Bend the Rules to Lose the Weight!
November 18, 2019
The Laskas, a husband-and-wife team, follow up their Dirty, Lazy, Keto diet book with this straightforward, accessible companion cookbook. The opening chapters provide tips and motivational support for following the diet, as well as an exploration of what they refer to as a “kinder more inclusive version of keto” that allows for artificial sweeteners and less counting of carbs. Swapping out starches is key to many of the choices, beginning with pancakes made with almond and coconut flours and served with sugar-free syrup. Radish hash browns make for a clever alternative to the traditional dish; pizza lovers will find four different crusts utilizing such ingredients as riced cauliflower and canned chicken (sliced thinly, spread on parchment paper, and dried in the oven for 10 minutes). Meanwhile, pork rinds add crunch to meatloaf, and avocado serves as the thickening ingredient in chocolate pudding. The authors maintain a sometimes forced, low-brow sensibility, providing recipe names such as “Hillbilly Pot Roast with ‘Taters’” (radishes stand in for potatoes) and frequently name-checking fast food restaurants in such options as Slow Cooker Taco Bell Soup. This homey collection has plenty of accessible, tasty dishes for readers who can go along with the sometimes forced patois.