Low-Carb Recipes

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

Jean Paré, Canada’s cookbook publishing powerhouse, brings her famous
formula (quick and easy-to-prepare recipes using readily available
ingredients) to a trilogy that speaks to today’s health-conscious
family cook.

The three books feature recipes that are heavy on fruits and
vegetables, and light on salt, sugar, and fat. All three use both
imperial and metric measures, give a nutritional analysis for each
recipe, and use copious numbers of professional quality photo plates to
sell the recipes to the cook wondering what to make for dinner. Each has
over 120 recipes, and a useful index.

Healthy in a Hurry uses time-saving ideas to meet the promise of 30
minutes or less for prep and cooking time combined. Easy Healthy Recipes
picks up the still-more-fruits-and-veggies challenge from the new
Canada’s Food Guide with at least one serving of fruits or vegetables
in one portion of every recipe, and uses an icon to highlight recipes
that do better than that. Low-Carb Recipes promises less than 25 grams
of carbohydrates in one portion of each dish.

In all three books the emphasis on healthy dishes means a number of
today’s food trends put in an appearance. There’s an emphasis, for
example, on using whole grains, brightly coloured vegetables, yams,
flax, soy products, and some ancient grains. Although always
“Canadianized,” the recipes reflect a variety of culinary sources
such as Cajun, Greek, Oriental, and Italian. While Paré’s recipes are
safely middle-of-the-road, the stretch for healthy alternatives to
traditional favourites has led to some unusual flavour combinations,
such as Potato and Pear Soup, Cod Tacos, or Broccoli and Apple Stir-fry.

Each book has recipes for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, salads, soups,
side dishes, and desserts. Smoothies, meatless dishes, and ideas for
snacks enrich these practical collections.