Cookbook Gift Guide

Give the gift of new recipe ideas for your foodie loving family members and friends. I am sharing some of my favorite cookbooks in my Cookbook Gift Guide. I am very excited to share so many cookbooks from my fellow dietitian colleagues that are not only packed with delicious recipes but also nutrition education.

For more foodie inspired gift ideas, head over to my shop page!

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks
Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

Plenty More

Yotam Ottolenghi is one of the world’s most beloved culinary talents. In this follow-up to his bestselling Plenty, he continues to explore the diverse realm of vegetarian food with a wholly original approach. Organized by cooking method, more than 150 dazzling recipes emphasize spices, seasonality, and bold flavors. From inspired salads to hearty main dishes and luscious desserts, Plenty More: Vibrant Vegetable Cooking from London’s Ottolenghi’s a must-have for vegetarians and omnivores alike. This visually stunning collection will change the way you cook and eat vegetables

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

You Have It Made

Ellie KriegerNew York Times best-selling and multi-award-winning author, has written a cookbook devoted to the kind of recipes that her fans have been waiting for—make-ahead meals. For those who are always short on time when it comes to cooking, Ellie is here to help. Her recipes—which include breakfast bakes, soups, salads, casseroles, and more—can all be prepared ahead of time, making putting food on the table that much easier. Each recipe includes instructions for refrigerating and/or freezing as well as storing and reheating directions. With exciting dishes like the Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats in Jars and the Herbed Salmon Salad, you’ll be able to have meals ready days in advance. As with her other books, all of Ellie’s recipes are healthy and come complete with nutrition information. But that doesn’t mean they sound like diet food! Just look at the Creamy Tomato Soup, Chicken Enchilada Pie, and Smoky Smothered Pork Chops, to name a few. You Have It Made helps you turn your fridge and freezer into a treasure chest of satisfying, good-for-you meals.

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

Momofuku

Never before has there been a phenomenon like Momofuku. A once-unrecognizable word, it’s now synonymous with the award-winning restaurants of the same name in New York City (Momofuku Noodle Bar, Ssäm Bar, Ko, Má Pêche, Fuku, Nishi, and Milk Bar), Toronto, and Sydney. Chef David Chang single-handedly revolutionized cooking in America and beyond with his use of bold Asian flavors and impeccable ingredients, his mastery of the humble ramen noodle, and his thorough devotion to pork.  

Chang relays with candor the tale of his unwitting rise to superstardom, which, though wracked with mishaps, happened at light speed. And the dishes shared in this book are coveted by all who’ve dined—or yearned to—at any Momofuku location (yes, the pork buns are here). This is a must-read for anyone who truly enjoys food!

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

The Mindful Glow Cookbook

In over 100 recipes, Abbey Sharp, of Abbey’s Kitchen,  shows us how she eats: healthy and nourishing meals that are packed with flavor like PB & J Protein Pancakes, Autumn Butternut Squash Mac and Cheese, Stuffed Hawaiian Burgers, Chicken, Sweet Potato and Curry Cauliflower, Chocolate Stout Veggie Chili, Chewy Crackle Almond Apple Cookies, and Ultimate Mini Sticky Toffee Puddings. Many of her recipes are plant-centric and free of dairy, gluten, and nuts. Others contain some protein-rich, lean beef, poultry, eggs, and dairy, so there are plenty of delicious recipes for everyone and every occasion. 
Featuring gorgeous photography throughout, The Mindful Glow Cookbook is perfect for anyone looking to fully nourish their body, satisfy food cravings, and enjoy every snack, meal, and decadent dessert in blissful enjoyment.

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

Thug Kitchen

Thug Kitchen lives in the real world. In their first cookbook, they’re throwing down more than 100 recipes for their best-loved meals, snacks and sides for beginning cooks to home chefs. (Roasted Beer and Lime Cauliflower Tacos? Pumpkin Chili? Grilled Peach Salsa? Believe that sh*t.) Plus they’re going to arm you with all the info and techniques you need to shop on a budget and go and kick a bunch of ass on your own.

This book is an invitation to everyone who wants to do better to elevate their kitchen game. No more ketchup and pizza counting as vegetables. No more drive-thru lines. No more avoiding the produce corner of the supermarket. Sh*t is about to get real.

Note Thug Kitchen freely drops the f-bomb, so gift wisely. 

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook

The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook, written by Deanna Segrave-Daly, RD and Serena Ball, MS, RD of Teaspoon of Spice, offers fresh, flavorful, and FAST recipes for lifelong health.

Bowls of pasta, abundant seafood, roasted vegetables, bread dipped into olive oil, and even a glass of wine―the Mediterranean diet is easy to follow because it’s also a lifestyle. The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook makes it easier than ever to get your fill of the Mediterranean diet and all of its health benefits with quick, satisfying recipes for health and longevity.

Table-ready in 30 minutes or less, these classic Mediterranean diet meals combine easy-to-find ingredients with quick prep and cook times, so that you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your food. From Breakfast Bruschetta to Baked Chicken Caprese to Chilled Dark Chocolate Fruit, The 30-Minute Mediterranean Diet Cookbook makes the Mediterranean diet a staple for everyday schedules.

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

The Pescatarian Cookbook

The Pescatarian Cookbook, written by Cara Harbstreet, MS, RD, LD, of Streetsmart Nutrition, is the definitive kitchen companion to the pescatarian diet with fundamental information, recipes, and healthy meal plans.

Rich in fish and seafood, hearty vegetables, and wholesome grains―pescatarianism is a varied and balanced diet. The Pescatarian Cookbook is a complete reference to reap all benefits of this naturally nutritious diet with essential information, recipes, and healthy meal plans.

From Zucchini Pancakes with Smoked Salmon for breakfast to Grilled Swordfish with Chimichurri and Roasted Vegetables for dinner, this pescatarian cookbook offers perfectly portioned pescatarian plates for every meal. Complete with 3 weeks’ worth of meal plans―that include shopping lists and tips for meal prep―The Pescatarian Cookbook is your go-to reference to make the pescatarian diet a sustainable and satisfying lifestyle.

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

Taco! Taco! Taco!:

Make every day Taco Tuesday! Tacos are the perfect food–uniquely versatile and incredibly delicious! Taco! Taco! Taco!, written by Sara Haas, RDN, LDN, features 100 taco recipes that are as easy to prepare as they are to love.

Who doesn’t like tacos? Simple to make, tacos can be prepared in many different ways, and provide the ideal platform for tons of nourishing foods. Taco! Taco! Taco! features 100 taco recipes, each providing delicious and fun ideas for your next meal. 

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

The 30-Minute Thyroid Cookbook

The 30-Minute Thyroid Cookbook, written by Emily Kyle, MS, RDN, CDN, CLT, offers the fastest, everyday recipes to take control of hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s symptoms for long-term relief.

When you’re dealing with symptom flare-ups, the last thing you want to do is spend hours cooking. The 30-Minute Thyroid Cookbook offers quick recipe solutions to manage hypothyroid and Hashimoto’s symptoms, so that you can get in and out of the kitchen and back to your life.

From Crispy Baked Tempeh Fingers to Rub Roasted Pork Tenderloin, these no-fuss recipes combine quick and easy prep and cook times for table-ready meals in 30-minutes or less. Complete with a guide to setting up a thyroid-friendly kitchen, plus tons of tips and tricks to make home cooking easier, The 30-Minute Thyroid Cookbook is an everyday solution to get long-term symptom relief.

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club

Whether for weight loss, managing prediabetes or Type II diabetes, or a healthy, fit lifestyle, The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club, written by Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN is filled with delicious, easy to make recipes containing 300 calories or less and packed with a minimum of 20 grams of protein. Power up your morning with protein! You’ll find recipes featuring dairy, protein powders, nuts, seeds, eggs and ancient grains including hot trends like overnight oats, smoothie bowls and mug cakes. Discover healthier versions of classics like pancakes and French toast. Many recipes are also vegetarian and gluten free. In a hurry in the morning? Don’t worry! Prepare your breakfast in the evening or on the weekend to save precious time during the morning rush while ensuring you begin the day with an energizing, protein-packed breakfast!

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

The 28 Day DASH Diet Weight Loss Program

Achieve your weight loss goals with the comprehensive diet and exercise plan from The 28-Day DASH Diet Weight-Loss Program, co-authored by Andy De Santis, RD, MPH, and Julie Andrews, MS, RDN, CD.

The DASH diet offers a path to weight loss that is rooted in balanced eating, but it’s not the only key to your success. The 28-Day DASH Diet Weight-Loss Program offers a holistic diet and lifestyle plan to help you achieve your weight loss goals for long-term health.

The 28-Day DASH Diet Weight-Loss Program begins by tackling critical lifestyle components for good health with guidance for exercise routines, stress management, and a good night’s sleep. With a 28-day meal plan that includes trackers to monitor habits and exercise, this book kick-starts weight loss and sets you on a path of long-term health.

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

Whole Cooking and Nutrition

Enough of the dieting and deprivation! It’s time to embrace the joy of eating well with the intention that healthy foods are nourishing, sustaining and delicious. Whole Cooking and Nutrition, written by Katie Cavuto, MS, RD, RYT, shifts the conversation away from dieting to one of positive messages and gratifying intentions. The result is a book packed with information to help readers improve their relationship with food, turning a spotlight on 85 everyday foods that maximize flavor and boast rich nutrient density that will inspire you to live a healthy lifestyle! With more than 150 vibrant, flavorful recipes, this cookbook promotes a mindful, pleasurable approach to eating.

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

Fertility Foods

A complete dietary program for women seeking a healthy pregnancy. Created by RDN certified experts, Liz Shaw, RD and Sara Haas, RDN, LDN, Fertility Foods provides you with powerful nutritional benefits and more than 100 recipes.

Struggling with infertility can be one of the most frustrating experiences for women looking to conceive. Rather than juggle multiple prescription medications all while scheduling an endless series of doctors’ visits, Fertility Foods helps you to seek better results—just by changing your diet!

As you prepare to enter one of the most significant times in your life, you owe it to yourself and your future children to make sure that your body has absolutely everything it needs, at the proper times and in the proper quantities. Fertility Foods is more than just a diet plan or cookbook, with over 100 nutritious, satisfying dishes to boost your fertility. It’s a companion, a constant support providing you with the information you need to ensure you receive proper nutrition before conception.

Beyond Cookbooks

Moving beyond your traditional cookbook filled with delicious recipes, I also really love these educational books, which are perfect for anyone who loves to cook. From food pairings to food science, these additional books will be a great gift for your foodie loving family members and friends.

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

The Spice Companion

A stunning and definitive spice guide by the country’s most sought-after expert, with hundreds of fresh ideas and tips for using pantry spices, 102 never-before-published recipes for spice blends, gorgeous photography, and botanical illustrations.

Since founding his spice shop in 2006, Lior Lev Sercarz has become the go-to source for fresh and unusual spices as well as small-batch custom blends for renowned chefs around the world. The Spice Companion communicates his expertise in a way that will change how readers cook, inspiring them to try bold new flavor combinations and make custom spice blends. For each of the 102 curated spices, Lev Sercarz provides the history and origin, information on where to buy and how to store it, five traditional cuisine pairings, three quick suggestions for use (such as adding cardamom to flavor chicken broth), and a unique spice blend recipe to highlight it in the kitchen.

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

The Food Lab

Ever wondered how to pan-fry a steak with a charred crust and an interior that’s perfectly medium-rare from edge to edge when you cut into it? How to make homemade mac ‘n’ cheese that is as satisfyingly gooey and velvety-smooth as the blue box stuff, but far tastier? How to roast a succulent, moist turkey (forget about brining!)―and use a foolproof method that works every time?

As Serious Eats’s culinary nerd-in-residence, J. Kenji López-Alt has pondered all these questions and more. In The Food Lab, Kenji focuses on the science behind beloved American dishes, delving into the interactions between heat, energy, and molecules that create great food. Kenji shows that often, conventional methods don’t work that well, and home cooks can achieve far better results using new―but simple―techniques. In hundreds of easy-to-make recipes with over 1,000 full-color images, you will find out how to make foolproof Hollandaise sauce in just two minutes, how to transform one simple tomato sauce into a half-dozen dishes, how to make the crispiest, creamiest potato casserole ever conceived, and much more.

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

The Vegetarian Flavor Bible

Throughout time people have chosen to adopt a vegetarian or vegan diet for a variety of reasons from ethics to economy to personal and planetary well-being Experts now suggest a new reason for doing so maximizing flavor – which is too often masked by meat-based stocks or butter and cream The Vegetarian Flavor Bible is an essential guide to culinary creativity based on insights from dozens of leading American chefs representing plant-based whole foods including vegetables fruits grains legumes nuts and seeds the book provides an A-to-Z listing of hundreds of ingredients from acai to zucchini blossoms cross-referenced with the herbs spices and other seasonings that best enhance their flavor resulting in thousands of recommended pairings The Vegetarian Flavor Bible is the ideal reference for the way millions of people cook and eat today- vegetarians vegans and omnivores alike. This groundbreaking book will empower both home cooks and professional chefs to create more compassionate healthful and flavorful cuisine.

Cookbook Gift Guide: A roundup of culinary and nutrition cookbooks and culinary education books that any foodie family member or friend will love! Cookbooks recommendations hand selected from Chef Julie Harrington, RD @ChefJulie_RD #cookbook #cooking #gift #giftguide #culinarynutrition #cookingtips #nutrition #healthycookbooks

52-Week Meal Planner

The 52-Week Meal Planner, created byhttps://jessicalevinson.com/ Jessica Levinson, MS, RDN, CDN, is your complete companion to master meal planning with menus, grocery lists, recipe pages, and more.

A well-made meal planner guarantees that hectic schedules don’t get in the way of healthy meals. More effective than a pen and paper, the 52-Week Meal Planner provides the tools you need to map out exactly how you’re going to shop, cook, and eat, week after week.

This handy meal planner features one year’s worth of weekly templates to plan breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. With grocery lists, price comparison sheets, and recipe pages, the 52-Week Meal Planner is an all-in-one guide to take control of what you eat and how much time and money you spend.

This post contains affiliate links, to find out more information, please read my disclosure statement.

Mocha Overnight Oats

Prep breakfast the night before, so you can freely hit the snooze button the next morning. This Mocha Overnight Oats recipe will not only fill you up but also give you a little extra energy for the morning.
Mocha Chip Overnight Oats via RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen #overnightoats #coffee #mocha #protein #breakfast
I used to be the person who never hit the snooze button. I would jump out of bed the second my alarm went off. I’ve gotten into the bad habit of staying up too late doing work. Sometimes I just get on a roll and keep working until my eyes can barely stay open. I know this is such a bad habit. I’m working on it..
Mocha Chip Overnight Oats via RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen #overnightoats #coffee #mocha #protein #breakfast
This month’s Recipe Redux theme is “Grab a Book and Cook” which is a fun way to remake a recipe from your favorite cookbook. I grabbed my newest book from my collection for this month’s theme.
I love overnight oats. This new mocha overnight oats variation has become my new favorite! It is adapted from Lauren Harris-Pincus’ “The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club” cookbook.

About The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club:

The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club is filled with delicious, easy to make recipes containing 300 calories or less and packed with a minimum of 20 grams of protein. You’ll find a variety of recipes featuring dairy, protein powders, nuts, seeds, eggs and ancient grains including hot trends like overnight oats, smoothie bowls and mug cakes.
Mocha Chip Overnight Oats via RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen #overnightoats #coffee #mocha #protein #breakfast
I never thought to add coffee to my overnight oats. This is genius! The little extra pick me up, plus the mocha flavor is a perfect way to start the day. The original recipe calls for the addition of coffee and chocolate protein powder, but I only had vanilla protein powder, so I added that plus a little cocoa powder to get that same mocha flavor.

Mocha Chip Overnight Oats via RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen #overnightoats #coffee #mocha #protein #breakfast
I topped mine with some raspberries and a little chocolate granola.

Print

clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
oatmeal topped with granola and raspberries in a glass jar

Mocha Overnight Oats

  • Author: Chef Julie Harrington, RD
  • Prep Time: 15 + overnight
  • Total Time: 6 minute
  • Yield: 1
  • Category: Breakfast

Description

Prep breakfast the night before, so you can freely hit the snooze button the next morning. This Mocha Overnight Oats recipe will not only fill you up but also give you a little extra energy for the morning.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/3 cup rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup strongly brewed coffee, cooled
  • 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
  • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon chia seeds
  • Toppings: raspberries, chocolate raspberry granola

Instructions

  1. In a mason jar or container, add all ingredients; stir well until combined.
  2. Cover an refrigerate overnight.
  3. In the morning, before serving, top with raspberries and chocolate raspberry granola. Enjoy!

Notes

Recipe adapted from Mocha Chip Overnight Oats from “The Protein-Packed Breakfast Club” cookbook by Lauren Harris-Pincus, MS, RDN

Keywords: overnight oats, mocha

Recipe Card powered byTasty Recipes

 

Chef Julie Harrington, RD - Culinary Nutrition Consultant of chefjulierd.com

 

Pin for later!

Mocha Chip Overnight Oats via RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen #overnightoats #coffee #mocha #protein #breakfast

The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook

With September being Family Meals Month, the key to getting healthier meals on the table is meal prep. Register Dietitian and cookbook author, Toby Amidor, makes it easier with her latest cookbook, “The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook“.

The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook - reviewed by RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen

The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook – Photo courtesy of Nat & Cody Gantz

It’s easy to reach for frozen and microwaveable meals when you’re short on time, but being too busy shouldn’t mean that you can’t have balanced and delicious meals. Learning how to meal prep properly will not only save you time and energy, but it will also help to make sure that you and your family eat homemade and nutritious meals. Providing practical and simple solutions with easy to follow instructions, The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook shows you how simple it is to enjoy fresh and flavorful meals on even the most hectic days.
The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook features:

  • 3 flexible 2-week meal plans for ready-to-go healthy meals without the hassle of prep
  • More than 100 simple, wholesome recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, complete with nutritional breakdowns and portion control to keep calories in check
  • Practical weekly shopping lists with easy to find ingredients to prepare your pantry for the week
  • Convenient illustrated guidelines on how to freeze, thaw, and reheat your meals to keep food fresh, safe, and tasty

I was excited to chat with fellow RD, Toby, about her latest cookbook.
The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook - reviewed by RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen

A little about Toby Amidor:

With over 18 years experience in the food and nutrition industry, Toby Amidor, MS, RD, CDN is a leading dietitian and recipe developer who believes that healthy and wholesome can also be appetizing and delicious.
In her new book, The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook, Toby provides practical and simple solutions with easy to follow instructions. She shows you how simple it is to enjoy fresh and flavorful meals on even the most hectic days.
In her first book, The Greek Yogurt Kitchen, Toby shows readers how to cut back on fat and calories without compromising flavor. She shares how Greek yogurt is one of today’s most versatile and nourishing ingredients and how it can be used in unexpected ways, making even the most bad-for-you foods healthier, tastier and more satisfying.
Toby is the founder of Toby Amidor Nutrition, where she provides nutrition and food safety consulting services for individuals, restaurants and food brands. For 10 years she has been the nutrition expert for FoodNetwork.com, writing for their Healthy Eats Blog, and is a regular contributor to U.S. News and World Report Eat + Run blog, and MensFitness.com and has her own “Ask the Expert” column in Today’s Dietitian Magazine. She also freelances for Furthermore by Equinox and Sparkpeople.com, has been quoted in publications like FoxNews.com, Self.com, Oxygen Magazine, Dr. Oz The Good Life, Mic.com, Reader’s Digest, Shape.com, Women’s Health, Redbook, Men’s Journal, Huffington Post, Everyday Health, and more. Toby has also appeared on television including shows like The Dr. Oz Show, AMHQ with Sam Champion,  Good Day Street Talk Fox5 NY, and San Antonio Live. For the past 8 years she has been an adjunct professor at Teachers College, Columbia University and beginning in fall 2017 she will also begin teaching as an adjunct at Hunter College in New York City.
Toby trained as a clinical dietitian at New York University. Previously, Toby was a consultant on Bobby Deen’s cooking show, “Not My Mama’s Meals.” Through ongoing consulting and faculty positions, she has established herself as one of the top experts in culinary nutrition, food safety, and media.

The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook - reviewed by RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen

Apricot Chicken Drumsticks – Photo courtesy of Nat & Cody Gantz

With her stellar resume, I was excited to ask her questions about her latest project – “The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook“.
Q: You have written a wonderful cookbook “The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook.” What inspired you to write a book about the topic of meal prep?
A: Juggling a busy schedule can make it difficult to prepare healthy family meals, especially during the week. As a mom of three and a registered dietitian, I understand that struggle all too well. Over the years I have developed a weekly meal prep routine, and it has been a lifesaver. I wrote The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook to share my tips and tricks for getting food on the table fast.
Q: How do you think your meal prep strategies help families eat healthier?
A: When you plan out your meal and prepare them ahead of time, you avoid that last minute trip to a fast food joint or stopping at the local deli for an oversized muffin on the way to work. Not only do you eat healthier, you can save money by purchasing these last minute meals.
Q: What are your suggestions for dealing with a picky eater in the family?
A: Making a picky eater involved in the process can help them enjoy food and become exposed to foods they may not be used to. It can start with helping to select recipes. I loved taking my kids when they were younger to the supermarket and showing them the different fruits and vegetables. As my kids got older, I showed them how to determine the ripeness of a fruit and/or vegetable. Kids also love getting down and dirty in the kitchen from mixing to measure to even zesting citrus fruit. Setting the table has also become a way kids can also get involved.
Q: What would you say are top three pantry items that every family should have stocked in their pantry? 
Quinoa: This whole grain (which is technically a seed) provides 8 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber per cooked cup. It’s easy to pair with beans, serve alongside a protein like chicken, beef, or fish, and even toss on a salad for added protein.
Beans: Beans are an excellent source of fiber providing about 7.5 grams per ½ cooked cup. I prefer the ease of canned beans, but will look for those with no added salt. Beans can be tossed in a soup, over a salad, used to make burgers, chili, and even rice and beans.
Canned tuna: If you forgot to defrost your protein or finished it up for the week, canned tuna can come to the rescue. I prefer chunk light tuna canned in water and can toss it over a salad, mix it with celery, apples, Greek yogurt and light mayo for a delicious salad, or stuff it into a whole grain pita with my Chopped Chickpea Salad.
Q: What is your favorite recipe from the cookbook?
A: I am a huge breakfast fan, so Zippy’s Shakshuka and the Brooklyn Breakfast are two of my favorites. Zippy, my mother, always made Shakshuka (eggs in tomato sauce) for me and my 4 siblings when she was in a hurry and kept jarred crushed tomatoes and eggs on hand in case she had to whip something up in a hurry. As for the Brooklyn Breakfast, I was born in Brooklyn and smoked salmon and cream cheese was part of my regular diet. To this day, it is still one of my favorites.
Q: How long did it take you to write this book?
A: I wrote this cookbook in about 6 weeks and tested each recipe (some recipes I tested several times). I did work through weekends and did not take any days off. This is pretty unusual for cookbook authors but was the deadline I agreed to meet.
Q: What is your favorite spice to cook with?
A: I love cinnamon. It just has such a warming feeling that makes me feel so good. I used it in my baked goods (like scones and muffin), pancake batters, and oatmeal.

The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook - reviewed by RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen

Beef Stir Fry with Asian Peanut Sauce – Photo courtesy of Nat & Cody Gantz

Ready to get started?

Ready to start meal prepping? Order your copy of “The Healthy Meal Prep Cookbook” here!RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen

Q & A with Katie Sullivan Morford, Registered Dietitian and Cookbook Author of Rise & Shine

Rise and shine, it’s breakfast time!

Q & A with Katie Morford, Registered Dietitian and Cookbook Author of Rise & Shine via RDelicious Kitchen @RD_kitchenphoto credit: Erin Scott, from Rise & Shine (Roost Books, 2016)

Katie Sullivan Morford, MS, RD of Mom’s Kitchen Handbook recently released a new cookbook! Katie is a talented food writer and registered dietitian with a master’s degree in clinical nutrition. She has a passion for helping families raise healthy kids through sound feeding habits, delicious recipes, and lots of patience. I was so excited when Katie sent me a copy of her cookbook!

What’s this cookbook all about? Rise and Shine is the answer for every parent who has struggled to get breakfast on the table and to get their child to actually eat it. With 75 breakfast recipes that are entry-level-easy, with at least half requiring no more than five minutes of hands-on prep time, every delicious recipe is an exercise in good nutrition and good taste. Written by a nutritionist with three children, this book arms parents with tips, recipes, and inspiration for making a nourishing breakfast doable and delicious. Rise and Shine is made for busy families and busy mornings, so when breakfast isn’t the priority, you can still eat something to start your day off right.

Q & A with Katie Sullivan Morford, Registered Dietitian and Cookbook Author of Rise & Shine via RDelicious Kitchen @RD_kitchenphoto credit: Erin Scott, from Rise & Shine (Roost Books, 2016)

What makes this cookbook stand out on the bookshelf? The recipes are healthy and approachable, with little prep time. I love how Katie provides nutrition education within the pages along with the recipes. She gives tips on how to remodel your breakfast in healthy ways, portion control, meal planning, plus so much more. The images are flawless as you flip through the pages and makes you excited to get up for breakfast in the morning.

Want to learn a little more how Katie got started with this book idea? Katie kindly answered some questions I had for her.

Why did you choose to write a cookbook solely focused on breakfast?
It came about after I was on tour with my first cookbook, Best Lunch Box Ever. A lot of the people I spoke with, parents especially, said they struggled with getting everyone fed in the morning before work and school. It was something I’d been hearing from folks through my blog as well. I figured there was already a good weekday breakfast cookbook out there, but when I did my research I found few resources focused on healthy meals for busy weekday mornings. It seemed like a natural follow up to my first book. I loved writing it.

What recipe from the cookbook do you make the most?
That is a tough one, since I tend to go in phases. A few regulars in the rotation are the Barely Banana Protein Pancakes, the Almost Instant Chocolate Breakfast Drink, and the Mini Spinach and Feta Frittatas.

From start to finish, how long did it take you to write this book?
It was about two years from the time I started the book to the time it was published, but actual writing and recipe development was about six months. After that there was some back and forth with my publisher over edits and about two weeks devoted to preparing for and cooking for the photo shoot.

What topic do you think your next cookbook will be about?
I’m talking to my publisher about an idea at this very moment, but I’m not ready to spill the beans.

Pancakes or Waffles?
Waffles. Crispy!

Eggs – preferred scrambled, sunny-side up, over easy or poached?
None of the above. My favorite eggs are soft boiled, still in the shell, with strips of whole grain toast to dip into the yolk. Rise & Shine has pretty foolproof recipe for doing eggs this way.

What do you hope people walk away with when they buy your book?
I hope they feel inspired and empowered to make delicious, healthy, doable breakfasts for themselves and their families. Homemade breakfast doesn’t need to be time-consuming or fancy to be good and good for you. I try to offer something for everyone in the book, whether that means a smoothie you can make in one minute, uncomplicated egg dishes, or wholesome muffins you can bake on a weekend afternoon and stow in the freezer.

Q & A with Katie Morford, Registered Dietitian and Cookbook Author of Rise & Shine via RDelicious Kitchen @RD_kitchenphoto credit: Erin Scott, from Rise & Shine (Roost Books, 2016)
What’s your favorite thing to make for breakfast?
RDelicious Kitchen @RD_Kitchen