So Easy: Luscious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Week by Ellie Krieger- Hardcover: 272 pages
- Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 26, 2009)
- ISBN-13: 978-0470423547
Back-of-the-book blurb: As weekly host of the Food Network’s “Healthy Appetite,” Ellie Krieger is known for creating light and healthy dishes that taste great and are easy enough for the busiest people to prepare. Now, Ellie has put together a collection of meal solutions for those of us who love food and want to eat well but struggle to make it happen given life’s hectic pace. With 150 delicious, easy-to-prepare, fortifying recipes, Ellie provides dishes that tackle every meal. Illustrated with 50 full-color photos.
She is Too Fond of Books’ review: Every recipe in So Easy meets Ellie Krieger’s test for “the delicious-healthy-easy trifecta.” That’s a goal in my kitchen, too, and with this cookbook I’m well on my way to serving food that pleases the whole table, especially Mama Bear. You know what they say, if Mama’s not happy, nobody’s happy!
Krieger explains a bit about her food philosophy in the introduction: no food is completely off limits. In her kitchen, they are Usually (fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts, lean protein, low-fat dairy, and healthy oils), Sometimes (more processed or higher in saturated fat), and Rarely (these are the items that others might label “never” - full-fat dairy, bacon, etc.).
The recipes in So Easy avoid artificial additives, and use minimally-processed ingredients whenever possible. Rather than use a no-fat chemically-enhanced ingredient, Krieger is likely to opt for full flavor (and full fat) natural product. She says “they are so flavorful that just a bit goes a long way. The truth is, sometimes, what’s best is a little of the real thing.” Amen to that.
I grew up with margarine, and that’s what I stocked our fridge with when J and I were first married. One time when we were visiting his sister I commented how I loved the flavor of real butter on whatever we were eating (corn on the cob?). She looked at me and said “You know, you can buy real butter instead of margarine.” Yeah, at age 30-something I needed permission to buy real butter; I haven’t looked back. But I digress … back to the book …
Krieger offers a list of pantry staples, including “condiments, sauces, and other flavor boosters.” You know how silly we are at She is Too Fond of Books, we’ve now taken to calling ketchup a “flavor booster.” Ketchup (a staple for my 5-year-old) is not on the So Easy pantry list, but some of my favorites are: capers, jarred roasted red peppers, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes.
The bulk of the book is, of course, the recipes. Eight sections cover breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert, with ideas for quick or more involved options for each. Often the recipe is accompanied by a “Did you know?” fun fact or a “Eating well tip” with healthy food information. Photos are gorgeous, full-color, and artfully presented; not every recipe is featured in a photo spread, which didn’t stop me from trying one without a picture.
I made Ravioli Toss (from Dinner – Rush Hour); the note with the recipe indicates:
This recipe barely counts as cooking, yet you can take full credit as everyone devours it. It is one of those “saves the day” dishes you will make over and over again.
Ravioli Toss was a hit here - cheese-filled tortellini tossed with baby spinach (I couldn’t find arugula at our grocery store), tomatoes, roasted red peppers, and a light sauce made with ingredients I already had in my pantry. We served this warm with a simple green salad and some rosemary whole wheat bread. J and I agree that it would also be delicious as a cold dish in the summer, maybe substituting basil for the arugula/spinach. It was So Easy and so tasty!
I also made the Peach Pie Smoothie (from Breakfast – at the Ready; I see a trend here, I’m always in a hurry in the kitchen!). This was a blend of milk, yogurt, frozen sliced peaches, and a handful of flavorings and spices. The recipes makes two servings, The Little Guy and I enjoyed this, although we had it as an after-lunch treat rather than a breakfast smoothie. It was So Easy!
I highly recommend So Easy; it’s my new ‘go to’ book in the kitchen. Take a look at this video for an idea of what you’ll find in the book, and tips on pantry essentials from the author:
FTC disclosure: I received this book from a friend.
Great review. You had me smiling with “I grew up with margarine” – me too. And yes, we do/did need permission to buy butter! I’m going to look for this book. I’ve been a fan of Ellie Krieger’s show since I found it on the Food Channel.
Another cookbook I must look into!! The ravioli-toss looks delicious (and ridiculously easy), we have similar taste in “flavor boosters”, and I discovered butter after marriage, too!
Fantastic review! After I finished reading it I thought, “Why have I not purchased this book already!”
I have errands to do today and will definitely make a stop at the bookstore to see if it is available.
Great review! I’ve been considering picking this book up…now I think I just might!
So glad you love this cookbook — I have two of her books, and they are almost never put away. Yes: so easy, so tasty, and healthy to boot.
YUM!!! The Food Network has links to her recipes.
I like your term “rush hour” in your house! With 4 kids and J; is there an “appetizer hour” if things are running late?
This sounds like a great book for me. I’m going to have to put this on the TBR list and check it out next time I’m allowed to buy books.
Very funny about the butter. I grew up in a house laden with cholesterol, so never was motivated to avoid it. And then I moved to Wisconsin, where of course margarine is anathema.
I make a similar tortellini thing, but with sun dried tomatoes. I agree – good hot or cold!
Okay, I’ve got to have your recipe for the ravioli toss – it looks fabulous with that spinach!
Just wrote my review for this one this morning — will be sharing next week! I LOVE THIS BOOK!
I’m loving the sound of this one. Since I’m still dieting (though NO steamed chicken for me, thanks!) I am trying harder to fix healthier meals for everyone. But there is one thing I will not sacrifice, and that is butter. I may use less, but I will use it. That margarine is one of the worst things you can ingest!
I’m on the list for this at the library. I want to give it a test drive before I buy it.
Wow that does sound pretty easy, I will check this book out.
I love her, and I’m drawn in by the Ravioli Toss…I’m checking this book out! Thanks for the heads-up!
This sounds like a book I wish I’d had when all my kids were at home and I was working. I could have used the recipe then but it also appeals to me now.
I am cooking my way through this cookbook right now, and am really enjoying her recipes! Thanks for posting the video, it was really interesting!
I like that she does not put anything completely off limits…but just makes it very rare.
Margerine-Thankfully I cannot remember the last time I had that;
Here is my entry: http://chocolateandcroissants.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html#8415676676431921649 (Italian Mushroom Pockets)
You know, I used to love spending hours in the kitchen trying new recipes and flavors, but lately it seems like time is at a premium, and I am looking for new things to cook that don’t eat up a lot of time. This book sounds perfect for that and I am thinking about going to take a look at it this afternoon. I am so glad that you posted this because the meals around here have been pretty boring as of late. I have really only made things that I can do with little to no effort, but that’s getting old quickly. Great review, and that Ravioli toss looks wonderful!!
Sounds like a cookbook I’d actually use! I watch Krieger on the Food Network and she seems to make healthy foods that taste so good you don’t miss all the fat.