Jacques Pepin's Simple and Healthy Cooking [Paperback]

Jacques Pépin (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 29, 1999

America's master of delicious cooking brings you over 200 of the tastiest, healthiest recipes ever created.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The current food scene's emphasis on healthy eating and low-fat consumption has led Pepin, a chef linked most frequently with classic French cuisine, to jump aboard the health bandwagon. Pepin feels it is the responsibility of chefs to guide us in creating low-fat meals. Yet the book is not-strictly speaking-a diet book. The 200 recipes provided are drawn from classic French cuisine. Pepin hasn't totally eliminated high-fat items (e.g., cream), but they appear in smaller proportions than classic cuisine calls for. The author admits that to achieve a balanced diet with 30% or fewer of calories from fat is difficult, and offers tips and shortcuts. His recipes can be combined to create three-course, low-fat lunches and dinners for those who want to lower their fat intake. Each recipe contains a caloric breakdown so readers can pick and choose freely. Recipes are well-written, and many have useful notes. Most recipes can be tackled by anyone, but some are time-consuming. Prevention Book Club main selection.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Pepin's latest book is a collection of recipes that are "not too taxing to the waistline or the heart." His low-fat, low-cholesterol dishes are flavorful, imaginative, and international in inspiration, ranging from Cold Tzatziki Soup to Chicken African-Style to Orecchiette with Red Onion. And many of course are variations or new versions of homey French classics. Almost all are easy to make, and many can be prepared in advance. In addition to 100 color photographs, whimsical watercolor illustrations by Pepin himself appear throughout the book. An essential purchase. [BOMC Homestyle Club main selection.]
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Rodale Books (October 29, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0875963625
• ISBN-13: 978-0875963624
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #580,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jacques Pepin is the author of twenty-one cookbooks, including the best-selling The Apprentice and the award-winning Jacques Pepin Celebrates and Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home (with Julia Child). He has appeared regularly on PBS programs for more than a decade, hosting over three hundred cooking shows. A contributing editor for Food & Wine, he is the dean of special programs at the French Culinary Institute in New York City. Before coming to the United States, he served as personal chef to three French heads of state.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

79 of 79 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A cookbook that you will actually use!, December 12, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Jacques Pepin's Simple and Healthy Cooking (Hardcover)

Tired of cooking the same old dishes and wanting to serve my family healthy meals, I recently purchased approximately 10 new cookbooks. I was searching for a cookbook with simple recipes that I could prepare on a daily basis. The books that I purchased were either too basic and boring or interesting but too complicated. "Jacques Pepin's Simple and Healthy Cooking" was exactly what I was searching for. His recipes are delicious and interesting, as well as, healthy and simple to prepare. I have used this cookbook every night that I have cooked since I purchased it. I think I have tried at least 1/2 of the main course & accompaniment recipes. My family enjoys eating the meals as much as I enjoy preparing them.

Oh, and don't mistake "healthy" as meaning "dietitic" or "tasteless". He does not sacrifice taste for health. He uses a lot of fresh ingredients that give the dishes a great flavor. He does not omit butter, salt, etc. from his recipes however, not much is needed to achieve a flavorful taste.

I was so excited about his book that I purchased "Cooking with Claudine" last week. The recipes look just as appetizing but, I have to admit that I prefer the layout of "Simple & Healthy", in which the recipes are laid out in courses opposed to being arranged in menus. "Simple & Healthy" is easier to search through, it has a side photo for almost every recipe and has suggested menus listed at the beginning of the book.

Unlike the other books that I purchased...this is a cookbook that you will actually use!

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Cookbook I Own, February 16, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Jacques Pepin's Simple and Healthy Cooking (Paperback)

I have recommended this book to nearly all my friends...it is the best cookbook I own and I'm not exaggerating. Aside from the fact that it is very easy to follow, it is also a great way to make delicious, tasty meals that are healthy and low-fat. You won't feel like you're eating health-food or compromising on flavor. Pepin's tricks are so imaginative...he uses naturally low-fat ingredients that are also tasty to enhance flavor... onions, vinegar, herbs, etc. Plus, it's easy to follow without being too elementary and it still provides enough detail so that you don't have to guess. I recommend this book wholeheartedly... it makes cooking, eating, and staying healthy a pleasure instead of a chore!

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Low Fat, Scrumptious, and Easy, May 29, 2000

By 

Susan Gregory Thomas - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jacques Pepin's Simple and Healthy Cooking (Hardcover)

Frankly, this is probably my favorite cookbook of all time. I've made virtually every recipe in it, and I can honestly report that each is delicious and imaginative--I'd be happy to have ordered any of them at a restaurant. Because of this cookbook, my husband and I eat in a lot more because the dishes are so easy--and quick--to make. I've never had any trouble finding any of the ingredients Pepin calls for, yet his meals never taste ordinary. And we've lost weight to boot! What more do you want? Buy the book.