Something from Nothing: A Cookbook

Something from Nothing is a cookbook by Alison Roman featuring over 100 recipes designed to make the most of pantry staples. The book emphasizes cooking with shelf-stable ingredients—bottles, bags, jars, and cans—using a loose, intuitive approach to maximize flavor. Recipes are organized by category and include snacks and starters like Herbed Artichoke Dip and Labne with Caramelized Harissa; soups such as Kimchi-Tomato Soup with Rice & a Soft Egg; vegetable dishes including Forever-Roasted Squash with Browned Butter Dates; pasta and noodle options like Saucy Roasted Eggplant Pasta; beans and grains such as Crispy Baked Beans with Mushrooms & Parmesan; and meat and fish preparations including Crushed-Olive Chicken with Turmeric and Crispy Fish with Dill & Fried Capers. The book combines warm, opinionated writing with classic recipes presented with Roman's signature style. It is intended for weeknight cooking and last-minute entertaining, showing how to transform basic pantry items into complete meals.