ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 31, 1996 TAG: 9601310018
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOLORES KOSTELNI SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES
For the more than 10 million Americans who resolved to lose weight this year, at least a third will slip back into old habits by the end of January.
Four new cookbooks acknowledge how easily the sameness in flavors and texture and difficulty in preparing complex recipes produce dieting doldrums and frustration. They also understand the lure of nibbling and the seductiveness of sweets.
In response, they offer easy to follow, realistic recipes for hearty, adventurous, and gratifying low fat foods, including desserts.
Although I confess to usually jumping right into recipes, I stress the importance of reading the introductory chapters in these specialized books because they define and explain what you need to know so your efforts will be successful.
Lynn Fischer, host of the Discovery Channel's highly rated daytime cooking show, applies her "you should be able to eat anything you want" philosophy to the exciting (yes!) recipes in her book, "Healthy Indulgences." The chapter entitled "Party Hearty in Healthy Style" encourages the most conscientious dieters to attend and enjoy cocktail parties without destroying their fat count for the day. Fischer cleverly directs the dieter's nibbling and drinking to assure a good time.
"Healthy Indulgences" contains 363 pages and almost as many practical, tasty recipes. The only aspect of Fischer's recommendations I disagree with is her suggestion to discard egg yolks when using only egg whites in recipes. (Lynn Fischer, "Healthy Indulgences: Enjoy the Good Life and Good Food with the Low Cholesterol Gourmet," Hearst Books, $20, hardcover.)
"Chicken" and "Pasta" are two appealing, intelligent cookbooks in the "Great Taste Low Fat" series from Time-Life Books. Each book contains 80 uncomplicated, well-tested recipes that meet the American Heart Association's recommendation of less than 30 percent calories from fat. Every recipe comes with its own full color photo as well as a set of instructional preparation techniques and tips, plus a wealth of information about "flavor magnet ingredients."
Most families will find these recipes right for them in terms of easy preparation, substantial flavor, and appetite satisfaction. ("Great Taste Low Fat Pasta," "Great Taste Low Fat Chicken," Time-Life Books, concealed Wire-O binding, $14.95 each.)
Jill O'Connor, former pastry chef at the famed Golden Door Fitness Spa, shares her talents and techniques with 50 sophisticated low fat, low calorie desserts in "Sweet Nothings." O'Connor writes with humor and intelligence and her wide range of recipes - including fantastic chocolate desserts for "chocolate fanatics who need not be banished to a chocolate-poor purgatory" - emerges as attractive, tasty creations. Beautiful photographs by Susan Marie Anderson make this an ultimate dessert book. (Jill O'Connor, "Sweet Nothings: Over 50 Luscious, Low Fat, Low Calorie Desserts," Chronicle Books, $12.95, softcover.)
LENGTH: Medium: 58 linesby CNB