Cut the Sugar, You’re Sweet Enough
By Ella Leché
Current media focus on the negative health effects of eating too much sugar led me to investigate recipes for delicious, healthy meals. Eliminating all sugar is not a realistic goal for me, so Ella Leché’s cookbook is just what I needed. The author is the voice behind the popular food blog Pure Ella. It contains her recipes for nourishing, nutrient dense, whole foods that taste delicious without adding sugar.
Dishes are beautifully photographed and include many favorites. Recipes are organized by sections: breakfasts, salads, soups, main dishes, desserts, snacks, and drinks. Sweeteners replacing sugar include coconut nectar, fruit, maple syrup, stevia, and rice malt syrup. The book’s handy index groups recipes by the finished product and by the ingredients.
Recipes are plant based, and dairy and gluten free. This is not something I was looking for, but there is no reason a side of meat or whole grain bread or pasta can’t be added to round out the menu. Additionally, adding in real milk for the suggested substitutes works well.
It is important to serve meals that don’t leave us feeling deprived if we are to have any hope of maintaining a reduced sugar diet. I also don’t relish extended searches for hard to find ingredients. So far the recipes I’ve tried are great additions to my dinner toolbox without too much hassle. Leché includes methods for preparing naturally sweet foods without adding more sugar.
What appeals to me most are the recipes for snacks and desserts such as Chocolate-dipped Almond & Cacao Nib Biscotti, Raw Berry Swirl Cheesecake, and Three-Ingredient Chocolate Pudding. Hopefully by adding to our menu some of the recipes included in this book, we won’t feel like we are missing anything!