Alice RD
Bulgar Pilaf with Peppers from the New American Plate Cookbook
AICR gives lots of tips and ideas for healthy eating and provides many recipes (Health-e-Recipe, From the AICR Test Kitchen, e.g.) that we hope you use and enjoy.
But if you are just getting started cooking, or want to start and would like some background reading and tips on basic cooking, finding the right cookbook is important.
I am not a beginner, but also not an expert chef, so there are still kitchen mysteries that I am trying to understand, and in some cases, conquer. These three books are among those I use often for easy recipes and reviewing basic techniques. Each offers something unique.
1. The New American Plate Cookbook: Recipes for a Healthy Weight and a Healthy Life from AICR.
What it offers the new cook: Straightforward and mostly simple to prepare recipes.
These recipes are delicious, healthy and uncomplicated and can help you reshape your plate to follow AICR’s recommendation to fill your plate with at least 2/3 plant foods and 1/3 or less meat. The pictures are beautiful and inspiring.You can also learn more about a cancer-protective diet and the glossary helps with some of the scientific words related to health and cancer prevention.
2. The Art of Simple Food: Notes, Lessons, and Recipes From a Delicious Revolution by Alice Waters
What it offers the new cook: Basic techniques, explanations and clear, step by step recipe instructions.
Simple Food begins with basics: kitchen equipment, utensils, food pantry and cooking techniques. The recipes that follow are straightforward and, as is Alice Waters’ passion, the ingredients are fresh and simple. A good read about food and cooking.
3. Fix-It and Forget-It Lightly: Healthy, Low-Fat Recipes for Your Slow Cooker by Phyllis Pellman Good
What it offers the new cook: Easy assembly of soups, stews and other dishes.
The slow cooker has made a comeback in recent years, and this book offers quick and easy meals. These recipes don’t always use fresh ingredients – there are some with canned soups for example. With 500 recipes, I have found plenty to work with. One of my favorites is the Vegetable Spaghetti Sauce.
If you’re a beginner, what do you want in a cookbook? If you already cook, what are some of your favorites?
