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Simple Gifts
The Simple Gifts cookbook of classic, easy, healthy recipes by Chef Torre Marie Lee
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WELCOME TO THE KITCHEN
The Simple Gifts Cookbook: Recipes Made to Be Shared
The Simple Gifts cookbook is a collection of classic, easy and healthy recipes written by Torre Marie Lee, known to friends and family as Chef-Ria. Every dish in the book is one she has personally crafted and cooked for the people she loves.
Torre did not set out to write a cookbook for critics. She wrote it for her friends and family, as something they could keep, cook from and remember her by. That warmth runs through all 153 pages.
What You Will Find Inside
Inside the Simple Gifts cookbook you will find familiar, comforting dishes written for everyday home cooks. The recipes are paired with photos and colorful cartoon characters that make the pages fun to flip through, whether you are cooking alone or with family.
The focus is simple: real ingredients, clear steps and meals that feel special without being complicated. If you are new to cooking, the recipes are approachable. If you have cooked for years, you will find classics worth coming back to.
Why Readers Give the Simple Gifts Cookbook as a Gift
The name says it all. Torre created the book to share recipes others had once shared with her, and it makes a thoughtful present for birthdays, holidays, housewarmings and anyone who loves home cooking.
The hardcover is a beautiful 8.25 x 11 inch edition for the kitchen shelf. The eBook is delivered as a download right after checkout, so you can start cooking the same day.
Meet the Author Behind the Recipes
Before she wrote the Simple Gifts cookbook, Torre lived a full life of expression as a musician, a dancer and a skater with Ice Capades. She has been a licensed massage therapist for 25 years and a paralegal for more than 15 years. You can read her full story on the About the Author page.
AT A GLANCE
Simple Gifts at a Glance
- 153 pages, written in English
- Hardcover published November 14, 2024
- Kindle edition released November 16, 2024
- Hardcover trim size 8.25 x 11 inches
- ISBN 979-8346990017
- Recipes personally crafted by Torre Marie Lee
GET YOUR COPY
How to Get Your Copy
You can order the hardcover or the eBook right here on the official site from the Buy the Book page, or browse both editions in the shop. The Simple Gifts cookbook is also available as Simple Gifts on Amazon.
Want a closer look first? Visit About the Book for the publication details, or read cooking tips and kitchen stories on the blog.
About me
Torre Marie Lee
Torre Marie Lee, known to friends as Chef-Ria, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Before writing Simple Gifts, she lived a full life of expression as a musician, a dancer and a skater with Ice Capades. She has been a licensed massage therapist for 25 years and a paralegal for more than 15 years, and she represents professional speakers and entertainers through her business, Four Seasons Speakers.
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Pages of Recipes and Stories
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Formats: Hardcover and eBook
Published November 14, 2024
Simple Gifts: Classic, Easy, Healthy Recipes
In this book, I invite you to experience the joy of creating, sharing, and savoring. Each recipe is a dish I’ve personally crafted, born from my love of cooking and life as a dancer, musician, and bodywork therapist. Whether you’re looking to try something new or rediscover a favorite, these recipes, along with the pictures and cartoons, are a reflection of what brings me the most joy. I believe we feel most alive when we create and share, and I hope this book fills you with that same energy. May it inspire you to create with love, enjoy with gratitude, and share with others.
Testimonial
Sweet Words from Readers
This book has completely changed the way I cook at home. The recipes are simple but feel so special, like they’ve been passed down for generations. I love how wholesome and healthy everything is without feeling like I’m sacrificing flavor. It’s my go-to cookbook now!
Sarah H., Boston, MA
Reader review
I’m not exactly a pro in the kitchen, but this book makes it so easy to whip up meals that impress. The clear instructions and tips make me feel confident, and my family is loving the variety. Plus, the focus on healthy ingredients means I don’t feel guilty indulging in these dishes.
Mark P., Austin, TX
Reader review
I bought this book as a gift for my mom, and we’ve ended up cooking together every weekend since. The recipes feel like a celebration of comfort food but with a modern, healthy twist. It’s perfect for anyone looking to reconnect with cooking in a meaningful way.
Rachel T., Seattle, WA
Reader review
Simple, delicious, and approachable, this book is exactly what I needed. I’ve already made a few recipes for friends, and they couldn’t believe I made them myself! It’s great for anyone who wants to cook healthy meals without overcomplicating things.
Tom L., Chicago, IL
Reader review
FAQ
Questions About Simple Gifts
What is Simple Gifts: Classic, Easy, Healthy Recipes?
It is a 153 page cookbook by Torre Marie Lee, also known as Chef-Ria. Every recipe is a dish she personally crafted, shared alongside photos and colorful cartoon characters, with a focus on classic, easy and healthy home cooking.
Who is Chef Torre Lee?
Torre Marie Lee was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She has performed as a musician, dancer and Ice Capades skater, has been a licensed massage therapist for 25 years and a paralegal for more than 15 years, and represents professional speakers and entertainers through her business, Four Seasons Speakers.
Which formats can I buy?
You can buy the hardcover for $39.99 or the eBook for $5.99 right here on cheftorrelee.com. The book is also sold on Amazon.
When was the book published?
The hardcover was independently published on November 14, 2024 (ISBN 979-8346990017). The Kindle edition followed on November 16, 2024. Both are in English and run 153 pages.
Is Simple Gifts a good gift for family and friends?
It was made to be one. Torre wrote it to give her friends and family something to remember her by and to share the recipes others had shared with her, so it suits birthdays, holidays and anyone who loves home cooking.
Do I need cooking experience to use it?
No. The recipes are simple, classic dishes written for everyday home cooks, so beginners and experienced cooks can both cook from it.
Simple Gifts: Classic, Easy, Healthy Recipes by Torre Marie Lee, a cookbook of home-cooked dishes made to be shared with family and friends.
© 2026 Chef Torre Lee. All Rights Reserved.