Authored by:

Bonnie Nesbit

Raised in the small town of Goshen, Indiana, I have loved cooking and baking since the age of three. I  know that when I sit down to a meal that's been prepared with thought and care, I instantly feel special. I think everyone deserves to feel that way!  Food is an unspoken universal language that every single human being understands. We all have childhood experiences that define who we are later in life and we can all relate to some specific foods that instantly flood us with memories. For me, few things smell as heavenly as a pot of stew slowly simmering and the wafting aroma of bread baking. Those delightful aromas don't just remind me of home...they ARE home. I have always preferred to prepare recipes on the healthier side so the recipes I regularly make are not only delicious, but lower in fat and calories. I love hosting large holiday gatherings just as much as small intimate ones for friends, but no matter the crowd size I always try to make mealtime a special time.

These cookbooks are a collaboration of decades of cooking and tweaking recipes to be what I consider "award-winning" recipes. Each book has a full color photo with every recipe and has been prepared in my own kitchen getting tasting critiques from family, friends, co-workers, clients and neighbors to ensure they are truly worthy of including. Some of the recipes are handcrafted, some have been handed down to me from family members or friends and some are altered from recipes I've collected to incorporate lower fat ingredients. My goal with these books is to share my love of cooking with you and to inspire you to achieve cooking confidence!

If you're wondering what makes my cookbook so unique, it's that I've taken great care to organize each "chapter" to be a menu, giving you a complete meal from start to finish. That means I've included appetizer suggestions, main course options, side dish options and dessert options as well as wine recommendations for nearly every menu, removing all the guesswork of meal planning! I've also intentionally created these menus to be time efficient and to make the best use of your kitchen. Even if you're a novice cook, you're sure to find a menu you can make. Of course, each recipe contained within each menu is welcome to be made without committing to the entire menu.

Whether you're cooking for your family or for additional guests, my hope is that you'll find inspiration and comfort in these recipes as you gather around the table for tasty health-conscious meals that will leave a lasting impression! Bon Appétit!!