Delicious
Dishes for
Diabetics
About the Author
Robin Ellis is best known as having starred in the BBC classic serial, Poldark, playing Captain Ross Poldark. It is widely regarded as one of the most popular British costume dramas ever produced. Other TV and film appearances have included roles in Fawlty Towers, Elizabeth R, Blue Remembered Hills, The Europeans and Heartbeat.
In 1999 Robin was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Although he had no symptoms, he took the diagnosis seriously as his mother suffered with Type 1 diabetes for 35 years. In the same year he and his wife, Meredith, moved to southwest France where he has become known locally as the Anglais who cooks! By changing the way he ate and taking more exercise, Robin was able to control his blood sugar sufficiently to avoid taking medication for six years.
In this wonderful recipe collection Robin shares his favourite dishes so that other Type 2 diabetics and their families can enjoy the benefits of a healthy Mediterranean style of cooking.
Theres an old Basque saying:
To know how to eat is to know enough.
Robin Ellis
Skyhorse Publishing
Copyright 2011 by Robin Ellis
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10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.
ISBN 978-1-61608-458-5 (pbk. : alk. paper)
Ellis, Robin, 1942
Delicious Dishes for Diabetics : Eating Well with Type-2 Diabetes / Robin Ellis.
p. cm.
Includes index.
Printed in China
Praise from Those Who Have Enjoyed Robins Dishes
Carmen Callil, publisher and author:
Robin Ellis learned to cook at his mothers knee. This unique book is rich with a lifetimes experience of wonderful cooking in the Mediterranean way. His recipes open up a world of delicious, healthy eating which everyone will love. An instant classic.
Brian Cox, Scottish actor:
Of course I am biased! Robin is a very old and dear friend! Even so, he is simply one of the best cooks ever. Why? His cuisine is always a delicious culinary paradox, Strong and delicate with an exquisite balance of flavours. One of the truly great treats of my life is a meal prepared by Robin with the commitment, love and detail of a great actor preparing for a classical role. Once tasted, never forgotten!
Lindsay Duncan, actress:
Robin is the perfect cook to have as a friend. He loves food, cooks superbly and likes nothing more than sharing his food with as many people as he can get round a table. Generosity is at the heart of good cooking and Robin cooks to give pleasure. It always works.
Louise Fletcher, Academy-Award-winning actress (One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest): To have Sunday lunch at Robins and to go home with his recipes is the perfect southwest France Sunday. Oh, let there be many more Sundays in the kitchen with Robin.
Robins cooking and Robins recipes: simple, fresh and simply glorious.
Romaine Hart, cinema-owner (Screen on the Green/the Hill/Baker Street):
Robins cooking did what five different medications failed to do: bring down my high blood pressure. I suffered a stroke and no medication brought my blood pressure below 177/70. After staying only one week with Robin and eating his delicious meals, it came down to 120/59. Now home, my challenge is to reproduce his way of eating. With the help of this cook book, I am sure I can.
Sir Derek Jacobi, actor (Emmy, BAFTA, Olivier and Tony Awards):
While not suffering from diabetes myself, I can highly recommend Robins delicious recipes, some of which I have had the pleasure of sampling at his table in France. The recipes have all the richness of classical Mediterranean cooking. Enjoy yourselves as I have with this mouth-watering cornucopia!
Michael Pennington, actor and author:
Robin Ellis has the gift of writing recipes that you can taste as you read them. As if his acting werent enough, hes now given us a marvellous book without any pretension or carry-on, just deep affection and knowledge. Absolutely delicious.
Eva Marie Saint, Hollywood legend, Academy-Award and Emmy winner:
Robin Ellis is a superb chef! His cookbook is filled with delicious and healthy recipes even for people like me who are not diabetics.
Tim Pigott-Smith, actor:
It is always a joy to visit Le Presbytre. It is the most beautiful house, which reflects the calm of its isolated position and the nearby chapel. At the centre of this old building whose thick walls guarantee that you can find relative cool even on the hottest day is the small crowded kitchen.
The sight of Robin fully apronned, glasses strung round his neck, peacefully looking for spices, strolling out into the courtyard for a fresh fig to enliven a salad, or hunched over a saucepan stirring a fortifying soup is surprising for anyone who remembers him striding across the stage at Stratford, or riding round Cornwall. However, it is here where he has truly found himself, in this house and in this room. As my wife Pam and I have been privileged to do many times, you can now enjoy its proceeds.
Imelda Staunton, actress:
How can food this good be this good for you!
Timberlake Wertenbaker, playwright (Our Countrys Good):
Ive used Robins recipes again and again. Theyre elegant, delicious, imaginative and easy to use.
The Basques are great cooks and giving a dinner in the Basque Country is scary. One also eats very late so no one wants anything too heavy. I always use one of Robins recipes and end up with nothing but compliments and a demand for the recipe.
An English woman who can cook tuna! someone said to me in complete astonishment. Of course, the recipe was Robins.
Contents
Appreciations
I realize how lucky I am to have a cookbook published in these cash-strapped days, and I want to acknowledge the help and encouragement given by people in making this book possible.
First to thank is my editor Judith Mitchell, who has been a positive force and a patient guide, and it has been a pleasure to piece it together with her.
I am so grateful to Francia White, our friend in New York, who enthusiastically sent an outline of the book to her friend Paula Breslich in London, whom I also thank for forwarding it to Constable & Robinson. It would not have happened without them.
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