Eating Well on Dialysis

Hoisin Flank Steak with Asian Cucumber Salad

Adapted from Cooking Light, April 2009. Asian sauces such as hoisin and fish sauce are high in sodium and big on flavor. Use them sparingly to bring this dish to less than 500 mg sodium per serving.

3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 teaspoon bottled ground fresh ginger (or grate your own from fresh if you don't have bottled)
1/2 teaspoon grated orange rind
1 (1-lb.) flank steak, trimmed
Cooking spray
2 cups thinly sliced seeded peeled cucumber
1/4 cup thinly vertically sliced red onion
1/4 cup matchstick-cut carrot
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons fish sauce

1. Preheat broiler.

2. Combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl. Brush steak with half of hoisin mixture. Place steak on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Broil 6 minutes. Turn steak over; brush with remaining hoisin mixture. Broil 6 minutes or until desired degree of doneness. Place steak on a cutting board; let stand 5 minutes.

3. Combine cucumber and remaining ingredients in a bowl; toss to combine. Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices. Serve with cucumber salad. Makes 4 servings (3 oz. steak and 1/2 cup salad).

Salmon with Maple-Lemon Glaze

Adapted from Cooking Light, April 2009. I think this would be nice served with a rice pilaf and steamed fresh green beans.

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 tablespoon canola oil
4 (4-oz.) skinless salmon fillets
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cooking spray

1. Preheat broiler.

2. Combine first 4 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add fish to bag; seal. Refrigerate 10 minutes, turning bag once.

3. Remove fish from bag, reserving marinade. Place marinade in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 1 minute.

4. Heat a large ovenproof nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle fish evenly with pepper. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add fish to pan; cook 3 minutes. Turn fish over. Brush marinade evenly over fish. Broil 3 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness. Makes 4 servings.

Balsamic Pork with Shallots

Adapted (basically I omitted the salt) from Cooking Light, March 2009. Serve with white rice or egg noodles.

5 teaspoons olive oil, divided
1 (1-lb.) pork tenderloin, trimmed and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
2 1/4 cups thinly sliced shallots (about 8)
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle pork with 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add pork to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from pan and keep warm.

2. Add remaining 4 teaspoons oil to pan; reduce heat to medium. Add shallots to pan; cook 10 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. Add garlic; cook 2 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup water and vinegar; simmer 6 minutes. Stir in remaining black pepper. Spoon shallot mixture over pork. Serve immediately. Makes 4 servings.