Considered Manhattan’s grandmaster of comfort food, celebrated chef Tom Valenti and his coauthor Andrew Friedman dish up the flavor his fans have come to expect without any of the fuss in 125 realistic recipes for the home cook.

Slowly braised, cut-with-a-spoon-tender meat resting in aromatic juices just waiting for the perfect piece of bread to come along and sop it up. A steaming bowl of chowder filled with chunks of fish and potatoes in rich broth laced with the smoky-sweet-salty flavor of bacon. A casserole that’s spent some serious time in the oven as layer upon layer of creamy, soft cheese, pasta, herbs, and meat meld into a delectable whole.

Satisfying fare like this is Tom Valenti’s trademark. This is food that gets better a day or two after it’s made, food to make on the weekend and savor throughout a busy week, food that is perfect for dinner parties and family celebrations. Make it at home with 125 recipes based on the guiding principle that the right ingredients left to cook in a single vessel steadily build glorious flavor—and leave far fewer pots to clean.

Also included are tips on ways to embellish a dish by adding vegetables or meats and to provide economy by stretching a recipe into another satisfying meal simply by adding another ingredient. Valenti and Friedman embrace what they term “cooking in the real world,” encouraging home cooks to use canned stocks and beans whenever appropriate. They discuss key ingredients; offer a section on condiments, garnishes, and accompaniments; provide a list of mail-order sources; and recommend cookware.