Author: Holly Clegg
Photography: David Humphreys
Pages: 272
Publisher: Holly Clegg (September 1, 2008)
Genre: Non-Ficiton / Cookbook
Edition: Pardback - many thanks to the author for sending me a copy to review! Thanks Holly!!
Perfect for : Personal Use, Hostess Gift, Gift
In a nutshell: If the nutritional information was not included, I wouldn't know that these recipes were really healthy!! They scream decadence! This book is beautiful - the pictures are amazing, and the book is well-organized. Holly Clegg has included over 250 recipes with Gulf Coast flair. . . only better - they are easy to make for people who want more time to spend with family and friends, and they are healthy! These recipes are versatile - they will work for normal home-cooked meals as well as for entertaining. Some of my personal favorites: Stuffed Louisiana Potatoes, Sweet Potato Fries, Coconut Shrimp with Pineapple Salsa, Marinated Chicken with Roasted Tomato Topping and Mozzarella Cheese (see recipe from the author's website below), and White Chocolate Cake with White Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting.
The author has included icons to indicate if a recipe is vegetarian or if it is freezer-friendly, as well as "Terrific Tidbits" that provide tips and suggestions, along with nutritional information for each recipe. There is a section at the end of the book that provides suggestions for a well-stocked kitchen (pantry, refrigerator, freezer, etc), menu suggestions based on the recipes (even for leftovers!!) and a glossary of terms. Overall, this is a very helpful book that would also make a great gift. I only wish every single recipe had a photo!!
Extended Review:
Content: The book includes chapters for the following: an Introduction, Appetizers, Breads, Muffins and Brunch, Soups, Stews and Chilis, Salads, Vegetables and Sides, Seafood, Poultry and Game Bird, Beef, Pork, Veal and Venison, Pasta, Sweet Treats, Stock the Pantry, Menu Suggestions, Cajun/Creole Glossary, and an Index.
Format: Each chapter starts with a full-color photograph of a completed recipe, along with a listing of the recipes in the section and the corresponding pages. It also contains a fact about Wetlands.
Each recipe includes the number of servings, a short description, a list of ingredients, easy to follow instructions, and nutritional information (including a diabetic exchange). A recipe will have a symbol at the top if it is vegetarian, or if it is freezer-friendly, and some have "Terrific Tidbits" or helpful information that pertains to the recipe.
Readability: Holly Clegg has written a very easy to read cookbook. The instructions are clear, and the information is helpful.
Overall: One thing that I really love about this cookbook is the cover - not only is it a beautiful thick and glossy cover, while it is a paperback, it has flaps like a dust-cover that you can use to mark your page - this is SO helpful if you don't want to break the spine of the cookbook to keep it open, or to mark a favorite recipe. Add over 250 healthy and scrumptious recipes, and you have a cookbook that is sure to please everyone's taste buds, and help with any situation from everyday meals to entertaining.
From the Author's website:
Over 250 easy, healthy, and delicious recipes from my Louisiana kitchen!!
If you enjoyed Holly's Trim & Terrific Louisiana Kitchen, Holly's new book will quickly become one of your favorites....featuring regional specialities and new recipes that take advantage of the bountiful seafood of the region. This book highlights America's Wetlands with a portion of the proceeds to go to the America's Wetlands Foundation.
Sample Recipe (From the author's website):
Marinated Chicken with Roasted Tomato Topping and Mozzarella CheeseBroiled, marinated chicken topped with mild green chilies, fresh tomatoes, spinach, and mozzarella cheese makes a quick and dynamic dinner.
Ingredients
3 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
1 teaspoon paprika
6 (4-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
3 tablespoons chopped green chilies, drained
1 cup grape or cherry tomato halves
1 cup fresh baby spinach leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
1/3 cup shredded, part-skim mozzarella cheese
Instructions
1. In resealable plastic bag, combine lemon juice, vinegar, oregano, paprika. Add chicken, coat well. Refrigerate 1 hour or until ready to cook.
2. Preheat broiler. Line baking pan with foil. Place chicken breasts on pan, discard extra marinade. Broil chicken 7-9 minutes on each side.
3. In nonstick skillet coated with nonstick cooking spray, sauté onion, garlic until tender, 5 minutes. Add green chilies, tomatoes, sauté few minutes longer. Add spinach, cooking only until leaves are wilted. Season to taste.
4. Divide mixture on top of each chicken breast, sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Return to broiler, broil only until cheese is melted. Watch carefully.
Makes 6 servings
Food Facts
Calories 159
Calories from fat 14%
Fat 3 g
Saturated Fat 1 g
Cholesterol 70 mg
Sodium 148 mg
Carbohydrate 4 g
Dietary Fiber 1 g
Sugars 2 g
Protein 28 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 1/2 very lean meat
TERRIFIC TIDBIT: Instead of white balsamic, try the different flavored Nakano seasoned rice vinegars, such as pesto or red pepper, for a lively flavor.
About the Author: (From the author's website)
Holly Clegg, the "Queen of Quick." is author of the trim&TERRIFIC" cookbook series including a diabetic cookbook with the ADA, Eating Well Through Cancer and KIDS COOKING for Mommies with more than 850,000 copies in print, reigning supreme when it comes to healthy, delicious everyday meals and party fare.
Turned off by both diets and tasteless foods, Holly's mission is to give cooks the ability to put a delicious, healthier meal on the table in a time-friendly manner.
As Holly adds cookbooks to her trim&TERRIFIC series, her "never sacrifice taste" philosophy remains intact. Her message is simple: food that is good for you can be delicious and easy to prepare. Holly's reputation for her healthier approach continually garners national media coverage. Holly has made her fast, flavorful and healthy meals on network television shows including and Fox & Friends, NBC Weekend Today Show, The 700 Club, and D-Life on CNBC as well as major local markets nationwide. She writes for national food magazines and Internet food sites. As well as a keynote speaker, Holly also serves as the national spokeswoman for Louisiana Sweet Potatoes and has done media spokesperson work for diet Coke, Pace Salsa/Campbell's Soup, Nature Sweet Tomatoes, and Salmon of the Americas. Holly was featured in a national Teflon/DuPont nonstick ad campaign with her Trim & Terrific recipes in full page ads in national magazines including People, Self, Real Simple, Ladies Home Journal, Bon Appetit, USA Today, plus many more.
A wife and mother first, Holly understands the challenges of the busy person. Her personal experience of running a household of five inspired the subject matter for each of the trim&TERRIFIC books. Her recipes require familiar ingredients and include easy-to-follow instructions and quick tips; this combination is the main focus of her trim&TERRIFIC series.
Holly personally tests all of her recipes in her home and as a result, has three avid cooks. "Children love to cook, and if you include them, you can make positive, lasting impressions," Holly said. Based on her experience, Holly included a Kid's In The Kitchen Chapter filled with fun, delicious recipes in The New Holly Clegg trim&TERRIFIC Cookbook and has the newly released KIDS COOKING for Mommies. If you're wondering if you can really make a healthy impression on kids, Holly has proof. "My youngest child did not have a fast food hamburger until she was 15 years old, and it wasn't because I didn't allow it. I didn't have to pick up fast food for my children because I knew I could get something on the table in 30 minutes."
If you have reviewed this book and would like me to add a link to your review, please include a link in your comment!
3 Comments:
That recipe looks fantastic - I'm printing it out.
That recipe looks awesome! I'm going to try it soon!
I am drooling!
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