The Perfect Diabetes Comfort Food Collection by Robyn Webb- review and recipe
09/08/2016
Every once in a while, I'm asked to review a cookbook. I love doing it because collecting cookbooks is something I've always done. I love flipping through the pages to find new recipe gems just waiting to be made. I especially love it when the cookbook is written with a certain audience in mind, but contains recipes that are delicious for everyone.
In the case of Robyn Webb's newest book the Perfect Diabetes Comfort Food Collection, the recipes not only look great and are easy to make, they fit perfectly into the diabetic diet recommended by the American Diabetes Association. For example, check out this awesome recipe for Thai Beef Salad I pulled from the book. Doesn't it sound just perfect?
THAI BEEF SALAD*
Serves: 6 | Serving size: 3/4 cup
Prep time: 10 minutes | Cook time: 12 minutes + 10 minutes for standing
This recipe is courtesy of the chefs at the Peninsula Hotel in Bangkok. Sitting at the terrace
restaurant of a grand hotel, I ordered the beef salad. After one bite, I asked our waiter to
summon the chef so I could know what all these fabulous exotic tastes were. When I explained
what I did for a living, the chef was more than happy to introduce me to the world of chiles, fish
sauce, and more.- Robyn Webb
4 ounces udon noodles
1 pound flank steak, trimmed of excess fat, brought to room temperature
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
DRESSING
3 tablespoons peanut oil
3 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon chili puree with garlic
VEGETABLES
1 cup sliced red onion
1 cup thinly sliced red pepper
1 cup thinly sliced cucumber
1/3 cup chopped scallions
4 cups romaine torn lettuce leaves
1/4 cup chopped unsalted peanuts
1. Cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. Sprinkle both sides of the beef with salt and pepper. Coat an outdoor grill rack with cooking
spray and set the rack 6 inches above the heat source. Set the grill to medium high.
Alternatively, coat an indoor grill pan with cooking spray and set it on medium-high heat. Place
the beef on the rack and grill for about 6–7 minutes per side. Remove the beef to plate, cover
loosely, and let stand for 10 minutes. Cut the beef diagonally across the grain into thin slices.
3. Combine all the dressing ingredients. Add the beef, red onion, red pepper, cucumbers,
scallions, and udon noodles. Add the dressing and toss well. Serve on lettuce and top with
peanuts.
CALORIES 300, CALORIES FROM FAT 140, TOTAL FAT 15.0 g, SATURATED FAT 3.3 g, TRANS FAT 0.0 g, CHOLESTEROL 40 mg, SODIUM 450 mg, POTASSIUM 480 mg, TOTAL CARBOHYDRATE 21 g, DIETARY FIBER 3 g, SUGARS 7 g, PROTEIN 20 g, PHOSPHORUS 220 mg, EXCHANGES/CHOICES: 1 Starch; 1 Nonstarchy Vegetable; 2 Protein, lean; 2 Fat
*Reprinted from The Perfect Diabetes Comfort Food Collection by Robyn Webb, MS, published by American Diabetes Association/October 2016
To me, this recipe seems like a real treat, not something that fits into a "diet". That's true for all the recipes in the Perfect Diabetes Comfort Food Collection. Robyn Webb's take on all the comfort foods we know and love is adventurous without going overboard. Her recipes incorporate familiar tastes with new exciting ones all while keeping carbs and sugars down and staying within the ADA's guidelines. Some other recipes include:
- Chickpea Patties with Mango Chutney
- Fresh Tuna Burgers
- Apple Cider Chicken
- No Noodle Zucchini Lasagna
- Shrimp and Fruit Tacos
- Crispy Tofu Stir Fry
- A Better Turkey Meatloaf
- Lentil and Brown Rice Loaf
- Swordfish Salad with Salsa Dressing
- Lemon Asparagus Soup
One of the chief complaints of anyone placed on a restrictive diet is that foods don't always taste great. With recipes like these, those complaints will be few and far between!
Whether you or someone you love has diabetes or you simply want a new exciting cookbook to add to your collection, I hope you will consider the Perfect Diabetes Comfort Food Collection by Robyn Webb. I am very happy to have had to opportunity to add it to my collection in exchange for this review. My affiliate link is below, if you'd like to purchase the book but it is also available at your favorite book distributors.