“Winning 2003 Cookbooks: Practical, Easy, Healthy”
by Terra Wellington

This is the annual cookbook review.  I’ve looked at dozens and dozens of recipe books with an eye toward those that offer the healthiest food yet most practical advice and that consider that few of us have lots of time to cook.

To tell you the truth, I still think my kids would be happier in the short term with macaroni and cheese or pizza every night, but in spite of that I’m determined to try new things and give my family the best (within reason -- where’s that macaroni box?!).  At least the husband enjoys all the new tastes!

Helpful One-Dish Meals

No matter how much you love to cook, I’ve found that practicality consistently wins over.  So, when I saw the American Heart Association’s new cookbook One-Dish Meals, (Clarkson Potter, $23.95), I had to take a closer look.

This cookbook gives some time-saving advice, with the rest of the pages dedicated to one-dish propositions, which include less mess, are fast and easy, and are healthy for you.

I like the Chicken Slaw with Teriyaki Plum Dressing or the Lemon-Tarragon Shrimp Vermicelli. 

What is missing from the food preparation smorgasbord is a picture per recipe (my pet peeve).  Other than that, it’s a winner.

Fun, Healthy Holiday Food

Published by Jenny Craig, Holiday Classics (available at www.jennycraig.com, $12.95) is a fun addition to your cooking library. 

This cookbook offers holiday menus (starting with baseball’s World Series celebrations, then Halloween and Christmas, and finally the Superbowl) all with an eye on calorie and fat reduction. 

For Christmas, you might choose a menu of Savory Mushroom-Stuffed Sirloin, Supreme Green Beans, Roasted Red Potatoes, Easy Mini Cheesecakes, and a beverage.

The cookery book has lots of pictures (yeah!), shopping lists, and easy instructions.

Intelligent Food Approach

While several unrecommended cookbooks caught my attention because of beautiful photographs or easy instructions, my next  choice is The Chopra Center Cookbook (Wiley, $24.95). 

The inside lacks design creativity and visual interest, but the wellness and food information is fascinating and useful.

Dr. Deepak Chopra and his co-authors talk about how purposely varying food tastes for each meal affects our holistic health, and how our appetite is a key, regulating internal indicator.

I have interviewed Dr. Chopra before, in person, and can almost hear his voice in the introduction and first couple of educational chapters.  The recipes are simple and easy to follow.

#1 Choice for 2003

The year’s top cookbook is Jyl Steinback’s Cook Once, Eat for a Week (Penguin Putnam, $17.95).  If you are wanting the best tips on planning ahead, shopping smart, super-healthy meals, cooking shortcuts, and freezing advice, then Jyl’s cookbook is for you.  It’s meant for busy, wellness-oriented family living.

I interviewed Jyl earlier this year for ways to avoid the weeknight mealtime crunch.  Her suggestion to plan all your week’s meals ahead of time, including doing a lot of the cooking and freezing on weekends, follows right along with her cookbook platform.

I’ve tried many of the “America’s Healthiest Mom’s” delicious recipes, and the only consistently lacking ingredient was salt and perhaps a little garlic (our family is used to more of both ingredients). 

And while there are no pictures in her recipe collection, I waive my pet peeve because the book’s contents are so useful and practical.  In my opinion no kitchen should be without Jyl’s cookbook, ideas, and advice.

Television Consumer Wellness Expert™ Terra Wellington is a national, syndicated columnist on lifestyle-enriching information and media that educate, inspire, and increase well-being.  She is the author of The Seven Elements to Balanced Living.  Comments and questions should be addressed to Terra Wellington at Wellington Media, P.O. Box 50865, Phoenix, AZ  85076-0865.  Her e-mail address is twellington@terrawellington.com. 

© Copyright 2003 Terra Wellington