Crazy Plates
by Janet & Greta Podleski

Publisher:  Perigee Cookbooks
ISBN:  039952584X

The emphasis these days is on a healthy, low-fat diet but many will subconsciously turn up their nose at the thought. Is it possible for lowfat food to really taste good? Authors Janet and Greta Podleski think they can change your mind with a good dose of humor in their newest book, Crazy Plates: Low-Fat Food So Good, You'll Swear It's Bad For You!

This new fanciful trip into low-fat cooking comes on the heels of their very successful first book, Looneyspoons, which landed them on every major talk show. The low-fat queens of the kitchen now return with a sequel that is sure to equal their inital success, with Greta doing the cooking and Janet researching the information.

Speaking of the information, each page has relevant goodies presented in an entertaining manner. You'll find trivia, exercise facts, myths debunked, oddball facts and exotic foods defined. Cooking 101 inserts give helpful cooking tips and information. You Do The Math has simple tips on reducing calories and fat. Who'da Thunk gives strange but true information, such as: From the time of its invention in 1929 until the 1940's, 7-Up soda contained the pick-me-upper drug, Lithium.

As for the healthy purpose of the book, you won't find the recipes lacking. There are over 150 low-fat recipes, each with a title sure to bring a chuckle. Wow your teen with Celine Dijon Chicken, your kindergartner with Tickle Me Elbows and your spouse with Clamborgini. Each recipe includes basic nutrition counts to help plan your diet and menus. The recipes are presented in an easy-to-read format and typeface, with ingredients in bold type.

This is the type of cookbook that you can sit and just read for amusement. Ted Martin's cute cartoons festoon the book, with some jokes sure to make you groan but smile, such as: What do you get when you throw a grenade into a kitchen in France? Linoleum Blown-apart!

This clever approach to low-fat cooking is sure to change your mindset about low-fat, healthy foods being boring. Barbiechop Quartet and Abracadaiquiri Pie have already become family favorites in my home. Try pulling a few of these low-fat dishes over on your family and serve them up with a couple of the groaner jokes. The clean plates and smiles will be worth it.

Peggy Trowbridge, your Guide for Home Cooking