'Diet Code' Recipe: Insalata di Cavolo

April 3, 2005 — -- If you're a fan of Dan Brown's novel "The Da Vinci Code," and you want to lose weight, then you may be interested in "The Diet Code" by Stephen Lanzalotta.

Just as Brown's book discusses Da Vinci's Golden Ratio, Lanzalotta's does too -- and tells you how it can help you shed pounds. Lanzalotta, a baker who lives in Portland, Maine, applies mathematical principles to his cafe menu and shows you how to apply it to your daily eating for optimal health.

INSALATA DI CAVOLO

Cabbage Salad

Serves 4 to 6

The premier salad at Sophia's is this very light and nutritious coleslaw. It will last up to four days refrigerated (without dressing), so one slaw session can go far. The Lemon Caper Dressing is very good on many vegetables, including asparagus, avocados, tomatoes and mushrooms.

Prepare Lemon Caper Dressing, combining ingredients below and letting stand for 30 minutes:

¼ cup lemon or lime juice

1 teaspoon lemon or lime zest (optional)

2 to 4 tablespoons fruity olive oil

1 tablespoon capers

1 teaspoon turbinado sugar or honey

Meanwhile, toss in a large serving bowl:

1 pound green cabbage (half of a medium-size, 6-inch head), cleaned, cored and shredded into strips about 1/8 inch wide

4 ounces white or red onion (1 medium, 2½-inch bulb) or scallions, slivered

½ cup (1 1/3 ounces) Italian parsley leaves

½ teaspoon aniseed

½ teaspoon dried mint

½ teaspoon chili flakes

Stir dressing and spoon over slaw just before serving, seasoning to taste with sea salt.