Cookbook of the Month – March 2018

First, so sorry I’m posting my Cookbook of the Month – March 2018 in the middle of the month. But I realized this post never published when it was supposed to. Technology has its moments, that’s for sure. However, better late than never as they say. So my recommendation for March is Comfort Food Fix by Ellie Krieger. This cookbook is filled with all your favorite comfort foods you know and love like buffalo wings, pancakes, Philly cheese-steaks sandwiches, and oven fried chicken. While all these foods prepared the old-fashioned way are delicious yet not good to eat in this way all the time. Moderation and portion control are key no matter the foods you’re eating.  So Ellie has provided recipes which are both healthy and delicious. You may be asking how does she create delicious but healthier meals without sacrificing flavor? I asked the same question once upon a time and I was pleasantly surprised. Read on as I tell you why I recommend Comfort Food Fix.

Cookbook of the Month – March 2018

Published in 2011, Comfort Food Fix is still as relevant today as the day it was written. We’re all trying to eat healthier but that craving for great tasting food, comfort food is always at the forefront of good eating. If food doesn’t look good and taste good, who wants to eat it? Not me that’s for sure. Comfort food is soul-satisfying and indulgence at its best. Healthy eating does not need to taste bad or look bad. Healthy eating is reducing fat, using natural and fresh ingredients. You can still eat meatloaf and mashed potatoes without all the calories and unhealthy fats. Ellie gives you 150 recipes that are big on flavor and will still satisfy the comfort food cravings we all love. Remember all recipes are a guide to your own culinary creations.

Cookbook of the Month – March 2018

You may have seen Ellie on her Food Network show, “Healthy Appetite.”  I was immediately a fan and have purchased all her cookbooks since then. My Cookbook of the Month – March 2018 comes recommended for several reasons. First, this cookbook is a lesson in cutting fat yet keeping flavor integrity. Your food has to taste good otherwise why bother. Yes, everyone’s palate is different yet we each crave good taste regardless of ingredients used. Yes, we all have foods we prefer and others we wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole. Fortunately, I didn’t grow up in a family of picky eaters. Except for allergies, I ate just about everything put in front of me.

Cookbook of the Month – March 2018

What makes Comfort Food Fix so special is Ellie’s ability to help you understand what she calls the “15 Fix factors”. What are fix factors? These are the healthier alternatives to foods we use most often mainly because a recipe calls for it and because we think no substitutes exist. Nothing could be further from the truth as with her fix factors show alternatives do exist. A good example is using non-fat greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise. All fat has the same amount of calories no matter the form. Control the amounts used in recipes when possible. Baking is the one area where using the right amount of fat matters especially butter for texture and flavor. Ellie mentions pie crusts and cookies. However, it can be done with success using fruit and vegetable purees when baking.

Cookbook of the Month – March 2018

Other fixes are baking instead of frying. Lightly bread foods, spray pan or sprinkle on a small mount of oil or fry foods in skillet but reduce the amount of oil used, cooking until crispy brown to your liking. Cutting down on the number of whole eggs by using half whole eggs and half whites in baking while all eggs whites can be used in egg dishes. Ever thought about adding mushrooms to meatloaf or beans to taco meat or zucchini ribbons instead of pasta noodles? The biggest fix which can only be controlled by us is the portion size eaten either served at home or in a restaurant. We have all become accustom to being served huge portions no matter where we eat even at home.

Cookbook of the Month – March 2018

My favorite recipes are Broiled Buffalo Wings (page 77) with Blue Cheese Dip (78) made with Greek Yogurt, Crispy French Toast Fingers, (page 26, a kid favorite), and Honey-Crisp Oven-Fried Chicken (page 171). Checkout some of the dipping sauces as I use these all the time for chicken fingers, fries and breaded shrimp. So good…Desserts will hit that sweet spot and a perfect companion side to any meal.

Full nutrition information is available for each recipe, before and after comparisons, food photos. No need to give up the foods or feel guilty about eating them. Checkout Ellie on your local public television channel along with her other cookbooks. I think you’ll love the recipes and the easy to understand information and recipes Ellie provides. Cookbook of the Month – March 2018 allows you to eat healthier more often and a guide to making that happen faster. Happy Cooking Good, Healthy Eats!