Comfort Food Fix

September 19, 2011
Bringing sensibility to sensory pleasures, this accessible, health-minded cookbook is a welcome resource in a burger and bacon-obsessed moment. Recognizing that there are good biological and emotional reasons why we seek out starchy, hearty, creamy dishes to sate ourselves, dietician and Food Network star Krieger (The Food You Crave), sees no reason why anyone should have to give them up wholesale. The goal, then, is to reduce fat, sodium and sugar without sacrificing flavor. Krieger avoids using artificial sweeteners and egg replacers—instead, she relies on what she terms the 15 Fix Factors to make her recipes healthier. These include substituting low-fat milk, evaporated milk and Greek yogurt for cream; baking breaded dishes instead of frying; adding smaller quantities of real, extra-flavorful cheeses and employing trimmed lean cuts of meat. Mango Stuffed Challah French Toast is lightened up with light ricotta, low-fat milk and nonstick cooking spray for a calorie savings of 150, while chicken parmesan loses 210 calories with light bread crumbs, egg whites, nonfat milk and part-skim mozzarella. With a nod to the cultural relativism of “comfort food,” Krieger’s repertoire runs the international gamut, from Easy Cassoulet to Kasha Varnishkas to Banana Pudding with Vanilla Wafers. Krieger’s simple, time-conscious recipes with easy-to-find ingredients will satisfy sophisticated eaters and down-home palates alike. Photos.