The Food You Crave

And It Will Be Delicious!

Book by:  Ellie Kreiger
Photography by Christopher Hirsceimer

A review by Marty Martindale

Besides this latest book, Ellie Kreiger has a show on the Food Channel, “Healthy Appetite,” airing at 1:00 pm, eastern, on Saturdays. Once listening to her, it’s easy to know she’s a serious, well-trained dietician/nutritionist dedicated to making cravings delicious and simple. She’s believable and makes a lot of sense. To help cooks grasp the importance of essentials nutriments, she provides a chart on page 12 where she explains what each nutrient does for our body mechanism. At the end of each recipe, she states the amount of protein, fat, carbohydrates, cholesterol, fiber and sodium per serving. She also lines out each’s excellent  sources  vs. good source s of vitamins and minerals. Most of Kreiger’s recipes are short, simple and to the point.

Best of all, you know you have done your body a nutritional favor, not often an attractive alternative these days.:      

Crab Salad in Crisp Wonton Cups calls for celery, mango, scallions and cilantro. She has you reshape wonton wrappers as cups, and gives dressing of her lime and red pepper flakes and olive oil

Edamame “Hummus” with Spiced Pita Chips:  combine tofu, cucmin, garlic, olive oil and lemon with the edamame

Fettuccine with Creamy Red Pepper Sauce:  onion, garlic, a jar of roasted red peppers, broth, feta cheese and some parsley for a garnish.

Curried Butternut Squash Soup:  onion, garlic, squash, broth, curry powder, honey and yogurt (she provides a similar soup using frozen green peas)

Snow Pea, Scallon and Radish Salad:  She simply dresses this mixture with rice vinegar, sugar and a bit of canola oil

Southwestern Slaw:  jicama, red cabbage, red onion, cilantro, mayo, buttermilk and lime juice

Lemon-Gralic  Marinated Lamp Chops:  simply add oregano, zest, garlic

Pork Medallions with Cherry Sauce:  chopped shallots, broth, balsamic vinegar and dried, tart cherries

Stuffed Turkey Burgers:  ground turkey, roasted red peppers, mozzarella and whole-wheat buns

“Dirty” Brocolli:  olive oil, garlic, dry break crumbs and oregano

Grilled Romaine Hearts:  cut them length-wise, rub with olive oil and grill

Parmesan Mashed Potatoes:  add buttermilk, nonfat milk and the cheese.

Honey-Roasted Sweet Potatoes:  mix with olive oil, honey, and lemon juice.

Grilled Bananas with Chai Syrup:  make chai tea, add peppercorns, cinnamon stick, a star anise, cardamom pods, cloves and fresh ginger.

Dark Chocolate Mousse:  silken tofu, dark chocolate, cocoa powder, brandy, confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream and shaved chocolate

Marty Martindale’s website is:  FOOD SITE OF THE DAY.