Do you own a microwave? Probably, since it is estimated that over 90% of the nation’s households have one. But did you know that recent research has shown that because of the lack of power that it uses, compared with conventional cooking methods, the microwave works out the cheapest of all the cooking appliances? And with energy costs spiralling to unthinkable levels, it seems that the microwave’s moment has come – and not before time. Because of its energy efficiency isn’t it time to use it every day creatively rather than just warming up leftovers? There are countless dishes that are done beautifully, and completely, in a microwave. Vegetables cook perfectly, losing fewer nutrients than in a pan and fish is generally regarded better done in the microwave than poached or steamed. So with that in mind this collection of both time-honoured and newly created microwave-compatible favourites is here for you to enjoy – they represent years of mid-week and special occasion eating developed by the author for her husband and herself, for the numerous occasions when a speedy dish was required to feed a friend at lunch, and for the many occasions when eating alone. We hope you will enjoy the selection.

After Carol Bowen Ball underwent bariatric surgery she found there was very little practical information for weight-loss surgery patients and as a result she wrote the first (and to date only) UK bariatric advice and cookery book - Return to Slender. At the same time she launched BariatricCookery.com a website to support the same patients. A year later she wrote a sequel Return 2 Slender... Second Helpings. Both books have been widely praised by the professional bariatric community as well as pre-op and post-op patients. The recipes in The Bariatric Bible are designed and developed to help at every stage after weight-loss surgery. They are colour-coded to suit the 3 main stages afterwards. These are: the Red or 1st Fluids Stage, the Amber or 2nd Soft/Pureed Stage, the Green or 3rd Eating for Life Stage. They will have a nutritional analysis breakdown. This includes measured calories, protein, carbohydrate and fat levels. Recipes are also further coded for suitability for freezing and for vegetarian eating. A new bariatric lifestyle however isn't just about food - it is also about exercise, changes in behaviour and relationships, adhering to essential medications; coping with unsettling situations that can de-rail the best of intentions, dealing with social situations like eating out; finding new ideas for a changing body through fashion and beauty advice; and making new healthier habits to replace old destructive ones. As a result the book will be the most comprehensive book of any currently on the market. The book will cover the types of surgery on offer for those who want to know more so that they (along with their bariatric team) can make the best choice from the selection available. It will also look at and advise on the many pre-op diets that are required prior to surgery - sometimes to lose weight as part of the qualification process and also as the liver-reducing diet prior to surgery itself for safe intervention. However, it will mainly focus on advice and recipes for after surgery to help the post-op patient maximise their best chance of long-term success with weight-loss and better health.

The original edition of this best-selling handbook was published in 1988 and has never been out of print. It has now been entirely revised and updated for today's new higher-powered machines. This is THE essential guide and handy reference book for microwaves, combination microwaves and convection microwaves. It is NOT a recipe book; it provides an A-Z guide on how to plan, prepare and cook over 200 everyday foods on easy to read tables with settings and timings. Got a whole sea bass to cook? Look it up and you'll know precisely at what temperature (for the combination oven), at what setting (for a microwave) and for how many minutes. The book is divided into sections for fish & shellfish, poultry & game, meat, vegetables, pasta & rice, eggs & cheese, grains, nuts & pulses, sauces, fruit & puddings, breads, cakes & sweets, savouries, drinks and essential foods & ingredients.

This is Carol Bowen's sequel to her "Basic Basics Combination and Microwave Handbook", and it follows the same formula as an A to Z compendium. The reader looks up the fruit, the vegetable, the fish, the meat, the sauces, cakes or herbs, and there are quick guidelines on freezing each type of food. The author also explains how a freezer works, gives advice on choosing and siting a freezer, insurance, cleaning, maintenance, what to do in emergencies, packaging and accessories, freezing techniques and de-frosting, refreezing and thawing as well as storage times.

Carol Bowen Ball has been the devoted owner of an Aga kitchen range for almost thirty years and this handbook brings cooking on a range right up to date providing hundreds of thousands of Aga and Rayburn owners with a much needed collection of refreshingly new recipes. As the title of the book suggests however, the author does not ignore the basics and this handy work of reference will serve not only those who have just purchased or inherited a kitchen range for the first time but also those who have owned one for years and are looking for fresh ideas. As an Aga is more than just a cooker this book contains all sorts of useful hints and tips for getting the most from your oven - everything from drying sports clothing to using your kettle for cleaning the hotplate lid. The recipes are all clearly marked with unique symbols to indicate instructions for 2-door, 4-door or Thermodial-control models and can be cooked in Agas, Rayburns and all similar types of ranges. No one who owns an Aga or other kitchen range should be without this essential guide.