After a long day at work, it's very tempting to call up UberEats or swing by (insert your favorite restaurant) for take out. But trust me: there is nothing more satisfying than turning a few random ingredients into something delicious in a matter of minutes. Here are a few essential cookbooks for the busy millennial.

The Learn-It-All: Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat by Samin Nosrat

I read this book cover-to-cover, which is something I rarely do with cookbooks. But this covers all of the basics of cooking in a way that is easy to understand and precise. By understanding how salt, fat, acid, and heat work within a dish, you can cook with more confidence and feel empowered to try new recipes. The few recipes in this book are easy and delicious, the charts make vital information easy to remember when you need it most, and the illustrations are delightful.

The Step-By-Step: Pioneer Woman Cooks Dinner

A few years ago I checked out this book for my mom and I to look through and we wound up having to go buy a copy for ourselves. Say what you will about Pioneer Woman, but I've never seen a cookbook that's so easy to follow. Drummond's background is blogging, so she's used to using lots of photography to show how the dish should (roughly) look. Almost every step is documented with a beautiful photo. And while I believe in making each dish your own, it really makes the recipes easy. I make her pot pie freqently and there are rarely leftovers.

The Portion Control: Cooking for Two by America's Test Kitchen

Growing up in the rural Midwest, I tend to cook like at any moment, a militia is going to bust down my door and demand to be fed. I have leftovers for days, which isn't a bad thing. But four or five days of chili mac can get a little tiring. This books helps me reign it in. The recipes are easy, tasty, and designed to only serve one or two people. This one has a chicken coconut curry recipe I make almost every other week. It's delicious.