The New American Plate Cookbook: Recipes for a Healthy Weight and a Healthy Life

by American Institute for Cancer Research

We all want great-tasting meals, but we also want meals that help us maintain a healthy weight and live longer, healthier lives. Marrying the art and science of food, The New American Plate Cookbook is the first cookbook designed to accomplish all three goals. A team of cooks, nutritionists, food writers, scientists, and others who are passionate about food collaborated to create 200 recipes, from appetizers to desserts, that combine sound nutrition with culinary ingenuity. From updated favorites to innovative showstoppers, The New American Plate Cookbook delights the senses―with vivid colors, tempting aromas, and luscious flavors―while helping you reduce your risk of serious health problems like cancer and heart disease. Whether you wish to achieve a healthy weight or find a lifelong approach to eating nutritious meals, The New American Plate Cookbook will satisfy your conscience while it dazzles your palate.

The New American Plate Cookbook includes:

*200 recipes, from appetizers, soups, and salads to one-pot dishes and entrées to vegetables, egg dishes, breads, pilafs, desserts, and more

*74 full-color photographs

*Tips on meal planning and complementary combinations of dishes

*Practical suggestions and a guide to ingredients and cooking techniques

*Information on the science behind the New American Plate approach

Recipes from The New American Plate Cookbook :

Bruschetta with Green Pea and Roasted Garlic Spread

Butternut Squash, Tomato and Watercress Soup

Mixed Greens with Blueberries and Feta

Sweet Potato and Pear Stir-Fry with Chicken and Chili Sauce

New American Beef Stew

Greek-Style Scallops

Chicken with Tomatoes, Honey and Cinnamon

Broccoli with Scallion Dressing and Hazelnuts

Gingered Carrots with Golden Raisins and Lemon

Heirloom Whole Wheat Bread

Whole Corn and Green Chile Muffins

Rice Pudding with Pears and Apples

Fresh Plum Tart

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction

312 pages, Hardcover

First published March 8, 2005

Reviews

[Kendra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have made six recipes from this cookbook and have really enjoyed most of them. What I most appreciate is the introduction to new ingredients and the focus on healthy, yet beautiful, wholesome food.

The concept behind the book is that the American way of eating has to change. Instead of the traditional meat and potatoes dinner with a few peas on the side, our menus need to incorporate a lot more vegetables and whole grains and consume much less meat.

Thanks to this book, in the past two weeks I have cooked several pounds of beans (pinto, kidney, black, & garbanzo), discovered new ways of incorporating brown rice into my diet, and tried barley for the first time.

I am not sure I could cook in this method completely. The herbs did help spice things up and differentiate the tastes of the various meals -- but there was a particular sameness about many of the meals that could get monotonous after a while. I'll keep the techniques and recipes in my rotation, though.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this a reference for my healthy food restaurant and it was a good purchase.

[Charleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything in this book has been delicious! I checked this book out at the library to get ideas on shifting our ratio of vegetable to meat. I had each member of the family pick out a one-pot meal to make it easier, and every single recipe we tried was absolutely delicious! I am very happy to have my own copy and am thinking of getting extras for gifts. We made the beef stew (very tender, tasty meal -- seemed to make a lot more than the servings listed so we had leftovers), the bowtie pasta with orange chicken, the southwestern beef-bean burgers, and some sides. The seasonings were just right for each recipe -- full of flavor. The best thing is that it seems to have lowered my blood pressure below the cut off for medication. I took two days of a diuretic and it dropped my potassium and sodium so much that I was nauseous, dizzy and sweaty -- actually raising my blood pressure above what it had ever been before the medication. This is a much more healthy and enjoyable method towards better health, and the whole family loves the recipes.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has some great ideas to help you get more fruits and vegetables into your diet. The main drawback is that many of the recipes require a lot of time and work.

You can get many of the recipes online at www.aicr.org. I highly recommend this website.

My favorite recipe is the Turkey Sloppy Joes, after I cook the sloppy joe mix, I put it through the food processor for a few pulses so it looks more like the traditional "sloppy joe". It's become a staple weeknight dinner!

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the diet this book portrays. Its not a fad diet, but emphasizes balance. But not just equal amounts of foods ... it shows that plant-based foods are the most healthy and thus should take up most of your plate, with animal foods taking up a smaller role, unlike the typical "American" diet.

Note ... I haven't tried any of the recipes yet but will update this review when I have.

[Beth Yeh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative, great recipes. We liked the stuffed peppers so far. I thought the food philosopy was intriguing and I was inspired to visit the ACRI website and now get recipes in my inbox from them!

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't made it through all the recipes, but this was recommended to us by friends and I've gone back to it again thanks to you -- Jodi & Peter. I like the idea behind the book - less meat, more veggies and grains. The salmon recipe is awesome, as is the quinoa salad.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This cookbook from the American Institute for Cancer Research highlights their meal pattern plan, the New American Plate, formulated from the evidence base for diet and cancer prevention. A great all-around cookbook with abundant healthy eating tips.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has healthy and delicious recipes and full page color pictures of the recipes. It's a fantastic cookbook!

[Carlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recipes with meat more as a side dish, very good, best diet for the environment also.

[Shannon Rinck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, a book of healthy recipes that actually look good and I would eat!

[Rexanna Ipock-Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of vegetables, but a little boring. It is healthy and has nice pictures, however the food as described was plain. This book could use some spice.

[Sally Dayton]

I highly recommend this cookbook. Everything I have ever made from it has been easy to make and delicious.

[lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roasted red pepper soup with corn.

[Malani · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay, not great

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the recipes and healthy eating concepts presented in this book.