Diabetic Thursday

Since today is Thursday (at least according to my calendar), it's time for six diabetic recipes. Enjoy!

SPINACH AND TORTELLINI SOUP

Yield: 6 servings

Serving Size: About 1 cup each

Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes

Print Version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/488.shtml

Ingredients

Vegetable cooking spray

2 cups sliced carrots

1/4 cup sliced green onions and tops

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

2 cans (15 ounces each) reduced-sodium chicken broth

1-1/2 cups water

1 package (9 ounces) fresh low-fat tomato and cheese tortellini

3 cups torn spinach leaves

2-3 teaspoons lemon juice

1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Spray bottom of large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Saute carrots, green onions, garlic, and basil until onions are tender, about 5 minutes.

Add chicken broth and water to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 10 minutes.

Heat broth mixture to boiling; stir in torellini and spinach. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, until tortellini are al dente, about 5 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, nutmeg and pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 170; Protein: 8.6 g; Sodium: 177 mg; Cholesterol: 17.7 mg; Fat: 3.5 g; Carbohydrates: 26.9 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 1-1/2 Bread, 1/2 Fat

HEARTY MUSHROOM SOUP

Prep Time: 15 Minutes - Cost: $

Servings: 6 - Difficulty Level: 2

Source: Family Circle's "All-time Favorite Recipes"

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/83.shtml

Ingredients

1/2 cup chopped onion

3 strips bacon, diced

1 pound mushrooms, thinly sliced

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

5-3/4 cups (46 ounces) chicken broth

1 cup hot water

1 small packet lower-sodium chicken bouillon granules

1-1/4 pounds all-purpose potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 tablespoons dry sherry

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Cook onion and bacon in a Dutch oven over medium heat until onion is golden, 2 to 3 minutes. Add mushrooms; cook until liquid evaporates, about 8 minutes. Add flour; cook, stirring, about 1 minute.

Stir broth, water and bouillon granules into saucepan. Add potatoes and sherry; simmer 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Transfer 4 cups of soup mixture to a food processor. Puree and return to pot. Stir in cream. Genly reheat, stirring occasionally.

Ladle into soup bowls. Garnish with parsley.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 222; Protein: 6 g; Fat: 12 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch, 1 Low-Fat Meat, 1 Fat

BEAN AND VEGETABLE STEW

Yield: 6 Servings (about 1-1/3 cups each)

Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes For People With Diabetes

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/905.shtml

Ingredients

1 cup chopped onion

1 medium Idaho potato, unpeeled, cut into 1-inch cubes

1 large sweet potato, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes

3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon flour

1-1/2 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth

1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed, drained

1 can (16 ounces) tomato wedges, undrained

3/4 teaspoon dried sage leaves

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Saute onion, potato, sweet potato, bell pepper, and garlic in oil in large saucepan 5 minutes; stir in flour and cook 1 to 2 minutes longer.

Add remaining ingredients, except salt and pepper, to saucepan; heat to boiling.

Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 209; Protein: 7.7 g; Fat: 5.5 g; Sodium: 493 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 39 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 2 Bread/Starch, 1 Fat

CHOCOLATE-DIPPED STRAWBERRIES

Yield: 8 servings

Serving Size: 3 strawberries

View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/754.shtml

Ingredients

2 pint baskets California strawberries

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Finely chopped toasted almonds or pistachios (optional)

Directions

Line large baking sheet with waxed paper. Rinse strawberries and pat dry with paper towels.

In separate small, microwave-safe bowls (such as custard cups) melt chocolates, one at a time, in microwave at 50-percent (medium) power, allowing 1-1/2 to 2 minutes each. Stir until smooth. (If not completely melted, microwave a few seconds longer.) Or, melt chocolate as package directs.

Holding strawberry by stem end, dip into chocolate to cover about three-fourths of berry; dip into nuts, if desired, and lay on baking sheet. Repeat with remaining strawberries, chocolate and nuts.

Refrigerate until chocolate is set.

For Double- and Triple- Dipped Strawberries:

After first coating of chocolate is set, dip into contrasting chocolate, leaving part of the first chocolate exposed. Repeat with third chocolate, if you wish, allowing each layer to set between dips.

To Drizzle Strawberries with Chocolate:

Microwave chocolate in small plastic bag until melted; squeeze into one corner of bag. Lay strawberries close together on baking sheet. With scissors, cut a small hole in corner of bag, and move back and forth over strawberries, squeezing bag gently. Or, drizzle contrasting chocolate over strawberries that have been dipped. Refrigerate until set.

NOTES: Microwave melting times vary with amount of chocolate and wattage of your oven. Chocolate amounts are approximate; amount needed depends on size of strawberries, and whether or not they are single, double, triple-dipped or drizzled.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 193; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 59 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g

CRANBERRY-APPLE SPINACH SALAD

Yield: 4 servings

Print Version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/442.shtml

Ingredients

6 cups moderately packed fresh spinach leaves

1/4 cup light balsamic vinaigrette salad dressing or Citrus Vinaigrette

1 cup matchstick-sized pieces apple

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup chopped walnuts or toasted pecans

1/4 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta or blue cheese

Directions

Place the spinach leaves and salad dressing in a large bowl and toss to mix well. Divide the mixture between 4 salad plates.

Top the spinach on each plate with a quarter of the apples, cranberries, nuts, and cheese. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 141; Protein: 4.7 g; Sodium: 272 mg; Cholesterol: 2 mg; Carbohydrates: 13 g; Fat 8.3 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Fruit, 1-1/2 Fat

CALI-FLORIDA CHILI

Serves: 6. Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe

Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes

Author: Sue Spitler

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/494.shtml

Ingredients

1 tsp crushed mixed peppercorns, divided

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes

4 cups sliced plum tomatoes

1 cup diced sun-dried tomatoes (not in oil)

1 cup Zinfandel OR dry red wine OR reduced-sodium chicken broth

2 dried California chilies, chopped

4 tsp chili powder

1 avocado, chopped

2 tbsp sunflower seeds, toasted

Salt, to taste

6 tbsp finely chopped fresh purple basil

Directions

Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon peppercorns in a medium non-stick skillet; add chicken and saute until pieces are lightly browned.

Combine fresh and dried tomatoes, wine, chilies, and chili powder in large saucepan; stir in chicken. Heat to boiling; reduce heat and simmer, covered, 6 minutes. Uncover and simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.

Stir in avocado, sunflower seeds, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon peppercorns. Season to taste with salt. Spoon into bowl; sprinkle with basil.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 258; Protein: 21.5 g; Fat: 9.2 g; Sodium: 272 mg; Cholesterol: 46 mg; Carbohydrates: 19.7 g; Exchanges: 4 Vegetable, 2 Meat, 1 Fat