Cooking Light: Light and Easy Menus

Just a word of warning; the book pictured "Light and Easy MEALS" is not what you are ordering. The book is actually "Light and Easy MENUS." Still a good cookbook, but the picture of Light and Easy Meals isn't actually the book you'll receive. However, if you select the "look inside" option, the book you're able to review is the correct one.

This is one of my favorite healthy-eating cookbooks. There are big glossy color photos at least every other page, which are mouth-watering and inspiring. There are a wide variety of foods covered in this cookbook, from meat to fish, chicken, pork, pasta and grains, and EVERY recipe incorporates a fruit of veggie into your diet. I love fruits and vegetables already, but if you don't, this cookbook makes eating them easy. Most of the recipes are pretty simple, with only 4 or 5 main ingredients, plus incidentals such as spices, olive oil, and other condiments, most of which I already had in the pantry. There is a chapter in the front of the book that helps you organize your pantry and fridge, grocery shopping shortcuts (such as what kinds of foods you can buy to cut down on kitchen prep time). The book is also divided by season so you can cook with readily available in-season ingredients, if you're a fan of shopping for fresh foods at farmer markets. There is a fruit and vegetable purchasing guide in the back, alphabetized, which lists how many servings are in each pound, and how to prepare each fruit or veggie prior to cooking/using. There is a weights & yields guide for the most basic ingredients you will frequently use. For example, 1 pound of apples (about 3 medium-large) equals 3 cups sliced. If a recipe calls for 2 tablespoons limejuice, this table tells you that you only need to purchase 1 medium lime. There is a well-stocked pantry guide; listing ingredients you should have on hand on a regular basis -- divided by pantry, fridge, and freezer. I also enjoy how this cookbook is laid out. With each main dish recipe, they often pair a suggested side dish and dessert. I found the meal plans helpful, and they even have a task-plan laid out for you with each suggested meal to help maximize your time in the kitchen and be preparing 2 or 3 recipes at once. All of the recipes I have tried were simple, easy to make, and very tasty. I don't feel like I'm dieting when I use this cookbook, yet I know I'm eating healthy and paired with my exercise plan, I've been steadily losing weight. Some of my favorite recipes... * Shrimp Del Sol (page 34) made with zesty diced tomatoes and peppers, limejuice, cumin, and angel hair pasta. * Asian Citrus Chicken Salad (page 44) - marinated grilled chicken breast on a bed of greens with orange slices and red bell pepper, served with sesame breadsticks. * Spicy Chicken Pasole (page 47) - A spice corn and chicken stew with baked tortilla chips * Cajun Catfish with Grilled Veggies (page 62) * Grilled Beef Fajita Salad (page 86) * Frozen Yogurt with Raspberry Sauce (page 86) * Coffee Smoothie (page 108) * Turkey Soft Tacos (pave 140)