Published in 2011 by John Wiley and Sons, WeightWatchers® New Complete Cookbook is easy to read and handle; the pages are exactly like those found in most women's magazines and the spiral binding makes marking and holding one's place a cinch. Pages can be removed, but should be done carefully. Color photographs complement the hundreds of sundry recipes, but the sheer volume of these recipes prohibit every single one having an accompanying image. To do so would likely add another 300 or so pages to this comprehensive (436-page) cookbook. The cover photo shows Pasta with Broccoli and Goat Cheese (245).

The introduction explains the core values and ideas for following a WeightWatchers®program, and assumes that the reader is on board. The implication is that using this collection of recipes independently is undesirable. WeightWatchers®PointsPlus system, a fairly recent proprietary method of tracking individual dieters' daily calorie intake, is explained. In addition, every recipe's PointsPlus value is indicated in the pages that follow. The index categorizes all of the entries both alphabetically and by PointsPlus amount, the latter on a scale of zero to 12. When I attended WeightWatchers®meeting several years ago, there was no PointsPlus system, so I cannot really expound upon that subject.

WeightWatchers®New Complete Cookbook comes with many extras not normally found in conventional cookbooks. Icons represented by one, two or three pots indicate the level of difficulty in preparing a meal. A Basic Omelette (43) is a simple one pot repast, while Venison Chops with Shallot Sauce (159) is a challenging three pots. Of the 511 diverse recipes, only 11 are three-pot dishes, 91 merit two-pots and the rest are one-pot preparations. Of course, these designations are subjective, and some aspiring cooks may have no trouble with Creamy Ham and Argula Crepes (two pots, 49), but be stymied at the "simpler" Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce (one pot, 76).

Recipes marked with a light green triangle at the end have "Healthy Extra" tips. E.G. Classic Tomato Sauce (12) comes with the suggestion to serve with whole wheat spaghetti. Some recipes have variations listed as well, and a lot also have purple circles with the letters FYI (this hardly needs explanation).

Another helpful feature is the section on kitchen tools (4-5), indicating both essential utensils such as a can opener, wooden cutting board and a whisk, and those "Nice to Have" like a garlic press and a vegetable slicer. I disagree that a kitchen timer is a "Must Have;" I have a watch as well as a clock on the microwave. Of the 25 "Must Haves," my kitchen contains fewer than half. How often will I need a citrus reamer or a plastic salad spinner? I had never even heard of them before reading this cookbook. Surprisingly, a blender is not included on either list.

The editors also offer advice on food staples for the kitchen, refrigerator and freezer. Finally, a list of culinary web sites is featured in a sidebar to page 10.  All of this may seem excessive to some readers, but is clearly in keeping with WeightWatchers®holistic dietary philosophy.

Two chapters, 9 and 10, are devoted to vegetarian fare, broken down into meals and vegetable side dishes. Some of the sides would make sufficient main meals, such as the Ratatouille Casserole (273). The vegetarian meals are fairly diverse and tasty, except perhaps for the Tofu Burgers and Tofu Stir Fry (228), which I admit that I haven't made. But anyone who thinks that vegetarians cannot enjoy savory, salubrious meals has but to peruse the recipes in WeightWatchers® New Complete Cookbook. With more and more people embracing the vegan lifestyle, the editors should have included a separate section for vegan cuisine. I might add that I am not a vegan, but can see the logic behind the vegan creed.

WeightWatchers® New Complete Cookbook, while not a "Must Have," is certainly a "Nice to Have." With meals, sides, salads and desserts to satisfy any diner -not just "dieters"- this cookbook makes cooking fun and delicious. A bit pricey at $21.99, but since mine was a gift, I suppose that I can't complain. The only thing about which I can and will complain is the improper distinction between "healthy" and "healthful." "Healthy" means in good health, whereas "healthful" means good for one's health or health-conscious. Therefore, the little green triangles should denote healthful extra. Okay, I've finished!

Recommended: Yes