cover image Jyl Steinback's Countertop Magician

Jyl Steinback's Countertop Magician

Jyl Steinback. Perigee Books, $17.95 (304pp) ISBN 978-0-399-52887-3

Steinback, an author and magazine contributor who touts herself as""America's Healthiest Mom,"" here provides recipes designed to make the most of common kitchen appliances. While it's hard to imagine a busy mother who hasn't yet used her microwave or toaster oven to the fullest, Steinback's recipes are nevertheless creative and convenient. Her Spanish Rice and Seafood is colorful, with just a bit of spice, and her Creamed Zucchini Soup is appealing, especially in summer when zucchinis are everywhere. She makes use of common low-fat and low-sodium pantry items, and includes a shopping list for each recipe (which isn't truly necessary--who doesn't have black pepper in the house?). Not all of the recipes are winners: her Micro-Meatballs, for instance, contain grape jelly, and her microwaved fish dishes serve up limper fillets than their sauteed equivalents would--without any obvious gain in speed or healthfulness. Still, for people looking for quick and healthy dishes, this book gives numerous fresh ideas to serve at the end of a busy day.