The Food You Crave: Luscious Recipes for a Healthy Life

This is a great addition to my cookbook library. Ellie is one of the FEW real people on the Food Network ( a BIG nod to Ina Garten as well) and she is the real deal! In brilliantly written recipes and headnotes, she teaches the cook how to eat healthy,discarding the ersatz,the fat free and the fake. She uses real food in novel ways. Some of the stunning recipes I loved so far were the white gazpacho(yes,even in January),the asian summer rolls and ALL of the salads. Ellie shines a bright beam of well needed common sense and delectability aimed at anyone who wants to lead a healthy life.

Ellie Krieger is different from the exercise fanatics and diet gurus out there in that she doesn't promise you'll lose 10 pounds or two inches off your waist if you adhere to a strict regimen over the course of a week. Instead, she provides all the tools you'll need to develop a healthy attitude toward eating that doesn't sacrifice flavor or require intensive labor. The crux of her approach is common-sensical: fresh ingredients, lots of whole grains, reasonable portions. But while the idea seems easy enough, Ellie makes it even simpler by outlining what ingredients to keep in stock (for a quick meal anytime) and what small but oh-so-important finishing touches change a dish from bland into brilliant. So far, I've made about a dozen of the recipes in this book (including 4 alone for one meal), and all have been met with rave reviews from the appreciative attendees. I recommend a meal consisting of the Oven-Fried Chicken, Garlic Fries, Zucchini Parmesan Crisps, and finishing off with the Ricotta Cheesecake with Fresh Raspberries. Let your oven do all the work, and stop worrying about your waistline! I am a fan of Ellie's television show and completely agree with her food philosophy. If we all learn to love the way food tastes, instead of over-processing and masking it in fats and chemicals, then we can once again relish our meals instead of feeling guilty about them. Ellie will show you how in this book full of great recipes. Not only does she transform comfort foods like mashed potatoes and meatloaf into her better-for-you versions, but she also provides recipes inspired by a variety of cuisines ranging from Asian, Greek, and Middle-Eastern and covering every meal, including side dishes and desserts. Don't expect a strict plan or any guaranteed weight loss. Ellie herself doesn't tout the "Never" approach and teaches us all that foods belong in three categories: Usually, Sometimes, and Rarely. The main reason most diets fail is because they are unrealistic and too limiting. Ellie's approach is different; it shows you a better way to eat "The Food You Crave." Anyone who wants to learn how to prepare delicious AND healthful foods should pick up a copy of this book!

I've also been waiting for E.K. to release a cookbook, and this was worth the wait!! Lots of extra advice, detailed information on each recipe as far as nutrition facts and what types of vitamins/minerals are in the dishes. I've made quite a few of these already, as I watch her show regularly, so it was nice to finally have them all in one neat, organized cookbook. I haven't made a dish that I (or my husband or daughter) have not loved.. and with a second baby on the way, healthy eating was the last (and worst sounding) thing on my mind. Somehow all of the recipes truly make me crave them. Ellie is a nutritional genius!