Customer Reviews

Smart Breakfasts: 101 Delicious, Healthy Ways to Start the Day (The "Jane Kinderlehrer smart food" series)

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

 

 

This is an excellent book for those who are seeking both a delicious & nutritious breakfast. Since trying these recipes, I feel better & have more energy throughout the day. Most meals are easy to make, but some require exotic ingredients.

The author starts out by discussing proper nutrition & some of the ingredients used. The recipes follow including cereals, eggs, breads, pancakes, toppings, soups & drinks. Elegant & kid pleasing meals are also included.

There are even special chapters focusing on heart healthy & lean hi-energy meals, as well recipes for those with allergies. Some of my favorites include Rhode Island jonnnycakes & orange spice popcorn waffles.

My kids love the breakfast cake & milkshakes. My only complaint is some of the recipes are not low-fat. Quite a few have over 7 grams of fat, & others contain up to 19 grams of fat per serving.

Recipes run the gamut from nothing more than plain boiled steel-cut oats to much more elaborate fruity flan with custard sauce. Among the best recipes are apricot pineapple drink; skinny kiwi parfait, rice ambrosia with pineapple, peachy berry banana shake; french toast with high IQ granules, banana splits with carob fudge sauce, chilled strawberry in melon bowls, apple blintzes with raspberry syrup, oat bran waffles, and amaranth yogurt pancakes with strawberry sauce. The losers included avocado dip, creamy quinoa, Rhode Island johnnycakes; melt-in-your-mouth quick biscuits, kasha-vegetable and cheese skillet, festive figs, ambrosia soup, cheesy banana toast, and millet and mushroom pancakes. The sweet recipes definitely won out over the savory in this cookbook. Chapters include cereals; eggs; pancakes, waffles, and crepes; breads, biscuits, and baked goods; elegant weekend breakfasts; and drinks (among others). All are vegetarian, but eggs and cheese are common. A "smart breakfast" is meant to provide sufficient protein, nutrient-dense carbohydrates; enough fat for satiety; low sodium, and high fiber. In general it works, but some recipes would definitely benefit from a little salt (e.g., egg dishes call for none) or a little sugar (instead of just honey). Most recipes are easy to make. Instructions can be a little sparse (e.g., they don't tell you what temperature to saute with), but they are generally basic enough that it isn't a serious problem.

An excellent book loaded with good ideas for the most important meal of the day.