Nadia Lim’s Fresh Start Cookbook is the newest offering from the 2011 MasterChef New Zealand winner and “My Food Bag” founder. It includes over 100 recipes for lasting good health and weight loss.
I’m liking
At last, common sense prevails! Nadia’s food philosophy is so sensible I want to hug her: no fad diets, inflexible food rules or calorie counting, just healthy eating made simple, easy and delicious. As a Mum of three preschoolers, I don’t have time for any lengthy scrutiny of the nutritional value of meals. I just want great tasting healthy food with a minimum of fuss. And this book delivers. The recipes taste great, they’re easy to make and there are no exotic ingredients. All meals are covered and there’s an exercise programme at the back for the particularly enthusiastic.
This is not a cookbook for children so some of the recipes will inevitably challenge some younger and pickier eaters. But bring it on I say! Any kid who gets served one of these meals should be kissing the feet of the chef with gratitude. And with her first child on the way, I’d bet that, within a couple of years, Nadia will have a new book out designed specifically for us poor unfortunates braving the tortured minefield of toddler meals.
Things that made me go hmmmm
Like most cook books I try, I overran the preparation time estimates, so, unless you are a super whiz in the kitchen, it might pay to set aside a little extra time for prep, especially when trying a new recipe for the first time.
The conclusion
The task Nadia set herself with this book shouldn’t be underestimated. Delicious and healthy can be tricky to achieve, especially in the dessert arena, but for the most part she pulls it off. This is a great book for individuals and families who want enjoy yummy meals that won’t leave a guilty aftertaste!
