Diabetic Thursday

It's Thursday, which means it's Diabetic Thursday. If you're cooking for someone who is diabetic (whether it's you or a loved one), you realize that it can be a little challenging. But most of us want something that tastes good, as well as something that's good for us. Fortunately, the recipes from Diabetic Gourmet prove that diabetic food does not have to be boring or bland. If you're not on their emailing list - even if you're not diabetic or cooking for someone who is - you might want to check it out. In the meantime, here are six more recipes to try out. Enjoy!

BLACK BEAN AND TOMATO SALSA

Yield: 4 servings

Source: "The Eating Well Diabetes Cookbook"

Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/87.shtml

Ingredients

1 cup seeded, diced plum tomatoes (3-4 tomatoes)

1 cup canned black beans, rinsed

2 tablespoons chopped scallions

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

1 tablespoon lime juice

1-1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/2-1 teaspoon minced canned chipotle in adobo sauce

1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; stir to blend. If not serving immediately, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/2 cup each): Calories: 83, Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Carbohydrate: 11 g, Protein: 4 g, Fiber: 4 g, Sodium: 283 mg; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch

MEXICAN TURKEY SALAD

This recipe, like most recipes on Thursday's blog, comes from Diabetic Gourmet. Their emailing list is great for anyone who is a diabetic or who has a loved one who diabetic. And the recipes are great tasting! This recipe makes about 10 servings.

Online Recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/htmll/708.shtml

Ingredients

3 cups cooked, cubed turkey breast

1 can (15 oz.) corn, drained (1 3/4 cups)

1 can (15.5 oz.) black beans, rinsed and drained

1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced

1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced

1/2 cup peeled jicama, diced small

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

2-3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice, or to taste

3/4 cup thick salsa

3 drops, or to taste, red pepper sauce (optional)

2-4 Tbsp. water

1/4 cup low-fat shredded Cheddar cheese for garnish (optional)

1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro or flat-parsley leaves, for garnish (optional)

Directions

In a large bowl, place turkey, corn, beans, bell peppers and jicama. Gently toss until well mixed and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil and lime juice. Mix in salsa. Add red pepper sauce if desired. Add enough water to thin consistency so dressing can be thinly drizzled over salad. Transfer to serving pitcher.

Drizzle dressing over turkey mixture, tossing to coat salad ingredients evenly.

Cover and chill 1 to 3 hours so flavors can meld. Bring to room temperature and check seasoning before serving. Add salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Drain off any excess dressing. Place in serving bowl. Sprinkle top of salad with cheese (if using) and cilantro. Serve with baked tortilla chips, if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 238; Protein: 16 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 413 mg; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g

BROCCOLI CHOWDER

From Diabetic Gourmet. Yield: 6 servings, 1 cup each

Source: "The Eating Well Diabetes Cookbook"

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, chopped (1-1/2 cups)

1 large carrot, diced (1/2 cup)

2 stalks celery, diced (1/2 cup)

1 large potato, peeled and diced (1-1/2 cups)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3-1/2 cups vegetable broth (two 14-ounce cans)

8 ounces broccoli crowns, cut into 1-inch pieces, stems and florets separated (3 cups)

1 cup grated reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream

1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Directions

Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot and celery; cook, stirring often, until the onion and celery soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add potato and garlic; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in flour, dry mustard and cayenne; cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add broth and broccoli stems; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Stir in florets; simmer, covered, until the broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes more.

Transfer 2 cups of the chowder to a bowl and mash; return to the pan. Stir in Cheddar and sour cream; cook over medium heat, stirring, until the cheese is melted and the chowder is heated through. Season with salt.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup each): Calories: 180, Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 15 mg, Carbohydrate: 23 g, Protein: 6 g, Fiber: 4 g, Sodium: 354 mg Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1 High-Fat Meat

STRAWBERRY-PEACH COOLER

Yield: 2 servings

Serving size: 1 cup

View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/737.shtml

Source: The Diabetes Snack, Munch, Nibble, Nosh Book

Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/1.shtml

Ingredients

1 cup dry-pack unsweetened frozen strawberries

2/3 cup dry-pack unsweetened frozen peaches

3/4 cup orange juice

Directions

In a 2-cup measure or similar microwave-safe bowl, combine the strawberries and peaches.

Cover with wax paper, and microwave on high power 45 seconds to 1 minute to thaw the fruit slightly. The fruit should be icy but not hard.

Working with a small knife in the measuring cup, cut each peach slice in half.

Transfer the peaches and strawberries to a blender container.

Add the orange juice. Blend on low power to combine. Then increase power to high and continue to blend until the peaches are completely pureed, at least 1-1/2 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 105; Protein: 2 g; Sodium: 2 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 23 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Exchanges: 2 Fruit

MUSHROOM MEATLOAF

Yield: 8 servings

View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/739.shtml

Source: Secrets of Good-Carb Low-Carb Living

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds 95-percent-lean ground beef or ground turkey

2 cups very finely chopped fresh mushrooms

3/4 cup very finely chopped onion

3/4 cup quick-cooking (1-minute) oats

8-ounce can tomato sauce with roasted garlic or Italian herbs

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons fat-free egg substitute

1/4 cup very finely chopped fresh parsley, or 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dried parsley

1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

Place all of the ingredients except for 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce in a large bowl, and mix well.

Coat a 9-by-5-inch meatloaf pan with nonstick cooking spray and press the mixture into the pan to form a loaf.

Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 35 minutes. Spread the remaining tomato sauce over the meatloaf and bake for 30 additional minutes, or until the meat is no longer pink inside and a meat thermometer reads at least 160 degrees.

Remove the loaf from the oven, and let sit for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 160; Protein: 20 g; Fat: 4.4 g; Sodium: 399 mg; Cholesterol: 45 mg; Saturated Fat: 1.6 g; Dietary Fiber: 1.7 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Bread/Starch, 3 Low-Fat Meat, 1 Vegetable

COLORFUL COLESLAW

Yield: 4 servings

View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/740.shtml

Source: Secrets of Good-Carb Low-Carb Living

Ingredients

1 cup thinly sliced green cabbage

1 cup thinly sliced red cabbage

1 medium carrot shredded with a potato peeler, or 1/2 cup precut matchstick carrots

Dressing Ingredients:

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or canola oil

1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon dried dill

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Place the cabbage and carrots in a medium bowl, and toss to mix.

Combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to mix well. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss again.

Serve immediately or cover and chill until ready to serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 52; Protein: 0.8 g; Fat: 3.6 g; Sodium: 187 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Saturated Fat: 0.5 g; Dietary Fiber: 1.2 g; Carbohydrates: 5 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat