Holly Clegg

As someone who has seven hundred cookbooks already, when I was diagnosed with cancer, the first thing I did was buy more cookbooks. Between the totally organic books from Rebecca Katz to generic cookbooks like this one, there doesn't really seem to be a book that it truly about cooking for cancer. This book is written by a woman who has already done several low fat cookbooks, so that is her focus. Although there is an oncologist who is listed as co-author, I'm not sure that he really had a show more hand in many of the recipes. If he did participate, why did he allow mushrooms and celery in recipes for diarrhea? I know those are not on my allowed list. There are some good looking recipes here (especially if I ignore the low fat aspects), but too many of them have ingredients that are just not appropriate. At least they do include white rice (a mandatory food along with bananas, applesauce, tea, and toast) and sugar. But they also include too many processed foods like canned soups. It looks like I will mostly be mixing and matching recipes from traditional cookbooks with a few suggestions of books that are specifically for cancer. show less

We worked through this book methodically during the immunocompromised period following my husband's stem cell transplant. There were several recipes we liked well but nothing that helped me get him to eat more! Let's say I consumed much more of the results than he did. I was hoping he was at least getting good food when he could keep it down!
The recipes kept ingredient number & preparation to a minimum which was helpful.

We worked through this book methodically during the immunocompromised period following my husband's stem cell transplant. There were several recipes we liked well but nothing that helped me get him to eat more! Let's say I consumed much more of the results than he did. I was hoping he was at least getting good food when he could keep it down!
The recipes kept ingredient number & preparation to a minimum which was helpful.

by Kelly Jad'on

Book Review: Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC™ Gulf Coast Favorites (Favorite Recipes Press, 2008) by Holly Clegg

Holly Clegg is the author of the trim&TERRIFIC cookbook series and Eating Well Through Cancer. Her focus is on healthy cooking, and in this case emphasizes a unique region of our country—the Gulf Coast. Her recent book takes the deliciousness of Southern home cooking, and lightens it all up, offering today’s cooks healthier traditional favorites able to be show more prepared in a time-friendly manner. Her philosophy, “Never Sacrifice Taste.”

Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC Gulf Coast Favorites offers over 250 recipes from the heart of Louisiana. They cover the beginning—appetizers, to the end—sweet treats and even highlight special Cajun and Creole choices as well. Holly Clegg assumes that no food is forbidden, so foods that used to be loaded with fat, sugar, and calories have been trimmed down. She’s included vegetarian recipes –indicated with a carrot symbol, prepare-ahead meals (snowflake symbol which means they’re freezable), and diabetic exchanges.

Throughout the book are beautiful photographs, taken by David Humphreys, an award-winning professional photographer who has worked with Holly Clegg on six of her books. The back of the book hosts sections for menu and pantry suggestions, and a Cajun/Creole glossary (example: corn maque-choux, etouffee).

Each recipe includes a favorable comment from Holly Clegg, an ingredient listing using common items, simple directions, and complete nutritional information per serving. Many pages have a “Terrific Tidbit” to make the cooking process easier. Example, “If using frozen blueberries, don’t defrost before adding to the mixture. Try using whole wheat flour to boost nutrition while adding a rich nutty flavor.”—from p. 34 Blueberry Muffins With Tropical Streusel Topping.

Ideas of regional recipes to try:

Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya, Crawfish Cakes with Horseradish Sauce, Red Beans and Rice, Cheese Grits, Tropical Yam Trifle

A portion of the proceeds of the sale of Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC Gulf Coast Favorites will go the America’s Wetland Foundation, specifically aimed at the Gulf Coast region. Holly Clegg was approached by this organization and asked if she would participate in writing a book which uses indigenous recipes from the Gulf area. Throughout this unique cookbook, you’ll find Wetlands Facts.

Holly Clegg’s trim&TERRIFIC Gulf Coast Favorites is Southern cooking at it’s best—prepared properly it is healthful and delicious—but not health food. A classic, it’s an American cookbook for every kitchen.

5 Stars show less