Rating: 
Summary: Way beyond my expectations
Review: I like to cook for friends, and I don't mind accommodating their dietary needs. In fact, I consider it a challenge. In that light, the words "low fat" struck fear into my heart.I bought this book with the expectation that the food would at least look good. I didn;t expect that it would rock my gastronomical world. From our first nibble of Canyon Ranch Guacamole to our last morsel of Pears in Phyllo (filo to me) the tastes were amazing. I made:
Canyon Ranch Guacamole
Five Onion Bisque
Hearts of Palm and Endive Salad with Papaya Vinagarette
Mashed Potato and Shallot Casserole
Mustard Topped Rack of Lamb with Spinach Salad
Pears in Phyllo Granted that this might be a bit more, quantity-wise, than would be expected at the Spa, but it was low fat and it left the diners, myself included, in thrall. It also helped that I started with a show-stopper, the guacamole. It had a rich somewhat salty flavor - a good trick with little salt and negligible fat. Here is the spoiler: It is made from asparagus! Nobody could figure it out. The book is no-nonsense and, while stating the benefits of a low fat diet, it doesn't preach. It also assumes a pretty good level of technique and access to decent ingredients. One low fat cooking caveat: Ignore instructions that tell you to spray no-fat cooking spray on baking sheets. Use non-stick sheets or parchment paper. If you really need the spray, spray it on the parchment paper. It took an exhauystin half hour to get this stuff off of my baking sheets.
Rating:
Summary: Delicious and fun recipes
Review: I love this book! There are so many classic dishes presented as low calorie, low fat, that are quite simply delicious.
Rating:
Summary: Guide to healthful, delicious cooking
Review: I recently purchased this book and have been very happy with the recipes I have made. Over the holidays, I cooked corn bisque and teriyaki steak and they were big hits. It was great my family did not know how healthy they were! The Corn Bisque, for example, uses pureed potatoes to give its smooth texture; you only put several tablespoons of cream in at the end for the creaminess.
The book gives detailed ingredient information along with calorie, fat, carb counts. There are helpful tips on preparing the dishes as well.
The only gripe I have is in the format--it is a hardback book that doesn't stay open while using it. But I will get a cookbook holder and will keep on trying more recipes in this book.
Rating:
Summary: After several years, I still use this cookbook!
Review: Several years have passed since I wrote this review...I still hold to it...oddly at that might seem.... My friends (quite a few, now, from Silicon Valley) over the years(indeed, those who could afford to do so) have been to Canyon Ranch. Someday, I will go there as well.... Our friends from Paris love the Rack of Lamb.... the Turkey Mole. from those who are used to truly rich Sonoran Mexican cuisine, is to die for! The notes on basic stocks (easy to make, and so much cheaper than those in the gourmet sections of the finest grocers') are incredibly worthwhile...please do simmer these on your stove during a chilly grey day...and your entire home and heart will fill with content! Please do enjoy this book.............here is a copy of the first review! It is still quite accurate! BTW, I've never written such a review before...this book is really a good one as cookbooks go!
Cheers! The old review: I know people who go to spas, and they have mixed reactions about the food at Canyon Ranch. Some say that they starve to death because the portions are so small, and others claim that the entire eating experience is out of this world. Although I've not been to Canyon Ranch, I must say that this cookbook inspires me to think seriously about it. First of all the layout is truly a graphic masterpiece. The photographs and information are laid out in a very logical, colorful and exciting way. The visuals make you want to rush out to the store and start cooking as soon as you open the book. This book truly offers healthy food with real taste. The top choice for menus that we've tried in our house were: the duck breasts with blueberry sauce, spaeztle (German noodles) and braised cabbage. Dessert was blackberry cobbler. Preparation is clearly spelled out, and fairly easy in comparison to other gourmet type recipes in the cookbook market presently. I managed to successfully prepare this menu for 8-10 people, and without any rehearsals! The duck breasts were amazingly delicious (and very expensive to make - but with a little creativity, you could avoid the additional costs meat-wise), the spaetzle was weird in texture and taste but quite good and a hit -- beats the usual rice tenfold! -- and the cabbage was a great surprise and the tastiest favorite of all the various foods offered (guests were looking for seconds and thirds). The blackberry cobbler (which could be done with any kind of berry) was light, not too rich, and a huge hit. It has replaced my usual calorie and fat laiden recipes for fast desserts and it impressive to look at as the grande finale! This menu worked well with the ten and twelve year old taste testers. One hated the blueberry sauce over the duck and the other loved it. However, they heartily ate everything else (especially the cabbage and cobbler!). Making multiple courses (for 8-10 people)was not a problem for this menu, as the multiplications of the ingredie! nts added up without any problems. If you have a hefty appetite, be certain to make more than you planned to. The final servings are on the small side for such a lengthy prep time. (I believe in leftovers after working in the kitchen for so long!) The recipes take some time to plan for (many call for elaborate marinades which add the flavor sans fat), and most definitely are not "comfort" foods, although it is a great book to browse while sitting in front of the fireplace as the recipes are perfect for the hot summer ahead! Note: This cookbook is a 10 except for the convenience of preparation and overall cost of ingredients which caused me to lower my review to a 9.
Rating:
Summary: A great low-fat gourmet cookbook!!!
Review: So far I have made the salmon with horseradish sauce (which should be eaten cold) which was great, and the breakfast bread pudding which I made into muffins... so far it is my favorite low-fat cookbook. The cookbook has soups and starters to desserts...its a great book to have in your kitchen.
Rating:
Summary: Delicious!
Review: This book contains wonderful and easy recipes. The text, however, isn't as enjoyable to read as other cookbooks. (Many recipes are prefaced solely with the popularity of the dish at Canyon Ranch Spa.) I would highly recommend the book to anyone -- health-conscious or not -- who enjoys cooking.
Rating:
Summary: Great for those who hate diet food
Review: This cookbook combines nutrition and gourmet tastes for those of us who hate to feel deprived. I cook from this book at least once a week, and have found lots of new inspirations for healthy eating. Everything is delicious, especially the veal piccata, lowfat borscht, and chocolate mint cake. In short, it would be a great addition to your kitchen library.
Rating:
Summary: Delicious!
Review: This is not your average "low fat, healthy eating" book. This is a book for someone who LIKES TO COOK and LIKES TO EAT. The recipies are inspired. They cut out a lot of fat but absolutely maintain flavour. If you're afraid of the kitchen, I would not recomend it for you. This is not baked chicken with steamed squash, this is broiled pears and stilton over field greens with it's own fabulous dressing. I love it.
Rating:
Summary: Delicious!
Review: This is not your average "low fat, healthy eating" book. This is a book for someone who LIKES TO COOK and LIKES TO EAT. The recipies are inspired. They cut out a lot of fat but absolutely maintain flavour. If you're afraid of the kitchen, I would not recomend it for you. This is not baked chicken with steamed squash, this is broiled pears and stilton over field greens with it's own fabulous dressing. I love it.
Rating: 
Summary: low on fat but very high on flavor!
Review: Typically I can get bored with low fat cookbooks. They are either too extreme or require too much pureeing and straining to cook on a regular basis. In addition to being very well art directed, this book is simple, tasty and realistic. I have tried several of the recipes and everything has tasted great. If my husband doesn't get suspicious that it's low fat I figure it's doing a good job.
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