This is a great companion to the Small Changes Big Results book. If you're looking for a variety of recipes that are good for you (not the same old salads and grilled meat), this is the book for you. Nothing seems impossible to make in this cookbook.

This has probably been the best cookbook purchase I've ever made. All of the recipes that I have tried (about a good 1/3 of the book already) have turned out wonderfully and best of all I--a novice cook--have been able to actually make them. And lest you think that the recipes are geared only to the amateur, my fiance, who is quite the foodie, also turns to this cookbook first when we are trying to figure out what to make for the week. Especially recommended are the home-made breakfast bars (totally yummy, though we add dark chocolate chips), roast chicken, stuffed peppers. Highly recommended!

The book was enjoyable to read, the pictures were nice, and the recipes were palatable. Learning how to substitute healthier ingredients for the ones we 'crave' is essential to losing weight and having a healthier self. Ellie gives good nutritional information and the tips are valid. Good without a lot of hype.

The Food You Crave has 200 recipes for a variety of meals including breakfasts, sandwiches, soups, main dishes, salads, and desserts. Its emphasis is to make comfort foods healthier, but the author does not suggest taking the fat out of natural foods, as other books do, because when fats are removed chemicals are often put in to replace them. She instead makes foods healthier by adding healthy ingredients - yogurt, fruits, vegetables, whole-wheat flours, healthy fats, etc. Her premise is that healthy foods can be easily made using fresh ingredients so that traditional dishes can be healthier. Basically, use fresh food and avoid additives. She mostly uses healthy fresh ingredients along with some sugar, meat, pasta, etc. to add that traditional flavor. She does not ban ingredients, but just wants you to limit unhealthy ones in your diet while increasing healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish and lean meats, nuts, low fat dairy, and healthful oils. In fact she states: "In my food world, there is no fear or guilt, only joy and balance. So no ingredient is ever off-limits. Rather, all of the recipes here follow my Usually-Sometimes-Rarely philosophy. Notice there is no Never."

Table of Contents:
The Food You Crave- In a Healthier Way!
A Healthier Way to Eat (& Cook)
Breakfast
Nibbles & Noshes
Soups & Sandwiches
Main & Side Salads
Pasta, Pizza, & Grains
The Main Course
Sides
Desserts
Equivalent Charts, Index.

The book has traditional American as well as some international dishes (Asian, Greek, and Middle-Eastern), and there are many photos. The recipes also have nutritional information including vitamins and minerals. She also provides advice on what to keep in stock. The book does not promise quick weight loss, rather it suggests having healthy flavorful meals using fresh and healthy ingredients and eating sensible portion sizes. A great companion book is my personal favorite, THE 3:00 PM SECRET: Live Slim and Strong, Live Your Dreams.

I bought this book after seeing a couple episodes on Food Network TV. I am SO glad I did! Ellie has great recipes for every food group! She offers healthy alternatives that don't make the meal taste "stale". I make dishes from this book for my friends and family and I have not had one bad review yet! The stuffed peppers are to die for! I highly recommend this book!

For anyone who wants to make the change to healthier eating, I highly recommend this! I was nervous making the first couple of recipes because just a little olive oil is used (I love using butter, but need to stop!). I couldn't believe how flavorful the dinners ended up being! Ellie really knows what foods/veggies to combine for maximum flavor, therefore eliminating the need for the fattier foods typically used. Highly recommend for anyone interested in changing their eating habits, this makes it a lot less difficult =)

Despite Ellie Krieger's down-to-earth personality and sensibility when it comes to having a healthy diet, I've always found her Food Network TV show, "Healthy Appetite," to be a little-- pardon the foodie irony here--bland. For this edition of FitLit, the Fit Bottomed Girls decided to review her cookbook, The Food You Crave, to see if it delivers more spice than the TV show.

To get a feel for the book, I made a recipe from each section of the book. I've been cooking for a number of years now and, unlike some people (cough, Erin), I really enjoy it, so although making eight recipes in about two weeks time seemed daunting, I was up to the challenge. (On occasion, I even pretended I was competing on Iron Chef and frantically sped about the kitchen pureeing and chopping feverishly. Although it's loads of fun, turns out rushing isn't the best way to cook. I almost ruined two recipes by forgetting crucial steps like, oh, turning off a burner. Oops.) Below are my notes from the recipes I tried.


Breakfast: The Southwestern Hash and Eggs (p.30) was easy to make and pretty tasty. It's not overly interesting or different, just your basic potatoes, egg, black beans and red pepper hash. However, of all the recipes I tried, this was probably the best pick for cooking for the hungry man (or men, growl) in your life.

FBG Tip: To make this recipe less time consuming, you can sub a can of diced tomatoes for the fresh tomatoes.


Nibbles & Noshes: The Herbed Goat Cheese Dip (p.66) took me five minutes to make. It's tasty, has few ingredients and pairs wonderfully with fresh veggies or baked pita chips.

FBG Tip: Many grocery stores don't have a great selection of fresh herbs, so if you can't find fresh parsley, mint and/or thyme, substitute 1/4 tsp. dried.


Soups & Sandwiches: The Sweet and Spicy Grilled Cheese Sandwiches (p. 95) took the grilled cheese sandwich to new heights. Cheesy, decadent and filling with just 350 calories, if you love caramelized onions, this is your sandwich.

FBG Tip: If you have a George Foreman Grill, forgo grilling the sandwiches in a pan and use the Foreman. It cuts the cooking time in half!


Main & Side Salads: The Savory Chinese Chicken Salad (p. 110) is perfect for summer. It's light and refreshing, yet filling. If you're a fan of Pei Wei, it's very similar to their Asian Chopped Chicken Salad.

FBG Tip: If you're vegetarian, grilled tofu works great in place of the chicken.


Pasta, Pizza & Grains: The Arugula, Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Pizza (p. 173) was the most "foodie" of any of the recipes I tried. Definitely "Top Chef"-esque. It's tasty but probably not for everyone.

FBG Tip: Try subbing the arugula with spinach and the goat cheese with feta. It's a variation worth trying.


The Main Course: The Balsamic Chicken with Baby Spinach and Couscous (p.205) was a hit. It had bold flavors, vibrant colors and a beautiful presentation. The recipe dirties a lot of bowls and pans, but I'd consider the extended cleaning time a small price to pay for this ta-da dish.

FBG Tip: Keep a box of frozen spinach on hand for this recipe. In a pinch, half of a box (thawed and squeezed dry) can be substituted for the fresh spinach, saving you time and money.


Sides: I made the Broccoli with Toasted Garlic (p. 249) along with the Balsamic Chicken with Baby Spinach and Couscous. It paired quite nicely. My only advice is to steam the broccoli in the microwave (loved the ease of that, by the way) for the recommended time. My broccoli seemed more crisp than tender after the recipe's four minutes, so I microwaved them for a minute more, and they were way over done.

FBG Tip: If you love garlic, feel free to use more (even much, much more) than the recommended three cloves.


Desserts: I was the most excited about trying the Dark Chocolate Mousse (p. 301). As far as a mousse goes, it was fairly easy to make, and it had an unusual ingredient--tofu. The tofu blends to a smooth consistency, lending protein and a low-fat base to the mousse, and you can't even taste it. Promise.

FBG Tip: This recipe is awesome and very awe-inspiring. Don't change a thing.


Overall, I was really pleased with this book. She has great tips on grocery store shopping, there are quite a few pictures of the food, nutritional information is listed on all of the recipes, and there are great little tidbits of information sprinkled throughout the pages. There's also good variety to the recipes, ranging from high-end culinary fare to good ole fashioned home cookin'. Although some of the recipes I tried seemed daunting, with fairly long ingredient lists that were sometimes pretty costly, nothing I made was hard, and nothing took more than 45 minutes. In fact, most took 30 minutes or less (take note, Rachael Ray).


However, my favorite part of the book was its attitude. Krieger says that basically all food is good in moderation, and she doesn't ban the really good stuff (butter, oil and cheese--oh my!). With that healthy attitude, I have a feeling Krieger is a closet FBG.

If you're looking to expand your healthy culinary horizons, you might give this book a good look or try one of her free recipes online. You just might find something new to crave. Gosh knows I did. Dark Chocolate Mousse, anyone? --Jenn

[...]

This book was great. Extremely informative. Many healthy and delicious recipes. Best of all, easy to make.

This cookbook has lots of delicious, healthy, easy recipes that I can make with ingredients I already have.

Quite often comfort food that has been "healthified" tastes awful or bland. Not these recipes. They are really good! I like that everything is easy to find and the recipes are simple to follow. This one is a keeper.

I'm really into health and wellness for myself and my family. This book is a good start to healthy and delicious eating. I've learned what fats are good and what are bad and try to incorporate that into our everyday lives. Some really good receipes. All have a picture and nutritional information to go with them which is a huge help. I'm using lowfat buttermilk and yogurt which I never thought I would. She shows you how to substitute trans fats for healthy fats. Some of the receipes are quite high in calories and carbs but, again, they are all good for you in some way.

This cookbook takes traditional comfort foods and makes them healthier. The idea is that healthy, fresh foods can be simply prepared and taste good, and those traditionally delicious dishes can be healthier. The author makes her dishes healthier by including fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, yogurt, whole-wheat flours, etc. She also uses pasta, sugar, some red meat, etc., in order to gain flavor while still making the dish healthier than its traditional counterpart. As a bonus, she shows how to tweak a recipe to make it tastier and more special. Along with the comfort food recipes the book includes international dishes. The book has 200 recipes for a variety of meals including soups, side dishes, and desserts, and there are color photos of many of the dishes. Each recipe has information on nutrition and ingredients. This book is a good first step toward a consciousness of eating healthfully, and offers great recipes for special occasions! Author of THE 3:00 PM SECRET: Live Slim and Strong, Live Your Dreams.

This book is a great one for anyone with minimal time and a drive to making healthier eating choices. From the day that I received it, I started making her recipes immediately! The instructions are simple, the ingredients are not tough to find and most importantly, any one can do it! I have only had this book for a little over a week, and have ventured into trying a new recipe each day. I would recommed this book filled with gorgeous recipes to anyone who needs: clear instructions, nutritional info for each dish prepared and a tips to make every day faves a little better for you! Great job to Ellie Krieger for making a book that should be a staple in any modern day -health conscious kitchen.

I have always liked watching her on Food Network because the information you got from her was excellent. She explains what nutrients do for your body and each recipe gives you the "good source" and "excellent source" of some of these nutrients. I found this book so interesting that I actually read it cover to cover. It is so much more than your average cookbook! I love the recipes, there hasn't been one I haven't liked!

I made the chicken fingers and they were not very good. My son refused to eat one and my husband asked that I not make them again. They weren't crispy, but more soggy. I do have to try some other recipes, and I totally recommend all Cookbooks by Sandi Richard (also on Food Network). So far, her recipes are EXCELLENT and very easy!

I have made several things in this cookbook and haven't been disappointed in a single one. This is an incredible cookbook. I highly recommend it. We're huge fans of Ellie so having all her recipes in one spot has been a blessing to me. If you want to eat healthy but not sacrifice taste or quantity, this is the cookbook for you!

I have enjoyed every recipe I have tried out of this book so far. I just wish I could find it in notebook style like BH&G's cookbook. Because I know that I will continue to use it as one of my main recipe book in the future. She includes many fruits, veggies, fresh herbs and whole grains.

As a side note, I do wish that the Main Dish section were not so protein heavy. Most of the Main Dishes do include some veggies which is helpful. But, as a busy mom I need quick one dish meals that don't require a meat and a side, and it is helpful to just have the veggies with the meat. There are a few one dish dinners that I will use the majority of the time.

I will use this a bit less in Summer than in Winter just because in the Summer Months I am going to try for a more Raw DietLiving on Live Food excluding meat.

The photographs make your mouth water and the recipes are not difficult nor are there too many exotic ingredients. Out of several Diet Cookbooks purchased in the past few months this was by far my favorite.

Great book! Every receipe that I have tried has been full of flavor and easy to do! I would recommend this book to everyone whether they are trying to lose weight, eat healthy or just like to cook.

Once I received this book it was hard to put down. I have tried many recipes in this book already. They are not only simple but full of flavor! If you are on weight watchers I would highly recommend this book. Most of the recipes are between 5 & 9 points. The snow pea, scallion, and radish salad is not only fresh but full of flavor and only 1 point per serving. The jerk chicken with cool pineapple salsa is outstanding, it's a perfect meal for those warm summer nights. The baked shrimp with tomatoes and feta is only 6 points and very satisfying. The balsamic chicken with baby spinach and couscous just coats the mouth with bursting flavor and textures and just 7 points.

So far every recipe tried was quick, easy, full of flavor and FRESH. I would recommend this book to anyone who just loves food!

This cookbook is very good. I am a cookbook fanatic. I collect them. There are a lot of healthy, quick and easy recipes. I was a little disappointed about the amount of lamb recipes, since I really don't like lamb. So far I have made about 5 recipes and all have been very delicious. The fried rice recipe is better than take out (I substitute chicken for the tofu).

If you are a "foodie" who wants to lose weight without resorting to junk like Fat-Free Cool Whip, this is the book for you. The recipes are interesting, good, and easy to make. Ellie's version of "Avgolemono" is a huge hit in my family with my children.

I just received this last week and have read it cover to cover. Not only is it an attractive book but the recipes all sound so delicious that I'll probably try most of them (which I have not felt about another cookbook)! So far I have tried 4 and they have all been great: peanut butter split smoothie, scrumptious scramble, fried rice with scallions, edamame and tofu, and the goat cheese pizza (YUMMMM!) You will not be disappointed! Makes a great gift!

The recipes are fine. The problem is trying to read them. Why the publisher decided to use such a small font to print is beyond me. Would have given this a much higher rating with a print I could read. Gave me a headache and eyestrain.

I LOVE this book, the recipes, and Ellie's show! The flow of the content works well - layout, format, easy to follow instructions. I've slowly switched out my pantry to comply with Ellie's suggestions, and of the recipes I've tried thus far, they're great. I don't have a lot of experience with cooking, so I'm impressed by the fact that I find the recipes pretty simple to follow...plus the food tastes great. If you're interested in nutrition and eating a more healthy diet, this is a great book to reference. I wish I would have found it sooner! Enjoy.

I've never opened a cookbook and read it cover to cover except this one! I plan on making 98% of these recipes. I've already made 10 of them and they were all wonderful. Everything is simple, fast and flavorful. Who thought healthy eating tasted so good? My recommendation? Get this book!

Elli is my favorite. She teaches you how to eat healthy without giving up taste. She's also great at encouraging you to try something new. This is a diet cookbook for those of us in the "real" world who must feed others who aren't on a diet, and who like the taste of good food & don't want to give that up. Thanks Elli!

If I could give this cook book 4 1/2 stars I would have. My husband and I have a "collection" of cook books you could say, some good, some bad. This one is actually very good. This far we have made 6 of the recipes and every one has been delicious. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to cook healthy but not spend a ton of time in the kitchen.

The only negative: more main course recipes would have been great.

If you are trying to eat healthy but still enjoy great tasting food (like me), this cookbook is a must have! There are so many great recipes, and I feel good feeding them to my family. Some that I have tried and loved: Linguine with Shrimp, Spaghetti w Turkey Meatballs, Steak Tacos, Sweet and Sour Brisket, Mom's Turkey Meatloaf (yum!), "Dirty" Broccoli (I'm not a big broccoli lover but loved this!). There are so many more that I can't wait to try. I have purchased many cookbooks in the past, only to use a couple recipes, but I've definitely gotten my money's worth from this one!

This really helped my diet. I also use the same ideas for my pets . :-) Great book for everyone

I had been waiting for Ellie Krieger to put out a cookbook! It is beautifully photographed and full of simple, easy to follow recipes. Her philosophy on food shines through. Everything looks and sounds delicious - and it is!

desserts have been good. she uses strange flavorings for many of her recipes. i would return the book if i could. don't buy it.

I've used a different recipe out of this book every day this week, and I haven't found a single un-cravable recipe yet! Highly recomended for someone who wants an easy way to eat healthy and cook for yourself and your family at home.

This is the first cookbook where EVERY SINGLE THING I've made has turned out delicious. And on top of being delicious, they are very easy to make. I was able to make her recipes after a long day of work, and still ate at a reasonable time. Quick, easy, nutritious and filling! I've been raving about this cookbook to family, friends, and coworkers. Both my husband and I are enjoying all the new recipes!!!

I am trying to cook healthy foods for my family and this cookbook really hits the nail on the head - good tasting, healthy food that is quick to prepare. Very few of the recipes require a tremendous amount of ingredients or take a ton of time, and all use a lot of fruits and veggies and focuses on good oils and lean protein. If you are trying to make eating healthy foods a lifestyle (and would like to do it where the food is appealing), this cookbook is for you!

Ellie knows what we want to eat, and she quirks recipes to cut down fat, salt and calories. I'm all for it.

Ellie has made healthy cooking, simple, delicious and very educational. I have cooked/baked 20 of her recipes and all were very easy to follow and and delicious. The healthy carrot cake cupcakes are so moist and rich, you don't realize they are lowfat and healthy. I would strongly recommend this book to cooks interested in a healthy lifestyle.

Most recipes are easy and low calorie. Pictures are great to show you what the dish is suppose to look like. I love the additional notes and suggestions Ellie put randomly throughout the book.

I loved Elie's show - she even LOOKS healthy! This book exceeded my expectations for delicious, healthy cooking. My husband and I both work but I can easily put together the ingredients for several recipes with one grocery store visit. So far I've made all the whole-wheat pasta dishes (most can be made in advance which is great for taking to work or late at night when hubby gets off work and is starving) no more pizza runs! We love the nutrition, sure, but the recipes are so flavorful and easy to make. I highly reccommend this book. By the way, each recipe also has its nutritonal information included, too. Great Amazon price, go for it!

My first impression of the actual show was disbelief that I could enjoy recipes of some of my favorite foods that are lower in calories and fat. Every recipe that I have prepared thus far is nothing short of Yummy! Keeping in mind that I need to remember portion control is just as hard with these revised recipes. Hmmmmmmmmmmm! Lucious! Keep up the great work Ellen!

From buttermilk pancakes with strawberry sauce to spaghetti and meatballs, THE FOOD YOU CRAVE: LUSCIOUS RECIPES FOR A HEALTHY LIFE takes comfort foods normally rich in fats and carbos and provides a healthier version. Ellie Krieger is host of Food Network's HEALTHY APPETITE, and packs in recipes designed to maximize appeal and nutrition. From appealing ideas for quick grab-and-go breakfasts to snacks and international-inspired fare, THE FOOD YOU CRAVE blends color photos with easy variations on high-appeal dishes and will be an attraction for any general-interest library strong in cookbook lending.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

Ellie does a terrific job on this book. There are so MANY great recipes and they are so healthy. thanks

I purchased this book after watching only one of Ellie's shows on the Food Network. After watching the show, I made Ellie's version of Fried Rice. She compared her healthy version (brown rice with veggies) vs. the fried rice you'd get at a local chinese takeout. With Ellie's alternative, you get twice as much food AND it was more healthy (and flavorful, I might add!!). I knew from that point that Ellie's book would be a staple in our kitchen. I've had the book about two weeks now and have already marked 10 recipes to try (made 3 so far -- and to rave reviews!!). The layout of the book is not your typical 'chicken/vegetable/soups' format. She divvies the book into breakfast/nibbles and noshes/main course/desserts. Ellie gives serving size info, calorie count, and vitamin info for each recipe so that you know what you're eating. She also gives great recommendations on what things you should have in your pantry to whip up good meals on the fly. I find the recipes very simple to make. Ellie simply takes your well-loved foods and gives you a healthier (and more flavorful) way to make them.

There is a great selection of recipes in this book. I have only tried 2 so far, but I was amazed at how good they were, esp since they are so healthy. I am excited to try more of the recipes.

I read reviews here and was almost discouraged but I am thrilled I picked up this little gem. Well written almost like Elle came by my home to show me a few recipes. Written for a food lover who wants to make healthy diversified food choices.

I bought this book because I enjoy watching Ellie Krieger's show on food tv. I have made about 10 recipes from this book and I have enjoyed all of them. She gives wonderful tips about using canola oil and canned pumpkin to eliminate butter/bad oil. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to trim some bad ingrediants out of their recipes as well as add nutrients/vitamins. Recipes are easy and basic--it's worth the buy.

Easy to prepare and tasty. I tried the pita chips and they were better than any chips I have ever had. Yum!!!! Also try, Finger Licking Different!!!

I absolutely adore this cookbook!!! If you are looking for delicious meals that have a healthier kick to them, look no further. The Food You Crave by Ellie Krieger has become my number 1 cookbook since I purchased it. Give it a try!

I have made twelve of the recipes already, and even repeated a few. The recipes are healthy and delicious and for the most part use ingredients I have on hand. The recipes are very straight forward and not terribly time consuming to prepare.
I have enjoyed it so much I bought 2 additional copies of the book to give as gifts.

The Food You Crave: Luscious Recipes for a Healthy Life

If you love eating great tasting food, this cookbook has some yummy recipes. I have had the book less than a month and have made several of the dishes and recieved raves from my family. Most of the ingredients are items you have on hand or can easily find at your local grocery store. I found the instructions easy to follow. Enjoy...

The recipes are good,but call me pickey the print was to small so it made it hard for me to follow the recipe.