Book Review

The Almost No Fat Holiday Cookbook
by Bryanna Clark Grogan
Review by Shayla Roberts

The holidays are almost upon us, and my family always has to deal with what to take along to holiday gatherings. For my husband and I, we know that what we bring will in all likelihood be the only thing suitable for us and our child to eat. The book, "The (Almost) No Fat Holiday Cookbook" by Bryanna Clark Grogan has solved that problem for me.

When I received this book, the first thing I noticed was that, although I had assumed this book dealt with your standard Christmas and Thanksgiving fare, it actually covered various ethnic and religious holidays as well. Now, not only do I have delicious, low fat vegan recipes, but I also have the chance to expose my family to different cultures (wonderful learning opportunities for the kids!).

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In preparing recipes from this book, I found myself most excited to make the desserts. I love sweets, and I have a hard time finding desserts that are low fat as well as vegan. The highlight of the dessert section would have to be the Basic Fat-Free Cookie Dough recipe. These cookies are rolled in sugar before baking which keeps them completely moist on the inside while making a crispy crust on the outside. Grogan offers several variations on the recipe for a twist, including Ginger Crinkles and Jam Thumbprints. My second favorite dessert recipe is the only one which uses added fat, and that is for the Low-Fat Oil Pastry. This pie crust is as light and flakey as any I have ever tried, with about half the fat. It's truly the only time I looked for a piece of pie with the most crust.

Although all of the recipes I tried, what surprised me the most were the marinades. I had never used one before. It just seemed too time consuming. Now? Well, let me just say, my tofu has never tasted better due to the Breast of Tofu marinade (I used the excess in a vegetable soup recipe), and I can finally get that crispy crust on my oven fried potatoes with the Roasting or Grilling Marinade. The latter I have used seven times in the last two weeks, it is just that good.

Other recipes worth checking out are the Almost Fat-Free Bundt Cake and Brownies, Potato Kugel, Beefy Seitan Roast and the classic Buche de Noel, or Yule Log Cake. These got enthusiastic reviews from the whole family. However, there is absolutely no way for me to do justice to each of the hundreds of recipes from this book, which includes everything from appetizers and condiments, to main dishes and sweets.

If you are vegan, and looking for lower fat options to your favorite holiday dishes, then I couldn't recommend a better book. Oh, and those holiday gatherings? I expect this year there will be no looks of pity from friends and family members who are convinced that we are "missing out".

Order The Almost No Fat Holiday Cookbook Now!

Shayla Roberts is a stay-at-home, AP mom to Holden. Her husband, Boyd, is an operator for Michelin. They live in Oklahoma.

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