Book Review and Contest: The (Almost) No Fat Holiday Cookbook

Well, I had every intention of doing Food Network Friday this week, but the days got away from me. It's too bad, because the recipe Veg-in-Training picked really sounds wonderful! I'm keeping it to try at another time, because what's not to love about refried beans and seitan packed in fried dough? In the meantime, if you happen to have tried this recipe, please comment on this post so we can see how awesome it is.

So I don't leave you without a food photo, here's a tasty burger we recently enjoyed. Piled high with lettuce, a little special sauce peeking out on the bottom of the homemade bun - this really hit the spot.

I know, this is turning into a bit of a mishmash post, but bear with me....because I'm jumping subjects again. This time to a book review and contest. Thanks to the Book Publishing Company, I've got a copy of Bryanna Clark Grogan's book, The (Almost) No Fat Holiday Cookbook.

The book opens with an easy-to-understand discussion on fat and nutrition. It's brief and to the point, and remind us that nearly no fat holiday food can taste just as indulgent as the higher fat foods that many of us are used to eating. Following the introduction are 17 holiday menus. Each chapter opens with a background of the holiday before showcasing a mouth-watering menu.

I love that the book includes holidays that are often not as well known in the United States, such as Holi (East Indian Spring Festival) and Naw Ruz (Baha'i New Year). Besides the Seitan Roast in a French Bread Crust au Jus (for Christmas), I'd love to try the Thai Corn Fritters on the menu for Wesak or Visakha Puja (Birth, Death and Enlightenment of Buddha Celebration). The recipes are intriguing and wonderfully multi-cultural, yet they don't require impossible to find ingredients.

The back of the book contains some basics that look especially useful. The baking section includes breads and biscuits, as well as cakes. The Buttertarts sound fantastic. Bryanna also includes some of the favorites that we've all come to know and love such as her Pan-Fried Breast of Tofu. This nifty book is full of flavorful surprises and helps us learn a little more about the world, too.

Here's where you come in. If you'd like a chance to win this book, all you have to do is reply to this post by telling me your favorite holiday. It doesn't have to be on anybody's calendar except your own, but tell me what your favorite celebration is. In a week or so, I'll randomly pick a winner. Thanks again to the Book Publishing Company for making these contests happen. Good luck!