Customer Reviews

Better Homes and Gardens Family Favorites Made Lighter

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This cookbook has become a staple in my already-large cookbook collection. I have used this book many times to "lighten" up a family favorite dish, and have made many of the recipes contained here. The book is organized in the following categories: Getting to Know Good Nutrition, Mouth-Watering Main Dishes, Tempting Side Dishes, Enticing Desserts, and Refreshing Snacks.

Some of my family's favorites include: Beef Stroganoff, Spaghetti Pie, Fajitas, Scalloped Potatoes and Ham, Coq Au Vin, Chicken & Dumplings, Oven Fried Chicken, Chicken PotPie, Tuna Noodle Casserole, Quiche Lorraine, Macaroni & Cheese, No Fried Ice Milk, Creamy Coleslaw, German-Style Potato Salad, Caramel Rolls, Pumpkin Bars, Carrot Cake, and Heavenly Cheesecake,

The recipes try to offer lower sodium, fat, calories, and cholesterol than the original "family" favorites, without decreasing taste. My family could barely tell these were not the original versions, and I feel good lowering fat and sodium wherever I can. This cookbook may not offer many "gourmet" dishes, but it gives wonderful recipes for favorite recipes you thought you could not enjoy anymore because of the high fat/sodium/cholesterol content. Enjoy!

Excellent cookbook with easy to prepare versions of entrees we all want to eat but don't know how to prepare without destroying our diets. Not only are these recipes quick and low-fat, but they allow for good-size portions and are filling. The recipes also use easy-to-find, ordinary ingredients, so you don't have to spend time hunting for things you've never heard of at the gourmet store. Worth the money!

I have had this cook book for quite a long time now, and it is one of my most used books. It has all types of recipes, from appetizers to main meals to deserts. The recipes are not wild and extravagant, requiring trips to specialty gourmet stores; they are mostly recipes you are already familiar with, just made lighter. Try their version of sweet and sour pork, it is absolutely delicious! The banana bread is fantastic too - I've made that one so many times that my book just falls open to that page automatically.

Family Favorites Made Lighter is a collection of over 100 family-friendly recipes that are practical, quick and delicious. These recipes are the same dishes your mother made -- made modern. The information on fat, cholesterol, and salt is accurate and helpful. These are the perfect transitional dishes for the family trying to change the way it eats. Our family has found many new favorites in this selection. A reliable source, even at the last minute! Highly recommended!

I've had this cookbook for years and it is very, very Weight Watchers friendly. The dishes are absolutely terrific; they never disappoint. Portion sizes and serving suggestions are ideal. It even has meal plans for different themes, such as Thanksgiving. Best of all, there's a sidebar next to every recipe with all the nutritional data - perfect for figuring out Weight Watchers points, or those watching sodium or sugars.

Terrific recipes I use over and over are the chili, spaghetti pie, stuffed peppers and the lemony chicken salad. All are outstanding.

I prefer this cookbook over the Weight Watchers ones because it calls for reasonable ingredients, and in practical amounts. I'm tired of the WW cookbooks asking for (example here) 2 TBS. of fat-free sour cream. So I buy the sour cream, and 90% of the container goes unused...so wasteful. This cookbook either calls for a full or nearly full package size of an ingredient, or something you'll easily reuse. For example, the spaghetti pie recipe substitutes low-fat cottage cheese for ricotta. That's a leftover I can easily use.

Absolutely 100% recommend this cookbook, whether you're dieting or not. It just makes sense if you're looking to prepare delicious, healthful meals. I wish they'd come out with additional versions with more recipes!!