Trang - Asian flavors diabetes cookbook : perfectly balanced healing meals for every day!

Director, Book Publishing, Abe Ogden; Managing Editor, Greg Guthrie; Acquisitions Editor, Victor Van Beuren; Editor, Rebekah Renshaw; Production Manager, Melissa Sprott; Composition and Cover Design, pixiedesign, llc.

2012 All text and photographs by Corinne Trang. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including duplication, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the American Diabetes Association.

The suggestions and information contained in this publication are generally consistent with the Clinical Practice Recommendations and other policies of the American Diabetes Association, but they do not represent the policy or position of the Association or any of its boards or committees. Reasonable steps have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information presented. However, the American Diabetes Association cannot ensure the safety or efficacy of any product or service described in this publication. Individuals are advised to consult a physician or other appropriate health care professional before undertaking any diet or exercise program or taking any medication referred to in this publication. Professionals must use and apply their own professional judgment, experience, and training and should not rely solely on the information contained in this publication before prescribing any diet, exercise, or medication. The American Diabetes Associationits officers, directors, employees, volunteers, and membersassumes no responsibility or liability for personal or other injury, loss, or damage that may result from the suggestions or information in this publication.

The paper in this publication meets the requirements of the ANSI Standard Z39.48-1992 (permanence of paper).

ADA titles may be purchased for business or promotional use or for special sales. To purchase more than 50 copies of this book at a discount, or for custom editions of this book with your logo, contact the American Diabetes Association at the address below, at booksales@diabetes.org, or by calling 703-299-2046.

American Diabetes Association
1701 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22311

DOI: 10.2337/9781580404501

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Trang, Corinne.
Asian flavors diabetes cookbook : perfectly balanced healing meals for every day! / by Corinne Trang. -- 1st ed.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-58040-450-1 (alk. paper)
1. Diabetes--Diet therapy--Recipes. 2. Cooking, Asian. I. Title. II. Title: Diabetes cookbook.
RC662.T73 2012
641.56314--dc23
2011050303
eISBN: 978-1-58040-512-6

To my daughter, Colette.
You are my world.

Contents

In my experience, every interesting project that has come across my desk has been the result of a shared meal. This one was no different. My first thanks go to my agent and special friend Beth Shepard of Beth Shepard Communications, LLC. She called one day and said, Lets brainstorm. I got in the car, and a few hours later we were sitting in a caf, eating our salads, drinking our tea, and tossing ideas around. My food and wellness coaching practice was well underway with clients suffering from food disorders, along with obesity and diabetes. During my many years as a lecturer and cooking instructor on Asian food and its health benefits (when mindfully prepared), questions about how I maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle as a food professional have always come up. Honestly, I owe it to my Asian upbringing, where balance and tuning into the body are key. Beth and I discussed my approach to teaching people from all walks of life about how to build a healthy, intimate relationship with food and becoming self-aware as a result.

From our conversation, the Asian Flavors Diabetes Cookbook was born. Beth approached Abe Ogden, Director of Book Publishing at the American Diabetes Association, to whom I am extremely grateful for instantly recognizing the potential in this project. The ADA did not have an Asian cookbook in their collection. It also made sense because, in Asian culture, the word food is synonymous with medicine. Therefore, in making the right choices and combining them in specific ways, food has the ability to help anyone maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Id also like to thank Rebekah Renshaw, Developmental Editor, for her valuable input in helping shape the book, and to Heschel Falek, Associate Director of Marketing and Publicity, for making sure the book is available to all, and Rikki Campbell Ogden of pixiedesign, llc for her beautiful book design
and layout.

Id also like to thank my friend Chef Shiyam Sundar, whose own mother suffers from diabetes. Well-versed in Asian cuisines with a deep understanding of spices and herbs and their health benefits, his insights and enthusiasm while testing every recipe in this book were invaluable.

As always, I thank my family and friends for their patience. I hope you will forgive my absence due to this wonderful project, and continue to forgive me knowing that this wasnt the last time.

A thousand thanks to all!

Corinne Trang

In Asian cultures, balance is everything. In the kitchen, were constantly exploring textures and colors. We play with flavor profiles that include sour, bitter, salty, sweet, and spicy notesthe essence of good food. Applying these characteristics to a wide variety of vegetables, fruit, seafood, and meats is part of a centuries-old tradition of using food as preventative medicine.

Based on the idea that food is medicine and medicine is food, Asian food preparation is largely based on the ancient Chinese food philosophies and the concept of balanced opposites known as yin yang. With this in mind, the Asian Flavors Diabetes Cookbook is filled with recipes that can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, while eating balanced meals and synthesizing body, mind, and spirit. It is written for the person with diabetes in mind and for friends and family who will, no doubt, want to partake in this delicious affair.

The Asian Flavors Diabetes Cookbook is a compilation of simple comfort foods from all over Asia, including classics, such as wontons and fresh spring rolls, as well as contemporary recipes like salads tossed in Asian-inspired dressings. The recipes are nutritionally sound using healthy cooking techniques such as steaming, stir-frying, braising, and grilling, for a wide variety of dishes that will impress your guests. The next time you sit at the table, look at your plate. If it is at least 70% filled with vegetables, youre on your way to maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle. Included is a chapter focusing on vegetables and fruit, to ensure that your plate always has a rainbow of colors and vitamins.

Transforming simple recipes into elegant fare can be easy. Sometimes, its as simple as throwing a few sprigs of cilantro, mint, or basil into the dish to make it visually appealing. In no time at all, these dishes will become signatures in your very own kitchen. Living with diabetes, while challenging, can be manageable and guilt-free with these fresh, simple recipes.

This collection of updated recipes inspired by Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Southeast Asian food cultures will become your go-to for Asian-inspired diabetes-friendly meals. Starting with a basic pantry of Asian ingredients, each recipe will be broken down with easy step-by-step instructions as well as menu ideas serving one, two, four, or more. Youll never need to cook a special meal just for yourself. Now your friends and family will share your enthusiasm for Asian flavors and enjoy the same satisfying meal, making it much easier for everyone during mealtime.