The Healthy College Cookbook [Paperback]

Alexandra Nimetz (Author), Jason Stanley (Author), Emeline Starr (Author), Rachel Holcomb (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 7, 2009

For nearly a decade, The Healthy College Cookbook has offered time-pressed, budget-crunched students a simple way to enjoy home cooking in their own small apartment kitchens or even dorm rooms. Written by students for students, the book offers hundreds of simple, healthful alternatives to dreary cafeteria fare. The first edition was so successful it returned to print 17 times.

Now, this best-selling cookbook has been revised, expanded, and enlivened for a new generation of students. One hundred brand-new recipes have been added to the old favorites, including expanded breakfast options, recipes for the ever-popular George Foreman Grill, new smoothie creations, and pizza toppings for storebought crusts, English muffins, and pita bases. Recipes require only a handful of easy-to-find ingredients. The book is packed with vegetarian options, and every recipe is as nutritious as it is delicious. Most can be prepared in less time than it takes to order pizza.

Most college students are new to cooking, and The Healthy College Cookbook contains a wealth of information and tips for the novice. It explains cooking terms, describes common spices, and offers basic, sensible advice on stocking a kitchen with equipment and food staples.

The book isn't just for novices, however. Even the most discerning young palates will appreciate zesty Garlic Green Beans with Tofu or lively Mandarin-Mint Salad. These recipes are so quick, so inexpensive, and so delicious that they're bound to become dinner party favorites, years past graduation.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

In less time and for less money than it takes to order pizza, you can make it yourself!

Three harried but heatlh-conscious college students compiled and tested this collection of more than 200 tasty, hearty, inexpensive recipes anyone can cook -- yes, anyone!

Whether you're short on cash, fearful of fat, counting your calories, or just miss home cooking, The Healthy College Cookbook offers everything you need to make good food yourself. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

All Williams College students in Williamstown, Massachusetts, during the production of the first edition, Alexandra Nimetz, Jason Stanley, and Emeline Starr are self-taught cooks who enjoy cooking and eating healthfully. They researched the numerous recipes passed on to them by family and friends, taste-tested each dish, and judged them all according to preparation time, effort, taste, and expense.

For this second edition, current University of Massachusetts student Rachel Holcomb has updated and added new recipes for today's college students seeking out healthier meal options.

Product Details

• Paperback: 293 pages
• Publisher: Storey Publishing, LLC; Original edition (January 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1603420304
• ISBN-13: 978-1603420303
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.8 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (121 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Quick & Easy
  • #91 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Special Diet > Healthy

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

191 of 195 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It got me through Graduate School January 3, 2001

By JRK

Format:Paperback

Putting in 90-100 hour weeks during Graduate school, I needed a basic but comprehensive cookbook where the meals wouldn't take long, the ingredient list wasn't huge, but the meals would still be flavorful. I picked up this little gem. I can't even count how many times I've cooked my favorite recipes out of this book--Vegetarian Lasagna, Balsamic Chicken & Potatoes, the list goes on and on. This cookbook covers every meal item possible and gives you a great combination of classic and unique recipes that anyone can make. You don't have to be a BAD cook to get this book, the authors are sensitive to the fast-paced lifestyle many people have and present this as an alternative to lengthy cooking. And now that I'm out of the Graduate School schedule, guess what -- I'm still making these recipes.

179 of 185 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Doable, Practical, and Imaginative Cooking for Beginners. March 31, 2004

By Susan Howson

Format:Paperback

This was my first cookbook, and I can now cook and bake almost anything I try. My mother gave this to me when I was studying abroad in Ireland and found that, being vegetarian, I couldn't eat most of the food in restaurants. I had never liked cooking much before but this book sparked an interest in me that has become my primary hobby.

The book consists of multiple sections, which include Breakfast, Poultry, Beef, Seafood, Vegetarian (yay!), and Desserts. And even though most of the above don't apply to me, this book is still splattered and marked with my always successful attempts at these recipes. The ingredients are usually on hand in a well-stocked kitchen, and, for further assistance, the authors give you thorough advice on how to stock a kitchen in the first place. In addition, the book includes a glossary on cooking and baking terms in case, like me, you didn't know and couldn't place international calls to your mom every five minutes.

But the absolute best thing about this book, after you take into consideration the creative recipes, the simple delicious taste of each finished product, the ease of use, and the lasting power of the recipes - I still come back to this book for the recipes listed further below, is the universal quality the authors cultivate. Each recipe gives both metric and standard measuring units (and in my case, it was essential) and thorough nutritional information with each recipe.

Key recipes that I still use, many many dinner parties later: Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins, Carrot Cake, Baked Ziti, Garlic Green Beans with Tofu, Tomato Basil Sauce, Mushroom Pasta Sauce (try with linguine), and Mushrooms Parmesan.

Drawbacks to this book: Not many. And there aren't even any pictures, which I usually find upsetting. For this book, it works.... If I had a photo of what the dish was supposed to look like in front of me, I would have been upset if my final product didn't resemble it completely.

If you are searching for the perfect gift for a student with a first apartment, consider this book. It was a gift to me, and I am still grateful. Read more ›

150 of 158 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars I Used It, College Grad. Didn't January 22, 2007

By Recipe4Living

Format:Paperback

I found this book in my boyfriends closet while we were packing to move. Apparently this book was given to him as a present when he was in Graduate School but never used it. So, I decided to take it and give it a try.

The recipes were pretty simple to make and I must say, they were delicious and very creative. I am not sure though, if a college student would really go out of their way and try and make some of these.....You as a student would be finding and buying foods you would never think of before, which can add up the grocery bill. But if you love to cook then you will like this.

I would say the major downfall is that this book contains NO pictures. I like having a picutre in front of me to give me an idea of what the outcome of the dish will look like when I am finished.

39 of 39 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This book really has made my life quick, cheap and easy. August 5, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

The Healthy College Cookbook is not just for college kids. I am a recent college alum, living and working in New York City. For several months, I ate myself out of house and home as New York delis and restaurants sucked the cash right out of my pocket, cooking seemed like a hastle so I didn't do it! Since I ordered the Healthy College Cookbook, I am cooking more, eating better, and saving money - with these simple recipes, cooking's no hastle, it's easy. I recommend this book to any college student or young adult cooking for themselves for the first time.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A College Vegetarians Delight January 23, 2000

By LEK

Format:Paperback

Being a vegetarian on a college meal plan is more than impossiable. With this book I have time to cook and go to practice and do homework. The recipes are easy, and adding your own personal touch to a recepie is a personal favorite. A huge selection of veggie dishes helps feed even the pickyist dinner guest. A+

31 of 32 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars . June 13, 2006

By frootsmoothie

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This cookbook is very well put together, but it didnt quite live up to my expectations. I thought I was the perfect target audience for this book - a college student on a budget who is trying to teach herself to cook.

I realize this book is for beginning cooks (I definately fall into the beginning cook category) but a lot of the recipes are just silly. I mean, ants-on-a-log? English muffin pizza? Do people really need a cookbook for that kind of thing?

Don't get me wrong, there are some great things about this book as well. It has very detailed descriptions of cooking terminology as well as familiar spices and kitchen necessities. I also love it that nutritional information is included with all of the recipes.

In short, this book is a great choice for someone who is absolutely cooking impaired. The recipes are extremely easy and the instructions and background information is very thorough. However, if you have even the slightest amount of cooking experience (e.g., know how to make scrambled eggs) you might find yourself dissapointed.