Diabetic Thursday

It's time for another Diabetic Thursday, where we check out how yummy diabetic-friendly food can be. Here are six recipes to help you through the day, including Turkey Salad with Orange Vinaigrette and Ham Stuffed Zucchini. Enjoy!

CRANBERRY-ALMOND TARTS

Yield: Servings Per Recipe: 24; Serving Size: 1 square tart

Source: Splenda

Recipe and image appear courtesy of Splenda.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/cranberry-almond-tarts.

Ingredients

1/2 (15 ounce) container refrigerated pie crusts

3/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1/3 cup water

1 (12 ounce) bag fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed

1/4 cup chopped almonds, toasted

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 (8 ounce) carton non-dairy whipped topping

1/4 cup toasted almond slices

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Unroll pastry and roll to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface; using a 2- inch square cookie cutter, cut out 24 squares, re-rolling pastry, if necessary. Place squares in ungreased miniature muffin pans. Place in freezer.

Combine Splenda Granulated Sweetener and water in a saucepan, stirring until blended. Stir in cranberries. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring constantly 2 minutes or until berries pop. Pour through a wire-mesh sieve, set over a bowl. Return liquid to saucepan; reserving berries. Bring liquid to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes or until liquid is reduced to about 3 tablespoons. Pour sauce over cranberries, tossing to coat. Stir in almonds and almond extract. Spoon mixture into pastry shells.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until pastry is golden and filling is set. Carefully remove tarts from muffin tins; cool on a wire rack.

Notes:

Cranberries and almond nestled in a flaky pastry make a sweet ending for a holiday party.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 100; Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 2.5 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 55 mg; Protein: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Sugars: 3 g

TURKEY SALAD WITH ORANGE VINAIGRETTE

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

Source: University of Nebraska

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/turkey-salad-with-orange-vinaigrette.

Ingredients

1/4 cup orange juice

2 tablespoons vinegar, white wine

2 tablespoons onion (finely chopped)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 dash pepper

1 tablespoon oil

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

4 cups salad greens (torn)

2 cups cooked turkey breast, white meat (cut into julienne strips)

1 can mandarin orange segments (11 ounce, drained)

1/2 cup celery (sliced)

Directions

In a jar with tight-fitting lid, combine all vinaigrette ingredients; shake well. If you don't have a container with a tight-fitting lid, place ingredients in a small mixing bowl and mix together with a whisk.

In large bowl, combine all salad ingredients; toss gently.

Serve with vinaigrette. If desired, garnish with fresh strawberries.

Notes:

You can substitute 1-1/2 teaspoons dried chopped onion for the chopped fresh onion or as recommended on the dried onion container.

Prepare the dressing at least 10 minutes before you need it to allow the dried onion to re-hydrate from the fluids in the dressing.

Another way to add crunch to your salad would be to use 4 tablespoons chopped walnuts instead of the celery.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 200; Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 280 mg; Cholesterol: 50 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g; Sugars: 10 g

CHICKEN RATATOUILLE

Recipe Yield: Makes: 4 servings

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-ratatouille.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

4 chicken breasts halves (medium, skinned, fat removed, boned, and cut into 1-inch pieces)

2 zucchini (7 inches long, unpeeled and thinly sliced)

1 eggplant (small, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes)

1 onion (medium, thinly sliced)

1 green pepper (medium, cut into 1-inch pieces)

1/2 pound mushroom (fresh, sliced)

1 can tomatoes (16 oz, whole, cut up)

1 garlic clove (minced)

1-1/2 teaspoons basil (dried, crushed)

1 tablespoon parsley (fresh, minced)

black pepper (to taste)

Directions

Heat oil in large non-stick skillet. Add chicken and saute about 3 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Add zucchini, eggplant, onion, green pepper, and mushrooms. Cook about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add tomatoes, garlic, basil, parsley, and pepper; stir and continue cooking about 5 minutes, or until chicken is tender.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 270; Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Fiber: 8 g; Sodium: 240 mg; Protein: 32 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g

HEARTY MUSHROOM SOUP

Recipe Yield: Prep Time: 15 Minutes; Cost: $; Servings: 6; Difficulty Level: 2

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

Book Title: Family Circle's "All-time Favorite Recipes”

View this at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/hearty-mushroom-soup.

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. Gently reheat, stirring occasionally.

Ladle into soup bowls. Garnish with parsley.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 222; Fat: 12 g; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch, 1 Low-Fat Meat, 1 Fat

HAM STUFFED ZUCCHINI

Source: The Diabetic Newsletter

View this at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/ham-stuffed-zucchini/print/

Ingredients

8 small zucchini

4 cups low-fat ham, chopped fine

2 eggs or egg substitute, lightly beaten

1 teaspoon basil

1/2 cup green pepper, chopped

1/4 cup low-fat Swiss cheese, shredded

1 tablespoon canola oil

Directions

With a sharp knife, cut off the ends of the zucchini and hollow out the inside, removing the pulp.

In a mixing bowl, combine the ham, eggs, basil, green pepper and cheese.

Pack 1/2 cup of this mixture into each zucchini, using fingers or a teaspoon.

Place the zucchini in a baking dish coated with a non-stick cooking spray.

Brush the stuffed zucchini with oil.

Bake in a preheated 325 degree F oven for 45 minutes. The zucchini will be fork-tender.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 190; Fat: 6.6 g; Sodium: 29 mg; Protein: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3/4 Bread/Starch, 1 Medium-Fat Meat

ZUCCHINI ALLA CECE

Recipe Yield: Serving: 6

Source: Family Circle's All-Time Favorite Recipes

Book Title: Family Circle's All-Time Favorite Recipes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/zucchini-alla-cece.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 small zucchini (1/2 pound total), cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices

1/2 teaspoon dried basil, crumbled

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled

1 can (14-3/4 ounces) stewed tomatoes

1 cup canned chick-peas, drained and rinsed

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Heat oil in a medium-size skillet over medium heat. Add onion, zucchini, basil and thyme. Cook, covered, 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Stir in tomatoes, chick-peas and pepper; cover and simmer 5 minutes or until zucchini is just tender. Serve immediately or refrigerate, covered, up to 3 days; gently reheat before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 113; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 349 mg; Protein: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 18 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Bread/Starch, 1 Fat; 1/2 Vegetable