cover image The Road to a Healthy Heart Runs Through the Kitchen

The Road to a Healthy Heart Runs Through the Kitchen

Joseph C. Piscatella, Bernie Piscatella, , recipes by Bernie Piscatella. . Workman, $24.95 (554pp) ISBN 978-0-7611-3518-0

Coronary bypass survivor Piscatella (Don't Eat Your Heart Out Cookbook ) champions the benefits of a Mediterranean-style diet for both preventing heart disease and promoting good health in general. The first half of his hefty book surveys all things heart related, with an emphasis on what causes heart problems and how to prevent or reverse them. Though not a physician or a Ph.D., Piscatella presents the material well, using simple graphics to stress key points, such as the fact that a New England Journal of Medicine report suggests that eating only two servings of fish per week may cut the risk of dying from heart attack in half. The latter portion of the book contains practical, family-friendly recipes prepared by Piscatella's wife, Bernie. Easy to follow, and clearly developed with kids in mind (e.g., six kinds of pizza), they include Soba Noodle Salad, Red Snapper with Creamy Parmesan Sauce, and Classic Lasagna with only 346 calories per serving. There's even a Mac and Cheese recipe, which will quell fears that maintaining a healthy heart requires kissing comfort foods good-bye. The Piscatellas not only write well and are passionate about the material, but obviously also love to eat. (Feb.)