The Best of Cooking Light: Over 500 of Our All-Time Greatest Recipes

by Cooking Light

The recipes included here have been carefully chosen from more than 10,000 that have appeared in the magazine since 1987. To make the final cut for The Best of Cooking Light, each recipe had to meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Earned a high rating in the Cooking Light Test Kitchens • Has a surprising and satisfying “no-way-this-can-be-light” flavor • Named a “reader favorite recipe” based on calls, letters, e-mails, and comments on cookinglight.com • Voted “most popular” among the Cooking Light Foods staff—these are the recipes they cook for their families and friends

You’re guaranteed success with every recipe! Each recipe has been tested at least twice, often three or four times, in the Cooking Light Test Kitchens to ensure that not only are they supremely healthy, tasty, and easy to prepare, but that they also have the all-important “yum factor.”

 “Our Test Kitchens’ staff does the hard work every day so the rest of us can take Cooking Light accuracy for granted.” Mary Kay Culpepper Editor, Cooking Light  Over 250 color photographs make this all-star collection come alive. A virtual feast for the eyes, this book is as beautiful to read and display, as it is practical to use. Look for serving suggestions and artful food presentations throughout to show you how to turn an ordinary dish into an extraordinary meal.

This healthy cookbook is for all cooks and for all occasions. While some recipes take very little time, others require a bit more commitment. Eitherway, you’ll have your choice of great food that adjusts to your schedule, your grocery list, and your mood. Plus, • Step-by-step instructions and complete nutritional analysis with each recipe • Preparation and make-ahead tips • Menu suggestions• Ingredient substitutions and purchasing information

Whatever your definition of “best” is, there are recipes here for you. Just step into your kitchen and make them your own.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food

416 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Cooking Light is an American food and lifestyle magazine founded in 1987. Each month, the magazine includes approximately 100 original recipes as well as editorial content covering food trends, fitness tips, and other culinary and health-related news.

Reviews

[Mina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really really enjoy cooking from this book. I always feel happy, satisfied and always feel greatfull that I made a healthy meal :-) thank you to the authors .

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't find the Stranger Things magazine that I ACTUALLY read so I'm putting this as a replacement (I didn't actually read this cooking magazine)

[Artina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am on the fence about this one. I wanted to love it but I am just middle of the road. Nothing really stood out as super exciting.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm cheating here - I actually don't own any CL cookbooks, but I am a faithful subscriber to the magazine, and not only did it teach me to cook, but I've found the most delicious recipes within its pages. From simple recipes like Edamame Hummus to complicated yumminess like Fig and Gorgonzola Tarts to just the most mouthwatering Manicotti ever... If you like cooking, or want to learn how to cook, check out Cooking Light. The recipes in the cookbooks are culled from the magazines, so I'm sure it's the cream of the crop.

[Gretchen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cooking light cookbooks are some of the best cookbooks I've ever worked out of. Being the food Nazi that I am I'm VERY particular on what is in a cookbook, how they have you cook the food you're preparing, and the ease of the directions.

I highly recommend buying ANY of these. I also get the magazines. Awesome awesome awesome books!

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can definitely tell that they're going for light- there's an abundance of low fat dairy. It's interesting, however, that they don't track sugar or whole grains. The white chocolate apricot muffins sound delectable, and I can't help but think that caramelizing the chocolate would make them even better.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cooking Light recipes are just so dependable. They very rarely turn out bad. The Chocolate Banana bread such a crowd pleaser.

[RF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs and fun looking recipes- can't wait to try some! This is more a coffee table book - it's not "kitchen friendly".

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this cookbook. Cooking light understands the importance of real ingredients and cooking techniques. It is a good book for the all-natural foodie looking to cut fat and calories.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite cookbooks of all time.

[Cstello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cooking Light makes beautiful cookbooks with tasty recipes but you can access them all for free online. Still, I can't resist buying these!

[Nancy]

The BEST

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my cookbooks that gets used most frequently, this cookbook can be counted on for flavorful, healthier recipes. And it has lots of pictures, which makes it easier to look through.

[Delana · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE OF OUR FAVORITE COOKBOOKS!!

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful with great recipes, although I never use it.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read and recipes

[Lori Bickel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book

[Malisa]

Some good ones in here....