Guest Post: Courtesy of: Holly Clegg TheHealthyCookingBlog.com

Guest Post: Courtesy of: Holly Clegg TheHealthyCookingBlog.com

As RegisteredDietitian for best-selling trim&TERRIFICÒ cookbook author, Holly Clegg, and TheHealthyCookingBlog.com I understand what it takes to modify recipes and encourage better food choices – for an overall healthier diet.

Have I got the perfect cookbook for you! KITCHEN101: Secrets to Cooking Confidence cookbook.

The Ready-Made Menus chapter of KITCHEN 101: Secrets to Cooking Confidence cookbook helps take all the guess-work out of meal and party planning. With the Holidays fast approaching, all you need to do is flip to the ‘Holiday Heroes’ menu for mouth-watering options such as the Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping, and Red Velvet Cheesecake.

All with pantry-friendly ingredients, gorgeous, full-color photographs and nutritional information and diabetic exchanges, this will be your go-to guide for family favorite, delicious recipes this Holiday Season!

KITCHEN101: Secrets to Cooking Confidence

The ideal cookbook for those thatdon’t have time to cook or feel intimidated by the kitchen. KITCHEN 101’s easy-to-follow,pantry-friendly recipes and tips make whipping up a satisfying, healthy meal ina crunch a stress-free process.

Features

· Over 150 recipes with full-color photographs

· Nutritionaland diabetic information for each recipe

· Symbols highlighting Diabetic Friendly recipes within ADA guidelines, Freezer Friendly, Vegetarian and Crock Pot recipes

· Terrific Tips offering recipe short-cuts and options throughout the book

Chapters

Cooking Basics – Tools, tips and fundamentals to help navigate the kitchen

Pantry stocking guide, measurement conversions, ingredient substitutes

Start Simple– Minimal ingredient meals offering maximum flavor

Ready-Made Menus – The perfect menu for any occasion or theme night

Rapid Rotisserie Chicken – Recipes using rotisserie chicken as a time-saver

Building on Basics – Ideas to build off of your favorite “fast food” basics

Fix it Fast -Quick crowd pleasers

Crock Pot Convenience – Recipes that simmer all day while you’re out and about

Sweet Potato Casserole with Praline Topping

Volunteer to bring this simple and fabulous Sweet Potato Dish for your next Holiday meal. Don’t save this dish for only the Holidays— eat all year round!

Makes 12 (1/2-cup) servings

3 cups cooked mashed peeled Louisiana Yams (Sweet Potatoes), about 3-4 Sweet Potatoes

2/3 cup of 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free Sweetened Condensed Milk

2 Egg Whites

1/4 cup Orange Juice

Praline Topping (recipe follows)

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat 2-quart Casserole dish with Nonstick Cooking Spray.

2. In a bowl, cream together all the ingredients except the topping with Potato Masher or mixer until blended. Transfer to prepared dish and sprinkle with Praline Topping (see recipe below).

3. Bake 40-45 minutes or until thoroughly heated and topping is brown and crumbly.

PralineTopping

2/3 cup Light Brown Sugar

1/3 cup all-purpose Flour

1/2 teaspoon ground Cinnamon

1/4 cup Butter, melted

1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

1 cup chopped Pecans

1. In bowl, mix together Brown Sugar, Flour, and Cinnamon. Stir in Butter, Vanilla, and Pecans until crumbly.

Nutritional info per serving:

Calories 274, Calories from Fat 34%, Fat 11g, Saturated Fat 3g, Cholesterol 12mg, Sodium 87mg, Carbohydrates 42g, Dietary Fiber 3g, Total Sugars 28g, Protein 4g, Dietary Exchanges: 1 starch, 2 other Carbohydrate, 2 Fat

Terrific Tip: Canned (drained) or fresh Sweet Potatoes may be used for this recipe.

Recipe from KITCHEN101: Secrets to Cooking Confidence cookbook.

Red Velvet Cheesecake

Vegetarian, Freezer- friendly

Two popular desserts, Red Velvet Cake and Cheesecake create the ultimate indulgence.

Makes 2 (9-inch round) Cheesecake Pies — 16 servings

2 (8-ounce) packages reduced-fat Cream Cheese

1 1/4 cups Sugar

2 Eggs

1 Egg White

1 tablespoon Cornstarch

3 tablespoon Cocoa

1 cup Nonfat Sourcream

1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1/2 cup Buttermilk

1 teaspoon Vinegar

1 (1-ounce) bottle Red Food Coloring

2 (9-inch) round commercially bought Chocolate Pie Crusts

1. Preheat oven to350° F. In mixing bowl, beat Cream Cheese and Sugar until creamy.

Add Eggs, Egg White, Cornstarch, Cocoa, Sour Cream, Vanilla, Buttermilk, Vinegar and Red Food Coloring, mixing well.

2. Pour into crust. Bake 35-40 minutes or until center is firm. Turn off the oven and remain in oven for 30 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled.

Nutritional information per serving:

Calories 270 Calories from Fat 39% Fat 12g Saturated Fat 5g Cholesterol 46mg Sodium 262mg Carbohydrates 34g Dietary Fiber 1g Total Sugars 23g Protein 7g, Dietary Exchanges: 2 1/2 other Carbohydrate, 2 1/2 fat

Terrific Tidbit: For Chocolate Crust: 1 1/4 cups Chocolate, 1 tablespoon Sugar, 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 2 tablespoons Butter melted, combine all, press into bottom of Spring Form Pan, and bake 350°F 10 minutes.

Recipe from KITCHEN101: Secrets to Cooking Confidence cookbook.

All recipes include nutrition facts, diabetic exchanges and a high-resolution photo.

Bio:

Lee Jackson, LDN, RDN is a Registered Dietitian for TheHealthyCookingBlog.com and manager of Holly Clegg’s best-selling trim &TERRIFIC® cookbook series.

With more than 1.5 million cookbooks sold, Holly Clegg-branded cookbooks focus on easy, healthy, and practical recipes. Books include Eating Well Through Cancer (English, Spanish, and Chinese editions), Eating Well to Fight Arthritis, Diabetic Cooking, and Guy’s Guide to Eating Well. Other popular titles include Kitchen101 and Gulf Coast Favorites.

For more information visit