Woman in Real Life: The China Study Cookbook (giveaway

Friday, September 6, 2013

The China Study Cookbook (giveaway - CLOSED)

As a self-professed cookbook addict, I was thrilled when BenBella Books sent me a copy of "The China Study Cookbook" recently. This book is right up my alley - it contains over 120 whole food, plant-based recipes, giving me lots of new, healthy options for my family.

"The China Study Cookbook" was written by LeAnne Campbell, PhD, the daughter of T. Colin Campbell, coauthor of "The China Study." "The China Study" is one of the most important health and nutrition books ever published - it reveals that the traditional Western diet has led to a modern health crisis. The solution? A plant-based, whole foods diet. Dr. Campbell is also featured in the documentary "Forks Over Knives." See my Earth Day post for more on that.

Converting to a completely plant-based diet likely seems overwhelming to many people. "The China Study Cookbook" can help. It gives us a valuable look at what types of meals the Campbell family has relied on over the years. And the recipes are just the kind of recipes that I prefer, because they are based on simple ingredients such as fruits, grains, legumes, vegetables and nuts. There are very few items in the ingredients lists that are fancy or expensive, with the exception of Sucanat to replace regular sugar and some pantry staples like tahini.

I was immediately drawn to the recipe for "Nutty Noodles with Vegetables." The results are pictured above. This recipe (which is shared below) calls for pasta and lots of veggies, with the addition of a quick homemade peanut butter sauce. I have been "cheating" a bit on my prep work lately, with the help of a jar of minced organic garlic and a tube of ginger. This recipe is easy and delicious. I would make it again...and again.

Of course, I am always drawn to the desserts chapter of any cookbook. I love oatmeal cookies, so I decided to make "Coconut Oatmeal Cookies" (pictured up above). While a plant-based, whole foods diet is certainly not a stretch for me, the recipes in "The China Study Cookbook" are free of added fats and oils. I am a rather liberal user of olive oil and vegan margarine ordinarily, so the recipes require an adjustment in my habits.

The oatmeal cookies contain no oil or margarine and call for Sucanat in place of sugar. I found them a bit on the "healthy" side for me. I guess I have to work on altering my taste buds. Strangely enough, my nieces (who are rather drawn to sugar like most of the kids I know) loved these cookies!

For our back-to-school family sushi party, I made this "Chocolate Banana Pie" for dessert. It looks impressive, but it's very simple to prepare. The crust gets lined with banana slices, so there is a pleasant banana taste in each chocolatey bite. I really liked this one.

I am also looking forward to making "Pumpkin Gnocchi with Italian Vegetable Sauce" and "Masala's Chickpeas," among many other recipes.

Here's the recipe for "Nutty Noodles with Vegetables." Try it and let me know how it goes. And be sure to read on past the recipe to enter to win your own copy of "The China Study Cookbook."

Nutty Noodles with Vegetables

by Leanne Campbell, PHD

Prep Time: 25 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Keywords: entree vegan vegetarian

Ingredients (4 servings)

1 pound whole wheat spaghetti or other pasta, cooked
¼ cup vegetable broth
1 onion, sliced
½ red bell pepper, seeded and diced
½ green bell pepper, seeded and diced
2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced
2 cups chopped broccoli
1 large carrot, cut in thin strips
¼ cup chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
¼ cup natural peanut butter
¼ cup light tamari or soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar, unseasoned
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons agave
3 green onions, sliced
¼ cup crushed peanuts
Sea salt to taste

Instructions

Cook 1 pound pasta and set aside.

In a large skillet, add ¼ cup vegetable broth, onions, peppers, broccoli, and carrot.

Cook for 5 minutes until vegetables are slightly cooked.

Stir in pasta, basil, and sesame seeds. Set aside.

In separate saucepan, add peanut butter, tamari or soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and agave.

Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth.

Pour over noodles.

Garnish with green onions and peanuts. Season with salt.

Win a copy of The China Study Cookbook!

BenBella Books is giving one Woman in Real Life reader a copy of "The China Study Cookbook." Residents of the US and Canada may enter using the rafflecopter below until September 19th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Linking to Contest Canada