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Almost Meatless - Recipes That Are Better For Your Health and the Planet
by Joy Manning and Tara Mataraza Desmond
Ten Speed Press
ISBN 978-1-58008-961-6
Published April 2009 - Softcover - 148 pages - $22.50

Many of us are looking for ways to reduce our waistlines as well as our grocery bills.  By cutting out a lot of the meat we consume, we can.  It's a start at least.  Restaurant critic Joy Manning and recipe developer and food writer Tara Mataraza Desmond have put together this book of helpful recipes that don't require a farm load of animal protein.  I loved Joy's comment about corn-fed beef; that cows are "anatomically equipped to thrive on grass" because they can't properly digest corn which just makes them fatter faster, but also makes them sick, thus their need for antibiotics.  Yikes!  We don't have to punish our tastebuds either, as these recipes are full of the promise of taste without the unhealthy volume of meat so many of us chow down because we love it.  Meal categories in the book include: A Bit of Chicken; A Taste of Turkey; A Litte Fish and Seafood; With a Litte Less Pork; Beef in Moderation; Light on Lamb; Just Enough Eggs, and Flavorful Stocks and Broths.  Do read the short Introductions to each "meat" section - you should and must be aware of what you're eating and the road it took to your plate and into your body!  Some of their recipes that appealed to my taste are: Chicken Pizza with Arugula Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomatoes; Smoked Trout Chowder; Corn and Cod Cakes (sounds glorious); Caramelized Onion Meat Loaf, and Spiced Lamb and Vegetable Stew.  If you're after good quality and cruelty-free meats, check out the websites listed on page 140 for help.
Illustrated.  No nutritional guides.
Visit Mataraza Desmond's website.
Conclusion - My kind of book — everything in moderation.  An essential book in everyone's kitchen.