Food prices have done some impressive skyrocketing of late—and predictions are they will continue to do so for some time to come. While the fortunate few can breeze through the checkout lane without fretting over their bank balances, for the rest of us, sticker shock sets in when least expected—and frequently at that. But how to feed ourselves and our hungry families economically and healthfully at that?

Following up on her $3 Meals: Feed Your Family Delicious, Healthy Meals for Less than the Cost of a Gallon of Milk (Lyons, April 2009), Ellen Brown here dishes up the answer in delicious terms with more simple, easy-to-follow, family-pleasing recipes. $3 Meals in Minutes presents 250-plus recipes that can be prepared in less time than it takes to have a pizza delivered, with main courses priced so that the cost of a WHOLE meal—including side dishes and a dessert—costs less than $3 per person. The book also includes a treasure trove of valuable tips on how to save money while shopping.