Diabetic Thursday

Here it is, time for another Diabetic Thursday. Today's offerings include Cheese Lasagna and Veggie Patch Soup. Enjoy!

BANANA PINEAPPLE TROPICAL PIE

Note: I had added this and the next recipe (Coconut Custard Pie) to my diabetic recipes blog several years ago. Unfortunately, I somehow misplaced the links to where I'd found the recipes. If I discover where I found them, I'll post a link.

Ingredients

Pastry for single crust 9-inch pie

2 packages (8 oz. each) reduced-fat cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated*

1 container (8 oz.) light whipped topping, thawed if frozen

1 can (8 oz.) crushed pineapple, well drained

1/4 cup flaked coconut, divided

1/2 teaspoon rum extract

2 medium ripe bananas, cut into 1/2-inch thick slices

1 tablespoon chopped pecans

* May substitute 12 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Preheat oven to 375F. Roll pastry on floured surface into circle 1 inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into plate; trim and flute edge. Pierce side and bottom of pastry with tines of a fork. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely on wire rack.

Meanwhile, beat cream cheese and Equal in mixing bowl on medium speed of mixer until smooth and well combined. Gradually mix in whipped topping, pineapple, 3 tablespoons coconut and rum extract.

Place half of cream cheese mixture over pie crust. Arrange banana slices in single layer. Top with remaining cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle top of pie with remaining 1 tablespoon coconut and chopped pecans. Refrigerate 2 to 3 hours before serving.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving): Calories: 272; Protein: 6 g; Sodium: 199 mg; Cholesterol: 29 mg; Fat: 16 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g

Exchanges: 1-1/2 starch, 1/2 fruit, 3 fat

COCONUT CUSTARD PIE

Ingredients

Pastry for single-crust 9 inch pie

4 eggs

2 cups 2% milk

1 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated*

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup toasted flaked coconut

1 teaspoon coconut extract (optional)

* May substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Roll pastry on floured surface into circle 1 inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into plate; trim and flute edge. Set aside.

Beat eggs in large bowl about 5 minutes or until thick and lemon colored. Whisk in milk and remaining ingredients. Pour mixture into pastry shell.

Bake pie in preheated 375F oven 30 to 35 minutes or until sharp knife inserted halfway between center and edge of pie comes out clean. Cool on wire rack. Serve at room temperature, or refrigerate and serve chilled.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving): Calories: 194; Protein: 6 g; Sodium: 301 mg; Cholesterol: 115 mg; Fat: 11 g; Carbohydrates: 19 g

Exchanges: 1/2 milk, 1/2 starch, 2 fat

GARLIC CAULIFLOWER

Servings: 4

Source: The Diabetic Newsletter

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/78.shtml

Ingredients

1 small head of cauliflower

1 tablespoons virgin olive oil

2 large cloves garlic-minced

1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Dash paprika (optional)

Pepper to taste (optional)

Directions

In a large kettle, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil.

Trim cauliflower and break into flowerets.

Drop into boiling water and cook about 2 minutes.

Drain in a colander.

In a large, non-stick skillet, heat oil and toast garlic.

Add cauliflower and sesame seeds and saute for 1 minute.

Dust with paprika and pepper before serving (optional).

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 76; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 6 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 1 Fat

VEGGIE PATCH SOUP

Yield: 10 servings

Online version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/835.shtml

Source: Mr. Food Every Day's a Holiday Diabetic Cookbook

Ingredients

6 cups water

2 medium-sized white potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

4 large tomatoes, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks

4 medium-sized carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

3 medium-sized zucchini, cut into 1-inch chunks

2 medium-sized green bell peppers, coarsely chopped

2 medium-sized onions, coarsely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

In a soup pot, combine all the ingredients; mix well and bring to a boil over high heat.

Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 1 hour, or until the vegetables are tender.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 84; Protein: 2 g; Sodium: 383 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Sugars: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 2 Vegetable

CHEESE LASAGNA

Servings: 3

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/3.shtml

Ingredients

6 ounces whole wheat lasagna noodles

1/2 cup tomato sauce

1 cup onion, bell pepper and mushrooms (mix of all three)

1-1/2 cups low-fat cottage cheese

2 eggs

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

3 ounces grated mozzarella cheese

Directions

Cook lasagna noodles in boiling water until tender. Drain and set aside.

Combine tomato sauce and chopped onions, peppers and mushrooms.

Mix in separate bowl cottage cheese, eggs & 1/2 of Parmesan cheese.

Preheat oven to 350F.

In a 8" x 8" casserole, layer half the noodles, the cottage cheese mixture, and grated mozzarella cheese. Top with tomato sauce mix and the rest of the noodles. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese.

Bake for 25 minutes, then serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 500; Protein: 36 g; Fat: 10 g; Carbohydrates: 52 g; Exchanges: 3 Low-Fat Milk, 1 Bread/Starch, 1 Vegetable

SPINACH VEGETABLE KUGEL

The recipe starts off, “The vegetables for this colorful, vitamin-packed kugel can be prepared quickly in the food processor. Double the recipe for a large crowd. It's a winner! Use frozen spinach instead of fresh if you prefer.” Servings: 6

Find this recipe online at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/2.shtml

Ingredients

10 oz. package (300g) fresh spinach

2 onions, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 red pepper, chopped

3 carrots, grated

1 cup mushrooms, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 eggs plus 2 whites (or 3 eggs)

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon each pepper and garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/4 cup matzo meal

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Wash spinach thoroughly. Remove and discard tough stems. Cook spinach in a covered saucepan until wilted, about 3 minutes (or microwave on HIGH for 4 minutes). Don't add any water. The water clinging to the leaves will provide enough steam to cook it. Cool and squeeze dry.

Heat oil in a non-stick skillet on medium heat. Saute onion, celery, red pepper and carrots for 5 minutes, until golden. Add mushrooms and cook 5 minutes longer (or cook vegetables uncovered in the microwave for 6 to 8 minutes on HIGH).

Chop spinach coarsely. Combine with remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour into a sprayed 7" x 11" Pyrex casserole. Bake uncovered at 350F for 45 to 50 minutes, until firm. Cut into squares to serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 81; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 2.7 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g; Exchanges: 1/3 Bread/Starch; 1/2 Vegetable