Reviewed by Low Carb Resource Newsletter, July 2004 www.lowcarbresource.com

LOW CARB PRODUCT REVIEW OF THE MONTH: JULY 2004
More Cooking TLC…Truly Low Carb Cooking Volume II by Karen Rysavy
It was again my (and my families) pleasure to review the latest of Karen Rysavy's low carb cookbooks, More Cooking TLC: Truly Low Carb Cooking Volume II
Karen has outdone herself with yet another jam-packed compilation of mouth-watering recipes, tips, easy to follow steps, and variation ideas.
More Cooking TLC…Truly Low Carb Cooking Volume II is 132 pages filled to the brim with appetizers, snacks, beverages, sauces, spreads, and salad dressings. Karen doesn't stop there, she keeps them coming with page after page of side dishes, salads, vegetables, main dishes, casseroles, and soups. Also included is a whole chapter titled "Fabulous Fakes" with nearly forty pages of tempting recipes from Blueberry Bagels to Hamburger and Hot Dog Buns.
Karen writes her recipes in such an easy to follow manner it's near impossible to mess them up. She always includes little (notes) if there is something special you should watch for, as if she was standing right there walking you through the steps. Even a cooking challenged person will feel like a gourmet chef! She includes dozens of variations to expand the actual 158 recipes in her cookbook to hundreds of unique and different meal ideas. All recipes include the total carb count for those who do not subtract fiber or sugar alcohols.
True to her writing style, Karen includes 13 "Did You Know" tips and facts such as perfecting sauces and reducing liquids and how just the pan you use can make the difference.
Karen's cookbook(s) are favorites at our house. I've never made a recipe that turned out bad or was not raved about even by the non-low carbers. Her recipes are perfect for guests as well and will leave them feeling you fussed over them.
My family devoured Karen's Italian Cheese Loaf from page 60. I was especially surprised (and thrilled) at her tip she included that over mixing causes any meatloaf or meatball to be dry and tough. Talk about a light bulb moment! I'd often wondered why this happened to me sometimes but not others! DUH!
Karen's Hollandaise Sauce from page 21 was a huge hit over fresh asparagus. Making it in a blender with her ingredients and tips created a "perfection" I'd never quite achieved in my past attempts.
The Grilled Stuffed Peppers on page 14 were out of this world. I've made them three times this month so far!
Karen's Lemon Meltaways on page 92 has become a favorite dessert in our home. It's SO easy (just two steps) and just the food processor to clean up afterward!
More Cooking TLC…Truly Low Carb Cooking Volume II by Karen Rysavy is definitely a "got to have" addition to your low carb library. Whether you are cooking for low carbers or not, they will be lined up to see what you serve next from this awesome collection of unique, delectable dishes!
Karen has definitely proved that low carb cooking doesn't have to be boring, tasteless, complicated, or frustrating.
You can snatch up your copy of More Cooking TLC…Truly Low Carb Cooking Volume II here:
http://www.trulylowcarb.com/order2.htm
Karen will autograph your copy upon request. International orders accepted too! Get yours NOW while the first edition copies are still available!

Reviewed by Low Carb Living Magazine January 2004 www.lclmag.com 

Two years ago, Karen Rysavy established herself as a low carb cooking guru with the self-publication of Cooking TLC:Truly Low Carb Cooking Volume I. The book has become a favorite among low carb enthusiasts and the subject of widespread praise. More Cooking TLC Volume II seems destined for equal success. There is much to recommend about these two volumes. Rysavy clearly has given a lot of thought to how people actually use a reference guide like this. It's smaller than average and takes up less precious counter space in the kitchen. Both have a spiral binder so the pages can lie flat, and they have a clear plastic, easy to clean cover. Most recipes are no more than a single page long, so there's no page turning while preparing food. Like its predecessor, More Cooking TLC is a treasure-chest of more than 100 categorized recipes, from appetizers to entrees. The book's last section, Fabulous Fakes, replicates our favorite carb-heavy dishes - including sweet treats - with low carb alternatives. The tempting recipes are straightforward enough for even inexperienced cooks. The instructions are clear, and the recipes rarely require unusual or exotic ingredients. The objective is to lower your carbs without lowering your standards for good tasting food, and the author appears to have succeeded in spades. One of the unexpected delights of Rysavy's cookbooks is her propensitiy for tips and helpful hints, which she sprinkles randomly throughout the book in the form of "Did You Know.." These nuggets are almost worthy of their own book. We're already looking forward to Rysavy's next creation.

Reviewed by Laura Richard, February 2002 www.lowcarbsuccess.net  

Your recipes are great! Karen, I just wanted to drop a quick note to let you know that my 5 year-old and I made several items from your cookbook in the past couple of weeks and we loved them! She and my husband love the fudgesicles and the flax muffins! I will definitely be using it as our primary cookbook from now on and I have recommended your book to several other low carbers. Good job! Laura Richard, Author of The Secret to Low Carb Success: How To Get The Most Out Of Your Low Carbohydrate Diet ~

Reviewed by Low Carb Luxury on 01/31/01 www.lowcarbluxury.com 

Book Description:

Plastic Spiral-Comb Bound

Clear Plastic Cover - Front & Back

113 Pages of actual recipes

Recipe Illustrations: None

Table of Contents: Yes (areas plus recipe-by-recipe)

Index: No

Nutrition Info Given: Partial (Carb, Fiber) *Revised to include full information at a later date

 

Karen's book is written with wit and warmth. It includes her "before and after" photos, an introduction, and recipe notes. She also personally signs each volume that goes out. The book is divided into five food/cooking categories covering everything from Appetizers to the aptly named, "Fabulous Fakes" (her category for Breads and Sweets.) The book is well organized, uses bold, clear text, and we could find no "typos". Karen's total belief and commitment to this way of eating is both evident and comforting. Gram counts for Carbohydrate as well as Fiber is given for each recipe with caveats where appropriate.

Now, onto the recipes themselves. It was recommended we try Karen's Peanut Nirvana (page 119). If you didn't like one other recipe in this book (which won't be the case!) this recipe would be worth the price of the book. It's actually relatively simple, but I can assure you, "Nirvana" is a perfectly apt title for this one. It was a favorite among many of us trying it out. And right next-door to it (in the book, that is...) is her Maple Nut Cake with Maple Nut Frosting. These are also not to be missed -- the same goes for her Fried Donuts (page 110.) All her dessert recipes use Splenda exclusively.

To warm your cockles, there's a real winner in her Cream of Vegetable Soup (page 61.) Her Impossible Breakfast Pie (page 70) is one I approached with some trepidation -- it didn't seem like something I'd like, but one of our testers talked me into it and I really loved it! Another useful inclusion is her recipes for two versions of homemade low-carb bake mixes to keep on-hand. Several of her recipes call for the mixture as recipe ingredients. The last one I'll mention here is her Cheese Pots (page 81.) She describes them this way: "Not a soufflé, and not a quiche, these tasty little sides have deep brown, chewy crusts and a decadent creamy middle." These are so good. If you're a cheese lover, you could get addicted to these little "pots". There's lots more here, so buy the book and cook, cook, cook! It's available online from Karen's site. ~ Lora Ruffner

Read the Reviews posted on Amazon.com here.

Actual Customer Correspondence:

Dear Karen,  

I finished making the easy cheese crackers, and they are TO DIE FOR!!! I've also baked two batches of oat crackers and there's a TLC meatloaf in the oven as I write! I wanted to let you know how much both of us are enjoying your book. It's far and away the best low-carb cookbook I've ever used (and I'm including the Fran McCullough books in that assessment). As a matter of fact, it's one of the best cookbooks I have PERIOD. My husband, who loves his food, got misty-eyed just reading the table of contents! 

Your recipes are delicious, but they're also practical and easy, and they're going to end up saving me money. I love that. (No more of those expensive little Ranch Dressing Mix packages in this household, and no need to spend $6.95 on a bottle of catsup or $3.29 for 15 crackers, and that's just the beginning. The book will pay for itself in no time.) And everything I've fixed, without exception, has been delicious. I don't know what more a person could ask. You have a real gift for reproducing familiar flavors. Your catsup and ranch dressing are dead ringers, and the stuffing -- well, suffice it to say that not only will I not need to cheat this holiday to get my fix, I won't even want to. It's that good. And if the peanut nirvana I've heard so much about is actually better than your two-layer fudge I'm not sure I can trust myself to make it! Thanks again for writing a great book. I'm already looking forward to volume II. --Ruth G, Seattle WA

 

When I ordered my TLC cookbook, I was concerned about the cost of it....I'm in Canada and had to pay the cost of the book PLUS the exchange on the dollar.In the end, the book arrived much faster than I had thought possible, AND was loaded with food that I would actually eat! I managed to find a LC cookbook at my local bookstore, and it was filled with foods that used ingredients that I hadn't even heard of. I should buy this? Would I find anything in it that I liked? Nope!

My TLC book is REAL. The true test of a cookbook is whether or not you actually USE it. Check it out...you won't regret it. Three wonderful bake mixes, corndogs, biscuits, brownies, veggie recipes to die for. Yummmmm. "Pinch"

Before buying Karen's book I tried desperately to make l/c bread. I made close to 30 different recipes that I had found on the internet, all bread, and you would not believe how much money I wasted. The ingredients are a little pricey and they were all disgusting. The sad part is my dogs who will eat anything in the world including things like paper and plastic wouldn't go near about 75% of them. I learned my lesson bought Karen's recipe book and the bread is so damn good it will never touch my dogs lips, not even the crumbs! Save your self the time and money and get Karen's book. This is a must have! Not only does it have a million l/c recipes of things you can find and will eat, but it taught me how to cook and bake. (Karen, my husband and kids thank you!) ~ Danat

I will tell you all this...Karen R's cookbook is a lifesaver for this gal who has been at this since May '99. I'm sick of chicken wings. NOW, if I didn't make anything else out of the cookbook (I will) but the Peanut Nirvana, I would say the cost of the book was totally worth getting that recipe. It is in my freezer and it's the best stuff you've ever tasted... I cut it in tiny pieces and it's only 1 carb each .... It's so thick though, that the little pieces are decadent, and whoever said it's as close to a snickers bar on low carb as you can get...YOU'RE RIGHT!! As I made the first layer and tasted it, I thought WOW!, the same with the 2nd and the chocolate top layer. I could only imagine what it would taste all together and once it was set (Ok, it was BARELY set) I tasted it and WOWEEEE!!! I'm so HAPPY! You won't regret getting the cookbook and you'll be so thankful you did. I've lost another 4 lbs since I've gotten it because I have something new to eat. I've been so OFF this WOE for months and months because I was so tired of the same old, same old. If you're not creative in the kitchen, just like I am, it's perfect for you. Thanks Karen! --K. Shell, Tennessee

Thank you so much for such a great cookbook. I think I own every low carb cookbook out there, but yours will definitely be my favorite. The recipes look yummy and easy to prepare. Last night I was looking for a recipe for left-over shredded pork loin and decided to make your Green Chile Soup. It was fantastic. I also like your cookbook as you use "Real" ingredients. I expect to have to buy staples like Splenda and such and all of your ingredients are part of the staples I always have. This diet can get expensive having to buy all this stuff, so I really appreciate a great cookbook. No waste, just good tasting and easy to make foods. C. Gifford

Well last night I made some Beef Stroganoff from the book. It was fabulous. I have made this stuff before, but not the same way or same ingredients. Karen's way is waaaay better. I poured it over Cabbage Noodles. It was great! Even my DH loved it, and he hates cabbage... I must also say that I have made the Beef Stew - super for those cold days & even better with the Cheese Biscuits. Last Friday we had the Meatloaf. Unbelievably good,too! If you have a potluck, like I have at my work, then the Taco-Sagna is a great choice. Everyone at work loved it!... Oh and one other thing I forgot to mention! These recipes are so easy to follow. I had no problem putting them together and nothing I've done so far has come out wrong. I can't say that for other LC recipes or even non-LC ones for that matter! Betty Crocker better watch her back!!! --Pammy M, CA

Karen's Peanut Nirvana is fantastic. Lemme tell ya, her cook book is worth getting just for this recipe. My whole non LC family loves them, except my one son who wouldn't try them because he doesn't like nuts... When I cut the recipe into the 32 pieces, I had to take the majority of it and put it in the basement freezer, or the batch would be gone by now.... and I am doing my best today to only eat ONE piece, which are generous in size... ... I just love her book!! --Terese S. Chicago

Last night I wanted something sweet after dinner. Ok, more like some chocolate! I didn't have many ingredients because I need to make a trip to the grocery store. But, I looked through Karen's cookbook and found her Brownies Too recipe. I decided to give them a try. I had everything listed. I was a little skeptical at first, I can't stand soy flour but I tried them anyway, even using up some of that yucky Atkins Chocolate shake mix. I couldn't believe how good they were! If they were that good, I can't wait to try her first brownie recipe which looks like it has much better tasting ingredients. I definately recommend giving them a try, especially if you have that shake mix that you want to get rid of! --Karen R, whooshfriends.com

Made the nirvana! And it is SOOOOO good that is needs a name better than OIAB! I had a hard time stopping at two pieces. Also made some dressings and Lemon Chicken, served it over cabbage noodles, and after eating that and the nirvana DH thought he'd died and gone to heaven. That's it...DGTH! ... am definitely enjoying the cookbook, Karen, and think it's the best one out there by far. --Sylvia H, Texas

Re: Karen's Classic Cheesecake: I have made this about 8 times now, and it is fantastic! I have people at parties asking for the recipe and suggesting that I sell it locally! If you like cheesecake... try it! --Debbie F, Ca.

Karen, I just wanted to write to THANK YOU for putting out such a great resource for us fellow low-carbers. All of your recipes are easy to follow and best of all, REAL food that everyday folk eat, not that fancy-smancy stuff I find in other low-carb cookbooks. It took me a while to get all of my ingredients (I live in an area that doesn't carry many low-carb things and have to order most online) to make the TLC bake mix, but now that I have it put together, it will be used often. Last night I made the fried cheese and corn dogs -- would never have believed I could eat this way on low-carb!!! Both were sinfully delicious treats and when I hopped on the scale this morning........down 2 pounds after a short stall !!!!!!!!!!!! -Mary Ellen C, W.V.

I made some of your mixed fruit jelly, using strawberries and blueberries. Turned out tasting like blackberry. Go figure. Its so scrumptious, I ended up making another batch! So far I've made: the mixed fruit jelly, meaty red chili, teriyaki marinade, mousse, chocolate snack cakes, and the peanut nirvana. Honestly, everything I've made from your cookbook has turned out GREAT! The cookbook is concise, easy to read, and incredibly easy to follow - even for those of us who have a tendency to blow up the kitchen. All of the extra hints and helps make all the difference in the world. Thanks Karen! --Laura W, NC

Mmmm Nirvana, made a batch yesterday, and it is stored in the freezer now, DEEEELICIOUSSSS semi-frozen yum. I made mine using chunky PB & Cashews. Not the lowest carb on the nut scale but my favorites. You sometimes mention passable facsimilies, well the layers and texture and flavor or Nirvana are reminiscent of a snickers bar to me, or as close as I will ever get to one on this WOE. The pecan pie from your TLC Cookbook was delicious, I had it last night for a snack and this morning for breakfast. The only problem is not taking a second serving, who would ever believe you could enjoy such delicious desserts and lose weight! -Bess McD, Buffalo NY

I made the peanut nirvana bars. They are fantastic. Karen, I would never have thought these up. I really like the crust. I think it could be used in a lot of other desserts also.... I also made the Tacosagna. I froze it in individual servings for lunch. This cookbook is a keeper! --Cheryle P, CA

As I write this I am eating a bowl of the Beef Stroganoff I made last night. It tastes even better today. I have also made the TLC Bake Mix, using it for both the Peanut Butter Cupcakes and the Zucchini Bran Muffins which both turned out very well. Need I say anything at all about the Peanut Nirvana? I am strictly disciplining myself to eat no more than two pieces per day! Other added bonuses besides the recipes are the Deep Fry TLC, the Recipe Notes and all the "Did You Know..." little household and kitchen hints used as fillers throughout the book. I found all of this to be quite handy. I have tried several other recipes in the book, as well. All of them are keepers. The spiral binding on the book makes it very easy to refer to while cooking. I slip it inside of a transparent plastic freezer storage bag and keep it right next to me in the kitchen. Super simple. I notice this is Volume I. I am eagerly anticipating Volume II! --Cathy A, Northern California

Hi Karen,

I made the bread today and am sending you my critique. The texture is just right, not too rubbery and not too dry. The flavor is out of this world. It isn't hard to make and turned out just fine. Now my one complaint. It is silly to go to all the trouble of cutting the bread into 20 slices and then eating 4. Just cut it into 5 slices to begin with! ;)

If you don’t have Karen’s cookbook,

You owe it to yourself,

To sit right down and order one,

To keep upon your shelf.

 

The recipes are simple,

And VERY, VERY good,

You really can’t believe,

You’re eating low-carb food. 

 

Sauces, crackers, appetizers,

Nuts and veggies too,

Condiments and soups,

Are all designed for you.

 

Enjoy the things you used to,

Like cookies, cake, ice cream,

While sticking to this way of life,

It isn’t just a dream.

 

The Bake Mix is so versatile,

You can use it every day,

Making things like Buttermilk Biscuits,

To serve with Chicken Santa Fe.

 

The Cheese Pots are sensational,

The Meatloaf is divine,

And the luscious Peanut Nirvana,

Will drive you out of your mind.

 

I’ve never had a cookbook,

That I liked or used so much,

So thank you Karen Rysavy,

For sharing your "homemade touch".

~ Prairie Gal, 3/1/01