I ordered these books as a part of America’s Test Kitchen’s holiday book sale. I had been avoiding ATK books because their recipes are, well. not known for skimping on the heavy cream and butter. But then I saw the Light & Healthy Series and had to give them a try.
Each year’s book has chapters on Soups and Stews, Poultry, Meat, Fish and Shellfish, Pasta and Pizza, Vegetarian Entrees, Fire Up the Grill, Great Grains and Beans, Perfect Vegetables, Breakfast and Baked Goods and Desserts. In addition, there are a few special chapters that don’t appear in every year’s book:
- Light & Healthy 2010
– Supper Sized Salads
- Light & Healthy 2011
– Appetizers and Snacks
- Light & Healthy 2012 – Slow Cooker
I can’t say enough good things about these books! They have all the things you love about America’s Test Kitchen publications but lightened up. Even if you never make a recipe out of these books (and why wouldn’t you?) the purchase price covers the education you get.
- Product comparisons, including the best low fat mayo and low fat coconut milk.
- Substitutions, including using fat free evaporated milk in a cream soup.
- Cooking method experimentation – my favorite is how to best cook chicken breasts for moist and flavorful meat (spoiler: it was skinless, bone in breasts and a combo of quick stove top cooking and finishing in the oven)
- Surprise lightened up recipes, including Cheesy Cauliflower Bake, Spaghetti Carbonara and Skillet Baked Ziti
- Desserts, including peach shortcakes, fudgy brownies, lemon squares and chocolate mousse
Chocolate, cheese and cream – three things I haven’t had much of in the past 2 months. I already have a slew of recipes I want to try in the coming weeks, and I’ll report back on how the recipes turn out. I can’t wait!
Today we’ll be trying two recipes – Seven Layer Dip (black beans, avocado and sour cream – yum!) and Chicken Soft Tacos (chicken marinated in orange juice, chipotle chiles and Worcestershire).
And don’t forget – I keep a board on Pinterest of Healthy Recipes I Want to Try. My latest pin is Oven Fried Chicken – it had great reviews on the Food Network (crunchy, moist and tasty). I’ll be picking up some corn flakes and whole grain crackers today so I can try this out soon.
What are your favorite healthy recipes?
I love AMT recipes. Good to know they have the light series. I need to pick me some of those books. When it comes to light recipes, I have nothing other than soups.
I love America’s Test Kitchen!! I will have to look for these books too.
I do not usually go out of my way to specifically look up a healthy recipe, but I’d like to think the majority of the things we cook are healthy…uh but not the nachos last night!
I’ll be interested to read how you get on and what gems you find in these books. Just linked to you on Pinterest to follow your healthy eats there too.