Low-Fat Cooking to Beat the Clock: Delicious, Inspired Meals in 15 Minutes

Imagine being able to prepare a delicious, low-fat meal from scratch in the same time it takes to order a pizza. It may sound too good to be true but--for the most part--it's not. Gugino builds on the concept behind his first book, Cooking to Beat the Clock, with all of its time-saving strategies such as filling pots with hot water from the tap to save on boiling time, but reduces the fat for the health- and diet-conscious. For flavor, cooks will need a pantry stocked with such specialties as candied ginger, raspberry vinegar and fish sauce, and for speedy preparation, a food processor (to save time chopping) is critical. For the most part, the recipes are low-fat versions of traditional favorites: Spicy Chicken and Broccoli Stir Fry, Beef Stroganoff and Spaghetti Carbonara with Prosciutto and Peas. Nevertheless, there are a few original surprises with strong, clear flavors, including Pan-Seared Scallops with Napa Cabbage and Gingered Carrots. Disappointingly, many of the recipes consist of meat and a starch or meat and a vegetable--not necessarily a complete meal. That said, these recipes are clearly written (though the oddly blurry photos don't do the recipes justice) and will be a boon for cooks with little time on their hands. (Jan.)