20 Ways to Become a Better Cook

Love the spices and flavors of Indian cuisine, but find cooking it at home to be more than a little intimidating? Aarti Paarti: An American Kitchen With an Indian Soul ($28) by Aarti Sequeira is for you. Sequeira's warm and friendly voice — the spice primer is called "turma-what?" for example — makes already exciting Indian-American recipes (think masala kale chips) even more appealing.

Recipes we can't wait to try:

• Pout-plumping wings (pomegranate-sriracha chicken wings)
• Massaged kale salad with mango and pepitas
• Mujadara (Lebanese lentils, rice, and caramelized onions)
• High-five stuffed sweet potatoes (baked sweet potato with tahini, chickpeas, pine nuts, and pomegranate seeds)
• Chai-brined pork chops with spiked 'n spiced apple chutney
• Miso mango black cod
• Rose petal strawberry shortcakes