Rating: 
Summary: Easy, Practical, Delicious
Review: Living a very active lifestyle, I bought this book looking for quick recipes that would also satisfy a discriminating palate. I have cooked about five meals out of this book so far and every single one has been delicious! Even better, I spent very little time preparing the meals and my husband loved them all. Each recipe also has meal suggestions included which cuts down on planning time. The shopping lists provided for each meal plan are also extremely helpful. I only wish I could find other cookbooks with as many useful features as this one.
Rating:
Summary: A Book I will actually cook from!
Review: I had sworn off buying cookbooks since I never actually use them. This book tempted me to make an exception, and wow! It was worth it! I refuse to buy a cookbook without nutritional info for each recipe, so that's a big plus. I love the shopping lists, too. Also, it's great to have all those pictures -- it really helps me pick something out.Someone complained about all the pre-packaged ingredients, but frankly, after I come home from a full day at work, every little thing that I don't have to do myself is a blessing. I think it's great that this book includes convenient products so I don't have to spend my time re-inventing the wheel. I also like the fact that side dishes are suggested; even if I don't use them, it gives me some inspiration to create a meal. This book is wonderful -- it just may save us from another night of ham sandwiches or spaghetti!
Rating:
Summary: great cookbook!
Review: I have this Cooking Light version cookbook and I also have Cooking Light 5 Star Recipes, both great cookbooks with "real life" type food that's good for you. I think the basis of this cookbook is that it's basic good food for you that can be done in a relatively short amount of time. I read one of the comments on here saying that it was misleading and "Many of the ingredients that don't count are things you will probably have on hand (like cooking spray, salt and pepper, etc.) but it still takes time to get them out, measure them, put them away, etc." I get the feeling Kathy takes things in life WAY too literally...(laughing). If it's a chore to retreive your salt, pepper and basics... this probably isn't the cookbook for you (eyeroll) but I seriously think you'd be missing out because the recipes are wonderful. For the most part, the list of ingredients is short and the meals easy to make, and taste great... that's all I ask for.
Rating: 
Summary: The cover lies
Review: These recipes are not 15 minute, 5 ingredient recipes. The authors list a number of ingredients in the beginning of the book that they don't count towards the 5. They also set 10 as a maximum and say that several recipes (but not all the recipes) only take 5. Many of the ingredients that don't count are things you will probably have on hand (like cooking spray, salt and pepper, etc.) but it still takes time to get them out, measure them, put them away, etc. As for the 15 minutes, I found that to be incorrect as well. Many recipes may include 15 minutes of prep time only to be put in the oven for 30 minutes or longer. Yes, you are no longer actively cooking, but if you come home from work hungry and are looking to eat soon, this is not the best book to pick a recipe from. Also, many recipes get the prep time down to 15 minutes by using pre-prepared ingredients, which I find are often unavailable even at my super-sized big-chain grocery store. For example, if you start with all your fresh vegetables already washed, dried, peeled and chopped than yes, the prep time will be quick. But how many of us can actually buy any veggie we want this way? Many recipes call for fresh (not frozen or cooked) shrimp that's already been washed, peeled, deveined, and dried. My grocery store just doesn't sell shrimp this way. Either it's cooked and prepped or it's frozen or it's fresh and fully intact. Yours may vary. If not, add the time it takes to peel and devien each shrimp to the 15 minute prep time, because it's not counted by the authors. Another complaint is that I didn't see a lot of variety in this book. I saw at least three recipes that involved shrimp and tomato-based sauces. How different can these be? Also, the authors suggest that many recipes be served along with some other recipe. So now instead of 5 (or more) ingredients in 15 (or more) minutes you've got 10 (or more) ingredients in 30 (or more) minutes. Not something I want to deal with when I come home hungry and tired at the end of a long day's work! In short, I might try one or two recipes from this cookbook when I have plenty of time on a weekend, but overall I am very disappointed with this purchase.
Rating: 
Summary: Hope you like Curry and Frozen meats!
Review: I read the reviews and thought that this was the end all, be all in cooking easy. That is until I got the cookbook yesterday in the mail. I was very disappointed in how much curry was used in several of the meals. I also was upset at the amount of frozen meats and veggies. Veggies and meats are ALWAYS best when fresh, not frozen. I have put the cookbook back in the mail today for a refund. Save yourself the postage and skip this one.
Rating:
Summary: A must-have!
Review: This cookbook has cut my microwavable habits in half! I used to think that I would be stuck with eating frozen dinners for the rest of my life as lack of time and exotic ingredients prevent me from creating amazing dishes in my kitchen. However, all the recipes in this cookbook are easy to manage using ingredients most of us already have in our kitchens. The results are tasty, wonderful dinners and leftovers. I try a new recipe every week or so, it's a great cookbook that I have recommended to most of my friends.
Rating: 
Summary: Great for Mom!
Review: I've been trying for a while now to get my Mom to eat healthier, but she always complains that my recipies are too complicated. I got her this book for Mother's Day and she absolutely loves it! Everytime I talk to her she tells me about the new meal she cooked. She is excited about cooking and eating healthy, and it is so easy for her to do!
Rating:
Summary: Not what I was looking for
Review: This book used too many pre-prepared products for me. That was very disappointing and am returning it to the store I bought it from. I like cooking from scratch as this way I know exactly what is in the recipe. With using pre-prepared items, you never know what is actually in them, nutrition wise.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST COOKBOOK ON MY SHELF
Review: I bought this cookbook because it touted quick, simple and low fat meals. It now is my family's favorite because the meals are so delicious. I am returning to purchase one for my grown daughter and daughter-in-law. It is perfect for the new cook because of the simplicity of preparation and the tasty results. Don't consider this a diet cookbook. It is just a great cookbook. Cooking Light should print more like this one.
Rating:
Summary: Husbands like it.
Review: My husband is a meat and potato guy. We both need to lose weight and so I bought this book. I bought ingredients for 13 recipes in the book picking ones that sounded good to both of us. Not one of the recipes was a dud. His favorite is Zesty Fettuccine and Shrimp even though he is not a seafood lover. We are losing weight and the fast preparation time is wonderful.
| 
