thumbed through the book it was quickly apparent that the recipes were just as fast and uncomplicated as advertised. To economize on time, most recipes contain short ingredient lists and simple preparation instructions.

And the book offers many "Editor's Extra" tips, making things even easier for cooks in a hurry. In fact, the book contains plenty of helpful information, from a handy conversions chart (I've wondered countless times how many mini-marshmallows equal a full-sized version) to information on the safety and handling of dry ice.

But all of the book's simplification doesn't result in bland taste. Editor Gwen McKee states that there were three qualifications for including recipes in this book: 1) Taste, 2) Taste and 3) Taste. The book's 546 recipes were compiled from the database of the Best of the Best State Cookbook Series, which contains more than 12,000 recipes. A recipe had to be truly outstanding to make it into this book, and my family will testify that Caramel Apple Dip, Elly's Shrimp Spaghetti and Sunken Treasure Cake are big hits. A friend of mine also tried the Baked Brie with Caramelized Apple Topping and she said there wasn't a morsel of this left.

McKee and co-editor Barbara Moseley wore out three vans driving around the country in search of great recipes, and the book reflects this with tasty and diverse meal choices. From Arizona's Jalapeno Cheese Squares to North Carolina's Hobo Stew and Louisiana's Crawfish Etouffée, you won't have to spend all day in the kitchen to present your family with a delicious sampling of America's many flavors.

Want to see more?

• Recipe for Success – Gwen McKee's Cookbooks Sizzle!
• Aunt Bee's Mayberry Cookbook – read a review!
• Love cookbooks? Come meet others who share your passion at the Cookbook Collector Discussion Board!
• The American Heart Association's Meals in Minutes Cookbook – read a review!