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The Skinnytaste Cookbook: Light on Calories, Big on Flavor by Heather K. Jones, Gina Homolka
alyssajoy's review
5.0
This is a great cookbook! A lot of interesting ways to "healthify" recipes that are typically not very healthy. A lot of the things she does to lighten things up are things that I already do with my cooking, but there were some creative recipes in here that I appreciated. I've made 2 recipes from this book and will definitely make more.
mctmama's review
5.0
What a fantastic cookbook for people who want to eat tasty food, but eat healthier and in moderation! Unlike most people, I was not familiar with the author Gina Homolka's blog www.skinnytaste.com, so this book was a refreshing introduction to her philosophy of food, healthy eating, and cooking! Gina had tried diets, was not successful, and although she appreciated Weight Watchers, she wanted healthy "non-diet" food to feed herself and her family. A graphic designer, she started the Skinnytaste blog for fun and to share her recipes. It is now her full time job!
The book gives you a brief introduction into her food philosophy, which is eat in season whole foods, focus on vegetables and fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, modest amounts of meat, fish, or dairy, and cut back on salt, refined sugars, white flour and partially hydrogenated oils. All worthy goals! She suggests that you plan your menus for the week, and make a shopping list before grocery shopping. When picturing your dinner plate, Gina says 1/2 the plate should be salad and veggies, 1/4 meat (protein) and 1/4 whole grains. Simple, yet good advice. The book is structured into chapters for breakfast, soups and chilis, sandwiches, appetizers, main dish salads, poultry, lean meats, fish, side dishes, and sweets. I loved how she has a simple key: Q for quick (30 minutes or less), SC for slow cooker, FF for freezer friendly, V for vegetarian, GF for gluten free. Gina also partnered with a registered dietitian Heather K. Jones to provide nutritional information about the recipes. Each recipe has a box on the lower right hand corner of the page detailing calories, fat grams, cholesterol, carbs, fiber, protein, sugars, and sodium. The serving size, example 1 cup, is also specified. Another basic recommendation - all salts are not created equal, and Gina recommends Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt. I also like how she has hints she calls the "skinny scoop" liked simple substitutions, how to wrap before freezing, etc. She also has "perfect pairings" to suggest how to serve dishes, or what sides compliment the main dish.
Finally, the recipes. Looking at the cover, which featured "Kiss my Shrimp and Grits" on page 219, I knew I was going to find a lot of dishes I wanted to cook. I love breakfast, so the make ahead Western Omelet "muffins" caught my eye, along with the Apple 'n spice baked oatmeal. There was also a winter potato, kale, and sausage frittata that I would serve for dinner. Pumpkin vanilla glazed scones, rustic Italian gnocchi soup, Buffalo chicken melts, Pear and brie grilled cheese. My mouth was watering just reading these recipes! The book also contains a lot of great, high quality photographs, so you can picture how the dishes should look.
My highest praise for this book is that although I received my copy free from Blogging for Books (in exchange for an honest review), I recommended that our adult non-fiction librarian immediately purchase it for my library, and I plan to buy a copy for my daughter who recently graduated from college and is working and living in a new city. This book makes a great addition to a library collection, or your personal cookbook collection.
The book gives you a brief introduction into her food philosophy, which is eat in season whole foods, focus on vegetables and fruits, whole grains, healthy fats, modest amounts of meat, fish, or dairy, and cut back on salt, refined sugars, white flour and partially hydrogenated oils. All worthy goals! She suggests that you plan your menus for the week, and make a shopping list before grocery shopping. When picturing your dinner plate, Gina says 1/2 the plate should be salad and veggies, 1/4 meat (protein) and 1/4 whole grains. Simple, yet good advice. The book is structured into chapters for breakfast, soups and chilis, sandwiches, appetizers, main dish salads, poultry, lean meats, fish, side dishes, and sweets. I loved how she has a simple key: Q for quick (30 minutes or less), SC for slow cooker, FF for freezer friendly, V for vegetarian, GF for gluten free. Gina also partnered with a registered dietitian Heather K. Jones to provide nutritional information about the recipes. Each recipe has a box on the lower right hand corner of the page detailing calories, fat grams, cholesterol, carbs, fiber, protein, sugars, and sodium. The serving size, example 1 cup, is also specified. Another basic recommendation - all salts are not created equal, and Gina recommends Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt. I also like how she has hints she calls the "skinny scoop" liked simple substitutions, how to wrap before freezing, etc. She also has "perfect pairings" to suggest how to serve dishes, or what sides compliment the main dish.
Finally, the recipes. Looking at the cover, which featured "Kiss my Shrimp and Grits" on page 219, I knew I was going to find a lot of dishes I wanted to cook. I love breakfast, so the make ahead Western Omelet "muffins" caught my eye, along with the Apple 'n spice baked oatmeal. There was also a winter potato, kale, and sausage frittata that I would serve for dinner. Pumpkin vanilla glazed scones, rustic Italian gnocchi soup, Buffalo chicken melts, Pear and brie grilled cheese. My mouth was watering just reading these recipes! The book also contains a lot of great, high quality photographs, so you can picture how the dishes should look.
My highest praise for this book is that although I received my copy free from Blogging for Books (in exchange for an honest review), I recommended that our adult non-fiction librarian immediately purchase it for my library, and I plan to buy a copy for my daughter who recently graduated from college and is working and living in a new city. This book makes a great addition to a library collection, or your personal cookbook collection.
bookswithstacie's review
4.0
I’ve been trying to eat better lately, so I started looking for a cookbook with less calories in mind without sacrificing taste. I looked at so many before I finally picked one. I chose this one because it actually included the calories of the recipes and surprisingly a lot of books didn’t include that information.
I haven’t tried any of the recipes yet, but I did buy the stuff for two at the grocery store. I did have to make several substitutions, because Walmart didn’t have what I needed. So my recipes will have a few more calories then what was in the book. I’m not sure if this will be a continuing issue or just for these two, but either way I am excited to try them and look forward to trying more recipes in the future.
I haven’t tried any of the recipes yet, but I did buy the stuff for two at the grocery store. I did have to make several substitutions, because Walmart didn’t have what I needed. So my recipes will have a few more calories then what was in the book. I’m not sure if this will be a continuing issue or just for these two, but either way I am excited to try them and look forward to trying more recipes in the future.
pqlibrarian's review
3.0
I have to say, I am a little disappointed in this cookbook. Don't get me wrong - it's a gorgeous book, lots of photos and healthy recipes. But they are recipes I doubt I will ever make. There are plenty of recipes that look delicious and that I think my daughter and I will enjoy, but I don't see myself spending that much effort on cooking. Yep, I'm lazy. I also work, go to grad school, take care of a house, husband, teenagers, and over a ton of animals. I'm tired!
There are a few recipes to fit a busy lifestyle of someone who doesn't enjoy being in a kitchen - Some muffins that can be made ahead and frozen and a western omelet muffin that looks pretty awesome. Homolka also has a lot of healthy living tips which add up to a change in lifestyle for someone like me. Maybe that's the trouble I have with this cookbook!
In short, if you love to spend time in the kitchen using lots of ingredients for a dish, this is the cookbook for you. If you are looking for quick and healthy meals, pass this one up.
There are a few recipes to fit a busy lifestyle of someone who doesn't enjoy being in a kitchen - Some muffins that can be made ahead and frozen and a western omelet muffin that looks pretty awesome. Homolka also has a lot of healthy living tips which add up to a change in lifestyle for someone like me. Maybe that's the trouble I have with this cookbook!
In short, if you love to spend time in the kitchen using lots of ingredients for a dish, this is the cookbook for you. If you are looking for quick and healthy meals, pass this one up.
readingwhenican's review
4.0
So happy to have gotten this cookbook for Christmas! The recipes are awesome and not intimidating, and I love that the nutritional info is given!
etherealfire's review
5.0
I just realized I never reviewed and shelved two out of the three fantastic SkinnyTaste cookbooks I own. Purchased in 2017 and read the same year and have been using the books ever since. Love them all!
anrobe's review
4.0
This is a fantastic cookbook! If you're looking for a cookbook with great food that are more healthy and low in calories, this may well be your best bet! Although I've heard of Gina's website, I haven't been spending a lot of time there regularly but I've decided to change that based on what I'm seeing in this cookbook!
The book itself is beautiful - well constructed, with great photography and lots of good tips! The content is well done and includes the following areas: Skinny Basics, Sunny Mornings, Skinny-Licious Soups and Chilis, Sandwiches on the Lighter Side, Skinny Bites, Fabulous Main-Dish Salads, Perfect Poultry, Lean Meat Dishes, Fabulous Fish, Meatless Mains, Veggie-Licious Sides, Skinny Sweet Tooth.
There is something for everyone in this cookbook! Although most of the recipes have a photo associated with it, some of them don't which frustrates me since I'd prefer to have a photo for ALL of the recipes. But, I do appreciate that most of them have a photo.
Some of the recipes that I'm planning to try soon include - Winter Potato, Kale and Sausage Frittta, Rustic Italian Gnocchi Soup, Summer Lobster Rolls, Guiltless Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms, Tuscan Panzanella Salad with Grilled Garlic Bread, Chicken Marsala, Slow Cooker Mexican Pork Carnitas, Cilantro-Lime Shrimp, Black Bean Burrito Bowls, Silky Chocolate Cream Pie, and Baked Bananas Foster a la Mode. Yum! I can't wait to dig in and make some of these dishes!
I highly recommend this cookbook for pretty much anyone! Definitely a great one!
NOTE: I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.
The book itself is beautiful - well constructed, with great photography and lots of good tips! The content is well done and includes the following areas: Skinny Basics, Sunny Mornings, Skinny-Licious Soups and Chilis, Sandwiches on the Lighter Side, Skinny Bites, Fabulous Main-Dish Salads, Perfect Poultry, Lean Meat Dishes, Fabulous Fish, Meatless Mains, Veggie-Licious Sides, Skinny Sweet Tooth.
There is something for everyone in this cookbook! Although most of the recipes have a photo associated with it, some of them don't which frustrates me since I'd prefer to have a photo for ALL of the recipes. But, I do appreciate that most of them have a photo.
Some of the recipes that I'm planning to try soon include - Winter Potato, Kale and Sausage Frittta, Rustic Italian Gnocchi Soup, Summer Lobster Rolls, Guiltless Sausage-Stuffed Mushrooms, Tuscan Panzanella Salad with Grilled Garlic Bread, Chicken Marsala, Slow Cooker Mexican Pork Carnitas, Cilantro-Lime Shrimp, Black Bean Burrito Bowls, Silky Chocolate Cream Pie, and Baked Bananas Foster a la Mode. Yum! I can't wait to dig in and make some of these dishes!
I highly recommend this cookbook for pretty much anyone! Definitely a great one!
NOTE: I received this book from the publisher for an honest review.
dgshroyer's review
4.0
I got this because I heard she had some good gluten free and vegan options. She does, although I think what I’m most eager to try are her many slow cooker recipes, many of which are meat based. Nevertheless, I marked a good number of recipes to try and I’m looking forward to making them. Nothing overly new or ambitious but I appreciate having some healthier versions of known recipes. I don’t love the name- seems like she could have gone with healthy instead of skinny. But she does make it easy for families that need/want simple healthy meals with options to easily adjust for dietary concerns.
gothicgoddess's review against another edition
5.0
I checked this out of my local library, but liked it enough that I'm giving serious thought to purchasing it. It has an excellent variety of recipes, which are healthful without substituting fake sweeteners or other "fake" foods for health. Homolka uses foods like avocado to sub for butter in baked goods, and provides alternative ways to make traditional recipes. This is the kind of book I could see myself reaching for weekly to make something not overly complicated. Also, it offers a lot of interesting/useful tips if you're relatively new to nutrition, about the ingredients in the recipes. Not fussy, great photos, healthy without being fake, and appetizing - the perfect cookbook!