So Easy: Luscious, Healthy Recipes for Every Meal of the Week

by Ellie Krieger

A New York Times' bestselling author's guide to quick and healthy everyday mealsAs weekly host of the Food Network's Healthy Appetite, Ellie Krieger is known for creating light and healthy dishes that taste great and are easy enough for the busiest people to prepare. Now, Ellie has put together a collection of meal solutions for those of us who love food and want to eat well but struggle to make it happen given life's hectic pace. With 150 delicious, easy-to-prepare, fortifying recipes, Ellie provides dishes that tackle every possible mealtime situation. Illustrated with 50 full-color photos, there are recipes breakfasts for hectic days, as well as easy breakfast options for more leisurely morningsLunches to go, each road-tested in a cooler pack, along with at-home lunches for when you have the luxury of eating inA month's worth of different rush-hour dinners-fabulous meals you can whip up in less than thirty minutes-as well as dinners for days when you have a little more time to marinate or roast, but still want it all to be effortlessDecadent desserts, some ready in minutes, others truly worth waiting for-all easily pulled togetherAs a mom with a full-time job, Ellie knows how busy life is when you're juggling your family's needs. Now, you can stop stressing over whether to eat healthily or to eat fast. The recipes here-from Cheddar Apple Quesadilla, Pork Piccata with Spinach and Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Marinated Flank Steak with Blue Cheese Sauce to Chocolate-Cream Cheese Panini Bites and Fig and Ginger Truffles-are ideal, regardless of the time, or experience, you have in the kitchen.When so much in life is complicated, isn't it nice to know that eating doesn't have to be? After making and enjoying the meals in this book, you will say along with the title, "That was SO EASY!"

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Food, Nonfiction, Health, Nutrition

272 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

New York Times best-selling author and registered dietitian ELLIE KRIEGER was the host of Food Network’s Healthy Appetite, which also aired on the Cooking Channel. She regularly contributes to CNN and USA Today, and appears often on national morning shows.

Reviews

[Steven Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellie Krieger's "The Food You Crave" is a terrific cookbook. I enjoyed a number of menus therein. This is a worthy addition to her body of work. One of the pluses of a Krieger book is her dual skill set--her ability to create tasty recipes coupled with her knowledge of nutrition.

Some quotations from her Introduction indicate her approach (Pages 10-12): "If you love food and want to eat well but struggle making it happen with life's hectic pace, keep reading. . .Every recipe here hits the delicious healthy easy trifecta. Deliciousness is first and foremost. . .My golden rule: no food is ever off limits. . .The third part of the trifecta is the easy factor."

One useful touch at the front of the book: what should be in one's pantry. The book, then, is divided into several chapters--two for breakfast, two for lunch, two for dinner, and two for dessert.

"Breakfast is the meal of fresh starts" (Page 19). There are some very nice recipes for breakfast that capture one's attention. A Spicy Egg and Avocado Wrap features eggs, lettuce, whole-wheat wrap breads, an avocado, a tomato, cucumber, Thai chili sauce or hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Accessible ingredients and a pretty straightforward recipe. Yummy! Another: Egg Muffin Sandwich (her take on an Egg McMuffin; her recipe is more enticing!).

"Now that the lunch hour is more like the twenty minute lunch, it is harder than ever to eat right at midday" (Page 65). Some interesting recipes to show how one might have a good meal with little preparation time. Lemon-Cumin Grilled Chicken Breast. Boneless chicken breasts, cumin, salt, pepper, olive oil/cooking spray, and lemon juice. Takes only about 15 minutes to cook this. Other samples: Ham and Cheese Panini; Chicken Paillard with Watercress and Tomato Salad; Open Face Chicken Parmesan Sandwich.

Dinner: As a side dish, Garlic Mashed Potatoes are terrific! Krieger's recipe is simple and delicious. Double dipping--she also has a cool recipe for Herbed Mashed Potatoes. Want a fish dish for dinner? Flounder with Almond Topping, Saffron Rice, and Lemon Broccolini.

All in all, a fine cookbook. Healthy, fairly simple to make. The couple items I have tried have been fine tasting. A good addition to a kitchen library!

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far I have just cooked two recipes from the book: Roasted Tomato and Black Bean Soup with Avocado-Mango Salad but it is full of Krieger's usual delicious and healthy recipes.

Link to recipes made: (http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/20...)

[Meredith Henning · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is great, much like her first book full of great recipes packed with flavor and variety! This one's on my birthday wishlist :)

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Organized by meal type and time vs. no time. The ingredient list is varied, but not as extensive as most healthy cookbooks, so it's manageable. If the list scares you, don't be detoured. Many ingredients can be substituted for a similar ingredient without altering the final product too much, such as quinoa for couscous.

The food isn't fussy and the flavors still shine.

This is one of my favorite cookbooks. Most books only give me a few recipes. This one has several that I love and many more I'm so excited to try.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Third book of hers this month. The roasted tomato and black bean soup was my favorite from this book. She paired it with an avocado-mango salad that was bright, easy and cooling with the spicy entrée. Many of the recipes are paired this way for new cooks to finish a complete meal. Some familiar recipes with a new twist or pared down preparation. Simple desserts make a big impact. Quick and healthy on-the-run breakfast surprises. A good gift book for its variety and ease.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great cook book, broken down into chapters for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with a chapter each for fast and slow cooking of each. My favorite recipes are for the breakfast meals and dinners (but that's just me, I am not one for a big lunch).
Healthy and tasty recipes. I can't wait to try some of these fish recipes, they look fantastic. Found this book in a used book store...the author will not be happy about that, but I certainly am. My husband and I are big fans of Ellie Krieger!

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though these recipes are supposed to be light and healthy, the trends from 2009 have changed a little... It's no longer recommended to have low-fat dairy products. Many of her recipes call for non-fat or low-fat products and/or ingredients that would be difficult to find (whole wheat baguette).

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yummy, easy food... what more can a girl ask for? :D

[Beka · Rating 3 out of 5]

I definitely appreciate her healthy eating philosophy, but unfortunately none of the recipes stood out to me.

[Ramona · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has to be one of my favorite cookbook. Gotten a few recipes out this one. Can not wait to try them. Especially, the smoothie.

[Kristen Barenthaler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been trying to eat better and when I see books like this, it almost seems possible. So excited to try some of these recipes!

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This caught my attention when I was browsing the cookbook section of the library. Easy, luscious, and healthy- that's my ideal for every meal. I've never seen Ellie Krieger, or Food Network, for that matter, but this looked promising. I read reviews, and there were comments about the recipes being complicated etc. I recommend reading the introduction and chapter headings before choosing any recipes. She explains that days have different paces, and if you match the recipe with the day, it will work. I gave this 5 stars not only because of the intuitiveness of it, but because the recipes really are luscious. I love her philosophy: "Deliciousness is first and foremost. As a born food lover I am driven by great taste, and it is the most important factor in everything I make. But just tasting good isn't enough. As a nutritionist it's essential to me that food not only pleases your tastebuds, but also fuels your body and soul, helping you feel great and get the most out of life." My husband is raving about these recipes, and the kids' plates are coming back clean. When the preparation isn't lickety-split, it's enjoyable and uncomplicated.

Here's what we've loved so far, and all are restaurant quality:
Honey Harvest Quinoa (my new staple breakfast- on hand, in the fridge to reheat)
Steak Chimichurri (not exactly like Argentina's, Tadd Said, but we LOVED it)
Chicken Paillard (lunch in 15 minutes! divine)
Italian Open-Faced Sandwich (super-fast. yum)
Apple Pancakes with Nutty Topping (topping is supuuurb. don't substitute the pure maple syrup in recipes like this. save the fake for Krusteez mix)

That's all we've tried, but these 5 out of 5 were so yummy, and the rest look so good, I'm buying a copy of my own.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, Ellie Krieger just makes me want to hug her. I swear she comes off as one of the most genuine and sweet people, like you know she truly cares that you are eating good and delicious foods. Her recipes are straight forward and easy, with a good mix of different cuisines and preparations. Unfortunately, not many of them appealed to me enough to try and make them. Admittedly, I'm not one for "healthy" eating, but I didn't walk away from this cookbook with more than a handful of recipes to try, and only a few that I think I will attempt again.

I'm sure someone who is more focused on healthy eating would really get a lot of use out of this book, but it simply wasn't for me.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The recipes in this cookbook are broken up into breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert; and each meal is further divided in to one chapter devoted to quick, on the run, recipes, and one for more leisurely cooking. I really liked this set up, as my own life requires quick meals during the week, but I enjoy spending more time in the kitchen on weekends.

You can read my review at Rantings of a Bookworm Couch Potato.

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great cookbook from Ellie Krieger, a woman I respect for making it on a network that I love, but let's face it, does not focus on healthy cooking. I especially appreciate the simple ideas for packed lunches and quick dinners. Cooking this healthy is still new to me and the techniques are not second nature yet, so even simple recipes are helpful, especially when there is little time for meal prep.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great cookbook! I have been using recipes from this book every night for the past couple of weeks. Initially I just wanted to eat healthier and control caloric content for dinner, but the added bonus is that my family loves everything I've made so far (with the exception of the littlest, but he only loves pasta anyway:). I've been so pleasantly surprised and would recommend this book to anyone.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't own this title, but I will and that should be a perfect indication of how helpful, fun and fantastic this cookbook is. E. Krieger is thorough and very informative and I love every recipe I had the pleasure to try. My pizza loving, high-caloric intake husband will even try her dishes and has admitted to liking them, and if that isn't an endorsement, I don't know...

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! I love Ellie's approach to food. She has the mentality that you can eat anything in moderation. It is also nice that the nutritional info is listed with each recipe. I have her other cookbook The Food You Crave and have used it several times. I plan on making some recipes from So Easy this week!

[Mariya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great cookbook! I like Ellie Krieger's style for her passion around delicious and healthy meals. I would recommend though to get your pantry and fridge ready for this book. My family appreciates almost every meal made according to "So Easy" recipe. I say "almost" because there is still quite a long list to go and indulge :)

[Erika Nerdypants · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and will try to get my own copy. It turns boring, often fat and calorie laden foods into delicious creations, using simple healthy ingredients. I tried several of the recipes, and was impressed. Love the apple pancakes with nutty topping, and the broccoli salad was to die for. It used Greek yogurt, which I had never tried before, and all I can say is, move over mayo!

[C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, simple cookbook with a nicely balanced selection of healthy foods.

We especially loved the White Turkey Chili - that one has become a staple in our house. I've made it for pot lucks and now know to make a second batch so we can have some - it disappears fast.

The Dutch Baby Pancake with Peach Compote was a keeper, too - the pancake is easy to make and makes a few servings.

[Alicia Ruggieri]

What a great cookbook for those of us who like to eat healthily and deliciously, but don't have a huge amount of time or money to spend on doing that! Ellie gives both *really* quick and more leisurely options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including what has become my favorite way to make tuna fish! Love this -- highly recommend.

[Mara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great recipes, the layout is similar to her previous cookbook, The Food You Crave. I just wish there were more vegetarian recipes in it. There seemed to be more vegetarian recipes in The Food You Crave. I highly recommend any Ellie Krieger cookbook. She's the best!

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The recipes look "so easy", tasty and different. I even went out and bought quinoa in order to make a couple of the recipes. There are quite a few recipes from this book that I want to try. Can't wait to get cookin'!

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a cookbook that is, as it title says, "So Easy." I love that there is a nutrition index next to every meal, to show you what you are eating, the calories and the nutrients and what not. Love this!

[kk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of great healthy ideas. All of the recipes I used were time consuming. Fast, easy, nutritious and delicious. Most recipes contain simple items. You can use her recipes as is or tweak them to your own taste.

[Theresa Bombard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trying some of the recipes this week-easy and tasty.

[Samantha Thomason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this!

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy and nutritious! I liked it so much I went out and bought it!

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great recipes. This one I will use often.