Diabetic Thursday

It's time for another Diabetic Thursday. Here are six delicious diabetic recipes to help you through the day, including Cranberry Orange Cheesecake and Pasta with Broccoli Rabe. Enjoy!

CRANBERRY ORANGE CHEESECAKE

This recipe begins, “Chopped fresh cranberries, grated orange peel and the tang of gingersnaps make this a festive looking and delicious cheesecake variation.

Recipe Yield: Serves: 16

View online: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/cranberry-orange-cheesecake

Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/cranberry-orange-cheesecake/print/

Ingredients

Crust Ingredients:

1-1/3 cups gingersnap crumbs

3 tablespoons Equal Spoonful or Granulated*

3 tablespoons stick butter or margarine, melted

Cheesecake Ingredients:

3 packages (8 ounces each) reduced fat cream cheese, softened

1 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated**

2 eggs

2 egg whites

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup reduced-fat sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla

1 cup chopped fresh or frozen cranberries

1-1/2 teaspoons grated orange peel

Additional grated orange peel (optional)

* May substitute 4-1/2 packets Equal sweetener

** May Substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

For Crust, combine gingersnap crumbs, 3 tablespoons Equal and melted butter. Reserve 2 tablespoons crumb mixture.

Press remaining crumb mixture onto bottom of 9-inch springform pan.

Bake in preheated 325F oven 8 minutes. Cool on wire rack while preparing cheesecake.

For Cheesecake, beat cream cheese and 1 cup Equal in mixing bowl on medium speed of mixer until smooth and well combined.

Mix in eggs, egg whites, cornstarch and salt.

Fold in sour cream and vanilla until combined.

Gently stir in cranberries and orange peel.

Pour batter over baked crust. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture.

Bake in preheated oven 45 to 50 minutes or until center of cake is almost set. Cool on wire rack.

Gently run metal spatula around rim of pan to loosen cake. Let cheesecake cool completely.

Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight before serving.

To serve, remove side of pan. Garnish top of cheesecake with grated orange peel, if desired. Cut cake into wedges.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 196; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 268 mg; Cholesterol: 62 mg; Protein: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 milk, 2-1/2 fat

NEAPOLITAN MEATBALLS

This comes from Diabetic Connect.

To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/2219-neapolitan-meatballs

Ingredients

1/2 cup bulgur

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

8 cloves garlic, very thinly sliced

3/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 28-ounce cans diced tomatoes

4 cups diced plum tomatoes (about 1 1/2 pounds)

2 cups cubed whole-wheat country bread

1 large egg

1 large egg white

1 pound 93%-lean ground beef

1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional)

Directions

Place bulgur in a medium bowl and cover generously with hot water. Let soak for 30 minutes. Drain in a fine sieve, pressing to remove excess liquid.

Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat. Add garlic, oregano and crushed red pepper; cook, stirring, until softened but not browned, about 1 minute. Stir in canned tomatoes and plum tomatoes; increase heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to low. Partially cover and let simmer while you prepare meatballs.

Place bread in a medium bowl and cover with cold water. Let soak for a few minutes. Drain and squeeze out moisture.

Whisk egg and egg white in a large bowl. Add the bulgur, the bread, beef, Parmesan, cinnamon, pepper and salt. Gently combine with a potato masher and/or your hands. Form into 20 oval meatballs about 2 inches long.

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the meatballs and cook, turning occasionally, until browned all over, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; blot with paper towels. Brown the remaining meatballs.

Mash the simmering tomato sauce with a potato masher to break down any large chunks of tomato. Add the meatballs to the sauce. Simmer over low heat, partially covered, for 50 minutes.

Taste the sauce and add sugar, if it seems tart, and additional pepper to taste. Serve the meatballs with the sauce.

Makes 8 servings, 2 – 3 meatballs each.

Nutritional Facts: Servings: 1; Per serving: 283 calories; 11 g fat (4 g sat, 4 g mono); 73 mg cholesterol; 20 g carbohydrate; 23 g protein; 5 g fiber; 687 mg sodium; 271 mg potassium. 1 Carbohydrate Serving; Exchanges1/2 starch; 1 vegetable; 2 1/2 lean meat

IRISH WHOLE WHEAT SODA BREAD

Yield: Makes 1 Round Loaf

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=637

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/637.shtml

Source: America's Everyday Diabetes Cookbook

Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups buttermilk

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly grease a baking sheet.

In a large bowl, stir together whole wheat flour, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

Add buttermilk all at once, stirring with a fork to make a soft, but slightly sticky dough.

With lightly floured hands, form dough into a ball. On a lightly floured surface, knead the dough gently for 8 to 10 times. Pat the dough into a 6-inch thick round, with a slightly flattened top.

Place dough on prepared baking sheet. With a shape knife or pizza cutter, score the top in the shape of a cross or large X. Bake in preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from baking sheet onto a cooling rack immediately. Dust top with rice flour. Serve warm from the oven.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 123; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 335 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch/Bread

CHICKEN PICADILLO

This recipe begins, “This zesty one-pot meal is easy to throw together on a busy weeknight.”

Recipe Yield: 6 servings.Serving size: 3/4 cup chicken and vegetables

View online with photo: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-picadillo

Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-picadillo/print/

Ingredients

2 tsp olive oil

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, rinsed and finely chopped

1 medium red bell pepper, rinsed and finely chopped

1-1/2 Tbsp garlic, mashed (about 3 cloves)

12 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into thin strips

1/3 cup no-salt-added tomato sauce

1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup lemon juice

1/4 tsp ground cumin

2 bay leaves

1/3 cup water

1/4 cup golden seedless raisins

For garnish:1 Tbsp fresh cilantro, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or substitute 1 tsp dried coriander)

1 Tbsp capers, drained

2 Tbsp green olives, chopped

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion, bell peppers, and garlic, and saute until vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.

Add the chicken, and stir fry for another 5–10 minutes until chicken is no longer pink inside.

Add the tomato sauce, chicken broth, lemon juice, cumin, bay leaves, water, and raisins to the vegetables and chicken.

Cover the pan, and reduce the heat. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove the bay leaves, and garnish with fresh cilantro, capers, and green olives, and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 162; Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 133 mg; Cholesterol: 46 mg; Protein: 18 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g

PARMESAN GREEN BEANS

This recipes begins, “A side dish so tasty, children won’t even know it’s good for them.”

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

Serving Size: 1 cup green bean mix

Source: Deliciously Healthy Family Meals

View online with photo: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/parmesan-green-beans

Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/parmesan-green-beans/print/

Ingredients

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 tsp garlic, minced (about 1 clove) (or 1/4 tsp garlic powder)

1 small onion, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)

1 bag (16 oz) frozen green beans

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Directions

Combine olive oil and garlic in a large saucepan. Cook until garlic is soft, but not browned (about 30 seconds).

Add onion, and continue to cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat until soft.

Add green beans and chicken broth. Bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes, until the beans are heated through.

Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and pepper, and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:Calories: 95; Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 117 mg; Cholesterol: 4 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g

CHICKEN PAILLARDS WITH PORCINI-CIDER SAUCE

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

View online: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-paillards-with-porcini-cider-sauce

Print version: https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-paillards-with-porcini-cider-sauce/print/

Ingredients

4 chicken breast halves, boneless and skinless, pounded thin

2 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoons salt

1/4 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided

1 shallot, minced

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 ounces dried porcini mushrooms, reconstituted in 1 cup boiling water

1/4 cup apple cider

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, minced, plus more for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven 200 degrees F.

Place flour in a shallow bowl; season with salt and pepper.

Dredge each chicken paillard in flour, shaking off excess.

Strain reconstituted porcinis, saving liquid. Chop porcinis and set aside.

In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat.

Add chicken and cook until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes per side.

Transfer to an ovenproof plate and keep warm in the oven.

Add remaining teaspoon of oil to the pan over medium heat, add shallots and cook 1 to 2 minutes.

Turn heat to high and add the balsamic vinegar, porcini liquid and apple cider. Stir to incorporate any browned bits in the pan and bring to a boil.

Once boiling, reduce to a simmer over medium-low heat and add mushrooms and thyme leaves to sauce. Allow to simmer until sauce has reduced and thickened slightly, about 5 minutes.

To serve, place one chicken paillard on each plate and top with some of the porcini-cider sauce. Garnish with additional thyme sprigs before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 340: Fat: 12 g; Saturated Fat: 2.5 g; Fiber: 3 g; Protein: 39 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g