Against the Grain

June 6, 2005
By combining weight-loss tenets of the South Beach Diet with the touted health benefits of the Mediterranean way of eating, Kochilas (Meze
; The Glorious Foods of Greece
) brings flavorful, nourishing, low-calorie foods to the dieter's home kitchen. The success of the collection's dishes lies in the use of whole grains rather than processed white flour, copious use of vegetables and a sensible "nothing-in-excess" approach. Kochilas advocates easygoing meals made with fresh, seasonal and organic ingredients, and encourages use of herbs and spices to add flavor without calories. She recommends generous use of heart-friendly and delicious olive oil, the "liquid gold" of the Mediterranean. Home cooks will easily master Kochilas's easy, precise recipes, which include Asparagus, Basil, and Tomato Frittata; Roasted Red Pepper Hummus; Balsamic-Honey Glazed Chicken Breasts; and Spicy Lamb Kebabs. Her combination of good-carb dieting with the richness of the Mediterranean table is bound to bring some much needed joie de vivre to low-carb dining. Agent, Doe Coover.

June 15, 2005
Kochilas's last cookbook, "Meze", covered the small dishes of Greece. Her latest was inspired by her experience on the Atkins and South Beach diets and draws on recipes from all over the Mediterranean, not just Greece. With recipes like Spanakopita Soufflé , Andalusian Monkfish Soup, and Lamb Baked in Parchment Paper, this is certainly an inventive low-carb collection. Some of the author's fans, however, may find the concept somewhat gimmicky. Nevertheless, there is sure to be demand; for most libraries.

Copyright 2005 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.