Dad of Divas' Reviews: Bookazine Review - 400 Calories or Less: Easy Italian

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Bookazine Review - 400 Calories or Less: Easy Italian

About the Bookazine
Hearst Magazines today announced the release of 400 Calories or Less: Easy Italian, a new 116-page bookazine packed with classic Italian recipes for favorites like pizzas, pastas, hearty meats, savory seafoods, extra special vegetables, and more. From the editors of Good Housekeeping, Redbook, and Country Living, these recipes offer all the satisfaction of tasty Italian cooking with none of the guilt! On newsstands now, 400 Calories or Less: Easy Italian costs $9.99 and can be downloaded on Zinio at www.Zinio.com.

400 Calories or Less: Easy Italian also offers advice for staying slim the Italian way (load up on fruits, veggies, and fish!) as well as Italian kitchen secrets like 10 easy steps to perfect pasta, a guide to the best store-bought sauces, tips on choosing olive oil, and even how to make your own ricotta cheese.

Recipes such as Pizza with the Works (pg. 36) and Pecorino Chicken Fingers (pg. 57) are sure to please even the pickiest eaters, while Tomato-Shrimp Risotto (pg. 43) and Lamb Chops with Mint Gremolata (pg. 67) are perfect for date night. And when you’re craving comfort food, Eggplant Parm Lasagna (pg. 102) and Ricotta Mashed Potatoes (pg. 95) offer healthier versions of traditional diet-busters. Finally, finish off a savory meal with a guilt-free slice of Blueberry-Lemon Tiramisù (pg. 109).

My Take on the Bookazine

This recipe book is composed of recipes from Good Housekeeping, Redbook, and Country Living.
It is divided between pasta, pizza, risotto and polenta, poultry, hearty meat, seafood, antipasto, soups, vegetables and of course desserts.

I was impressed with the easy to read and the directions for cooking each recipe. For the most part most of the ingredients were easily found in one's pantry except maybe for the saffron in a rice recipe,some of the fresh herbs, pancetta, and goat cheese. However, if you are cooking and you enjoy Italian food, these ingredients are easy to locate in most groceries stores today.

I decided to try two recipes.

The first one was on page 76. It was Halibut with tomatoes, olives and pine nuts.

The recipe was easy to make. The fish was lightly floured and sauteed in a pan and the tomatoes , olives, and pine nuts as a garnish added to the delicate taste of the fish. I would prepare this one again.

The second one was the sausage and tomatoes on page 62. The recipe came together quickly and it was dinner in one pan which was nice for clean up. It was tasty and definitely filling. A family would enjoy this. I can see you using a variety of sausages, such as chicken instead of Italian sausage.

Many articles have been written about the Mediterranean diet. This healthy diet is loaded with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans, olive oil, seafood and lean meats. This book uses the diet as a basis for its recipes.

I feel the book proves you can eat a healthy delicious meal in your home using easy to find ingredients and with a minimal of time. With so many families busy , I feel you will find this book a nice addition to your family cooking experiences.


All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.

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