Author Ying Chang Compestine is an adventurous, creative cook, one who understands the need for quickly prepared dishes that are not only healthy but delicious. Oriented to food that nourishes both body and spirit, Ying offers effervescent, one-of-a-kind recipes that celebrate flavor and fresh ingredients. Ying's recipes do not rely on processed foods for speed, and many take less than 30 minutes to prepare. As Ying tells us, "with the time spent driving and waiting for an order of unhealthy fast food or budget-busting take-out meal, you could put a healthier, more affordable homemade meal on the table."
These are mouth-watering recipes that reveal Ying's unique sensibility. Ying grew up in China, watching her grandmother cook healthy family meals, then came to America as a student. Living with a host family, she began to create recipes by "mixing and matching the Western ingredients on hand with the Eastern skills I learned in my grandmother's kitchen." Adding to this already potent combination, Ying travels extensively and recreates dishes she tastes when she is on the road. ""I've served my family annatto rice from South America; a shrimp pizza from Rome; a pasta dish I picked up while in Greece; Wasabi Salmon with Miso-Sesame Sauce from Kobe, Japan; and Spicy Sesame Pad Thai that I ate at a street vendor's stand in Pattaya, Thailand. I would mix and match my discoveries, while finding ways to simplify the steps, and use fresh, organic, easy-to-find substitutes for the less common ingredients."
With this passion for food, Ying's recipes are fresh and creative, and always healthy. Reflecting her flexibility, Ying has divided the book into five sections:
-Meals in a Wok
-Meals in a Pot
-Meals in a Hurry
-Global Inspiration
-Desserts in a Flash
Ying offers round-the-world recipes such as Stir-Fried Chicken with Fresh Vegetables and Ginger-Orange Sauce, Salmon Pasta with Spicy Tomato Sauce: Hearty Spinach and Chickpea Soup; Seafood Stew: Turkey Curry, Orang-Ginger Lamb Kabobs; Couscous with Pine Nuts, Cranberries, and Grapefruit; Paprika Shrimp with Turnips and Walnuts; Baked Tilapia Packages with Roasted Red Pepper and Sun-dried Tomato Sauce. For those quick desserts she has HEALTHY recipes such as Berries with Soy Ice Cream; Chocolate-Coconut Bananas; Blueberry Smoothies with Flax Seeds.
Each recipe includes a brief overview, the serving size, and nutritional facts. As a bonus, Ying includes meal-planning tips, ingredient substitutions, a grain cooking guide, and pantry lists.
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