When my daughters lived at home and the nest was full, I used big pots and huge pans for meal preparation. Now that the nest is empty, I get a kick out of making meals on a far smaller scale, usually for my husband and myself. Sometimes even just for myself or just my husband if one or the other of us is out of town.

I recently had the opportunity to review the absolute perfect cookbook for making meals for one — or two. 250 Best Meals in a Mug: Delicious Homemade Microwave Meals in Minutes by Camilla V. Saulsbury is chock-full of, just as the title says, delicious meals... that take mere minutes to make... in the microwave... in a mug.

Courtesy 250 Best Meals in a Mug by Camilla V. Saulsbury © 2014 Robert Rose Inc. www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with publisher permission.My oldest daughter, who lives alone, stopped by my house the day after I received my free review copy. She couldn't stop ogling the goodies within, and she begged if she could have my book when I was done reviewing it. I offered to share it with her. Sure, it's absolutely perfect for her, a single woman, while simply doubling a recipe and using two mugs will result in quick and easy dishes for my husband and me.

I like the layout of the book, with one individual-sized recipe per page and nine chapters total:

Super-Fast, Cheap and Easy Recipes with 4 Ingredients (or Less)
Breakfast
Bread and Muffins
Soups, Stews and Chilis
Meatless Main Dishes
Meat, Poutlry and Seafood Main Dishes
Pasta and Grains
Snacks
Desserts

While there are basic recipes ideal for college students living in a dorm room (Pepperoni Pizza Dip, Chicken Pot Pie Soup, S'mores Cake), there also are refined recipes for more mature palettes (think Thai Curry Pumpkin Soup, Snow Peas and Tofu with Spicy Sauce and Primavera Quinoa Mug). I like that each recipe includes a "Prep Ahead Option," and the "Variations" accompanying most recipes makes for a total of far more than 250 recipes in the 312-page softcover collection.

I would have appreciated nutritional information with the recipes, but as the number of ingredients for each is rather small, it's not too difficult to punch the recipe into my phone app to figure out the number of calories in a selection. Several full-page photo spreads highlight the foods in pretty mugs.

250 Best Meals in a Mug by Camilla V. Saulsbury and published by Robert Rose, Inc. will retail for $24.95 and be available March 2014. Find more information on the Robert Rose website.

To give you a taste of the mugs o' goodness in 250 Best Meals in a Mug, following are three recipes from the book, all reprinted with publisher permission.

Courtesy 250 Best Meals in a Mug by Camilla V. Saulsbury © 2014 Robert Rose Inc. www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with publisher permission.Pesto Chicken Couscous, page 46, Fast & Easy 4-Ingredients or Less
Keep a jar of basil pesto in the refrigerator − it will guarantee a multitude of tasty meals in minutes, 24/7. Need proof? Try this delicious couscous and chicken mug.

16-oz (375 to 500 mL) mug
1⁄2 cup water 125 mL
1⁄2 cup couscous 125 mL
1⁄2 can (5 oz/142 g) water-packed
chunk chicken, drained and flaked
3 tbsp basil pesto 45 mL
Salt and ground black pepper
1 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 15 mL

In the mug, microwave water on High for 11⁄2 to 21⁄2 minutes or until water is boiling. Stir in couscous. Cover with a plate and let stand for 5 minutes.
Fluff couscous with a fork. Stir in chicken and pesto. Microwave on High for 1 to 11⁄2 minutes or until heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with Parmesan.
Variations
Pesto Chickpea Couscous: Replace the chicken with 1⁄2 cup (125 mL) drained rinsed canned chickpeas.
Red Pepper and Pesto Chicken Couscous: Add 1⁄4 cup (60 mL) chopped drained roasted red bell peppers (from a jar) with the chicken.

Tips
Either regular or whole wheat couscous can be used.
Freeze the remaining chicken in a small sealable freezer bag. Be sure to label the bag with the contents. Store for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator or microwave before using.
You can replace the canned chicken with 1⁄2 cup (125 mL) diced cooked or deli chicken or turkey.

Prep Ahead Option
Measure the couscous into a small airtight container; store at room temperature. Measure the chicken and pesto into a small airtight container; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Courtesy 250 Best Meals in a Mug by Camilla V. Saulsbury © 2014 Robert Rose Inc. www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with publisher permission.Italian Meatball Stew, page 146, Soup/Stew/Chili
Ready-made meatballs add quick and delicious heft, while mixed vegetables, marinara and mushrooms enrich store-bought broth for a quick and truly delicious Italian meal in a mug.

16-oz (500 mL) mug
4    frozen beef meatballs 4
1⁄2 cup marinara sauce    125 mL
1⁄3 cup ready-to-use beef broth    75 mL
1⁄3 cup drained canned mixed vegetables    75 mL
2 tbsp drained canned or jarred     30 mL
    mushroom pieces
Salt and ground black pepper

Suggested Accompaniments
Grated Parmesan cheese or shredded Italian-blend cheese; chopped fresh parsley

In the mug, microwave meatballs on High for 1 to 2 minutes or until completely warmed through. Using a fork, cut meatballs in half.
Stir in marinara sauce, broth, mixed vegetables and mushrooms. Microwave on High for 1 1⁄2 to 2 minutes or until heated through. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with any of the suggested accompaniments, as desired.

Variation
Vegetarian Meatball Stew: Replace the beef meatballs with ready-to-use vegetarian or vegan meatballs, and use vegetable broth in place of the beef broth.

Tips
Chicken or vegetable broth can be used in place of the beef broth.
Freeze the remaining mixed vegetables in a small sealable freezer bag. You can freeze the entire amount in one bag, or portion out 1⁄3 cup (75 mL) per bag so that the vegetables are recipe-ready. Be sure to label the bag with the contents. Store for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator or microwave before using.

Prep Ahead Option
Place the meatballs in the mug; cover and refrigerate (decrease the cooking time in step 1 to 30 to 45 seconds). Measure the marinara sauce, broth, mixed vegetables and mushrooms into a small airtight container; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Courtesy 250 Best Meals in a Mug by Camilla V. Saulsbury © 2014 Robert Rose Inc. www.robertrose.ca Reprinted with publisher permission.Brownie Batter Dip, page 300, Dessert
This luscious dip is a cross between brownie batter and chocolate cheesecake. In other words, irresistible.

12- to 16-oz (375 to 500 mL) mug
3 tbsp brick-style cream cheese     45 mL
    (11⁄2 oz/45 g), cut into
    small pieces
1 tbsp butter, cut into small pieces    15 mL
1⁄4 cup confectioners’ (icing) sugar    60 mL
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder    30 mL
2 tsp milk    10 mL
1⁄4 tsp vanilla extract    1 mL
2 tsp miniature semisweet     10 mL
    chocolate chips (optional)

Suggested Accompaniments
Pretzels; fresh fruit (apple slices, strawberries, banana slices); graham crackers or animal crackers

In the mug, microwave cream cheese and butter on High for 10 seconds or until softened. Stir until blended.
Stir in confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, milk and vanilla until blended and smooth. Sprinkle with chocolate chips, if desired. Serve with any of the suggested accompaniments, as desired.

Variations
Mocha Brownie Batter Dip: Add 1 tsp (5 mL) instant coffee granules with the cocoa powder.
Coconut Brownie Batter Dip: Use an equal amount of virgin coconut oil in place of the butter. If desired, sprinkle the finished dip with 1 tbsp (15 mL) sweetened or unsweetened flaked coconut.

Tips
The cream cheese you choose can be light or regular.
You can use 3 tbsp (45 mL) soft tub-style cream cheese in
place of the brick-style cream cheese.

Prep Ahead Option
Measure the cream cheese and butter into the mug; cover and refrigerate. Measure the confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder into a small airtight container; cover and store at room temperature. Measure the milk and vanilla into a small airtight container; cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Disclosure: I received this book free for review, with no obligation. Opinions and anecdotes are my own.