Cookbook of the Month – January 2018

Welcome to the New Year Fellow Foodies! We always try to start the New Year making resolutions and trying to stick with them throughout the year. But somehow many of us fall short and that’s because we bite off more than we can chew. You would think after years of trying and making resolutions we would have become more successful at keeping them. This year I’m trying something new and a bit simpler to follow. So let’s choose one thing we can do for ourselves that is obtainable each and every day. For me and my husband we have decided to make healthier choices even when eating at home. That brings me to my Cookbook of the Month – January 2018 recommendation. Best Dressed by Dawn Yanagihara and Adam Reid contains 50 recipes of endless salad inspiration and healthy goodness.

Cookbook  of the Month – January 2018

So what’s in a salad you ask and why did I choose this cookbook? Because eating healthier doesn’t have to be complicated, time-consuming or have no taste. We all want our food to taste good and without taste at the forefront then why not just order from your favorite high-calorie take out place. All in moderation when short on time but cooking at home can reduce your calorie intake no matter what you’re cooking. You know the ingredients you will use, choosing how much to use. Depending on the restaurant, we really have no idea what ingredients are being used. Today cooking is about farm to table, cooking with what is in season, and most of all fresh as possible. My Cookbook of the Month – January 2018 recommendation is all the above with healthy salads and homemade dressings to be served with each.

Cookbook  of the Month – January 2018

Making salads and salad dressings is fun and allows us to create delicious meals for the whole family without breaking the bank and make healthy choices, too. One of my favorite dressings in this cookbook is Lemon Parmesan Vinaigrette on page 59. Best dressed has some of the most flavorful dressings to top any crunchy green leaves of your choosing. The recipes are basic enough you can create your own versions by adding or omitting ingredients your family loves or hates. Dawn and Adam do not use mayonnaise and sour creams in the dressings but a variety of oils making them much lighter. I make homemade dressings basically to lower calories and achieve the taste I’m looking for. Remember recipes are just a guide to make your own creation. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find out what makes your taste buds sing.

Cookbook  of the Month – January 2018

In Best Dressed, Dawn and Adam have listed the type of lettuce, vegetables and protein to be incorporated with each salad. This is a great cookbook to break out in the spring and summer months when we tend to eat lighter but no need to wait until then. The recipes incorporate romaine, butter lettuce, baby kale, and spinach for leafy greens to name a few. Vegetables such as cauliflower, leeks, beets, red onion, Brussels sprouts, and carrots add texture to your salads. Proteins such as steak, salmon, lamb, chicken, and duck breast are used making your salad a full meal. Salad dressings are both savory and sweet adding a punch of flavor to each salad. Best Dressed gives you so many ideas in creating a favorite salad any day of the week for lunch, brunch or dinnertime. Don’t forget toppings like nuts, granola and fried shallots to elevate your salads.

Cookbook  of the Month – January 2018

Lettuces and greens have their own unique flavors and personalities which is important in making a great salad. What is added to a salad is just as important in complimenting a salad’s flavors. Have fun creating a salad to suit your mood with fresh and pure flavors with my Cookbook of the Month – January 2018. An array of ingredients not often used by many of us add some spark to salads and can now be found easily in your local markets. No more run-in-the-mill salads as Best Dressed brings only exciting, enticing, healthy goodness. Don’t just take my word for the goodness contained in this book. You need to checkout this book for yourself and get your New Year started in an exciting new direction.