W I N T E R 2 0 2 2 | E N T E R TA I N I N G AT H O M E
Bean There, Let’s Do That!
Ellie Krieger Creates “One-Pot Wonders” with highly nutritious legumes By Honey Murray | Photography by Randi Baird
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llie Krieger’s latest book, “Whole in One: Complete, Healthy Meals in a Single Pot, Sheet Pan or Skillet,” is the perfect kitchen companion for creating simple, delicious, and richly nutritious soups, stews, and entrées — as well as appetizers and desserts — for delicious lakeside entertaining. The cookbook author and food show host, who makes her home in New York City’s upper west side, recently shared some entertaining insights. A lover of the Great Lakes State, Krieger is quick to note that she “dreams of being in northern Michigan. “My husband is from Michigan, and we’ve gone to various places there. Most recently, we’ve been to Frankfort and Sleeping Bear Dunes,” says Krieger, whose daughter attends Michigan State University. When cooking up a batch of goodness for friends and family at your cottage, consider Krieger’s philosophy of “usually-sometimes-rarely,” which is the mainstay of all seven of her cookbooks (two of them are winners of the James Beard award): Vegetables, whole fruits, grains, lean proteins, seafood, beans, nuts and seeds, healthy oils, and dairy products such as yogurt are the backbone of what you eat each day, with “sometimes” foods (processed grains, honey, maple syrup) “sprinkled” throughout recipes, and foods like refined sugars, bacon, and butter used “rarely,” although definitely not forbidden. Krieger’s special joy in her most recent book comes from the fact that it “clears so many hurdles,” she says, for people to cook. “Using one pan not only makes less cleanup,” she says, “but it also makes it easier on the front end, with fairly simple prep.
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“I value cooking and want beautiful food — but, honestly, most days I don’t want to, or don’t have time to, work that hard or make a meal into a project.” That’s why many of her dishes — including some of her favorite entertainment recipes — contain healthy convenience foods liked canned beans and tomatoes, frozen peas, and microwaveable brown rice. “What I love about these recipes is that you can have all of these ingredients in your cupboards,” Krieger says, “ready for pop-in guests … like dried basil, if you don’t have fresh, and raw, cleaned shrimp in the freezer that thaws quickly under running water. You feel, ‘I can do this!’ And you can — and it’s all in just one pot
or pan.” Krieger, who stars in the Food Network’s “Healthy Appetite” and Public Television’s “Ellie’s Real Good Food” (she’s also executive producer), has another media concoction brewing. “I’ve got an announcement,” she says. “A podcast. It’s imminent, and I’m very excited.” Krieger, a registered dietitian nutritionist who was once in private practice, is enjoying spreading the word, “and having the joy of nourishing people.” On the following pages are recipes from Ellie Krieger’s latest book:
Ellie Krieger’s new book is sure to be a cottageowner’s go-to, thanks to the many healthy recipes that require only one pot, sheet pan, or skillet!
MICHIGAN BLUE
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12/1/21 9:56 AM
