Authors: Bob Warden, Anson Williams, and Mona Dolgov
Publisher: Partners In Publishing LLC
ISBN: 978-1-4951-7921-1

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Our primary goal in writing this book was to highlight the importance of something that few other cookbooks are putting enough focus on … portion size,” Warden, Williams, and Dolgov write in the introduction to their book, The Perfect Portion Cookbook: Using the Simple 100 Calorie Counting System.

This three-hundred-and-forty-four-page over-sized paperback targets those interested in concentrating on food portions more than counting calories. Containing over 150 recipes, it breaks down ways to observe what you eat and how to maintain eating smaller amounts with healthier choices.


After introductions with how to use the book and making a meal plan, it is divided into ten sections, ending with a calorie goal guide, seven-day sample menus, portion charts, snacking advice, weight scales, burning calories, index, and the authors’ biographies.


Covering breakfast, soups/salads/sandwiches, casseroles, everyday meals, sides, entertaining, holiday favorites, dressings/sauces/jams, snacks, and desserts, full-page, full-color photographs cover the majority of completed meals. The prep and cook times are at the start of each recipe’s page with serving size, followed by a paragraph about the food. The ingredients in used order are on the left side column of the page while the directions are in numbered sentences on the right side. Each dish has a 100 calorie count illustration of what is its size proportion as well as recommended serving at the top right. The lower left usually has a helpful tip.

 

Some of the interesting recipes include Baked Ham & Egg Cups, Open-Faced Tuna Melts, Eggplant Parmesan Casserole, Shrimp & Grits, Crispy Bakes Baby Potatoes, Turkey & Herbed Cheese Pinwheels, Rosemary Roasted Beef Tenderloin, Avocado Caesar Dressing, Crispy Kale Chips, and Cheesecake Minis. All include 100 calorie size selections and recommended servings. 

This comprehensive cookbook has all the information needed to not only prepare a dish, but it also breaks down portion sizes, suggests menu options, and gives tips to eating better. I like that one can look up a dish and visually become aware of the size of 100 calories in its diagram.

Some may not like having to be reminded about portion sizes on every recipe; however, it is a great way to keep in perspective how much is eaten.

Television personality, Warden has over thirty years’ experience in cooking venus and authored over a dozen cookbooks. Williams,  television director, writer, producer, and well-known actor, is also a writer and entrepreneur. Nutritionist Dolgov has written over twenty cookbooks, focusing on simplicity and using healthy ingredients.

With carbohydrates and sugars used often throughout the recipes, it would be nice to include their content amount in each dish for those concerned consuming those ingredients.
               
If you are looking for an educational cookbook that brings to mind what portion is 100 calories in a myriad of options, this is the go-to collection that can be easily understood.

Thanks to Bookpleasures, DC Publicity, and the authors for furnishing this complimentary book in exchange for a review based on my unbiased, honest opinion.