Well you'll find it all here and more, in Jo Pratt's book In the Mood for Food. Despite what we have lurking at the bottom of the fridge, probably the biggest dictator of a person's appetite is their mood. It's a craving, a certain feeling, call it what you like, we are all creatures of impulse. In the Mood for Food takes this clever angle for a cookery book and runs with it, as Jo Pratt broadly sections the book into six moods - healthy, naughty, comfort, lazy, extravagant, and romantic, something like the seven dwarves of appetite.

There are smoothies and noodles for the virtuous, alongside fantastic lunchbox salads like Prawn Almond and Basmati. There are great quick-to-cook suppers for the overworked and underfed, try Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Avocado Salad or Tomato, Ricotta and Basil Tart.

For those with more time on their hands, how about Beef and Ale Casserole with Horseradish Dumplings? Or even hosting your own tea party complete with Banoffee Fingers and Lemon Cheesecake Muffins? It's hard to fault this book, Jo Pratt has really run the gamut of recipes from breakfasts to dinner parties - there is even a corner shop curry, for those whose mood only stretches as far as the end of the street.

This is food for real people, people who have busy lives but like occasionally like to spend their time on the weekend cooking. People who start eating healthily on a Monday but by Friday need something a little substantial for after-work drinks. Some of the most helpful sections of the book include a store cupboard shopping list and a drinks suggestion for every recipe - now you'll know that a strong Malbec is the wine to choose with a weekday sausage and mash. And it's all packaged in a beautifully presented book, with glossy pictures that really make you want to dig out your apron.

Probably the best plaudit a cook can have is from Gordon Ramsey, a chef who is more than well known for his 'moods', "Jo's food is vibrant and fun". And so it is.

Nora Ryan