[.ca] The Complete Cooking Light Cookbook (ISBN 084871945X)

Highly recommended. What a cookbook should be.:
I have a whole library of cookbooks, but this is the one I reach for time and time again. There are certain qualities that make this book superior; they include: - A well-organized index. Do not underrate this feature: The first step in deciding upon a recipe is what ingredients do I have on hand. With this nicely written index, I just look up the ingredient (eg. shrimp or plums) and there is listed a number of recipes. - Simple common ingredients. Nothing too exotic or stuff you need to make a special shopping trip for. (I have several cookbooks that I never use for this reason.) - Not overly complicated. I hate cookbooks that make things more complicated than should be, just to show off the skill of the author or chef. Recipes here are simple enough for beginning to moderate cooks, or those short on time. Isn't that all of us? (Approximate prep and cooking time is listed for each recipe.) - Beyond the normal, done-to-death recipes. Though Joy of Cooking is considered the "Bible" I never use it. Why? Because the recipes are boring, done-a-thousand-times, in-every-cookbook lifeless. This cookbook offers simple, but slightly unusual recipes you're excited to try. - Comprehensive. Seems to have a recipe for everything! (After using it many many times, I still have at least a dozen bookmarks in it for recipes I've yet to do but want to try.) - Lowfat, with nutritional info provided. But I love the fact that flavor is not sacrificed -- you'll find lowfat milk listed, but butter and sour cream are also there when needed. - Helpful extras. Like the substitution chart in the back (used it so many times!) and the list of cupboard basics in the front. The book is attractively laid-out, with color photos for some of the items (but not all). A lovely keeper, one you will use again and again.

Absolute Necessity!:
I love this cookbook! Everything I have made has been wonderful! I was even able to feed my picky 9-yr-old nephew Chicken Florentine Lasagna (spinach!). I love that I can make a recipe out of this book, that I have never tried before, for company, with confidence it will be great. A definite must-have!!

one of my favorites:
Cooking Light has become the first cookbook I turn to when planning meals or dinner parties. The recipes are easy to follow and there's a great variety (everything from a simple soup for a family dinner to fancy dishes to impress your guests.) But, as another reviewer noted, it's all about the taste. I have very seldom made anything out of this cookbook that wasn't wonderful. When I have friends or family over for dinner, they're always pleasantly suprised to find out that everything they've been enjoying is a healthy recipe. If I could only have one cookbook, I'd do quite well with this one.

Lowfat...Maximum Flavor...Tastebud Sensation:
This cookbook is not just meat and potatoes. It's herbs, spices and vegetables galore. It has incredible appeal for vegetarians and die hard meat eaters. I have never owned a cookbook like this. My husband recently lost 25 lbs. on the Dr. Phil plan. I will not say diet, as we have attained a new lifestyle of eating. I had a hard time converting favorite recipes into lowfat consciencious meals. Magically, I was turned on to this cookbook and I haven't stepped out of the kitchen since. My family looks forward to meals with eager anticipation of my cuilinary triumphs. I, in turn, can't wait to create. I sit with this book in my lap every evening and begin meal planning for the next day. For those of you who love to entertain, your guests will go crazy when you tell them they're eating from Cooking Light. Every morsel from appetizers to dessert will have them salivating. We had company last night that started with Tex-Mex Bean Dip, followed by Multi-Grain Vegetable Burrito with Tomatoe Basil Salad. Dessert topped it off with Maple Carmel Flan. My girlfriend went home and ordered this cookbook. I have been a gourmet cook for years, and I can't sing praises loud enough. This book will teach you about portion sizes, calorie intake, as well as the breakdown of fiber, sugar, and carbohydrates. Cut out the old supersizing and bring in the flavor.

A Necessity for Every Kitchen:
This is one of my absolute favorite cookbooks. The recipes are interesting but not overly complicated. Most of them do not require hard-to-find ingredients, yet they truly maximize flavor. There is also a great deal of variety, from the appetizers to the desserts, so that you will find the perfect foods to prepare, no matter the occasion. Note to vegetarians: The book also contains many creative and flavorful meatless dishes. Despite all of these other attributes, however, TASTE is the #1 reason to buy this cookbook. Everything I have tried has been delicious. The fact that all of the recipes are healthy is just the low-fat icing on the cake, so to speak. In addition, it contains attractive photographs of many of the recipes (a "must" for me in any cookbook) and also includes many helpful procedural tips and photographs for those of us who aren't experts. For those who assume that lower in fat always means lower in taste, this is the cookbook that will finally convince you otherwise. And for those who consistently try to eat healthy, this cookbook will make it a pleasure to do so. By the way, if anyone is debating between this book and Cooking Light Five Star Recipes, I would definitely recommend this one. The other book is also good, but this one simply has many more recipes and, hence, more variety. Buy this book -- it will NOT end up collecting dust on your bookshelf like so many others!