The woman from a small town in Iowa wowed New Yorkers with her low-fat triple-layer party pie.
JoAnna M. Lund went to the Big Apple to find a publisher for her "Healthy Exchanges Cookbook" and took pies with her on interviews. She ended up with a six-figure two-book deal with G.P. Put-nam's Sons.She now has sold a quarter of a million copies of the book.
"They are common-folk, healthy recipes, not exotic, not gourmet," she said. "Just easy, tasty, healthy recipes."
In her book, and in the interview, she lists four "musts" for the recipes. They must be healthful;they must be easy to make; the dish must be as tasty and as good as it looks and it must be made from ingredients found in DeWitt, Iowa, (or any town, USA).
Lund says she had been a "professional dieter" for 28 years, trying a variety of diets, losing, then regaining weight.
She decided to become healthier and make lifestyle changes. She chose foods that were based on her medical needs - low in fat, low in sugar. And they had to be foods that Clifford, her truck-driving husband, could eat with her.
Now, at age 51, she weighs 170 pounds and wears a size 14.
Her book, she says, is also geared to diabetics and heart and cholesterol patients.
"Healthy Exchanges Cookbook" is sold in national bookstores and some discount stores. Here is the recipe for the triple-layer party pie she served in New York.
*****
Recipes
TRIPLE-LAYER PARTY PIE
1 (4-serving) package sugar-free instant butterscotch pudding mix
1 1/3 cups non-fat dry milk powder, divided
2 1/2 cups water, divided
1 (6-ounce) chocolate-flavored pie crust
1 (4 serving) package sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 cup light whipped topping
2 tablespoons chopped pecans
1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips
In a medium bowl, combine dry butterscotch pudding mix, 2/3 cup dry milk powder and 11/4 cups water. Mix well, using a wire whisk. Pour mixture into pie crust.
In a medium bowl, combine dry chocolate pudding mix, remaining 2/3 cup dry milk powder and remaining 11/4 cups water. Mix well, using a wire whisk. Pour mixture over butterscotch layer. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes.
Before serving, spread whipped topping evenly over chocolate layer. Sprinkle pecans and mini chocolate chips evenly over top. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Yield: 8 servings.
Note: In "Healthy Exchanges Cookbook," Lund uses brand names and her calculations based on these brands are 217 calories, 7 grams fat per serving.