Camilla V. Saulsbury

I was seeking a cookbook with a little more imagination and creativity when it came to air-fryer cookery. This is the only air fryer cookbook I saw at my local library so I decided to give it a try. While it offers a few ideas, overall there is not much here one cannot come up with on their own (and probably come up with a version seasoned more to their own taste and palate).There are a handful of color photos scattered throughout the book but the lack of photos with each recipe, while probably making the book more budget-friendly, ultimately takes away from its appeal. I'll keep looking for a better option.… (más)

This is a cookbook that promises to allow you to have your cake and eat it too, but with significantly less fat and fewer calories.

There are very few pictures in this cookbook - only a couple of pages of “thumbnail” pictures in the front. Ordinarily, I prefer them, but really, with cakes, I could see how you wouldn’t see all that much. Besides, it’s just a matter of my liking food porn.

The author basically takes a number of good recipes and uses substitutes to lighten the calorie load. She also provides nutritional information at the end of each recipe. So, for example, she may use fat-free milk, or egg whites, or fat-free vegetable shortening. She does talk about the use of refrigerated egg substitute, but doesn’t mention that the substitute for whole eggs instead of egg whites usually contains bizarre additives - even garlic, that will affect the taste of the cake. (I always use boxed egg whites for health reasons, and have never had a problem with taste.)

She begins with tips on how to lighten recipes and provides examples of foods that work for substitutes (for example, using fat-free ricotta cheese instead of cottage cheese). Sometimes she uses “reduced fat” products instead of fat-free, depending on the recipe.

Categories of recipes include “favorites,” bundt cakes, layer cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes, and “frostings and other extras.”

I found that in cases in which there is a strong flavor in the baked item, like banana bread, and not much of a requirement for butter or cream cheese, it doesn’t affect the quality so much to use substitutes. It all depends on the recipe.

Evaluation: In my opinion, most of these recipes are the equivalent of using no butter and “light syrup” on pancakes. To me, if you’re going to have pancakes, you might as well have butter and maple syrup, or else it’s just a waste of calories. But this book will be excellent for those who have the proper incentive to change their lifestyles toward something more healthy.

In addition, if you have health issues or weight issues and are unable to exercise portion control (note the use of the word “exercise” as a double entendre in the sentence), this book will be helpful. I, for one, am not so good at portion size control. Still, I would rather have a small piece of something fantastic than a bigger piece of something not quite as good. But my willpower is non-existent, so when I start my New Life (which I do faithfully every January 1st), I will be whipping out this cookbook.… (más)

Just in time for the holidays, this book is a must for those planning to participate in bake sales and holiday cookie exchanges. Camilla Saulsbury teaches readers the ins and outs of using cake mix, brownie mix, cereal, or premade refrigerated cookie dough to speed up traditional baking.

The recipes are easy to read and a cinch to make. The introductory chapter, Cookies 101, is great for novices just getting started in baking. All readers will have fun choosing from over 700 recipes for Drop Cookies, Fancy Cookies, Bar Cookies, Brownies, and No-Bake treats. The book includes information on frostings and fillings, also. Handy features include the Glossary, Equipment & Ingredient Sources, Metric Measure Conversions, and the Index.

The Bottom Line: This cookbook fits all levels of bakers including kids just learning to bake and experienced bakers looking for time saving tips. You'll find a cookie for any occasion. If you own Saulsbury's previous cookie books, you might choose to pass this one up. However, The Ultimate Shortcut Cookie Book is a great compilation of her previous titles and includes some color photos. Highly recommended for everyone who enjoys baking. More color photos would have been appreciated.

This review first appeared in the Mini Book Bytes Blog: http://www.minibookbytes.blogspot.com/… (más)