Easy Everyday by Jessica Merchant, Reviewed

Jessica Merchant’s new cookbook, Easy Everyday, is like a breath of fresh air for anyone who loves good food but doesn’t want to spend forever in the kitchen. If you’re familiar with her “How Sweet Eats” blog, you already know Jessica’s vibe: quick, tasty meals that feel special without the fuss. This book, which dropped last week, is packed with 100 recipes that totally deliver on that promise, and I’m kind of obsessed.

 

Jessica gets it—dinners shouldn’t take longer than 30 to 45 minutes, and breakfast or lunch? Basically instant, unless it’s a lazy weekend brunch. Her secret sauce is meal prep, but not the boring kind where you’re eating the same thing all week. Nope, she’s all about variety and flexibility, so there’s something for everyone, no matter what you’re into or what your diet looks like.

What I love most is how she keeps prep time to around 10 minutes for so many of these dishes. Ten minutes! And yet, the results are straight-up amazing. Take her Weeknight Baked Penne with Spinach—it’s so cozy and flavorful, and using jarred marinara makes it come together crazy fast. Then there’s the Crab Salad Rolls, which are legit fancy enough for a dinner party but taste like something you’d get at a cute East Coast seafood spot. The fresh herbs? Game-changer. 

Oh, and don’t get me started on the Iced Blueberry Lattes. I’m a blueberry-and-coffee fanatic, and these blew my mind—such a fun, refreshing combo. Her Green Goddess Ranch dressing is another winner; it’s so herby and fresh, I want to put it on everything. For dessert, I tried the Chewy Caramel Pretzel Cookies, and let’s just say they didn’t last long. I’m already eyeing her Sour Cream Peach Cobbler for when peaches hit their peak this summer.

The book’s also got all these smart tips for meal planning, like Jessica’s 10-minute prep strategy that makes throwing together stuff like Crispy Baked Breakfast Quesadillas or Cilantro Lime Sheet Pan Fajitas a total breeze. Plus, the photos are gorgeous, and it just feels like Jessica’s chatting with you, cheering you on to make something yummy and get back to hanging with your people. I want to cook every single thing in here. Easy Everyday is one of those rare cookbooks that feels like it was written for real life, and I’m betting you’ll love it as much as I do. Grab a copy here, and get ready to make your weeknights way tastier. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.