The Skinnytaste Cookbook: Light on Calories, Big on Flavor Hardcover – September 30, 2014

At the time I bought this, I'd heard nothing about it. I had simply rarely seen a cookbook with so many glowing reviews, especially for one with "skinny" in the title. I have reviewed scores of cookbooks on Amazon and have bookshelves full, like some do a reading library. But I must say, this is one of the most well-done I have personally ever seen myself. I can understand, now, the cult following it's received.

First, let's touch on how "now" this cookbook is...by that I mean it has stepped out of old school cookbooks and how they have always been done, and considered today's audience and what they might need. So many of us are on special diets or have to entertain for a family member or guest who is and pull something together--whether that be gluten-free, vegetarian, something for a family who works during the day and needs crockpot meals, something for a family who works all the time and only wants to cook on weekends and then freeze the meals... this book took that all into account. Beside each recipe there is a color and letter coding-V for vegetarian, GF for gluten free, freezer friendly, crockpot etc. And, for those of us who count calories and want to know nutrients or carbs, it also has all that too! That took some time, but boy is it handy, even if you yourself only use it occassionally.

The photos are plentiful and throughout and professionally done with good lighting that makes you want to eat it. I have had a few cookbooks that actually made me turned off to the meal due to the grey lighting or even ones I knew were fake like a slow cooker photo of mac and cheese that showed it browned on top (that does not occur in a slow cooker). Not so for this one, it's how the recipe turns out and they make you want to lick the page!

But no cookbook is complete without good recipes and this one sets the bar. You could honestly set down any of these dishes in front of a family of boys who who never diet in their lives and they will want seconds and thirds--the taste is fantastic! These are truly restaurant quality meals, that are obviously tested and tried and perfected. I have seen many recipes for fish tacos, for example, but the ingredients here are totally different and more full of flavor. It's also easy to substitute things for even stricter diets.

I LOVE that when the author finds brands that work best in a recipe, she also lists those. It feels like you are reading someone's personal cookbook that has cooked the recipe many times but found what brands stand out (for example King Author flour when using wheat flour. I agree.) Not in a commercial way or trying to sell it, but just to say which ones she personally uses. Some authors will not do this unless the company pays them to use their name in the book. This is clearly not the case and also clearly only done when it makes a difference in taste.

There are great make ahead recipes and these feel original. I rarely ever eat out, preferring to cook all meals at home so I feel like over the years I have seen the same old tired recipes made the same old tired ways on the internet. These have new ways and methods and often they are with not only dieting in mind but they have a clear angle of a focus on health as well and satiety. The pages have facts for back up, like a recipe for PB & J overnight oats in a jar (make ahead the night before for a busy morning where you still need a good breakfast.) notes how filling and healthy oats are and why. (Which is true.)

These are FANTASTIC recipes, not just the same ones redone with diet ingredients, but original and loaded with flavor. Nothing comes out bad, nothing comes out off, these are good enough to serve at dinner parties and more importantly--to make you feel like you are not dieting.

Examples:
TUSCAN PANZANELLA SALAD WITH GRILLED GARLIC BREAD
SUMMER LOBSTER ROLLS
MONGOLIAN BEEF AND BROCCOLI
FRENCH BREAD PIZZA SUPREME
TERIYAKI GLAZED STUFFED PORK CHOPS WITH PINEAPPLE SALSA
ROAST BEEF SANDWICHES WITH CREAMY HORSERADISH SPREAD
CHICKPEA AND POTATO CURRY
SPICY BLACKBEAN BURGERS WITH CHIPOTLE MAYO
PEAR AND BRIE GRILLED CHEESE
STEAK SANDWICHES
BLACK BEAN BURRITO BOWLS
CILANTRO LIME SHRIMP
CHEESY BAKED PANNE WITH EGGPLANT
SILKY CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE
LOADED NACHO POTATO SKINS
ITALIAN SAUSAGE WITH PEPPERS AND ONION
WARM APPLE PIE CRUMBLE
GUMBOS, STIR FRIES, MAIN DISH SALADS, MEATLESS MAIN DISH CHAPTERS
SHRIMP AND GRITS
COCONUT PANNA COTTA WITH RASPBERRIES
DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHUNK WALNUT COOKIES
WINTER POTATO, KALE AND SAUSAGE FRITTATA
THAI COCONUT MUSSELS
C ROLLATINI STUFFED WITH ZUCCHINI AND MUSHROOMS
LASAGNA (ZUCCHINI STRIPS ARE USED RATHER THAN PASTA AND I SWEAR YOU WON'T KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!)
CUBANA STYLE STUFFED PORK TENDERLOIN
SALISBURY STEAK WITH MUSHROOM GRAVY

You get the idea. That is a very small sampling. At nearly 350 pages, you get loads of recipes and loads of photos. Whether you never eat red meat, eat only white meat, eat only seafood, eat no animal protein...or switch it up all the time, you can easily find a chapter on whatever suits your fancy or your mood that day.

The dishes are GREAT, not just recipes but really things you savor.

This one is done right, not just recipes grabbed to fill a cookbook but original ways of making skinny dishes taste better. It's a gem.

Gina—I know you receive so many of these Amazon reviews, but I hope this one reaches you! Almost two years ago, my father was overweight and experiencing health problems. He is a trauma surgeon, and therefore doesn't have the best work schedule nor healthy food options. Destined for a change, I bought this cookbook on a whim and began cooking a few recipes for him each week. Eighteen months later, and continuing to use this cookbook, he is down FORTY pounds! My father was what's referred to as a meats-and-potatoes type-of a guy. He is extremely picky. All of the recipes in this book are delicious, quick, and most importantly, healthy! When I first began cooking for him with this cookbook, he didn't even realize he was eating healthy. It wasn't until he was down ten pounds did he finally realize he was on a diet. We strive to stick to the Meatless Monday recipes, and thus far, he doesn't even search for the meat in each meal! This cookbook is a game changer for anyone looking to shred some pounds, mothers looking to feed their families healthy meals, or anyone generally just looking for better, easier, healthier options. This book comes highly recommended! THANK YOU GINA!

I LOVE this book....I make meals from it every night. The recipes are easy and delicious. Since I started cooking using Skinnytaste my husband is down 32 pounds, I am down 17 pounds and my 12 year old son has lost 20 pounds. This book has helped my family get healthy and fit!

I bought this cookbook for my wife. She always was cooking healthy but often the meals would not have flavor. This book cooks with great ingredients which makes the meals taste really good while if you follow the portion sizes, you will lose weight. I've cooked about 80 percent of my meals from this book and have lost 30 pounds in 1 year! I love eating good food while eating health and losing weight!

I've been following Gina's blog for years, printing recipes and keeping them in a binder, and finally bought both of her cookbooks. The recipes are simple and I've loved everything I've made so far. I cook almost exclusively Skinny Taste recipes for dinner and my husband and I have both lost weight since we starting eating better 3 months ago. Gina's recipes make it easy to eat healthier and still enjoy delicious foods. My husband was skeptical, but he's admitted that the recipes don't taste "skinny". The recipes make a good-sized portion and since I'm only cooking for two, I often make the whole recipe and freeze half.

This book has great healthier versions of the foods you already love, and some you'll learn to love. I've tried about 6 recipes from the book and so far my family has really enjoyed them all! A couple of them have already become staples in our weekly menu just cause they're that good! Absolutely a great buy!

Love this cookbook. I follow Gina on Instagram and Snapchat and periodically check her website. I bought this cookbook because I wanted to start cooking more at home and didn't want to fall into the bad habit of unhealthy cooking. There are so many quick (30mins or less) recipes in this book that you won't know where to start. Very pleased with how easy to follow the instructions were and the pictures are gorgeous.