The 30-minute time limit for preparing dinner, popular with Rachael Ray and a host of other cookbook authors, has finally been South Beachified. It's just in time for dieters who've grown bored (or impatient) with The South Beach Diet Cookbook
and offers easy recipes that help dieters stay on track. The recipes span all courses, including desserts. Most impressive are the entrées and salads, particularly in their ability to riff on familiar dishes: witness Spaghetti with White Clam Sauce, Chicken and Avocado Salad, and South Beach Classic Burger. Even more inventive fare, such as Thai Shrimp Soup with Lime and Cilantro, is still homey. Adding to the book's unthreatening feel is its idiosyncrasies. It favors certain spices (cilantro, black pepper), vegetables (asparagus, zucchini) and meats and fish (chicken and shrimp). The ingredient glossary is surprisingly enticing, and the introductory material explains modern eating habits and makes the South Beach Diet highly sensible. Photos. (Oct.)
