It's a myth that cooking is complicated or takes a lot of time to be good. Here is a cookbook that will teach you how to use fresh and readily available West Coast ingredients to make deliciously simple Mediterranean and Asian-influenced dishes. There are lots of ideas for quick everyday meals, plus easy yet impressive special-occasion recipes such as "Port Marinated Strawberries Wrapped in Prosciutto," and "Almond Cranberry Biscotti." Great appetizers such as "Zucchini Rounds Topped with Cambozola Cheese," and "Japanese-Style Chicken Skewers with Ginger Sauce" won't keep you in the kitchen for long. From his popular newspaper recipe column, food writer Eric Akis gives us food with flavor and flair for cooks of all levels.