Prevention's the Healthy Cook: Ultimate Illustrated Kitchen Guide to Great Low-Fat Food, Featuring: 450 Homestyle Recipes and Hundreds of Time.......

This comprehensive book aims at being everything to everyone seeking healthful and appetizing cuisine for every occasion. Abundant sidebars, charts and drawings depict prep and cooking techniques, as well as such basic skills as knife-sharpening and wielding chopsticks. Familiar arguments against fat and in favor of herbs and spices are calmly made, and fat-free egg substitute and nonfat yogurt, sour cream and mayo are frequently specified. Aspiring hosts will find big-party plans and such savory hors d'oeuvres as Sesame Chicken Skewers. On a smaller scale, there's a three-pound Roast Chicken with Winter Vegetables that can (barely) serve six. Cassoulet will clog fewer arteries when made with low-fat turkey sausage and smoked turkey breast. Skinny Shrimp Scampi eliminates nearly all oil and adds freshly squeezed orange juice. Guest chefs contribute further flair: David Burke offers an enticing Potato Rye Bread, and Chris Schlessinger presents his East Coast Grill Spice Mix for lamb, beef or chicken. Fruit desserts include Saute of Sliced Apples and Almonds. When it comes to chocolate, of course, go for cocoa instead of the solid stuff, and replace fat with apple sauce in Cherry Chocolate Cake. All in all, this is a notable resource for salutary fare presented in an appealing and easy-to-use format. (Apr.)