Lanza is a broadly talented chef. He prepares a wide range of dishes, creating novel choices and giving new twists to familiar favorites. His Spinach Salad is enhanced with ginger and roasted beets--add the marinated tofu or not, as you prefer. Margarita Chicken Paillard, marinated with lime juice, tequila, and Triple Sec, is sure to be a classic for grilling. Or try the Yellowfin Tuna Burger, enlivened with soy sauce and sharp wasabi. Less expectedly, there is Hummus-Crusted Salmon with Cucumber and Tomato Salsa, the hummus topping the fish made with black beans.

Meatless dishes are hardly bland in Lanza's hands--witness his creamy, pureed mushroom soup, seasoned with tarragon, and Baked Corn Macaroni with Soy Jalapeno Jack, studded with sliced zucchini. To ensure best results for cooks unfamiliar with dairy-free cooking, he lists specific brands of ingredients he favors. Most are organic and can be found in supermarkets as well as at natural food stores. In all, Totally Dairy-Free Cooking provides nearly 200 recipes, from fish and chicken dishes to meatless choices that are easy to make even when a bit off-beat. --Dana Jacobi

Product Description
The latest statistics show that as many as 30 to 50 million Americans may be lactose-intolerant. Totally Dairy-Free Cooking offers lactose-intolerant people an alternative to medication--delicious, contemporary recipes made without any dairy products. This isn't "health" food--imagine rich, creamy pastas, savory soups, mashed potatoes, even ice "creams" so delicious you won't miss the dairy. Author Louis Lanza, chef at Josie's, New York's premier dairy-free restaurant, is one of the leading authorities on the subject. In his new cookbook, Louis explains exactly how to use ingredients like soy milk and soy cheeses, now available in supermarkets everywhere.

Totally Dairy-Free Cooking is absolutely the best cookbook on the subject. The recipes are so delicious, anyone--lactose-intolerant or not--will enjoy them. For people who are trying to cope, medication-free, without dairy products in their diet, this cookbook is an essential purchase.

I'm disappointed that someone who writes a book like this would title it "Totally Dairy-free" when it's not. "Non-dairy" or "Lactose-free" would be more appropriate.

That said, it was a nicely presented book and had some recipes that looked really good.


This is an Awesome Cookbook!   January 3, 2003
 2 out of 7 found this review helpful

I have had this cookbook for awhile. Unlike most cookbooks - these recipes have been tested very carefully. There isn't a bad recipe in the book. You will be amazed at how excellent everyting tastes. I am a recent dairy-free convert. And I can honestly say this book has made the transition for me very easy because the food tastes so great. You will not miss dairy after you try these recipes.


Incredible book!!!   November 8, 2002
 4 out of 10 found this review helpful

I bought this book almost 2 years ago, and I cannot get enough of Louis' recipes!!! It is so obvious, to me, that each one took a lot of time and tasting in development!! Every time I want to knock someone's socks off with a dairy free recipe, I make something from this cookbook. Louis Lanza is truly a genius!!!

Last week I tried the Pumpkin seed, Basil, and Miso Pesto for the first time...UNBELIEVABLE!!!


I love this book.   February 21, 2001
 24 out of 25 found this review helpful

I began living the Total Health Makover way just over a year ago. This is a plan for healthy eating and living based on book written by Marilu Henner. Because of this I already have a kitchen stocked with many of the ingredients needed for this cookbook. Examples are, mirin, soy margarines, milks, and cheeses, balsamic vinegar, and lots of spices. So, when I read through the recipies in this book I have almost all the ingredients on hand. That makes it easy for me but if someone is eating what I would call the "unhealthy - dairy - red meat" way you will have to do some pantry upgrades. The book is not vegitarian. There are great recipies for seafood and poultry. That said, I love this book. The recipies are for the most part simple, wonderful, and very flavorful. Mostly made with lots of spices and soy products but not really exotic ingredients that would be hard to find. I just sit and read through the book and I want to cook everything at once. I used to hate to cook but now I love preparing fresh whole food meals for my family. My boys like it because they are still eating "normal" food like macaroni and "cheese", quesadillas, and chicken. The book also calls for natural sweetners instead of sugar. So may vegitarian cookbooks will call for weird ingredients and to much sugar. If you want to prepare hearty, flavorful food that any down to earth family will love GET THIS BOOK.