Diabetic Thursday

Years ago, before I had a diabetic to cook for, I thought that diabetic food would be complicated and boring. Turns out, that couldn't be farther from the truth. These six recipes show how easy and non-boring diabetic food can be. Enjoy!

CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI CASSEROLE

Makes: 6 Servings (1 cup each)

Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes

View recipe here: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/602.shtml

Ingredients

1-3/4 cups stuffing mix

5 tablespoons reduced-calorie margarine, melted

1 can (10-3/4 ounce) low-fat cream of chicken soup

2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken breast

4 ounces non-fat milk

2 cups frozen chopped broccoli florets, thawed

1 tablespoon minced onion

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees F.

Place stuffing mix and melted margarine in a mixing bowl and combine completely.

Spread and pat all but 3/4 cup of the stuffing mixture into the bottom of a 2-quart casserole dish coated with non-stick cooking spray.

In a separate bowl, combine remaining ingredients.

Pour chicken mixture over stuffing mixture layer. Top with remaining 3/4 cup of stuffing mixture.

Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 257; Protein: 18 g; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 795 mg; Cholesterol: 45 mg; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 1 Bread, 2 Meat, 1 Fat

CHICKEN BREASTS WITH ROSEMARY

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/277.shtml

Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes

Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil, divided

1-1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon grated lemon rind

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)

1/3 cup dry white wine or reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh, or 1/2 teaspoon dried, crumbled rosemary leaves

1/2 diced, peeled fresh tomato

Directions

Whisk 1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil, vinegar, garlic, lemon rind, salt, and pepper in medium bowl; add chicken and let stand 10 minutes. Drain, reserving marinade.

Cook chicken in remaining 1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until browned on all sides, adding any remaining marinade after browning. Add wine and rosemary to skillet and heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Add tomato and simmer, uncovered, until chicken is cooked through, about 6 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 188; Protein: 25.6 g; Fat: 6.4 g; Sodium: 209 mg; Cholesterol: 69 mg; Carbohydrates: 2.6 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Vegetable, 3 Meat

ITALIAN PITA CRISPS

Serves: 8 (32 appetizers)

Serving Size: 4 crisps

Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes

View recipe here: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/600.shtml

Ingredients

2 pitas, each about 6 inches in diameter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 clove garlic, finely minced

1/4 teaspoon dried basil or oregano

2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray 1 or 2 cookie sheets with nonstick pan spray. Cut each pita into 8 wedges; split each wedge to separate the halves. Arrange in a single layer on the cookie sheet(s).

Mix the olive oil and garlic. Brush over the pita sections; sprinkle with basil and cheese.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned and crisp. Serve hot, or cool and store in an airtight container.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 59; Protein: 2 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 88 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Sugars: 0 g; Carbohydrates: 8 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 1/2 Fat

CHICKEN GUMBO SOUP

Yield: 6 servings

Serving size: 1 cup

Source: The New Soul Food Cookbook for People with Diabetes

View recipe here: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/279.shtml

Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced

3 cups reduced-sodium, reduced-fat chicken broth, divided



3 cups water

1 cup chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 bay leaf

1/8 tsp sage

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp thyme

1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes

1 cup corn kernels, frozen or fresh

1 cup frozen okra

2 Tbsp canola oil

1/4 cup flour

2 cups cooked brown rice

Directions

Place the chicken in a large soup pot with 1 cup of broth. Bring to a boil.

Add the additional broth, water, onion, garlic, salt (omit this if you need to reduce total sodium), pepper, bay leaf, sage, red pepper flakes, and thyme and simmer for 20 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, corn, and okra and simmer for 15 minutes.

In a separate pan, heat the oil and flour and stir until the flour and oil are golden brown and bubbly, stirring constantly. Add 1 cup of the soup broth to the mixture and whisk until smooth.

Add the mixture back to the soup pot and whisk until dissolved. Simmer 30 minutes. Stir in the rice the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 279; Protein: 23 g; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 720 mg; Cholesterol: 43 mg; Carbohydrates: 31 g; Exchanges: 2-1/2 Starch; 2 Lean Meat

CORN, LEEK AND RED PEPPER CASSEROLE

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/604.shtml

Source: The Best Diabetes Cookbook

Yield: 6 Servings

Ingredients

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 cup sliced leeks

1 cup chopped red peppers

2 cups corn kernels

2-1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 whole eggs

2 egg whites

1-1/3 cups 2% evaporated milk

1/4 cup chopped fresh dill (or 2 teaspoons dried)

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1/2 teaspoon margarine or butter

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with vegetable spray.

In non-stick skillet sprayed with vegetable spray, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic, leeks and red peppers and cook for 7 minutes, or until tender, stirring occasionally; set aside.

Put 1 cup of corn in food processor with flour; puree. Add whole eggs, egg whites, evaporated milk and dill; process until smooth.

In large bowl, combine sauteed vegetables, corn puree and remaining 1 cup corn. Pour into prepared dish. Combine bread crumbs and margarine until crumbly. Sprinkle over top of casserole and bake for 30 minutes or until set at center.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 169; Protein: 8 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 110 mg; Cholesterol: 76 mg; Dietary Fiber: 2 g ; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 2 Vegetable, 1 Fat

FUNKY PEAR AND APPLE SAUCE

Serves: 4

Source: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

View Recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/777.shtml

Ingredients

2 ripe Anjou or Bose pears

2 Granny Smith or Golden Delicious apples

1/2 cup fresh cranberries

2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate

1 cinnamon stick

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

4 walnut halves

Directions

Cut pears and apples in half and core.

Place in a medium-size saucepan with remaining ingredients except walnuts and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer over low heat 10 to 20 minutes until fruit is tender.

Discard cinnamon stick. Strain through food mill and serve warm or chilled, topped with a walnut half.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 95; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 1 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 21 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Fruit