Turn a simple vegetarian meal into a treat for your taste buds with delicious no-cook sauces and dressings. For busy nights when there just isn't time to create an elaborate meal, or for beginning cooks who have just mastered the basics, here is a fresh approach to meal planning that will add zip to any simple meal of beans, pasta, rice, potatoes, or veggies quickly and easily.

This rich repertoire of recipes for no-cook sauces and dressings was designed to release your creativity in the kitchen while keeping time and effort at bay. You'll learn the secrets for making either hot or cold no cook sauces from curried to Italian style, sweet or spicy, smooth or chunky as well as a variety of dressings that make any meal out of the ordinary, more nutritious, and mouthwatering. And dressings aren't just for salads any more. Step out and top your favorite pasta or cooked veggies with any number of tangy dressings to create a lively meal that will be unforgettable.

Complete with meal plans, sample menus, presentation tips, a primer on the six basic tastes (sweet, salty, bitter, sour, astringent, pungent) and a taste chart that helps you make the right combinations, it's never been easier to explore new avenues of flavors.