Christina Cooks: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Whole Foods But Were Afraid to Ask (Paperback)

~ (Author) "There is a kind of sorcery in cooking, a magical alchemy in choosing ingredients, in coaxing each nuance of flavor from the foods we prepare..." (more)
Key Phrases: rice nectar, fine matchstick pieces, season lightly with soy sauce, Eden Rice, Suzanne's Specialties Maple Rice Nectar, Suzanne's Specialties Chocolate Rice Nectar (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Pirello (Cooking the Whole Foods Way) offers this happy, almostsingsong primer for those who are intrigued by-but still unfamiliarwith-a whole foods diet. An in-depth introductory section, withinformation on everything from the dangers of dairy to the basics ofbeans and tips for getting started in an all-around healthy lifestyle,can help readers understand what they're getting into. Recipes arefairly simple, comforting and sensual-Caramelized Shallot and RoastedPepper Linguine, Sautéed Cucumbers with Peaches and Blood Orange Tartwith Caramel Sauce are examples of the tempting entrieswithin. Amusing "Did you Know?" sidebars with quick tidbits about thebenefits of whole foods and herbs such as basil are good reminders ofwhy someone might want to eat whole foods, and the recipes in thisbook make that seem like an enjoyable goal to attain.
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Product Description

TV's Christina cooks more than 200 recipes.

Public television cooking show host Christina Pirello is the woman who put the fun back into healthy cooking. In Christina Cooks she's responded to the hundreds of questions that her viewers and readers have put to her over the years-with lots of sound, sane advice, hints, tips and techniques-plus loads of great recipes for scrumptious, healthy meals with a Mediterranean flair.

A whole foods cookbook, Christina Cooks offers inventive ideas for breakfast, special occasions, and what to feed the kids. Chapters include Soups, Breakfast, Kids' Favorites, Beans, Grains, Vegetables, Beverages, and Desserts-Christina addresses popular myths about dairy and protein amongst other often misunderstood ideas about healthful eating.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: HP Trade (January 6, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1557884234
• ISBN-13: 978-1557884237
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #123,307 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A welcome addition to the cookery reference shelves, May 6, 2004

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Christina Cooks: Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Whole Foods But Were Afraid To Ask is combines extensive information, tips, and advice about preparing whole foods with mouth-watering recipes. Written by Christina Pirello (the Emmy award-winning host of the "Christina Cooks!" show), Christina Cooks includes tips for avoiding or making healthy substitutes for dairy foods, encouraging children to eat healthy, incorporate vegetarian alternatives, create delicious non-sugary desserts, and much more. Recipes range from Jasmine Rice with Scallions and Lemon to Cinnamon Baked Apples, Wakame with Scrambled Tofu, Spicy White Bean-Tomato Pate and much more. Christina Cooks is a very welcome addition to the cookery reference shelves for kitchen chefs of all skill and experience levels who are learning to embrace the nutrition and health benefits of whole food cuisine.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I really love this book!, October 11, 2005

By	L. Mastroianni (Stafford, NJ) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Christina is so great at what she does when it comes to cooking with whole foods. Her recipes in this book are easy and you can find the ingredients in any Whole Foods market. She really explains why it's so important to eat the right foods and why organic cooking is so much healthier. This book is wonderful.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, April 26, 2006

By	Bad Babs (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

I kind of had my doubts about this book. My boyfriend and I have occasionally stopped by her show on PBS to mock her husband's guitar playing. Next time we might restrain ourselves - all the recipes we've tried from this book have been wonderful!

Last night I made the Tofu and Hiziki Croquettes and they were so delicious I was inspired to write a review. They were so delicious!

The recipes are not necessarily low fat - e.g. she recommends deep frying the croquettes (I pan fried them instead) - and some of her recipes are quite sweet - lots of mirin and brown rice syrup in some savory dishes. Nonetheless, her style of cooking is very appealing and imaginative. I like the asian influences as well.