Cooking needn’t be complicated. In fact, it can be very, very simple. Need proof? Then peruse (and use) these five-ingredient recipes, excerpted from Jamie Oliver’s latest and, perhaps, greatest book:5 Ingredients: Quick & Easy Food.

A brilliant idea gorgeously visualized, the book outlines how to whip up utterly delicious meals—even on the busiest days—using clever combinations of a few key ingredients, plus a few additions from your smartly stocked pantry. As in the book, every recipe on these pages adheres to Oliver’s guiding principle: Little effort and lots of flavor.

Because these simple dishes feature so few ingredients, it’s important that you use top-quality items (and not just fresh foods like meat, fish, and produce, but also jarred and canned ingredients, too). This is the time to splurge on the highest quality you can afford. When it comes to the fresh stuff, remember that in-season foods are always the tastiest and the best deal.

Epic efficiency (and deliciousness) is all about zeroing in on the must-haves and choosing quality over quantity. Here are the five essentials that every busy cook should always have on hand. You’ll need them to prepare each of the recipes (and be aware, they don’t count towards the five ingredients )
1. Olive oil, for cooking
2. Extra-virgin olive oil, for finishing
3. Red wine vinegar
4. Sea salt
5. Black pepper