Customer Reviews

Low Carb Recipes Fast & Easy

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Belinda is a great chef! She has done the almost impossible--developed recipes without flour and sugar that taste like the real things! "Banana Nut Snack Cake" that tastes like it is rich with golden, ripe bananas! Top it off with creamy, decadent, banana "Frosting", and it's "to die for"! "Peanut Butter Squares"? Move over Reese's! Great tasting desserts are hard to come by--but you won't be wishing for them if you buy this book, and I haven't even mentioned the great appetizers, breads, soups, salads, veggies, breakfast dishes, and entrees! You've got to have it!

This book is great for whipping up something quickly. I especially like the desserts. There are also helpful pages on low-carb items that can be found in any grocery store, as well as resources for finding more obscure ingredients, such as Splenda (sugar substitute). I found the chart showing various sugar substitute equivalents particularly helpful.

It was my mistake. I really admit that. When I read "no sugar" I made the mistake of actually thinking "no sugar." I forgot about the use of artificial sweeteners, which, of course, I cannot tolerate. So many of these recipes will not work for me. I also question the use of mixes in some of the recipes as many of these contain MSG, which is also not good for a person following a low-carb plan. Nevertheless I applaud Ms. Schweinhart's efforts.

The resource section in this book is very helpful. But the few recipes I've tried have left a lot to be desired. I tried the brownie recipe and ended up with yucky, salty brownies. I also tried the sausage muffins which were disgusting. I would stick with the recipes for main dishes and sauces and such and not even try the sweet stuff.

I found this book very helpful when I was new to PP. The resource pages were very useful. I have used 90% of the recipes and enjoy the variety. I would recommend this cookbook to anyone looking for variety on a lowcarb diet.

This book contains great, fast, tasty, simple-to-make recipes. Having said that, I have to mention that I am not pleased with the spiral edition of the book which looks as if it was put together on budget at a neighborhood copy shop. It isn't sturdy enough for long-term use. For the price I expected more.

This isn't a massive book of recipies, but what is in the book is essential information. Love the Resource section. As a chocolate lover this book had the only recipies I have seen for simple bites. The binding is not good and I'm afraid the pages will tear out easily. I just wish someone would tell us what the difference is between Sweet & Low and Splenda?

This low carb cookbook is a lifesaver for someone on the go! I am a wife, full-time admin. assistant, and a part-time college student. The recipes allowed us to stay on our diet and still do everything else life requires. For Easter dinner, I prepared several dishes and received many compliments, even from the non-low carb people! It offers many helpful tips and useful information on carb counts. There are enough recipes that you can have a variety and not grow tired of them. These recipes ARE delicious, and they help make cooking and baking less of a chore and more of an enjoyment.

So far I've liked all the recipes that I've tried from this book. They are very simple and easy to make using widely available food. However, I do not like the binding either, not for the price. Also, I prefer to avoid all artificial sweetners. Too many of the recipes call for it in my opinion, and I'm not just talking about the dessert recipes. Finally, I'm not sure how serving sizes were determined. Using children?? Some of the recipes I've had to double up on the serving sizes just to make a decent portion. This isn't really a big problem as long as you remember to double your carb count too, but it irritates me.

"Low Carb Recipes...Fast and Easy" by Belinda Schweinhart

It is my PLEASURE to review Belinda Schweinhart's "Low Carb
Recipes..Fast and Easy"!

Belinda is a low carb success story herself, losing 40 pounds in
six months and maintaining that weight loss since 1998! In addition to being a recipe developer, Belinda ran a restaurant for six years and served her delectable culinary creations to packed houses every day. She knows the importance of FAST, EASY and GREAT tasting meals.

Belinda was a pioneer in developing low carb cookbooks back in
1999. She was "low carb, when low carb wasn't cool".

In February of 2003, Belinda released her third edition of "Low
Carb Recipes...Fast and Easy" adding much, MUCH more than just
mouthwatering, fast and easy low carb recipes.

"Low Carb Recipes...Fast and Easy" is a delightful addition to my
low carb cookbook collection. Although, I must admit, in the two
weeks I've been testing recipes for this review, I've been marking up my copy. Yes marking, big RED smiley faces, each time my non low carb family would tell me "That's a KEEPER!".

It's very important to me as a busy career mom, to not only have
just FAST, SIMPLE, scrumptious meals. But to NOT be a short order
cook. What I eat in my low carb lifestyle, I need my family to eat and love also. Belinda's recipes MORE than fill the bill for my family and me!

"Low Carb Recipes..Fast and Easy" is packed with over 120 recipes
in categories like appetizers, snacks, breads, breakfast dishes,
desserts, entrees, salads, sauces, soups, and vegetables. The front and back covers are laminated for an easy wipe off.

That's not ALL! Belinda's new revision also includes 16 pages of
RESOURCES! Resource questions, answered in her cookbook, include
things like what brand names are low carb friendly and carb counts on these products, carb counts for assorted flours, spices and MORE!

She doesn't stop there! She added five pages of frequently asked
QUESTIONS. Loads of "what is" and "how do I do this" questions and answers at your fingertips.

I access this cookbook when I'm NOT cooking!

Whether you're a busy career person, single, cooking challenged,
not into cooking long complicated recipes, or wanting scrumptious low carb options for your non low carb family, this cookbook will be an ASSET to YOU! There is no reason to substitute less than gratifying food for time or ease in preparation any more!

Julie Westly
Editor
Low Carb RESOURCE Newsletter