Escape from the gastronomic wilderness

Diabetes is a serious complex condition which can affect the entire body. The disease requires daily self-care and if complications develop, it can have a significant impact on quality of life and can reduce life expectancy. While there is currently no cure for diabetes, you can live an enjoyable life by learning about the condition and effectively managing it.

When someone has diabetes, their body can’t maintain healthy levels of glucose in the blood. Glucose is a form of sugar which is the main source of energy for our bodies. Unhealthy levels of glucose in the blood can lead to long term and short term health complications.

The blood sugar concentration or blood glucose level is the amount of glucose (sugar) present in the blood. The body naturally tightly regulates blood glucose levels as a part of metabolic homeostasis.

For our bodies to work properly we need to convert glucose (sugar) from food into energy. A hormone called insulin is essential for the conversion of glucose into energy. In people with diabetes, insulin is no longer produced or not produced in sufficient amounts by the body. When people with diabetes eat glucose, which is in foods such as breads, cereals, fruit and starchy vegetables, legumes, milk, yoghurt and sweets, it can’t be converted into energy.

Instead of being turned into energy the glucose stays in the blood resulting in high blood glucose levels. After eating, the glucose is carried around your body in your blood. Your blood glucose level is called glycaemia. Blood glucose levels can be monitored and managed through self-care and treatment.

The risk of complications from diabetes is high as was discovered by chef, author and TV presenter, Michael Moore.

With a career spanning almost three decades, Michael has cooked for some of the world’s top celebrities and has become a household name on shows such as Fresh, Junior MasterChef and The Biggest Loser and appears on NBC’s Today Show and New York’s Morning News, reaching an audience of 29 million viewers.

Five years ago, personal circumstances changed the trajectory of his career. He was already living with diabetes and for a top chef, surrounded by great food; he faced the daily challenge of healthy eating. Then, one day out of the blue, he suffered a major stroke while out to dinner with his family, an event that changed his life forever.

It was this episode that inspired is bestselling Blood Sugar cook book series; a collection of beautifully presented and inspiring recipes that break the mould in diabetic cooking.

‘Being a diabetic doesn’t mean you are stuck in a “gastronomic wilderness”. You can enjoy great food that’s unexpected and exciting whilst keeping your sugars under control’, says Michael.

Michael’s books Blood Sugar Healthy Meals and Blood Sugar Food to Share are a delight to read with the recipes that will tantalize the taste buds of all.

 

All recipes serve a minimum of four people making them perfect for family meals or to serve guests. Just because you or someone you love is suffering from diabetes there is no need to eat bland and boring meals.

Blood Sugar Healthy Meals and Blood Sugar Food to Share are not just for people suffering with diabetes, they are for everyone, I am excited to be trying some of these recipes myself.

To whet your appetite, Michael has agreed to share some of his recipes – enjoy!

Mini Fish Tacos with Soy, Avocado & Lime

4oz (120g) fresh kingfish fillet or other white fish fillet

1 small scallion/shallot, finely diced

1 small piece lemongrass, finely chopped

1 medium red chili, finely chopped

Juice and zest of 1 lime

Avocado

Sea salt and pepper

1 small piece fresh ginger, grated

1/2 teaspoon soy sauce

½ bunch fresh cilantro/coriander leaves

8 small crisp taco shells

1. Using a large knife, finely chop the kingfish and place into a small bowl with the scallions, lemongrass and chili.
2. Cut the lime in half. Cut one half into 4 wedges. Zest and juice the other half onto the kingfish.
3. In a separate bowl mash the avocado with a fork to a smooth paste and season with sea salt and pepper.
4. Add the ginger, soy sauce and half of the cilantro to the kingfish. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
5. To assemble, place small taco shells in a stand or between 2 small plates. Spoon in marinated kingfish mixture, top with a teaspoonful of avocado, scatter cilantro leaves over and serve.

 

Soft-Boiled Egg Dippers with Potato Hash & Salt Beef 

6oz (175g) piece brined beef silverside or brisket

¼ small white cabbage, finely shredded

Sea salt and pepper

1 tablespoon white vinegar

½ medium onion

½ medium potato (Nicola)

½ medium sweet potato

1fl oz (30ml) vegetable oil

8 large eggs at room temperature

Whole wheat toast to serve (not included in carb exchange)

1. Cook the silverside in a pot of lightly salted simmering water until tender for approximately 1 hour. Test by piercing with a small skewer. It should slide through the meat with no resistance. Remove from heat and allow beef to cool in the liquid. Once cool, use a fork to shred finely.
2. Meanwhile, cook the cabbage in a small pan just covered with cold water, a pinch of salt and the white vinegar. Bring to the boil and simmer until tender. Drain in a colander and set aside.
3. Using a coarse cheese grater shred the onion and potatoes into a bowl. Heat a medium-sized non-stick frying pan, add the vegetable oil and fry the potato and onion mixture for 10 minutes stirring frequently. Once the potato is tender add the drained cabbage and finely shredded salt beef. Continue to cook for a further 5 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, place eggs into a small pot of cold water and bring to the boil. Simmer for 4 minutes for runny eggs and 5 minutes for medium. Remove from the heat and place into egg cups for serving.
5. Cut the tops off the eggs and spoon as much of the cooked hash as you can onto each of them.