Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. After all, not everyone wants to try a day without meat. (I know there are people out there nodding their heads at that!)
Anyway, today's double post includes Easy Tuna Carbonara and Best Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!
TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE
This comes from the American Heart Association, and begins, “This sweet, delicious smoothie includes both fruit and vegetables.”
This recipe (along with a photo) can be viewed online at https://recipes.heart.org/recipes/2094/tropical-green-smoothie. Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 cup coconut water
1 teaspoon honey
1 orange
3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
1/2 banana
2 handfuls, about 1 ounce handfuls spinach
ice (until consistency you like)
Directions
Put Coconut water, spinach and honey in the blender until blended.
Place the rest of the fruit in blender and blend until smooth.
Add ice until desired smoothie consistency.
EASY 30-MINUTE MEXICAN ENCHILADAS
This is from Chelsea Kenyon of The Spruce Eats. Chelsea wrote, “This easy Mexican enchiladas recipe takes only 30 minutes to prepare for a filling family meal. They can be prepared simply with just cheese, or be spruced up by adding a little bit of beef or chicken to appeal to the meat eaters in your household.
“Warning: The sauce can make things a bit messy, so wear an apron!
“For step-by-step instructions, we recommend checking out our photo tutorial on how to make Mexican enchiladas.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings Mexican enchiladas.
Ingredients
1 cup cooking oil
16 corn tortillas
1 (28-ounce) can enchilada sauce (or 1 recipe homemade red enchilada sauce)
2 cups cheese (such as mozzarella or queso blanco, grated or shredded)
1/2 cup Cotija cheese
Optional: 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded beef, chicken, or pork
Directions
Heat oven to 400 F.
Pour oil into a medium-sized saucepan and heat until it's hot, but not sizzling. You want to warm the tortillas in the oil, not fry them.
Using tongs, dip each tortilla, one at a time, into the hot oil until it is warmed through and pliable. Remove tortilla from oil and drain it briefly on a paper towel.
Pour just enough sauce in the bottom of a 13x9-inch glass baking dish to cover it. Pour the rest of the sauce in a large bowl. Dip a warm tortilla into the sauce and then place it in the bottom of the baking dish.
Place a little less than 1/4 cup of cheese down the center of the tortilla. If you are adding meat, use a little less cheese. Fold half of the tortilla over the cheese, then the other half, so that the tortilla is rolled around the cheese. Turn it over so it is seam-side down and the weight of the cheese will help keep it in place.
Repeat each of those steps for each of the tortillas making two layers of enchiladas in the dish, if necessary. Pour any remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle the Cotija cheese over the enchiladas.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until enchiladas are hot throughout and cheese is melted.
Serve your enchiladas with a spatula, four to a plate.
Authentic vs. Modern Enchiladas
In their simplest form, authentic enchiladas are simply corn tortillas dipped in a chile sauce and eaten with a fork. They might or might not have a filling and are sometimes topped with a sprinkling of grated cheese or a drizzle of cream.
As enchiladas became popular across the Southwestern United States, they evolved into an oven-baked dish as that appliance is used more commonly in North America than South of the Border. Enchiladas are now associated with the casserole classic that we know today.
EASY TUNA CARBONARA
This comes from Linda Larsen on The Spruce Eats. Linda wrote, “This recipe for Tuna Carbonara is ready to eat in about 20 minutes, start to finish. It uses ingredients you most likely have on hand in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, so it's a great choice to make when you haven't been to the store for a while or if you're stranded due to weather or illness.
“You can substitute leftover cooked tuna, or salmon for that matter, for the canned tuna in this recipe or use canned salmon or canned chicken if you'd like. The whole point of a recipe like this is to use what you have in the house. If you don't have bell peppers, use sliced mushrooms or some sliced zucchini, grated carrots, or yellow summer squash. If you don't have pasta, linguine or fettuccine will do just fine. The only things you really need for this recipe are some kind of pasta, bacon, eggs, cream, tuna, and Parmesan or Romano cheese.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package spaghetti pasta
4 slices bacon
4 eggs (beaten)
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 onion (chopped)
1 6-ounce can white tuna (drained)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
Directions
Bring a large of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente, or "to the tooth." When the pasta is al dente, remove about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
Cook bacon until crisp in a large saucepan over medium heat; drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add cream; beat again.
In the saucepan you used to cook the bacon, add butter and oil and melt together over medium heat. Sauté the bell pepper, garlic, and onion in the fat until tender.
Drain the pasta and add immediately to the pan with the peppers.
Add the tuna and cook, stirring, until heated through.
Add the egg mixture to pan. Cook and stir, lifting pasta with tongs to allow the sauce to coat the pasta thoroughly.
Stir in the cheese, reserved bacon, and parsley, and serve immediately.
SHANGHAI WALNUT CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/shanghai-walnut-chicken
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar
1/4 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided
3/4 lb. chicken cutlets, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 green bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 green chile pepper, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 can (8 oz.) diced or sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, broth and cornstarch. Mix in the sesame oil. Set the seasoning sauce aside.
Set a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of the canola oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface. Stir-fry the chicken until it is white. Turn it out onto a plate.
Add the remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry the green, red, and chile peppers, and the garlic, for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the water chestnuts and walnuts. Restir the seasoning sauce and add. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, along with cooked rice, preferably brown.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 247; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 378 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Medium-Fat Meat, 2 Vegetable
EASY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE
This yumminess comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “For when you are looking to switch up your dinner routine, or just craving a bit of tuna, here's a quick and tasty tuna noodle casserole that is great for an everyday family meal, and is easy on the budget too. What more could you ask for?
“If you'd like to jazz up your tuna noodle casserole, instead of using bread crumb topping try crumbling up some potato chips or French fried onion rings over the casserole before baking. This alternative still provides a bit of a crunch, but offers a different flavor while doing so, in case you have any family members who aren't fans of onions.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 ounces medium egg noodles (cooked and drained)
2 cups green peas (cooked)
2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 (6-ounce) cans tuna (drained and flaked)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Directions
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart casserole dish.
Combine the noodles, peas, soup, milk, cheese, and tuna. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
Toss breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over the top or the casserole.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and crumbs are browned.
Tips and Variations
Top the casserole with French fried onions, crumbled cheese crackers, or crumbled potato chips and omit the soft bread crumbs and melted butter.
Instead of peas, use 2 cups of cooked peas and carrots or mixed vegetables.
Add some sliced sauteed mushrooms to the casserole mixture.
Add a few tablespoons of diced drained pimientos to the casserole.
Use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup. Or, if you prefer a homemade sauce, omit the soups and the 1/2 cup of milk and replace them with about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of thickened white sauce.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Put this lower fat version of a kiddie classic on the menu, and the dinner table. Fair warning, it might be a quiet dinner once the kids get a bite of this cheesy favorite.”
For 6 people; Ready in 20 min.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon(s) butter
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup(s) skim milk
1 1/2 cup(s) (6 oz) reduced fat, shredded sharp cheddar
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon(s) low sodium Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/8 teaspoon(s) hot sauce
4 cup(s) cooked elbow macaroni
Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheeses and next 4 ingredients, stirring until cheeses melt. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni in a bowl; stir well. Serve immediately.
Showing posts with label Best Mac and Cheese. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Best Mac and Cheese. Show all posts
Monday, June 8, 2026
Monday, May 4, 2026
Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. After all, not everyone wants to try a day without meat. (I know there are people out there nodding their heads at that!)
Anyway, today's double post includes Easy Tuna Carbonara and Best Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!
TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE
This comes from the American Heart Association, and begins, “This sweet, delicious smoothie includes both fruit and vegetables.”
This recipe (along with a photo) can be viewed online at https://recipes.heart.org/recipes/2094/tropical-green-smoothie. Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 cup coconut water
1 teaspoon honey
1 orange
3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
1/2 banana
2 handfuls, about 1 ounce handfuls spinach
ice (until consistency you like)
Directions
Put Coconut water, spinach and honey in the blender until blended.
Place the rest of the fruit in blender and blend until smooth.
Add ice until desired smoothie consistency.
EASY 30-MINUTE MEXICAN ENCHILADAS
This is from Chelsea Kenyon of The Spruce Eats. Chelsea wrote, “This easy Mexican enchiladas recipe takes only 30 minutes to prepare for a filling family meal. They can be prepared simply with just cheese, or be spruced up by adding a little bit of beef or chicken to appeal to the meat eaters in your household.
“Warning: The sauce can make things a bit messy, so wear an apron!
“For step-by-step instructions, we recommend checking out our photo tutorial on how to make Mexican enchiladas.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings Mexican enchiladas.
Ingredients
1 cup cooking oil
16 corn tortillas
1 (28-ounce) can enchilada sauce (or 1 recipe homemade red enchilada sauce)
2 cups cheese (such as mozzarella or queso blanco, grated or shredded)
1/2 cup Cotija cheese
Optional: 1-1/2 cups cooked shredded beef, chicken, or pork
Directions
Heat oven to 400 F.
Pour oil into a medium-sized saucepan and heat until it's hot, but not sizzling. You want to warm the tortillas in the oil, not fry them.
Using tongs, dip each tortilla, one at a time, into the hot oil until it is warmed through and pliable. Remove tortilla from oil and drain it briefly on a paper towel.
Pour just enough sauce in the bottom of a 13x9-inch glass baking dish to cover it. Pour the rest of the sauce in a large bowl. Dip a warm tortilla into the sauce and then place it in the bottom of the baking dish.
Place a little less than 1/4 cup of cheese down the center of the tortilla. If you are adding meat, use a little less cheese. Fold half of the tortilla over the cheese, then the other half, so that the tortilla is rolled around the cheese. Turn it over so it is seam-side down and the weight of the cheese will help keep it in place.
Repeat each of those steps for each of the tortillas making two layers of enchiladas in the dish, if necessary. Pour any remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle the Cotija cheese over the enchiladas.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until enchiladas are hot throughout and cheese is melted.
Serve your enchiladas with a spatula, four to a plate.
Authentic vs. Modern Enchiladas
In their simplest form, authentic enchiladas are simply corn tortillas dipped in a chile sauce and eaten with a fork. They might or might not have a filling and are sometimes topped with a sprinkling of grated cheese or a drizzle of cream.
As enchiladas became popular across the Southwestern United States, they evolved into an oven-baked dish as that appliance is used more commonly in North America than South of the Border. Enchiladas are now associated with the casserole classic that we know today.
EASY TUNA CARBONARA
This comes from Linda Larsen on The Spruce Eats. Linda wrote, “This recipe for Tuna Carbonara is ready to eat in about 20 minutes, start to finish. It uses ingredients you most likely have on hand in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, so it's a great choice to make when you haven't been to the store for a while or if you're stranded due to weather or illness.
“You can substitute leftover cooked tuna, or salmon for that matter, for the canned tuna in this recipe or use canned salmon or canned chicken if you'd like. The whole point of a recipe like this is to use what you have in the house. If you don't have bell peppers, use sliced mushrooms or some sliced zucchini, grated carrots, or yellow summer squash. If you don't have pasta, linguine or fettuccine will do just fine. The only things you really need for this recipe are some kind of pasta, bacon, eggs, cream, tuna, and Parmesan or Romano cheese.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package spaghetti pasta
4 slices bacon
4 eggs (beaten)
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 onion (chopped)
1 6-ounce can white tuna (drained)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
Directions
Bring a large of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente, or "to the tooth." When the pasta is al dente, remove about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
Cook bacon until crisp in a large saucepan over medium heat; drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add cream; beat again.
In the saucepan you used to cook the bacon, add butter and oil and melt together over medium heat. Sauté the bell pepper, garlic, and onion in the fat until tender.
Drain the pasta and add immediately to the pan with the peppers.
Add the tuna and cook, stirring, until heated through.
Add the egg mixture to pan. Cook and stir, lifting pasta with tongs to allow the sauce to coat the pasta thoroughly.
Stir in the cheese, reserved bacon, and parsley, and serve immediately.
SHANGHAI WALNUT CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/shanghai-walnut-chicken
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar
1/4 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided
3/4 lb. chicken cutlets, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 green bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 green chile pepper, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 can (8 oz.) diced or sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, broth and cornstarch. Mix in the sesame oil. Set the seasoning sauce aside.
Set a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of the canola oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface. Stir-fry the chicken until it is white. Turn it out onto a plate.
Add the remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry the green, red, and chile peppers, and the garlic, for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the water chestnuts and walnuts. Restir the seasoning sauce and add. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, along with cooked rice, preferably brown.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 247; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 378 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Medium-Fat Meat, 2 Vegetable
EASY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE
This yumminess comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “For when you are looking to switch up your dinner routine, or just craving a bit of tuna, here's a quick and tasty tuna noodle casserole that is great for an everyday family meal, and is easy on the budget too. What more could you ask for?
“If you'd like to jazz up your tuna noodle casserole, instead of using bread crumb topping try crumbling up some potato chips or French fried onion rings over the casserole before baking. This alternative still provides a bit of a crunch, but offers a different flavor while doing so, in case you have any family members who aren't fans of onions.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 ounces medium egg noodles (cooked and drained)
2 cups green peas (cooked)
2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 (6-ounce) cans tuna (drained and flaked)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Directions
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart casserole dish.
Combine the noodles, peas, soup, milk, cheese, and tuna. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
Toss breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over the top or the casserole.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and crumbs are browned.
Tips and Variations
Top the casserole with French fried onions, crumbled cheese crackers, or crumbled potato chips and omit the soft bread crumbs and melted butter.
Instead of peas, use 2 cups of cooked peas and carrots or mixed vegetables.
Add some sliced sauteed mushrooms to the casserole mixture.
Add a few tablespoons of diced drained pimientos to the casserole.
Use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup. Or, if you prefer a homemade sauce, omit the soups and the 1/2 cup of milk and replace them with about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of thickened white sauce.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Put this lower fat version of a kiddie classic on the menu, and the dinner table. Fair warning, it might be a quiet dinner once the kids get a bite of this cheesy favorite.”
For 6 people; Ready in 20 min.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon(s) butter
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup(s) skim milk
1 1/2 cup(s) (6 oz) reduced fat, shredded sharp cheddar
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon(s) low sodium Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/8 teaspoon(s) hot sauce
4 cup(s) cooked elbow macaroni
Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheeses and next 4 ingredients, stirring until cheeses melt. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni in a bowl; stir well. Serve immediately.
Anyway, today's double post includes Easy Tuna Carbonara and Best Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!
TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE
This comes from the American Heart Association, and begins, “This sweet, delicious smoothie includes both fruit and vegetables.”
This recipe (along with a photo) can be viewed online at https://recipes.heart.org/recipes/2094/tropical-green-smoothie. Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 cup coconut water
1 teaspoon honey
1 orange
3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
1/2 banana
2 handfuls, about 1 ounce handfuls spinach
ice (until consistency you like)
Directions
Put Coconut water, spinach and honey in the blender until blended.
Place the rest of the fruit in blender and blend until smooth.
Add ice until desired smoothie consistency.
EASY 30-MINUTE MEXICAN ENCHILADAS
This is from Chelsea Kenyon of The Spruce Eats. Chelsea wrote, “This easy Mexican enchiladas recipe takes only 30 minutes to prepare for a filling family meal. They can be prepared simply with just cheese, or be spruced up by adding a little bit of beef or chicken to appeal to the meat eaters in your household.
“Warning: The sauce can make things a bit messy, so wear an apron!
“For step-by-step instructions, we recommend checking out our photo tutorial on how to make Mexican enchiladas.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings Mexican enchiladas.
Ingredients
1 cup cooking oil
16 corn tortillas
1 (28-ounce) can enchilada sauce (or 1 recipe homemade red enchilada sauce)
2 cups cheese (such as mozzarella or queso blanco, grated or shredded)
1/2 cup Cotija cheese
Optional: 1-1/2 cups cooked shredded beef, chicken, or pork
Directions
Heat oven to 400 F.
Pour oil into a medium-sized saucepan and heat until it's hot, but not sizzling. You want to warm the tortillas in the oil, not fry them.
Using tongs, dip each tortilla, one at a time, into the hot oil until it is warmed through and pliable. Remove tortilla from oil and drain it briefly on a paper towel.
Pour just enough sauce in the bottom of a 13x9-inch glass baking dish to cover it. Pour the rest of the sauce in a large bowl. Dip a warm tortilla into the sauce and then place it in the bottom of the baking dish.
Place a little less than 1/4 cup of cheese down the center of the tortilla. If you are adding meat, use a little less cheese. Fold half of the tortilla over the cheese, then the other half, so that the tortilla is rolled around the cheese. Turn it over so it is seam-side down and the weight of the cheese will help keep it in place.
Repeat each of those steps for each of the tortillas making two layers of enchiladas in the dish, if necessary. Pour any remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle the Cotija cheese over the enchiladas.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until enchiladas are hot throughout and cheese is melted.
Serve your enchiladas with a spatula, four to a plate.
Authentic vs. Modern Enchiladas
In their simplest form, authentic enchiladas are simply corn tortillas dipped in a chile sauce and eaten with a fork. They might or might not have a filling and are sometimes topped with a sprinkling of grated cheese or a drizzle of cream.
As enchiladas became popular across the Southwestern United States, they evolved into an oven-baked dish as that appliance is used more commonly in North America than South of the Border. Enchiladas are now associated with the casserole classic that we know today.
EASY TUNA CARBONARA
This comes from Linda Larsen on The Spruce Eats. Linda wrote, “This recipe for Tuna Carbonara is ready to eat in about 20 minutes, start to finish. It uses ingredients you most likely have on hand in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, so it's a great choice to make when you haven't been to the store for a while or if you're stranded due to weather or illness.
“You can substitute leftover cooked tuna, or salmon for that matter, for the canned tuna in this recipe or use canned salmon or canned chicken if you'd like. The whole point of a recipe like this is to use what you have in the house. If you don't have bell peppers, use sliced mushrooms or some sliced zucchini, grated carrots, or yellow summer squash. If you don't have pasta, linguine or fettuccine will do just fine. The only things you really need for this recipe are some kind of pasta, bacon, eggs, cream, tuna, and Parmesan or Romano cheese.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package spaghetti pasta
4 slices bacon
4 eggs (beaten)
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 onion (chopped)
1 6-ounce can white tuna (drained)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
Directions
Bring a large of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente, or "to the tooth." When the pasta is al dente, remove about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
Cook bacon until crisp in a large saucepan over medium heat; drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add cream; beat again.
In the saucepan you used to cook the bacon, add butter and oil and melt together over medium heat. Sauté the bell pepper, garlic, and onion in the fat until tender.
Drain the pasta and add immediately to the pan with the peppers.
Add the tuna and cook, stirring, until heated through.
Add the egg mixture to pan. Cook and stir, lifting pasta with tongs to allow the sauce to coat the pasta thoroughly.
Stir in the cheese, reserved bacon, and parsley, and serve immediately.
SHANGHAI WALNUT CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/shanghai-walnut-chicken
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar
1/4 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided
3/4 lb. chicken cutlets, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 green bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 green chile pepper, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 can (8 oz.) diced or sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, broth and cornstarch. Mix in the sesame oil. Set the seasoning sauce aside.
Set a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of the canola oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface. Stir-fry the chicken until it is white. Turn it out onto a plate.
Add the remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry the green, red, and chile peppers, and the garlic, for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the water chestnuts and walnuts. Restir the seasoning sauce and add. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, along with cooked rice, preferably brown.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 247; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 378 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Medium-Fat Meat, 2 Vegetable
EASY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE
This yumminess comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “For when you are looking to switch up your dinner routine, or just craving a bit of tuna, here's a quick and tasty tuna noodle casserole that is great for an everyday family meal, and is easy on the budget too. What more could you ask for?
“If you'd like to jazz up your tuna noodle casserole, instead of using bread crumb topping try crumbling up some potato chips or French fried onion rings over the casserole before baking. This alternative still provides a bit of a crunch, but offers a different flavor while doing so, in case you have any family members who aren't fans of onions.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 ounces medium egg noodles (cooked and drained)
2 cups green peas (cooked)
2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 (6-ounce) cans tuna (drained and flaked)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Directions
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart casserole dish.
Combine the noodles, peas, soup, milk, cheese, and tuna. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
Toss breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over the top or the casserole.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and crumbs are browned.
Tips and Variations
Top the casserole with French fried onions, crumbled cheese crackers, or crumbled potato chips and omit the soft bread crumbs and melted butter.
Instead of peas, use 2 cups of cooked peas and carrots or mixed vegetables.
Add some sliced sauteed mushrooms to the casserole mixture.
Add a few tablespoons of diced drained pimientos to the casserole.
Use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup. Or, if you prefer a homemade sauce, omit the soups and the 1/2 cup of milk and replace them with about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of thickened white sauce.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Put this lower fat version of a kiddie classic on the menu, and the dinner table. Fair warning, it might be a quiet dinner once the kids get a bite of this cheesy favorite.”
For 6 people; Ready in 20 min.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon(s) butter
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup(s) skim milk
1 1/2 cup(s) (6 oz) reduced fat, shredded sharp cheddar
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon(s) low sodium Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/8 teaspoon(s) hot sauce
4 cup(s) cooked elbow macaroni
Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheeses and next 4 ingredients, stirring until cheeses melt. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni in a bowl; stir well. Serve immediately.
Monday, June 9, 2025
Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. After all, not everyone wants to try a day without meat. (I know there are people out there nodding their heads at that!)
Anyway, today's double post includes Easy Tuna Carbonara and Best Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!
TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE
This comes from the American Heart Association, and begins, “This sweet, delicious smoothie includes both fruit and vegetables.”
This recipe (along with a photo) can be viewed online at https://recipes.heart.org/recipes/2094/tropical-green-smoothie. Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 cup coconut water
1 teaspoon honey
1 orange
3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
1/2 banana
2 handfuls, about 1 ounce handfuls spinach
ice (until consistency you like)
Directions
Put Coconut water, spinach and honey in the blender until blended.
Place the rest of the fruit in blender and blend until smooth.
Add ice until desired smoothie consistency.
EASY 30-MINUTE MEXICAN ENCHILADAS
This is from Chelsea Kenyon of The Spruce Eats. Chelsea wrote, “This easy Mexican enchiladas recipe takes only 30 minutes to prepare for a filling family meal. They can be prepared simply with just cheese, or be spruced up by adding a little bit of beef or chicken to appeal to the meat eaters in your household.
“Warning: The sauce can make things a bit messy, so wear an apron!
“For step-by-step instructions, we recommend checking out our photo tutorial on how to make Mexican enchiladas.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings Mexican enchiladas.
Ingredients
1 cup cooking oil
16 corn tortillas
1 (28-ounce) can enchilada sauce (or 1 recipe homemade red enchilada sauce)
2 cups cheese (such as mozzarella or queso blanco, grated or shredded)
1/2 cup Cotija cheese
Optional: 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded beef, chicken, or pork
Directions
Heat oven to 400 F.
Pour oil into a medium-sized saucepan and heat until it's hot, but not sizzling. You want to warm the tortillas in the oil, not fry them.
Using tongs, dip each tortilla, one at a time, into the hot oil until it is warmed through and pliable. Remove tortilla from oil and drain it briefly on a paper towel.
Pour just enough sauce in the bottom of a 13x9-inch glass baking dish to cover it. Pour the rest of the sauce in a large bowl. Dip a warm tortilla into the sauce and then place it in the bottom of the baking dish.
Place a little less than 1/4 cup of cheese down the center of the tortilla. If you are adding meat, use a little less cheese. Fold half of the tortilla over the cheese, then the other half, so that the tortilla is rolled around the cheese. Turn it over so it is seam-side down and the weight of the cheese will help keep it in place.
Repeat each of those steps for each of the tortillas making two layers of enchiladas in the dish, if necessary. Pour any remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle the Cotija cheese over the enchiladas.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until enchiladas are hot throughout and cheese is melted.
Serve your enchiladas with a spatula, four to a plate.
Authentic vs. Modern Enchiladas
In their simplest form, authentic enchiladas are simply corn tortillas dipped in a chile sauce and eaten with a fork. They might or might not have a filling and are sometimes topped with a sprinkling of grated cheese or a drizzle of cream.
As enchiladas became popular across the Southwestern United States, they evolved into an oven-baked dish as that appliance is used more commonly in North America than South of the Border. Enchiladas are now associated with the casserole classic that we know today.
EASY TUNA CARBONARA
This comes from Linda Larsen on The Spruce Eats. Linda wrote, “This recipe for Tuna Carbonara is ready to eat in about 20 minutes, start to finish. It uses ingredients you most likely have on hand in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, so it's a great choice to make when you haven't been to the store for a while or if you're stranded due to weather or illness.
“You can substitute leftover cooked tuna, or salmon for that matter, for the canned tuna in this recipe or use canned salmon or canned chicken if you'd like. The whole point of a recipe like this is to use what you have in the house. If you don't have bell peppers, use sliced mushrooms or some sliced zucchini, grated carrots, or yellow summer squash. If you don't have pasta, linguine or fettuccine will do just fine. The only things you really need for this recipe are some kind of pasta, bacon, eggs, cream, tuna, and Parmesan or Romano cheese.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package spaghetti pasta
4 slices bacon
4 eggs (beaten)
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 onion (chopped)
1 6-ounce can white tuna (drained)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
Directions
Bring a large of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente, or "to the tooth." When the pasta is al dente, remove about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
Cook bacon until crisp in a large saucepan over medium heat; drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add cream; beat again.
In the saucepan you used to cook the bacon, add butter and oil and melt together over medium heat. Sauté the bell pepper, garlic, and onion in the fat until tender.
Drain the pasta and add immediately to the pan with the peppers.
Add the tuna and cook, stirring, until heated through.
Add the egg mixture to pan. Cook and stir, lifting pasta with tongs to allow the sauce to coat the pasta thoroughly.
Stir in the cheese, reserved bacon, and parsley, and serve immediately.
SHANGHAI WALNUT CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/shanghai-walnut-chicken
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar
1/4 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided
3/4 lb. chicken cutlets, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 green bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 green chile pepper, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 can (8 oz.) diced or sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, broth and cornstarch. Mix in the sesame oil. Set the seasoning sauce aside.
Set a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of the canola oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface. Stir-fry the chicken until it is white. Turn it out onto a plate.
Add the remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry the green, red, and chile peppers, and the garlic, for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the water chestnuts and walnuts. Restir the seasoning sauce and add. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, along with cooked rice, preferably brown.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 247; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 378 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Medium-Fat Meat, 2 Vegetable
EASY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE
This yumminess comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “For when you are looking to switch up your dinner routine, or just craving a bit of tuna, here's a quick and tasty tuna noodle casserole that is great for an everyday family meal, and is easy on the budget too. What more could you ask for?
“If you'd like to jazz up your tuna noodle casserole, instead of using bread crumb topping try crumbling up some potato chips or French fried onion rings over the casserole before baking. This alternative still provides a bit of a crunch, but offers a different flavor while doing so, in case you have any family members who aren't fans of onions.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 ounces medium egg noodles (cooked and drained)
2 cups green peas (cooked)
2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 (6-ounce) cans tuna (drained and flaked)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Directions
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart casserole dish.
Combine the noodles, peas, soup, milk, cheese, and tuna. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
Toss breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over the top or the casserole.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and crumbs are browned.
Tips and Variations
Top the casserole with French fried onions, crumbled cheese crackers, or crumbled potato chips and omit the soft bread crumbs and melted butter.
Instead of peas, use 2 cups of cooked peas and carrots or mixed vegetables.
Add some sliced sauteed mushrooms to the casserole mixture.
Add a few tablespoons of diced drained pimientos to the casserole.
Use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup. Or, if you prefer a homemade sauce, omit the soups and the 1/2 cup of milk and replace them with about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of thickened white sauce.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Put this lower fat version of a kiddie classic on the menu, and the dinner table. Fair warning, it might be a quiet dinner once the kids get a bite of this cheesy favorite.”
For 6 people; Ready in 20 min.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon(s) butter
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup(s) skim milk
1 1/2 cup(s) (6 oz) reduced fat, shredded sharp cheddar
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon(s) low sodium Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/8 teaspoon(s) hot sauce
4 cup(s) cooked elbow macaroni
Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheeses and next 4 ingredients, stirring until cheeses melt. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni in a bowl; stir well. Serve immediately.
Anyway, today's double post includes Easy Tuna Carbonara and Best Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!
TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE
This comes from the American Heart Association, and begins, “This sweet, delicious smoothie includes both fruit and vegetables.”
This recipe (along with a photo) can be viewed online at https://recipes.heart.org/recipes/2094/tropical-green-smoothie. Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 cup coconut water
1 teaspoon honey
1 orange
3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
1/2 banana
2 handfuls, about 1 ounce handfuls spinach
ice (until consistency you like)
Directions
Put Coconut water, spinach and honey in the blender until blended.
Place the rest of the fruit in blender and blend until smooth.
Add ice until desired smoothie consistency.
EASY 30-MINUTE MEXICAN ENCHILADAS
This is from Chelsea Kenyon of The Spruce Eats. Chelsea wrote, “This easy Mexican enchiladas recipe takes only 30 minutes to prepare for a filling family meal. They can be prepared simply with just cheese, or be spruced up by adding a little bit of beef or chicken to appeal to the meat eaters in your household.
“Warning: The sauce can make things a bit messy, so wear an apron!
“For step-by-step instructions, we recommend checking out our photo tutorial on how to make Mexican enchiladas.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings Mexican enchiladas.
Ingredients
1 cup cooking oil
16 corn tortillas
1 (28-ounce) can enchilada sauce (or 1 recipe homemade red enchilada sauce)
2 cups cheese (such as mozzarella or queso blanco, grated or shredded)
1/2 cup Cotija cheese
Optional: 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded beef, chicken, or pork
Directions
Heat oven to 400 F.
Pour oil into a medium-sized saucepan and heat until it's hot, but not sizzling. You want to warm the tortillas in the oil, not fry them.
Using tongs, dip each tortilla, one at a time, into the hot oil until it is warmed through and pliable. Remove tortilla from oil and drain it briefly on a paper towel.
Pour just enough sauce in the bottom of a 13x9-inch glass baking dish to cover it. Pour the rest of the sauce in a large bowl. Dip a warm tortilla into the sauce and then place it in the bottom of the baking dish.
Place a little less than 1/4 cup of cheese down the center of the tortilla. If you are adding meat, use a little less cheese. Fold half of the tortilla over the cheese, then the other half, so that the tortilla is rolled around the cheese. Turn it over so it is seam-side down and the weight of the cheese will help keep it in place.
Repeat each of those steps for each of the tortillas making two layers of enchiladas in the dish, if necessary. Pour any remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle the Cotija cheese over the enchiladas.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until enchiladas are hot throughout and cheese is melted.
Serve your enchiladas with a spatula, four to a plate.
Authentic vs. Modern Enchiladas
In their simplest form, authentic enchiladas are simply corn tortillas dipped in a chile sauce and eaten with a fork. They might or might not have a filling and are sometimes topped with a sprinkling of grated cheese or a drizzle of cream.
As enchiladas became popular across the Southwestern United States, they evolved into an oven-baked dish as that appliance is used more commonly in North America than South of the Border. Enchiladas are now associated with the casserole classic that we know today.
EASY TUNA CARBONARA
This comes from Linda Larsen on The Spruce Eats. Linda wrote, “This recipe for Tuna Carbonara is ready to eat in about 20 minutes, start to finish. It uses ingredients you most likely have on hand in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, so it's a great choice to make when you haven't been to the store for a while or if you're stranded due to weather or illness.
“You can substitute leftover cooked tuna, or salmon for that matter, for the canned tuna in this recipe or use canned salmon or canned chicken if you'd like. The whole point of a recipe like this is to use what you have in the house. If you don't have bell peppers, use sliced mushrooms or some sliced zucchini, grated carrots, or yellow summer squash. If you don't have pasta, linguine or fettuccine will do just fine. The only things you really need for this recipe are some kind of pasta, bacon, eggs, cream, tuna, and Parmesan or Romano cheese.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package spaghetti pasta
4 slices bacon
4 eggs (beaten)
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 onion (chopped)
1 6-ounce can white tuna (drained)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
Directions
Bring a large of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente, or "to the tooth." When the pasta is al dente, remove about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
Cook bacon until crisp in a large saucepan over medium heat; drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add cream; beat again.
In the saucepan you used to cook the bacon, add butter and oil and melt together over medium heat. Sauté the bell pepper, garlic, and onion in the fat until tender.
Drain the pasta and add immediately to the pan with the peppers.
Add the tuna and cook, stirring, until heated through.
Add the egg mixture to pan. Cook and stir, lifting pasta with tongs to allow the sauce to coat the pasta thoroughly.
Stir in the cheese, reserved bacon, and parsley, and serve immediately.
SHANGHAI WALNUT CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/shanghai-walnut-chicken
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar
1/4 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided
3/4 lb. chicken cutlets, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 green bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 green chile pepper, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 can (8 oz.) diced or sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, broth and cornstarch. Mix in the sesame oil. Set the seasoning sauce aside.
Set a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of the canola oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface. Stir-fry the chicken until it is white. Turn it out onto a plate.
Add the remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry the green, red, and chile peppers, and the garlic, for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the water chestnuts and walnuts. Restir the seasoning sauce and add. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, along with cooked rice, preferably brown.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 247; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 378 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Medium-Fat Meat, 2 Vegetable
EASY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE
This yumminess comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “For when you are looking to switch up your dinner routine, or just craving a bit of tuna, here's a quick and tasty tuna noodle casserole that is great for an everyday family meal, and is easy on the budget too. What more could you ask for?
“If you'd like to jazz up your tuna noodle casserole, instead of using bread crumb topping try crumbling up some potato chips or French fried onion rings over the casserole before baking. This alternative still provides a bit of a crunch, but offers a different flavor while doing so, in case you have any family members who aren't fans of onions.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 ounces medium egg noodles (cooked and drained)
2 cups green peas (cooked)
2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 (6-ounce) cans tuna (drained and flaked)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Directions
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart casserole dish.
Combine the noodles, peas, soup, milk, cheese, and tuna. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
Toss breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over the top or the casserole.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and crumbs are browned.
Tips and Variations
Top the casserole with French fried onions, crumbled cheese crackers, or crumbled potato chips and omit the soft bread crumbs and melted butter.
Instead of peas, use 2 cups of cooked peas and carrots or mixed vegetables.
Add some sliced sauteed mushrooms to the casserole mixture.
Add a few tablespoons of diced drained pimientos to the casserole.
Use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup. Or, if you prefer a homemade sauce, omit the soups and the 1/2 cup of milk and replace them with about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of thickened white sauce.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Put this lower fat version of a kiddie classic on the menu, and the dinner table. Fair warning, it might be a quiet dinner once the kids get a bite of this cheesy favorite.”
For 6 people; Ready in 20 min.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon(s) butter
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup(s) skim milk
1 1/2 cup(s) (6 oz) reduced fat, shredded sharp cheddar
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon(s) low sodium Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/8 teaspoon(s) hot sauce
4 cup(s) cooked elbow macaroni
Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheeses and next 4 ingredients, stirring until cheeses melt. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni in a bowl; stir well. Serve immediately.
Monday, April 7, 2025
Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. After all, not everyone wants to try a day without meat. (I know there are people out there nodding their heads at that!)
Anyway, today's double post includes Easy Tuna Carbonara and Best Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!
TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE
This comes from the American Heart Association, and begins, “This sweet, delicious smoothie includes both fruit and vegetables.”
This recipe (along with a photo) can be viewed online at https://recipes.heart.org/recipes/2094/tropical-green-smoothie. Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 cup coconut water
1 teaspoon honey
1 orange
3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
1/2 banana
2 handfuls, about 1 ounce handfuls spinach
ice (until consistency you like)
Directions
Put Coconut water, spinach and honey in the blender until blended.
Place the rest of the fruit in blender and blend until smooth.
Add ice until desired smoothie consistency.
EASY 30-MINUTE MEXICAN ENCHILADAS
This is from Chelsea Kenyon of The Spruce Eats. Chelsea wrote, “This easy Mexican enchiladas recipe takes only 30 minutes to prepare for a filling family meal. They can be prepared simply with just cheese, or be spruced up by adding a little bit of beef or chicken to appeal to the meat eaters in your household.
“Warning: The sauce can make things a bit messy, so wear an apron!
“For step-by-step instructions, we recommend checking out our photo tutorial on how to make Mexican enchiladas.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings Mexican enchiladas.
Ingredients
1 cup cooking oil
16 corn tortillas
1 (28-ounce) can enchilada sauce (or 1 recipe homemade red enchilada sauce)
2 cups cheese (such as mozzarella or queso blanco, grated or shredded)
1/2 cup Cotija cheese
Optional: 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded beef, chicken, or pork
Directions
Heat oven to 400 F.
Pour oil into a medium-sized saucepan and heat until it's hot, but not sizzling. You want to warm the tortillas in the oil, not fry them.
Using tongs, dip each tortilla, one at a time, into the hot oil until it is warmed through and pliable. Remove tortilla from oil and drain it briefly on a paper towel.
Pour just enough sauce in the bottom of a 13x9-inch glass baking dish to cover it. Pour the rest of the sauce in a large bowl. Dip a warm tortilla into the sauce and then place it in the bottom of the baking dish.
Place a little less than 1/4 cup of cheese down the center of the tortilla. If you are adding meat, use a little less cheese. Fold half of the tortilla over the cheese, then the other half, so that the tortilla is rolled around the cheese. Turn it over so it is seam-side down and the weight of the cheese will help keep it in place.
Repeat each of those steps for each of the tortillas making two layers of enchiladas in the dish, if necessary. Pour any remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle the Cotija cheese over the enchiladas.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until enchiladas are hot throughout and cheese is melted.
Serve your enchiladas with a spatula, four to a plate.
Authentic vs. Modern Enchiladas
In their simplest form, authentic enchiladas are simply corn tortillas dipped in a chile sauce and eaten with a fork. They might or might not have a filling and are sometimes topped with a sprinkling of grated cheese or a drizzle of cream.
As enchiladas became popular across the Southwestern United States, they evolved into an oven-baked dish as that appliance is used more commonly in North America than South of the Border. Enchiladas are now associated with the casserole classic that we know today.
EASY TUNA CARBONARA
This comes from Linda Larsen on The Spruce Eats. Linda wrote, “This recipe for Tuna Carbonara is ready to eat in about 20 minutes, start to finish. It uses ingredients you most likely have on hand in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, so it's a great choice to make when you haven't been to the store for a while or if you're stranded due to weather or illness.
“You can substitute leftover cooked tuna, or salmon for that matter, for the canned tuna in this recipe or use canned salmon or canned chicken if you'd like. The whole point of a recipe like this is to use what you have in the house. If you don't have bell peppers, use sliced mushrooms or some sliced zucchini, grated carrots, or yellow summer squash. If you don't have pasta, linguine or fettuccine will do just fine. The only things you really need for this recipe are some kind of pasta, bacon, eggs, cream, tuna, and Parmesan or Romano cheese.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package spaghetti pasta
4 slices bacon
4 eggs (beaten)
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 onion (chopped)
1 6-ounce can white tuna (drained)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
Directions
Bring a large of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente, or "to the tooth." When the pasta is al dente, remove about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
Cook bacon until crisp in a large saucepan over medium heat; drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add cream; beat again.
In the saucepan you used to cook the bacon, add butter and oil and melt together over medium heat. Sauté the bell pepper, garlic, and onion in the fat until tender.
Drain the pasta and add immediately to the pan with the peppers.
Add the tuna and cook, stirring, until heated through.
Add the egg mixture to pan. Cook and stir, lifting pasta with tongs to allow the sauce to coat the pasta thoroughly.
Stir in the cheese, reserved bacon, and parsley, and serve immediately.
SHANGHAI WALNUT CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/shanghai-walnut-chicken
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar
1/4 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided
3/4 lb. chicken cutlets, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 green bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 green chile pepper, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 can (8 oz.) diced or sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, broth and cornstarch. Mix in the sesame oil. Set the seasoning sauce aside.
Set a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of the canola oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface. Stir-fry the chicken until it is white. Turn it out onto a plate.
Add the remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry the green, red, and chile peppers, and the garlic, for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the water chestnuts and walnuts. Restir the seasoning sauce and add. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, along with cooked rice, preferably brown.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 247; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 378 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Medium-Fat Meat, 2 Vegetable
EASY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE
This yumminess comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “For when you are looking to switch up your dinner routine, or just craving a bit of tuna, here's a quick and tasty tuna noodle casserole that is great for an everyday family meal, and is easy on the budget too. What more could you ask for?
“If you'd like to jazz up your tuna noodle casserole, instead of using bread crumb topping try crumbling up some potato chips or French fried onion rings over the casserole before baking. This alternative still provides a bit of a crunch, but offers a different flavor while doing so, in case you have any family members who aren't fans of onions.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 ounces medium egg noodles (cooked and drained)
2 cups green peas (cooked)
2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 (6-ounce) cans tuna (drained and flaked)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Directions
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart casserole dish.
Combine the noodles, peas, soup, milk, cheese, and tuna. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
Toss breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over the top or the casserole.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and crumbs are browned.
Tips and Variations
Top the casserole with French fried onions, crumbled cheese crackers, or crumbled potato chips and omit the soft bread crumbs and melted butter.
Instead of peas, use 2 cups of cooked peas and carrots or mixed vegetables.
Add some sliced sauteed mushrooms to the casserole mixture.
Add a few tablespoons of diced drained pimientos to the casserole.
Use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup. Or, if you prefer a homemade sauce, omit the soups and the 1/2 cup of milk and replace them with about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of thickened white sauce.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Put this lower fat version of a kiddie classic on the menu, and the dinner table. Fair warning, it might be a quiet dinner once the kids get a bite of this cheesy favorite.”
For 6 people; Ready in 20 min.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon(s) butter
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup(s) skim milk
1 1/2 cup(s) (6 oz) reduced fat, shredded sharp cheddar
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon(s) low sodium Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/8 teaspoon(s) hot sauce
4 cup(s) cooked elbow macaroni
Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheeses and next 4 ingredients, stirring until cheeses melt. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni in a bowl; stir well. Serve immediately.
Anyway, today's double post includes Easy Tuna Carbonara and Best Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!
TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE
This comes from the American Heart Association, and begins, “This sweet, delicious smoothie includes both fruit and vegetables.”
This recipe (along with a photo) can be viewed online at https://recipes.heart.org/recipes/2094/tropical-green-smoothie. Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 cup coconut water
1 teaspoon honey
1 orange
3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
1/2 banana
2 handfuls, about 1 ounce handfuls spinach
ice (until consistency you like)
Directions
Put Coconut water, spinach and honey in the blender until blended.
Place the rest of the fruit in blender and blend until smooth.
Add ice until desired smoothie consistency.
EASY 30-MINUTE MEXICAN ENCHILADAS
This is from Chelsea Kenyon of The Spruce Eats. Chelsea wrote, “This easy Mexican enchiladas recipe takes only 30 minutes to prepare for a filling family meal. They can be prepared simply with just cheese, or be spruced up by adding a little bit of beef or chicken to appeal to the meat eaters in your household.
“Warning: The sauce can make things a bit messy, so wear an apron!
“For step-by-step instructions, we recommend checking out our photo tutorial on how to make Mexican enchiladas.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings Mexican enchiladas.
Ingredients
1 cup cooking oil
16 corn tortillas
1 (28-ounce) can enchilada sauce (or 1 recipe homemade red enchilada sauce)
2 cups cheese (such as mozzarella or queso blanco, grated or shredded)
1/2 cup Cotija cheese
Optional: 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded beef, chicken, or pork
Directions
Heat oven to 400 F.
Pour oil into a medium-sized saucepan and heat until it's hot, but not sizzling. You want to warm the tortillas in the oil, not fry them.
Using tongs, dip each tortilla, one at a time, into the hot oil until it is warmed through and pliable. Remove tortilla from oil and drain it briefly on a paper towel.
Pour just enough sauce in the bottom of a 13x9-inch glass baking dish to cover it. Pour the rest of the sauce in a large bowl. Dip a warm tortilla into the sauce and then place it in the bottom of the baking dish.
Place a little less than 1/4 cup of cheese down the center of the tortilla. If you are adding meat, use a little less cheese. Fold half of the tortilla over the cheese, then the other half, so that the tortilla is rolled around the cheese. Turn it over so it is seam-side down and the weight of the cheese will help keep it in place.
Repeat each of those steps for each of the tortillas making two layers of enchiladas in the dish, if necessary. Pour any remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle the Cotija cheese over the enchiladas.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until enchiladas are hot throughout and cheese is melted.
Serve your enchiladas with a spatula, four to a plate.
Authentic vs. Modern Enchiladas
In their simplest form, authentic enchiladas are simply corn tortillas dipped in a chile sauce and eaten with a fork. They might or might not have a filling and are sometimes topped with a sprinkling of grated cheese or a drizzle of cream.
As enchiladas became popular across the Southwestern United States, they evolved into an oven-baked dish as that appliance is used more commonly in North America than South of the Border. Enchiladas are now associated with the casserole classic that we know today.
EASY TUNA CARBONARA
This comes from Linda Larsen on The Spruce Eats. Linda wrote, “This recipe for Tuna Carbonara is ready to eat in about 20 minutes, start to finish. It uses ingredients you most likely have on hand in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, so it's a great choice to make when you haven't been to the store for a while or if you're stranded due to weather or illness.
“You can substitute leftover cooked tuna, or salmon for that matter, for the canned tuna in this recipe or use canned salmon or canned chicken if you'd like. The whole point of a recipe like this is to use what you have in the house. If you don't have bell peppers, use sliced mushrooms or some sliced zucchini, grated carrots, or yellow summer squash. If you don't have pasta, linguine or fettuccine will do just fine. The only things you really need for this recipe are some kind of pasta, bacon, eggs, cream, tuna, and Parmesan or Romano cheese.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package spaghetti pasta
4 slices bacon
4 eggs (beaten)
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 onion (chopped)
1 6-ounce can white tuna (drained)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
Directions
Bring a large of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente, or "to the tooth." When the pasta is al dente, remove about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
Cook bacon until crisp in a large saucepan over medium heat; drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add cream; beat again.
In the saucepan you used to cook the bacon, add butter and oil and melt together over medium heat. Sauté the bell pepper, garlic, and onion in the fat until tender.
Drain the pasta and add immediately to the pan with the peppers.
Add the tuna and cook, stirring, until heated through.
Add the egg mixture to pan. Cook and stir, lifting pasta with tongs to allow the sauce to coat the pasta thoroughly.
Stir in the cheese, reserved bacon, and parsley, and serve immediately.
SHANGHAI WALNUT CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/shanghai-walnut-chicken
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar
1/4 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided
3/4 lb. chicken cutlets, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 green bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 green chile pepper, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 can (8 oz.) diced or sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, broth and cornstarch. Mix in the sesame oil. Set the seasoning sauce aside.
Set a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of the canola oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface. Stir-fry the chicken until it is white. Turn it out onto a plate.
Add the remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry the green, red, and chile peppers, and the garlic, for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the water chestnuts and walnuts. Restir the seasoning sauce and add. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, along with cooked rice, preferably brown.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 247; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 378 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Medium-Fat Meat, 2 Vegetable
EASY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE
This yumminess comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “For when you are looking to switch up your dinner routine, or just craving a bit of tuna, here's a quick and tasty tuna noodle casserole that is great for an everyday family meal, and is easy on the budget too. What more could you ask for?
“If you'd like to jazz up your tuna noodle casserole, instead of using bread crumb topping try crumbling up some potato chips or French fried onion rings over the casserole before baking. This alternative still provides a bit of a crunch, but offers a different flavor while doing so, in case you have any family members who aren't fans of onions.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 ounces medium egg noodles (cooked and drained)
2 cups green peas (cooked)
2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 (6-ounce) cans tuna (drained and flaked)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Directions
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart casserole dish.
Combine the noodles, peas, soup, milk, cheese, and tuna. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
Toss breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over the top or the casserole.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and crumbs are browned.
Tips and Variations
Top the casserole with French fried onions, crumbled cheese crackers, or crumbled potato chips and omit the soft bread crumbs and melted butter.
Instead of peas, use 2 cups of cooked peas and carrots or mixed vegetables.
Add some sliced sauteed mushrooms to the casserole mixture.
Add a few tablespoons of diced drained pimientos to the casserole.
Use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup. Or, if you prefer a homemade sauce, omit the soups and the 1/2 cup of milk and replace them with about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of thickened white sauce.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Put this lower fat version of a kiddie classic on the menu, and the dinner table. Fair warning, it might be a quiet dinner once the kids get a bite of this cheesy favorite.”
For 6 people; Ready in 20 min.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon(s) butter
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup(s) skim milk
1 1/2 cup(s) (6 oz) reduced fat, shredded sharp cheddar
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon(s) low sodium Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/8 teaspoon(s) hot sauce
4 cup(s) cooked elbow macaroni
Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheeses and next 4 ingredients, stirring until cheeses melt. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni in a bowl; stir well. Serve immediately.
Monday, December 9, 2024
Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. After all, not everyone wants to try a day without meat. (I know there are people out there nodding their heads at that!)
Anyway, today's double post includes Easy Tuna Carbonara and Best Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!
TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE
This comes from the American Heart Association, and begins, “This sweet, delicious smoothie includes both fruit and vegetables.”
This recipe (along with a photo) can be viewed online at https://recipes.heart.org/recipes/2094/tropical-green-smoothie. Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 cup coconut water
1 teaspoon honey
1 orange
3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
1/2 banana
2 handfuls, about 1 ounce handfuls spinach
ice (until consistency you like)
Directions
Put Coconut water, spinach and honey in the blender until blended.
Place the rest of the fruit in blender and blend until smooth.
Add ice until desired smoothie consistency.
EASY 30-MINUTE MEXICAN ENCHILADAS
This is from Chelsea Kenyon of The Spruce Eats. Chelsea wrote, “This easy Mexican enchiladas recipe takes only 30 minutes to prepare for a filling family meal. They can be prepared simply with just cheese, or be spruced up by adding a little bit of beef or chicken to appeal to the meat eaters in your household.
“Warning: The sauce can make things a bit messy, so wear an apron!
“For step-by-step instructions, we recommend checking out our photo tutorial on how to make Mexican enchiladas.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings Mexican enchiladas.
Ingredients
1 cup cooking oil
16 corn tortillas
1 (28-ounce) can enchilada sauce (or 1 recipe homemade red enchilada sauce)
2 cups cheese (such as mozzarella or queso blanco, grated or shredded)
1/2 cup Cotija cheese
Optional: 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded beef, chicken, or pork
Directions
Heat oven to 400 F.
Pour oil into a medium-sized saucepan and heat until it's hot, but not sizzling. You want to warm the tortillas in the oil, not fry them.
Using tongs, dip each tortilla, one at a time, into the hot oil until it is warmed through and pliable. Remove tortilla from oil and drain it briefly on a paper towel.
Pour just enough sauce in the bottom of a 13x9-inch glass baking dish to cover it. Pour the rest of the sauce in a large bowl. Dip a warm tortilla into the sauce and then place it in the bottom of the baking dish.
Place a little less than 1/4 cup of cheese down the center of the tortilla. If you are adding meat, use a little less cheese. Fold half of the tortilla over the cheese, then the other half, so that the tortilla is rolled around the cheese. Turn it over so it is seam-side down and the weight of the cheese will help keep it in place.
Repeat each of those steps for each of the tortillas making two layers of enchiladas in the dish, if necessary. Pour any remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle the Cotija cheese over the enchiladas.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until enchiladas are hot throughout and cheese is melted.
Serve your enchiladas with a spatula, four to a plate.
Authentic vs. Modern Enchiladas
In their simplest form, authentic enchiladas are simply corn tortillas dipped in a chile sauce and eaten with a fork. They might or might not have a filling and are sometimes topped with a sprinkling of grated cheese or a drizzle of cream.
As enchiladas became popular across the Southwestern United States, they evolved into an oven-baked dish as that appliance is used more commonly in North America than South of the Border. Enchiladas are now associated with the casserole classic that we know today.
EASY TUNA CARBONARA
This comes from Linda Larsen on The Spruce Eats. Linda wrote, “This recipe for Tuna Carbonara is ready to eat in about 20 minutes, start to finish. It uses ingredients you most likely have on hand in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, so it's a great choice to make when you haven't been to the store for a while or if you're stranded due to weather or illness.
“You can substitute leftover cooked tuna, or salmon for that matter, for the canned tuna in this recipe or use canned salmon or canned chicken if you'd like. The whole point of a recipe like this is to use what you have in the house. If you don't have bell peppers, use sliced mushrooms or some sliced zucchini, grated carrots, or yellow summer squash. If you don't have pasta, linguine or fettuccine will do just fine. The only things you really need for this recipe are some kind of pasta, bacon, eggs, cream, tuna, and Parmesan or Romano cheese.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package spaghetti pasta
4 slices bacon
4 eggs (beaten)
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 onion (chopped)
1 6-ounce can white tuna (drained)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
Directions
Bring a large of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente, or "to the tooth." When the pasta is al dente, remove about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
Cook bacon until crisp in a large saucepan over medium heat; drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add cream; beat again.
In the saucepan you used to cook the bacon, add butter and oil and melt together over medium heat. Sauté the bell pepper, garlic, and onion in the fat until tender.
Drain the pasta and add immediately to the pan with the peppers.
Add the tuna and cook, stirring, until heated through.
Add the egg mixture to pan. Cook and stir, lifting pasta with tongs to allow the sauce to coat the pasta thoroughly.
Stir in the cheese, reserved bacon, and parsley, and serve immediately.
SHANGHAI WALNUT CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/shanghai-walnut-chicken
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar
1/4 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided
3/4 lb. chicken cutlets, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 green bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 green chile pepper, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 can (8 oz.) diced or sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, broth and cornstarch. Mix in the sesame oil. Set the seasoning sauce aside.
Set a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of the canola oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface. Stir-fry the chicken until it is white. Turn it out onto a plate.
Add the remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry the green, red, and chile peppers, and the garlic, for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the water chestnuts and walnuts. Restir the seasoning sauce and add. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, along with cooked rice, preferably brown.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 247; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 378 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Medium-Fat Meat, 2 Vegetable
EASY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE
This yumminess comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “For when you are looking to switch up your dinner routine, or just craving a bit of tuna, here's a quick and tasty tuna noodle casserole that is great for an everyday family meal, and is easy on the budget too. What more could you ask for?
“If you'd like to jazz up your tuna noodle casserole, instead of using bread crumb topping try crumbling up some potato chips or French fried onion rings over the casserole before baking. This alternative still provides a bit of a crunch, but offers a different flavor while doing so, in case you have any family members who aren't fans of onions.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 ounces medium egg noodles (cooked and drained)
2 cups green peas (cooked)
2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 (6-ounce) cans tuna (drained and flaked)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Directions
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart casserole dish.
Combine the noodles, peas, soup, milk, cheese, and tuna. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
Toss breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over the top or the casserole.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and crumbs are browned.
Tips and Variations
Top the casserole with French fried onions, crumbled cheese crackers, or crumbled potato chips and omit the soft bread crumbs and melted butter.
Instead of peas, use 2 cups of cooked peas and carrots or mixed vegetables.
Add some sliced sauteed mushrooms to the casserole mixture.
Add a few tablespoons of diced drained pimientos to the casserole.
Use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup. Or, if you prefer a homemade sauce, omit the soups and the 1/2 cup of milk and replace them with about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of thickened white sauce.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Put this lower fat version of a kiddie classic on the menu, and the dinner table. Fair warning, it might be a quiet dinner once the kids get a bite of this cheesy favorite.”
For 6 people; Ready in 20 min.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon(s) butter
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup(s) skim milk
1 1/2 cup(s) (6 oz) reduced fat, shredded sharp cheddar
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon(s) low sodium Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/8 teaspoon(s) hot sauce
4 cup(s) cooked elbow macaroni
Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheeses and next 4 ingredients, stirring until cheeses melt. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni in a bowl; stir well. Serve immediately.
Anyway, today's double post includes Easy Tuna Carbonara and Best Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!
TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE
This comes from the American Heart Association, and begins, “This sweet, delicious smoothie includes both fruit and vegetables.”
This recipe (along with a photo) can be viewed online at https://recipes.heart.org/recipes/2094/tropical-green-smoothie. Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 cup coconut water
1 teaspoon honey
1 orange
3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
1/2 banana
2 handfuls, about 1 ounce handfuls spinach
ice (until consistency you like)
Directions
Put Coconut water, spinach and honey in the blender until blended.
Place the rest of the fruit in blender and blend until smooth.
Add ice until desired smoothie consistency.
EASY 30-MINUTE MEXICAN ENCHILADAS
This is from Chelsea Kenyon of The Spruce Eats. Chelsea wrote, “This easy Mexican enchiladas recipe takes only 30 minutes to prepare for a filling family meal. They can be prepared simply with just cheese, or be spruced up by adding a little bit of beef or chicken to appeal to the meat eaters in your household.
“Warning: The sauce can make things a bit messy, so wear an apron!
“For step-by-step instructions, we recommend checking out our photo tutorial on how to make Mexican enchiladas.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings Mexican enchiladas.
Ingredients
1 cup cooking oil
16 corn tortillas
1 (28-ounce) can enchilada sauce (or 1 recipe homemade red enchilada sauce)
2 cups cheese (such as mozzarella or queso blanco, grated or shredded)
1/2 cup Cotija cheese
Optional: 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded beef, chicken, or pork
Directions
Heat oven to 400 F.
Pour oil into a medium-sized saucepan and heat until it's hot, but not sizzling. You want to warm the tortillas in the oil, not fry them.
Using tongs, dip each tortilla, one at a time, into the hot oil until it is warmed through and pliable. Remove tortilla from oil and drain it briefly on a paper towel.
Pour just enough sauce in the bottom of a 13x9-inch glass baking dish to cover it. Pour the rest of the sauce in a large bowl. Dip a warm tortilla into the sauce and then place it in the bottom of the baking dish.
Place a little less than 1/4 cup of cheese down the center of the tortilla. If you are adding meat, use a little less cheese. Fold half of the tortilla over the cheese, then the other half, so that the tortilla is rolled around the cheese. Turn it over so it is seam-side down and the weight of the cheese will help keep it in place.
Repeat each of those steps for each of the tortillas making two layers of enchiladas in the dish, if necessary. Pour any remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle the Cotija cheese over the enchiladas.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until enchiladas are hot throughout and cheese is melted.
Serve your enchiladas with a spatula, four to a plate.
Authentic vs. Modern Enchiladas
In their simplest form, authentic enchiladas are simply corn tortillas dipped in a chile sauce and eaten with a fork. They might or might not have a filling and are sometimes topped with a sprinkling of grated cheese or a drizzle of cream.
As enchiladas became popular across the Southwestern United States, they evolved into an oven-baked dish as that appliance is used more commonly in North America than South of the Border. Enchiladas are now associated with the casserole classic that we know today.
EASY TUNA CARBONARA
This comes from Linda Larsen on The Spruce Eats. Linda wrote, “This recipe for Tuna Carbonara is ready to eat in about 20 minutes, start to finish. It uses ingredients you most likely have on hand in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, so it's a great choice to make when you haven't been to the store for a while or if you're stranded due to weather or illness.
“You can substitute leftover cooked tuna, or salmon for that matter, for the canned tuna in this recipe or use canned salmon or canned chicken if you'd like. The whole point of a recipe like this is to use what you have in the house. If you don't have bell peppers, use sliced mushrooms or some sliced zucchini, grated carrots, or yellow summer squash. If you don't have pasta, linguine or fettuccine will do just fine. The only things you really need for this recipe are some kind of pasta, bacon, eggs, cream, tuna, and Parmesan or Romano cheese.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package spaghetti pasta
4 slices bacon
4 eggs (beaten)
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 onion (chopped)
1 6-ounce can white tuna (drained)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
Directions
Bring a large of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente, or "to the tooth." When the pasta is al dente, remove about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
Cook bacon until crisp in a large saucepan over medium heat; drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add cream; beat again.
In the saucepan you used to cook the bacon, add butter and oil and melt together over medium heat. Sauté the bell pepper, garlic, and onion in the fat until tender.
Drain the pasta and add immediately to the pan with the peppers.
Add the tuna and cook, stirring, until heated through.
Add the egg mixture to pan. Cook and stir, lifting pasta with tongs to allow the sauce to coat the pasta thoroughly.
Stir in the cheese, reserved bacon, and parsley, and serve immediately.
SHANGHAI WALNUT CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/shanghai-walnut-chicken
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar
1/4 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided
3/4 lb. chicken cutlets, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 green bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 green chile pepper, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 can (8 oz.) diced or sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, broth and cornstarch. Mix in the sesame oil. Set the seasoning sauce aside.
Set a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of the canola oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface. Stir-fry the chicken until it is white. Turn it out onto a plate.
Add the remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry the green, red, and chile peppers, and the garlic, for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the water chestnuts and walnuts. Restir the seasoning sauce and add. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, along with cooked rice, preferably brown.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 247; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 378 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Medium-Fat Meat, 2 Vegetable
EASY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE
This yumminess comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “For when you are looking to switch up your dinner routine, or just craving a bit of tuna, here's a quick and tasty tuna noodle casserole that is great for an everyday family meal, and is easy on the budget too. What more could you ask for?
“If you'd like to jazz up your tuna noodle casserole, instead of using bread crumb topping try crumbling up some potato chips or French fried onion rings over the casserole before baking. This alternative still provides a bit of a crunch, but offers a different flavor while doing so, in case you have any family members who aren't fans of onions.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 ounces medium egg noodles (cooked and drained)
2 cups green peas (cooked)
2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 (6-ounce) cans tuna (drained and flaked)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Directions
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart casserole dish.
Combine the noodles, peas, soup, milk, cheese, and tuna. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
Toss breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over the top or the casserole.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and crumbs are browned.
Tips and Variations
Top the casserole with French fried onions, crumbled cheese crackers, or crumbled potato chips and omit the soft bread crumbs and melted butter.
Instead of peas, use 2 cups of cooked peas and carrots or mixed vegetables.
Add some sliced sauteed mushrooms to the casserole mixture.
Add a few tablespoons of diced drained pimientos to the casserole.
Use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup. Or, if you prefer a homemade sauce, omit the soups and the 1/2 cup of milk and replace them with about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of thickened white sauce.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Put this lower fat version of a kiddie classic on the menu, and the dinner table. Fair warning, it might be a quiet dinner once the kids get a bite of this cheesy favorite.”
For 6 people; Ready in 20 min.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon(s) butter
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup(s) skim milk
1 1/2 cup(s) (6 oz) reduced fat, shredded sharp cheddar
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon(s) low sodium Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/8 teaspoon(s) hot sauce
4 cup(s) cooked elbow macaroni
Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheeses and next 4 ingredients, stirring until cheeses melt. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni in a bowl; stir well. Serve immediately.
Monday, August 19, 2024
Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. After all, not everyone wants to try a day without meat. (I know there are people out there nodding their heads at that!)
Anyway, today's double post includes Easy Tuna Carbonara and Best Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!
TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE
This comes from the American Heart Association, and begins, “This sweet, delicious smoothie includes both fruit and vegetables.”
This recipe (along with a photo) can be viewed online at https://recipes.heart.org/recipes/2094/tropical-green-smoothie. Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 cup coconut water
1 teaspoon honey
1 orange
3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
1/2 banana
2 handfuls, about 1 ounce handfuls spinach
ice (until consistency you like)
Directions
Put Coconut water, spinach and honey in the blender until blended.
Place the rest of the fruit in blender and blend until smooth.
Add ice until desired smoothie consistency.
EASY 30-MINUTE MEXICAN ENCHILADAS
This is from Chelsea Kenyon of The Spruce Eats. Chelsea wrote, “This easy Mexican enchiladas recipe takes only 30 minutes to prepare for a filling family meal. They can be prepared simply with just cheese, or be spruced up by adding a little bit of beef or chicken to appeal to the meat eaters in your household.
“Warning: The sauce can make things a bit messy, so wear an apron!
“For step-by-step instructions, we recommend checking out our photo tutorial on how to make Mexican enchiladas.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings Mexican enchiladas.
Ingredients
1 cup cooking oil
16 corn tortillas
1 (28-ounce) can enchilada sauce (or 1 recipe homemade red enchilada sauce)
2 cups cheese (such as mozzarella or queso blanco, grated or shredded)
1/2 cup Cotija cheese
Optional: 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded beef, chicken, or pork
Directions
Heat oven to 400 F.
Pour oil into a medium-sized saucepan and heat until it's hot, but not sizzling. You want to warm the tortillas in the oil, not fry them.
Using tongs, dip each tortilla, one at a time, into the hot oil until it is warmed through and pliable. Remove tortilla from oil and drain it briefly on a paper towel.
Pour just enough sauce in the bottom of a 13x9-inch glass baking dish to cover it. Pour the rest of the sauce in a large bowl. Dip a warm tortilla into the sauce and then place it in the bottom of the baking dish.
Place a little less than 1/4 cup of cheese down the center of the tortilla. If you are adding meat, use a little less cheese. Fold half of the tortilla over the cheese, then the other half, so that the tortilla is rolled around the cheese. Turn it over so it is seam-side down and the weight of the cheese will help keep it in place.
Repeat each of those steps for each of the tortillas making two layers of enchiladas in the dish, if necessary. Pour any remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle the Cotija cheese over the enchiladas.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until enchiladas are hot throughout and cheese is melted.
Serve your enchiladas with a spatula, four to a plate.
Authentic vs. Modern Enchiladas
In their simplest form, authentic enchiladas are simply corn tortillas dipped in a chile sauce and eaten with a fork. They might or might not have a filling and are sometimes topped with a sprinkling of grated cheese or a drizzle of cream.
As enchiladas became popular across the Southwestern United States, they evolved into an oven-baked dish as that appliance is used more commonly in North America than South of the Border. Enchiladas are now associated with the casserole classic that we know today.
EASY TUNA CARBONARA
This comes from Linda Larsen on The Spruce Eats. Linda wrote, “This recipe for Tuna Carbonara is ready to eat in about 20 minutes, start to finish. It uses ingredients you most likely have on hand in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, so it's a great choice to make when you haven't been to the store for a while or if you're stranded due to weather or illness.
“You can substitute leftover cooked tuna, or salmon for that matter, for the canned tuna in this recipe or use canned salmon or canned chicken if you'd like. The whole point of a recipe like this is to use what you have in the house. If you don't have bell peppers, use sliced mushrooms or some sliced zucchini, grated carrots, or yellow summer squash. If you don't have pasta, linguine or fettuccine will do just fine. The only things you really need for this recipe are some kind of pasta, bacon, eggs, cream, tuna, and Parmesan or Romano cheese.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package spaghetti pasta
4 slices bacon
4 eggs (beaten)
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 onion (chopped)
1 6-ounce can white tuna (drained)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
Directions
Bring a large of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente, or "to the tooth." When the pasta is al dente, remove about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
Cook bacon until crisp in a large saucepan over medium heat; drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add cream; beat again.
In the saucepan you used to cook the bacon, add butter and oil and melt together over medium heat. Sauté the bell pepper, garlic, and onion in the fat until tender.
Drain the pasta and add immediately to the pan with the peppers.
Add the tuna and cook, stirring, until heated through.
Add the egg mixture to pan. Cook and stir, lifting pasta with tongs to allow the sauce to coat the pasta thoroughly.
Stir in the cheese, reserved bacon, and parsley, and serve immediately.
SHANGHAI WALNUT CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/shanghai-walnut-chicken
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar
1/4 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided
3/4 lb. chicken cutlets, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 green bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 green chile pepper, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 can (8 oz.) diced or sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, broth and cornstarch. Mix in the sesame oil. Set the seasoning sauce aside.
Set a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of the canola oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface. Stir-fry the chicken until it is white. Turn it out onto a plate.
Add the remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry the green, red, and chile peppers, and the garlic, for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the water chestnuts and walnuts. Restir the seasoning sauce and add. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, along with cooked rice, preferably brown.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 247; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 378 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Medium-Fat Meat, 2 Vegetable
EASY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE
This yumminess comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “For when you are looking to switch up your dinner routine, or just craving a bit of tuna, here's a quick and tasty tuna noodle casserole that is great for an everyday family meal, and is easy on the budget too. What more could you ask for?
“If you'd like to jazz up your tuna noodle casserole, instead of using bread crumb topping try crumbling up some potato chips or French fried onion rings over the casserole before baking. This alternative still provides a bit of a crunch, but offers a different flavor while doing so, in case you have any family members who aren't fans of onions.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 ounces medium egg noodles (cooked and drained)
2 cups green peas (cooked)
2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 (6-ounce) cans tuna (drained and flaked)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Directions
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart casserole dish.
Combine the noodles, peas, soup, milk, cheese, and tuna. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
Toss breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over the top or the casserole.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and crumbs are browned.
Tips and Variations
Top the casserole with French fried onions, crumbled cheese crackers, or crumbled potato chips and omit the soft bread crumbs and melted butter.
Instead of peas, use 2 cups of cooked peas and carrots or mixed vegetables.
Add some sliced sauteed mushrooms to the casserole mixture.
Add a few tablespoons of diced drained pimientos to the casserole.
Use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup. Or, if you prefer a homemade sauce, omit the soups and the 1/2 cup of milk and replace them with about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of thickened white sauce.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Put this lower fat version of a kiddie classic on the menu, and the dinner table. Fair warning, it might be a quiet dinner once the kids get a bite of this cheesy favorite.”
For 6 people; Ready in 20 min.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon(s) butter
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup(s) skim milk
1 1/2 cup(s) (6 oz) reduced fat, shredded sharp cheddar
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon(s) low sodium Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/8 teaspoon(s) hot sauce
4 cup(s) cooked elbow macaroni
Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheeses and next 4 ingredients, stirring until cheeses melt. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni in a bowl; stir well. Serve immediately.
Anyway, today's double post includes Easy Tuna Carbonara and Best Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!
TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE
This comes from the American Heart Association, and begins, “This sweet, delicious smoothie includes both fruit and vegetables.”
This recipe (along with a photo) can be viewed online at https://recipes.heart.org/recipes/2094/tropical-green-smoothie. Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 cup coconut water
1 teaspoon honey
1 orange
3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
1/2 banana
2 handfuls, about 1 ounce handfuls spinach
ice (until consistency you like)
Directions
Put Coconut water, spinach and honey in the blender until blended.
Place the rest of the fruit in blender and blend until smooth.
Add ice until desired smoothie consistency.
EASY 30-MINUTE MEXICAN ENCHILADAS
This is from Chelsea Kenyon of The Spruce Eats. Chelsea wrote, “This easy Mexican enchiladas recipe takes only 30 minutes to prepare for a filling family meal. They can be prepared simply with just cheese, or be spruced up by adding a little bit of beef or chicken to appeal to the meat eaters in your household.
“Warning: The sauce can make things a bit messy, so wear an apron!
“For step-by-step instructions, we recommend checking out our photo tutorial on how to make Mexican enchiladas.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings Mexican enchiladas.
Ingredients
1 cup cooking oil
16 corn tortillas
1 (28-ounce) can enchilada sauce (or 1 recipe homemade red enchilada sauce)
2 cups cheese (such as mozzarella or queso blanco, grated or shredded)
1/2 cup Cotija cheese
Optional: 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded beef, chicken, or pork
Directions
Heat oven to 400 F.
Pour oil into a medium-sized saucepan and heat until it's hot, but not sizzling. You want to warm the tortillas in the oil, not fry them.
Using tongs, dip each tortilla, one at a time, into the hot oil until it is warmed through and pliable. Remove tortilla from oil and drain it briefly on a paper towel.
Pour just enough sauce in the bottom of a 13x9-inch glass baking dish to cover it. Pour the rest of the sauce in a large bowl. Dip a warm tortilla into the sauce and then place it in the bottom of the baking dish.
Place a little less than 1/4 cup of cheese down the center of the tortilla. If you are adding meat, use a little less cheese. Fold half of the tortilla over the cheese, then the other half, so that the tortilla is rolled around the cheese. Turn it over so it is seam-side down and the weight of the cheese will help keep it in place.
Repeat each of those steps for each of the tortillas making two layers of enchiladas in the dish, if necessary. Pour any remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle the Cotija cheese over the enchiladas.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until enchiladas are hot throughout and cheese is melted.
Serve your enchiladas with a spatula, four to a plate.
Authentic vs. Modern Enchiladas
In their simplest form, authentic enchiladas are simply corn tortillas dipped in a chile sauce and eaten with a fork. They might or might not have a filling and are sometimes topped with a sprinkling of grated cheese or a drizzle of cream.
As enchiladas became popular across the Southwestern United States, they evolved into an oven-baked dish as that appliance is used more commonly in North America than South of the Border. Enchiladas are now associated with the casserole classic that we know today.
EASY TUNA CARBONARA
This comes from Linda Larsen on The Spruce Eats. Linda wrote, “This recipe for Tuna Carbonara is ready to eat in about 20 minutes, start to finish. It uses ingredients you most likely have on hand in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, so it's a great choice to make when you haven't been to the store for a while or if you're stranded due to weather or illness.
“You can substitute leftover cooked tuna, or salmon for that matter, for the canned tuna in this recipe or use canned salmon or canned chicken if you'd like. The whole point of a recipe like this is to use what you have in the house. If you don't have bell peppers, use sliced mushrooms or some sliced zucchini, grated carrots, or yellow summer squash. If you don't have pasta, linguine or fettuccine will do just fine. The only things you really need for this recipe are some kind of pasta, bacon, eggs, cream, tuna, and Parmesan or Romano cheese.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package spaghetti pasta
4 slices bacon
4 eggs (beaten)
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 onion (chopped)
1 6-ounce can white tuna (drained)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
Directions
Bring a large of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente, or "to the tooth." When the pasta is al dente, remove about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
Cook bacon until crisp in a large saucepan over medium heat; drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add cream; beat again.
In the saucepan you used to cook the bacon, add butter and oil and melt together over medium heat. Sauté the bell pepper, garlic, and onion in the fat until tender.
Drain the pasta and add immediately to the pan with the peppers.
Add the tuna and cook, stirring, until heated through.
Add the egg mixture to pan. Cook and stir, lifting pasta with tongs to allow the sauce to coat the pasta thoroughly.
Stir in the cheese, reserved bacon, and parsley, and serve immediately.
SHANGHAI WALNUT CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/shanghai-walnut-chicken
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar
1/4 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided
3/4 lb. chicken cutlets, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 green bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 green chile pepper, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 can (8 oz.) diced or sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, broth and cornstarch. Mix in the sesame oil. Set the seasoning sauce aside.
Set a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of the canola oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface. Stir-fry the chicken until it is white. Turn it out onto a plate.
Add the remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry the green, red, and chile peppers, and the garlic, for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the water chestnuts and walnuts. Restir the seasoning sauce and add. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, along with cooked rice, preferably brown.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 247; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 378 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Medium-Fat Meat, 2 Vegetable
EASY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE
This yumminess comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “For when you are looking to switch up your dinner routine, or just craving a bit of tuna, here's a quick and tasty tuna noodle casserole that is great for an everyday family meal, and is easy on the budget too. What more could you ask for?
“If you'd like to jazz up your tuna noodle casserole, instead of using bread crumb topping try crumbling up some potato chips or French fried onion rings over the casserole before baking. This alternative still provides a bit of a crunch, but offers a different flavor while doing so, in case you have any family members who aren't fans of onions.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 ounces medium egg noodles (cooked and drained)
2 cups green peas (cooked)
2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 (6-ounce) cans tuna (drained and flaked)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Directions
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart casserole dish.
Combine the noodles, peas, soup, milk, cheese, and tuna. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
Toss breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over the top or the casserole.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and crumbs are browned.
Tips and Variations
Top the casserole with French fried onions, crumbled cheese crackers, or crumbled potato chips and omit the soft bread crumbs and melted butter.
Instead of peas, use 2 cups of cooked peas and carrots or mixed vegetables.
Add some sliced sauteed mushrooms to the casserole mixture.
Add a few tablespoons of diced drained pimientos to the casserole.
Use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup. Or, if you prefer a homemade sauce, omit the soups and the 1/2 cup of milk and replace them with about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of thickened white sauce.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Put this lower fat version of a kiddie classic on the menu, and the dinner table. Fair warning, it might be a quiet dinner once the kids get a bite of this cheesy favorite.”
For 6 people; Ready in 20 min.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon(s) butter
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup(s) skim milk
1 1/2 cup(s) (6 oz) reduced fat, shredded sharp cheddar
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon(s) low sodium Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/8 teaspoon(s) hot sauce
4 cup(s) cooked elbow macaroni
Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheeses and next 4 ingredients, stirring until cheeses melt. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni in a bowl; stir well. Serve immediately.
Monday, June 10, 2024
Double-Post Monday
Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. After all, not everyone wants to try a day without meat. (I know there are people out there nodding their heads at that!)
Anyway, today's double post includes Easy Tuna Carbonara and Best Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!
TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE
This comes from the American Heart Association, and begins, “This sweet, delicious smoothie includes both fruit and vegetables.”
This recipe (along with a photo) can be viewed online at https://recipes.heart.org/recipes/2094/tropical-green-smoothie. Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 cup coconut water
1 teaspoon honey
1 orange
3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
1/2 banana
2 handfuls, about 1 ounce handfuls spinach
ice (until consistency you like)
Directions
Put Coconut water, spinach and honey in the blender until blended.
Place the rest of the fruit in blender and blend until smooth.
Add ice until desired smoothie consistency.
EASY 30-MINUTE MEXICAN ENCHILADAS
This is from Chelsea Kenyon of The Spruce Eats. Chelsea wrote, “This easy Mexican enchiladas recipe takes only 30 minutes to prepare for a filling family meal. They can be prepared simply with just cheese, or be spruced up by adding a little bit of beef or chicken to appeal to the meat eaters in your household.
“Warning: The sauce can make things a bit messy, so wear an apron!
“For step-by-step instructions, we recommend checking out our photo tutorial on how to make Mexican enchiladas.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings Mexican enchiladas.
Ingredients
1 cup cooking oil
16 corn tortillas
1 (28-ounce) can enchilada sauce (or 1 recipe homemade red enchilada sauce)
2 cups cheese (such as mozzarella or queso blanco, grated or shredded)
1/2 cup Cotija cheese
Optional: 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded beef, chicken, or pork
Directions
Heat oven to 400 F.
Pour oil into a medium-sized saucepan and heat until it's hot, but not sizzling. You want to warm the tortillas in the oil, not fry them.
Using tongs, dip each tortilla, one at a time, into the hot oil until it is warmed through and pliable. Remove tortilla from oil and drain it briefly on a paper towel.
Pour just enough sauce in the bottom of a 13x9-inch glass baking dish to cover it. Pour the rest of the sauce in a large bowl. Dip a warm tortilla into the sauce and then place it in the bottom of the baking dish.
Place a little less than 1/4 cup of cheese down the center of the tortilla. If you are adding meat, use a little less cheese. Fold half of the tortilla over the cheese, then the other half, so that the tortilla is rolled around the cheese. Turn it over so it is seam-side down and the weight of the cheese will help keep it in place.
Repeat each of those steps for each of the tortillas making two layers of enchiladas in the dish, if necessary. Pour any remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle the Cotija cheese over the enchiladas.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until enchiladas are hot throughout and cheese is melted.
Serve your enchiladas with a spatula, four to a plate.
Authentic vs. Modern Enchiladas
In their simplest form, authentic enchiladas are simply corn tortillas dipped in a chile sauce and eaten with a fork. They might or might not have a filling and are sometimes topped with a sprinkling of grated cheese or a drizzle of cream.
As enchiladas became popular across the Southwestern United States, they evolved into an oven-baked dish as that appliance is used more commonly in North America than South of the Border. Enchiladas are now associated with the casserole classic that we know today.
EASY TUNA CARBONARA
This comes from Linda Larsen on The Spruce Eats. Linda wrote, “This recipe for Tuna Carbonara is ready to eat in about 20 minutes, start to finish. It uses ingredients you most likely have on hand in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, so it's a great choice to make when you haven't been to the store for a while or if you're stranded due to weather or illness.
“You can substitute leftover cooked tuna, or salmon for that matter, for the canned tuna in this recipe or use canned salmon or canned chicken if you'd like. The whole point of a recipe like this is to use what you have in the house. If you don't have bell peppers, use sliced mushrooms or some sliced zucchini, grated carrots, or yellow summer squash. If you don't have pasta, linguine or fettuccine will do just fine. The only things you really need for this recipe are some kind of pasta, bacon, eggs, cream, tuna, and Parmesan or Romano cheese.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package spaghetti pasta
4 slices bacon
4 eggs (beaten)
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 onion (chopped)
1 6-ounce can white tuna (drained)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
Directions
Bring a large of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente, or "to the tooth." When the pasta is al dente, remove about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
Cook bacon until crisp in a large saucepan over medium heat; drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add cream; beat again.
In the saucepan you used to cook the bacon, add butter and oil and melt together over medium heat. Sauté the bell pepper, garlic, and onion in the fat until tender.
Drain the pasta and add immediately to the pan with the peppers.
Add the tuna and cook, stirring, until heated through.
Add the egg mixture to pan. Cook and stir, lifting pasta with tongs to allow the sauce to coat the pasta thoroughly.
Stir in the cheese, reserved bacon, and parsley, and serve immediately.
SHANGHAI WALNUT CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/shanghai-walnut-chicken
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar
1/4 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided
3/4 lb. chicken cutlets, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 green bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 green chile pepper, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 can (8 oz.) diced or sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, broth and cornstarch. Mix in the sesame oil. Set the seasoning sauce aside.
Set a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of the canola oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface. Stir-fry the chicken until it is white. Turn it out onto a plate.
Add the remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry the green, red, and chile peppers, and the garlic, for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the water chestnuts and walnuts. Restir the seasoning sauce and add. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, along with cooked rice, preferably brown.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 247; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 378 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Medium-Fat Meat, 2 Vegetable
EASY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE
This yumminess comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “For when you are looking to switch up your dinner routine, or just craving a bit of tuna, here's a quick and tasty tuna noodle casserole that is great for an everyday family meal, and is easy on the budget too. What more could you ask for?
“If you'd like to jazz up your tuna noodle casserole, instead of using bread crumb topping try crumbling up some potato chips or French fried onion rings over the casserole before baking. This alternative still provides a bit of a crunch, but offers a different flavor while doing so, in case you have any family members who aren't fans of onions.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 ounces medium egg noodles (cooked and drained)
2 cups green peas (cooked)
2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 (6-ounce) cans tuna (drained and flaked)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Directions
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart casserole dish.
Combine the noodles, peas, soup, milk, cheese, and tuna. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
Toss breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over the top or the casserole.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and crumbs are browned.
Tips and Variations
Top the casserole with French fried onions, crumbled cheese crackers, or crumbled potato chips and omit the soft bread crumbs and melted butter.
Instead of peas, use 2 cups of cooked peas and carrots or mixed vegetables.
Add some sliced sauteed mushrooms to the casserole mixture.
Add a few tablespoons of diced drained pimientos to the casserole.
Use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup. Or, if you prefer a homemade sauce, omit the soups and the 1/2 cup of milk and replace them with about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of thickened white sauce.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Put this lower fat version of a kiddie classic on the menu, and the dinner table. Fair warning, it might be a quiet dinner once the kids get a bite of this cheesy favorite.”
For 6 people; Ready in 20 min.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon(s) butter
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup(s) skim milk
1 1/2 cup(s) (6 oz) reduced fat, shredded sharp cheddar
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon(s) low sodium Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/8 teaspoon(s) hot sauce
4 cup(s) cooked elbow macaroni
Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheeses and next 4 ingredients, stirring until cheeses melt. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni in a bowl; stir well. Serve immediately.
Anyway, today's double post includes Easy Tuna Carbonara and Best Mac and Cheese. Enjoy!
TROPICAL GREEN SMOOTHIE
This comes from the American Heart Association, and begins, “This sweet, delicious smoothie includes both fruit and vegetables.”
This recipe (along with a photo) can be viewed online at https://recipes.heart.org/recipes/2094/tropical-green-smoothie. Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
1 tablespoon flax seeds
1 cup coconut water
1 teaspoon honey
1 orange
3/4 cup frozen mango chunks
1/2 banana
2 handfuls, about 1 ounce handfuls spinach
ice (until consistency you like)
Directions
Put Coconut water, spinach and honey in the blender until blended.
Place the rest of the fruit in blender and blend until smooth.
Add ice until desired smoothie consistency.
EASY 30-MINUTE MEXICAN ENCHILADAS
This is from Chelsea Kenyon of The Spruce Eats. Chelsea wrote, “This easy Mexican enchiladas recipe takes only 30 minutes to prepare for a filling family meal. They can be prepared simply with just cheese, or be spruced up by adding a little bit of beef or chicken to appeal to the meat eaters in your household.
“Warning: The sauce can make things a bit messy, so wear an apron!
“For step-by-step instructions, we recommend checking out our photo tutorial on how to make Mexican enchiladas.”
Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings Mexican enchiladas.
Ingredients
1 cup cooking oil
16 corn tortillas
1 (28-ounce) can enchilada sauce (or 1 recipe homemade red enchilada sauce)
2 cups cheese (such as mozzarella or queso blanco, grated or shredded)
1/2 cup Cotija cheese
Optional: 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded beef, chicken, or pork
Directions
Heat oven to 400 F.
Pour oil into a medium-sized saucepan and heat until it's hot, but not sizzling. You want to warm the tortillas in the oil, not fry them.
Using tongs, dip each tortilla, one at a time, into the hot oil until it is warmed through and pliable. Remove tortilla from oil and drain it briefly on a paper towel.
Pour just enough sauce in the bottom of a 13x9-inch glass baking dish to cover it. Pour the rest of the sauce in a large bowl. Dip a warm tortilla into the sauce and then place it in the bottom of the baking dish.
Place a little less than 1/4 cup of cheese down the center of the tortilla. If you are adding meat, use a little less cheese. Fold half of the tortilla over the cheese, then the other half, so that the tortilla is rolled around the cheese. Turn it over so it is seam-side down and the weight of the cheese will help keep it in place.
Repeat each of those steps for each of the tortillas making two layers of enchiladas in the dish, if necessary. Pour any remaining sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Sprinkle the Cotija cheese over the enchiladas.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until enchiladas are hot throughout and cheese is melted.
Serve your enchiladas with a spatula, four to a plate.
Authentic vs. Modern Enchiladas
In their simplest form, authentic enchiladas are simply corn tortillas dipped in a chile sauce and eaten with a fork. They might or might not have a filling and are sometimes topped with a sprinkling of grated cheese or a drizzle of cream.
As enchiladas became popular across the Southwestern United States, they evolved into an oven-baked dish as that appliance is used more commonly in North America than South of the Border. Enchiladas are now associated with the casserole classic that we know today.
EASY TUNA CARBONARA
This comes from Linda Larsen on The Spruce Eats. Linda wrote, “This recipe for Tuna Carbonara is ready to eat in about 20 minutes, start to finish. It uses ingredients you most likely have on hand in your pantry, fridge, and freezer, so it's a great choice to make when you haven't been to the store for a while or if you're stranded due to weather or illness.
“You can substitute leftover cooked tuna, or salmon for that matter, for the canned tuna in this recipe or use canned salmon or canned chicken if you'd like. The whole point of a recipe like this is to use what you have in the house. If you don't have bell peppers, use sliced mushrooms or some sliced zucchini, grated carrots, or yellow summer squash. If you don't have pasta, linguine or fettuccine will do just fine. The only things you really need for this recipe are some kind of pasta, bacon, eggs, cream, tuna, and Parmesan or Romano cheese.”
Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 8-ounce package spaghetti pasta
4 slices bacon
4 eggs (beaten)
3 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 red bell pepper (cut into strips)
3 cloves minced garlic
1 onion (chopped)
1 6-ounce can white tuna (drained)
1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)
Directions
Bring a large of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente, or "to the tooth." When the pasta is al dente, remove about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water and set aside.
Cook bacon until crisp in a large saucepan over medium heat; drain on paper towels, crumble, and set aside. Drain off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.
Beat the eggs in a large bowl and add cream; beat again.
In the saucepan you used to cook the bacon, add butter and oil and melt together over medium heat. Sauté the bell pepper, garlic, and onion in the fat until tender.
Drain the pasta and add immediately to the pan with the peppers.
Add the tuna and cook, stirring, until heated through.
Add the egg mixture to pan. Cook and stir, lifting pasta with tongs to allow the sauce to coat the pasta thoroughly.
Stir in the cheese, reserved bacon, and parsley, and serve immediately.
SHANGHAI WALNUT CHICKEN
Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings
View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/shanghai-walnut-chicken
Ingredients
2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce
1 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. rice vinegar
1/4 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided
3/4 lb. chicken cutlets, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 green bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice
1 green chile pepper, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 can (8 oz.) diced or sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
Directions
In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, broth and cornstarch. Mix in the sesame oil. Set the seasoning sauce aside.
Set a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of the canola oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface. Stir-fry the chicken until it is white. Turn it out onto a plate.
Add the remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry the green, red, and chile peppers, and the garlic, for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the water chestnuts and walnuts. Restir the seasoning sauce and add. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, along with cooked rice, preferably brown.
Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 247; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 378 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g
Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Medium-Fat Meat, 2 Vegetable
EASY TUNA NOODLE CASSEROLE WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE
This yumminess comes from Diana Rattray on The Spruce Eats. Diana wrote, “For when you are looking to switch up your dinner routine, or just craving a bit of tuna, here's a quick and tasty tuna noodle casserole that is great for an everyday family meal, and is easy on the budget too. What more could you ask for?
“If you'd like to jazz up your tuna noodle casserole, instead of using bread crumb topping try crumbling up some potato chips or French fried onion rings over the casserole before baking. This alternative still provides a bit of a crunch, but offers a different flavor while doing so, in case you have any family members who aren't fans of onions.”
Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 40 minutes; Yield: 6 servings.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
12 ounces medium egg noodles (cooked and drained)
2 cups green peas (cooked)
2 (10.75-ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
2 (6-ounce) cans tuna (drained and flaked)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
1 cup soft breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter (melted)
Directions
Heat oven to 350 F.
Grease a 2 1/2 to 3-quart casserole dish.
Combine the noodles, peas, soup, milk, cheese, and tuna. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste. Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
Toss breadcrumbs with butter and sprinkle over the top or the casserole.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and crumbs are browned.
Tips and Variations
Top the casserole with French fried onions, crumbled cheese crackers, or crumbled potato chips and omit the soft bread crumbs and melted butter.
Instead of peas, use 2 cups of cooked peas and carrots or mixed vegetables.
Add some sliced sauteed mushrooms to the casserole mixture.
Add a few tablespoons of diced drained pimientos to the casserole.
Use cream of celery soup instead of cream of mushroom soup. Or, if you prefer a homemade sauce, omit the soups and the 1/2 cup of milk and replace them with about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of thickened white sauce.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Put this lower fat version of a kiddie classic on the menu, and the dinner table. Fair warning, it might be a quiet dinner once the kids get a bite of this cheesy favorite.”
For 6 people; Ready in 20 min.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon(s) butter
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cup(s) skim milk
1 1/2 cup(s) (6 oz) reduced fat, shredded sharp cheddar
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon(s) low sodium Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/8 teaspoon(s) hot sauce
4 cup(s) cooked elbow macaroni
Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheeses and next 4 ingredients, stirring until cheeses melt. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni in a bowl; stir well. Serve immediately.
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Macaroni And Cheese
Is there anything more iconic as a comfort food than Macaroni and Cheese? Maybe not.
I'm sure that someone reading this is thinking, Macaroni and cheese? Yuck! That's okay. We all have foods we love and/or hate. I knew someone who adored liver and onions, which I absolutely hate.
But that's beside the point. Today's post is all about Mac and Cheese, and includes Slow-Cooker Chili Mac ‘N Cheese and Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese, along with four other mac and cheese recipes. Enjoy!
HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
I had been looking for a really simple but good homemade macaroni and cheese recipe, and this fits the bill. My daughter and granddaughter had come over on my granddaughter's birthday; while they were here, my daughter whipped up this recipe. She'd been making it for quite a while. It was a definite hit with everyone in the house.
Ingredients
1 box (16 ounce) cannelloni pasta (see Note)
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Note: Just about any tubular pasta can be used in this recipe, though it seems to work best with something bigger than elbow macaroni. Some of the better substitutes for the cannelloni would be ziti, penne, rigatoni, or elicoidali.
Directions
Turn oven on to 350 degrees.
Cook pasta according to package directions. If the package gives you a bracket – say, 12 – 14 minutes – lean toward the lower time, since you don't want the pasta to be too mushy. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
In a large pot, melt butter on low heat, then add flour, salt, and pepper. Cook on low heat, stirring continuously, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add milk and cook on medium heat for approximately 5 minutes until mixture thickens, stirring continuously.
Remove from heat and add macaroni, stirring it into mixture. Add the shredded cheese, and stir in completely.
Pour mixture into a 13 X 9 inch pan and bake at 350 for 10 – 15 minutes. Remove carefully, as it will be hot. (You knew that, right?) Dig in.
This makes 4 – 5 servings.
Photo: Homemade Macaroni and Cheese, on the left in the blue dish, and Benecol Macaroni and Cheese, on right, in orange casserole dish (from Avon)
BENECOL MACARONI AND CHEESE
For several years, there was a magazine dedicated to walking, titled Walking Magazine. It had many good articles, tips and recipes for those of us who feel a little more comfortable race-walking than running. Unfortunately, the magazine folded several years ago. This recipe was in it during its final year. Serves 4.
Ingredients
1/2 lb. small shell style macaroni
4 Tbs. Benecol
3 Tbs. all purpose flour
3 Tbs. finely chopped onion
1 1/2 C 2% milk, warmed
few drops Tabasco Sauce
1-pint nonfat cottage (or ricotta) cheese
1 tsp. salt
1/2 C flavored bread crumbs
1 Tbs. olive oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9-by-9 inch pan liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Cook shells according to package directions, strain, and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
To prepare sauce, melt Benecol in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Quickly whisk in flour, add onions, and cook for 1 minute. Slowly pour milk into flour mixture, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Add Tabasco Sauce and cook an additional minute. Whisk in cheese and salt, and blend in shells; transfer mixture to prepared pan.
In small bowl, mix oil and bread crumbs together; spoon over top of macaroni and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.
Per Serving: 510 calories; 27.2% calories from fat; 3G saturated fat; 65G carbohydrates; 12MG cholesterol; 612MG sodium; 2G fiber
Enjoy!
CREAMY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is from Eric Kim in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Eric wrote, "This macaroni and cheese recipe, inspired by Stouffer’s, delivers the best of all worlds: creamy, saucy comfort, with a consistency that’s slightly more set than a stovetop version, thanks to a final bake in the oven. It stays voluptuous and molten as a result of a higher ratio of sauce to noodles, which are cooked completely so they don’t soak up as much liquid. The Velveeta is necessary here, as it has sodium citrate, which prevents the sauce from separating in the oven. Elbow macaroni works fine, but cavatappi is an especially fun shape to eat with its telephone-cord bounciness."
Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 6 to 8 servings
This was featured in "The Platonic Ideal of Macaroni and Cheese", and can be viewed online at https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/04/dining/baked-macaroni-cheese-recipe-homemade.html.
Another link to check out is for Alison Roman's guide, "How to Make Mac and Cheese." While you're at it, you might want to sign up Eric Kim in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Great recipes, helpful guides, etc. I highly recommend it.
Ingredients
Salt
1 pound cavatappi or elbow macaroni
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups whole milk
1 pound sharp or extra-sharp yellow Cheddar, coarsely grated (5-1/4 cups)
8 ounces Velveeta, torn into pieces
4 ounces Pecorino Romano, coarsely grated (1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Pinch of ground cayenne
Freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with salt. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until just past al dente. Drain and set aside.
Return the empty pot to the stove (no need to clean it) and set over medium heat. Melt the butter and simmer, whisking occasionally, until the butter stops spurting and quiets down, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the flour and cook, whisking, until smooth like gravy, about 1 minute.
Step 4
Whisk in the milk. Raise the heat to high and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, then immediately reduce the heat to low and continue simmering until the sauce lightly coats the back of a spoon, 2 to 5 minutes. At this stage, the sauce should be smooth but relatively loose. Take the pot off the heat.
To the pot, add the Cheddar, Velveeta, Pecorino Romano, mustard powder, onion powder and cayenne, and season generously with salt and black pepper. Whisk until the cheese is melted and smooth like nacho cheese. Add the drained pasta, breaking up any clumps, and stir until evenly coated in the cheese sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking pan or dish and bake until bubbling at the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Put this lower fat version of a kiddie classic on the menu, and the dinner table. Fair warning, it might be a quiet dinner once the kids get a bite of this cheesy favorite.”
For 6 people; Ready in 20 min.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon(s) butter
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1-1/4 cup(s) skim milk
1-1/2 cup(s) (6 oz) reduced fat, shredded sharp cheddar
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon(s) low sodium Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/8 teaspoon(s) hot sauce
4 cup(s) cooked elbow macaroni
Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheeses and next 4 ingredients, stirring until cheeses melt. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni in a bowl; stir well. Serve immediately.
SLOW-COOKER CHILI MAC ’N CHEESE
This is from Judy Kim on Delish, and begins, “Put in a little bit of prep in the morning, come home to an insanely delish dinner.”
Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4.
According to Delish, “Judy Kim is a NYC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and photographer. She also writes recipes for her website The Judy Lab.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. ground cumin
1 tbsp. cayenne
2 lb. lean ground beef
2 28-oz. cans crushed tomatoes
15 oz. kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 lb. small pasta, such as macaroni or fusilli
2 c. shredded Cheddar
2 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Scallions, jalapeño, avocado, cilantro, and sour cream, for garnish
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic and cook until softened. Add chili, cumin, and cayenne until fragrant, 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
Transfer beef mixture to slow cooker along with tomatoes and kidney beans and season generously with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low, 6 hours.
When ready to serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Add pasta and cheese to slow cooker and stir until melted. Serve with scallions, jalapeños, avocado, cilantro, sour cream and cheese.
APPLE-CHEDDAR MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from FamilyTime, and begins, “Raise your hand if you like mac and cheese? And when it's teamed with apples, you'll want to raise both hands!” Serves: 4; Prep Time: 25 to 30 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1-1/4 cups dry elbow macaroni
1-1/2 cups small diced, unpeeled, tart green or red apples
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2-1/4 cups whole milk, lower fat milk can be substituted
1 small bay leaf
2-1/3 cup shredded sharp white or yellow Cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon dry sherry (see second note)
Salt to taste
Ground white pepper to taste
1/3 cup panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs can be substituted
Directions
Butter a 1-1/2-quart round casserole.
Cook the pasta in a large saucepan according to package directions until al dente. Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and drain well. Return the pasta to the saucepan and add the apples.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a heavy saucepan. Add the onions and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes or until tender. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute or until fragrant. Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly until simmering gently. Add the bay leaf, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Remove and discard the bay leaf and then stir 2 cups of the cheese and the sherry into the milk. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring until the cheese melts. Remove the pan from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add the cheese sauce to the pasta and apples and stir gently to combine. Transfer the mac and cheese to the casserole and sprinkle with the remaining cheese and the panko. Bake, uncovered, for about 30 minutes or just until heated through and lightly browned. Let stand for about 5 minutes before serving.
Note: You can bake the mac and cheese in individual ramekins. Butter them and bake for about 15 minutes.
Note: If you’re like me and don’t have alcohol around the house, no worries. Omit the Sherry, or add 1/2 teaspoon of milk or water with the cheese.
Per Serving: 600 calories; 33 g fat; 20 g saturated fat; 100 mg cholesterol; 660 mg sodium; 48 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 27g protein
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is from an old Weight Watchers' email. Serves: 8; 5 Points (old points value).
Ingredients
12 oz uncooked macaroni, elbow-type
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
12 oz fat-free evaporated milk
8 oz low-fat cheddar or Colby cheese, shredded
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
2 Tbsp dried bread crumbs
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Cook pasta according to package directions without added fat or salt; drain & transfer to a large bowl. While pasta is still hot, stir in sour cream; set aside.
Heat milk in small saucepan over medium heat until tiny bubbles appear just around the edges. Reduce heat to low, add cheese & simmer until cheese melts, stirring constantly with wire whisk, about 2 minutes; remove from heat & stir in mustard, salt, pepper & nutmeg.
Add cheese mixture to pasta; mix well. Transfer to a 4-quart casserole dish. Combine bread crumbs & Parmesan cheese; sprinkle over pasta. Bake until top is golden, about 30 minutes. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
I'm sure that someone reading this is thinking, Macaroni and cheese? Yuck! That's okay. We all have foods we love and/or hate. I knew someone who adored liver and onions, which I absolutely hate.
But that's beside the point. Today's post is all about Mac and Cheese, and includes Slow-Cooker Chili Mac ‘N Cheese and Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese, along with four other mac and cheese recipes. Enjoy!
HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE
I had been looking for a really simple but good homemade macaroni and cheese recipe, and this fits the bill. My daughter and granddaughter had come over on my granddaughter's birthday; while they were here, my daughter whipped up this recipe. She'd been making it for quite a while. It was a definite hit with everyone in the house.
Ingredients
1 box (16 ounce) cannelloni pasta (see Note)
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
Note: Just about any tubular pasta can be used in this recipe, though it seems to work best with something bigger than elbow macaroni. Some of the better substitutes for the cannelloni would be ziti, penne, rigatoni, or elicoidali.
Directions
Turn oven on to 350 degrees.
Cook pasta according to package directions. If the package gives you a bracket – say, 12 – 14 minutes – lean toward the lower time, since you don't want the pasta to be too mushy. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
In a large pot, melt butter on low heat, then add flour, salt, and pepper. Cook on low heat, stirring continuously, for 2 to 3 minutes. Add milk and cook on medium heat for approximately 5 minutes until mixture thickens, stirring continuously.
Remove from heat and add macaroni, stirring it into mixture. Add the shredded cheese, and stir in completely.
Pour mixture into a 13 X 9 inch pan and bake at 350 for 10 – 15 minutes. Remove carefully, as it will be hot. (You knew that, right?) Dig in.
This makes 4 – 5 servings.
Photo: Homemade Macaroni and Cheese, on the left in the blue dish, and Benecol Macaroni and Cheese, on right, in orange casserole dish (from Avon)
BENECOL MACARONI AND CHEESE
For several years, there was a magazine dedicated to walking, titled Walking Magazine. It had many good articles, tips and recipes for those of us who feel a little more comfortable race-walking than running. Unfortunately, the magazine folded several years ago. This recipe was in it during its final year. Serves 4.
Ingredients
1/2 lb. small shell style macaroni
4 Tbs. Benecol
3 Tbs. all purpose flour
3 Tbs. finely chopped onion
1 1/2 C 2% milk, warmed
few drops Tabasco Sauce
1-pint nonfat cottage (or ricotta) cheese
1 tsp. salt
1/2 C flavored bread crumbs
1 Tbs. olive oil
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9-by-9 inch pan liberally with nonstick cooking spray. Cook shells according to package directions, strain, and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
To prepare sauce, melt Benecol in 2-quart saucepan over medium heat. Quickly whisk in flour, add onions, and cook for 1 minute. Slowly pour milk into flour mixture, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Add Tabasco Sauce and cook an additional minute. Whisk in cheese and salt, and blend in shells; transfer mixture to prepared pan.
In small bowl, mix oil and bread crumbs together; spoon over top of macaroni and cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.
Per Serving: 510 calories; 27.2% calories from fat; 3G saturated fat; 65G carbohydrates; 12MG cholesterol; 612MG sodium; 2G fiber
Enjoy!
CREAMY BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is from Eric Kim in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. For this recipe, Eric wrote, "This macaroni and cheese recipe, inspired by Stouffer’s, delivers the best of all worlds: creamy, saucy comfort, with a consistency that’s slightly more set than a stovetop version, thanks to a final bake in the oven. It stays voluptuous and molten as a result of a higher ratio of sauce to noodles, which are cooked completely so they don’t soak up as much liquid. The Velveeta is necessary here, as it has sodium citrate, which prevents the sauce from separating in the oven. Elbow macaroni works fine, but cavatappi is an especially fun shape to eat with its telephone-cord bounciness."
Total Time: 1 hour; Yield: 6 to 8 servings
This was featured in "The Platonic Ideal of Macaroni and Cheese", and can be viewed online at https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/04/dining/baked-macaroni-cheese-recipe-homemade.html.
Another link to check out is for Alison Roman's guide, "How to Make Mac and Cheese." While you're at it, you might want to sign up Eric Kim in The New York Times cooking enewsletter. Great recipes, helpful guides, etc. I highly recommend it.
Ingredients
Salt
1 pound cavatappi or elbow macaroni
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
6 cups whole milk
1 pound sharp or extra-sharp yellow Cheddar, coarsely grated (5-1/4 cups)
8 ounces Velveeta, torn into pieces
4 ounces Pecorino Romano, coarsely grated (1 cup)
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
Pinch of ground cayenne
Freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
Heat oven to 350 degrees.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with salt. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon, until just past al dente. Drain and set aside.
Return the empty pot to the stove (no need to clean it) and set over medium heat. Melt the butter and simmer, whisking occasionally, until the butter stops spurting and quiets down, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the flour and cook, whisking, until smooth like gravy, about 1 minute.
Step 4
Whisk in the milk. Raise the heat to high and bring to a simmer, whisking constantly, then immediately reduce the heat to low and continue simmering until the sauce lightly coats the back of a spoon, 2 to 5 minutes. At this stage, the sauce should be smooth but relatively loose. Take the pot off the heat.
To the pot, add the Cheddar, Velveeta, Pecorino Romano, mustard powder, onion powder and cayenne, and season generously with salt and black pepper. Whisk until the cheese is melted and smooth like nacho cheese. Add the drained pasta, breaking up any clumps, and stir until evenly coated in the cheese sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking pan or dish and bake until bubbling at the edges, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve immediately.
BEST MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from MyDailyMoment, and begins, “Put this lower fat version of a kiddie classic on the menu, and the dinner table. Fair warning, it might be a quiet dinner once the kids get a bite of this cheesy favorite.”
For 6 people; Ready in 20 min.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon(s) butter
2 tablespoon(s) all-purpose flour
1-1/4 cup(s) skim milk
1-1/2 cup(s) (6 oz) reduced fat, shredded sharp cheddar
3 tablespoon(s) grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon(s) low sodium Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon(s) dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon(s) pepper
1/8 teaspoon(s) hot sauce
4 cup(s) cooked elbow macaroni
Directions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat; add flour. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly with a wire whisk. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; add cheeses and next 4 ingredients, stirring until cheeses melt. Combine cheese sauce and macaroni in a bowl; stir well. Serve immediately.
SLOW-COOKER CHILI MAC ’N CHEESE
This is from Judy Kim on Delish, and begins, “Put in a little bit of prep in the morning, come home to an insanely delish dinner.”
Total Time: 6 hours 30 minutes; Prep Time: 20 minutes; Level: Easy; Serves: 4.
According to Delish, “Judy Kim is a NYC-based food stylist, recipe developer, and photographer. She also writes recipes for her website The Judy Lab.”
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
3 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp. chili powder
1 tbsp. ground cumin
1 tbsp. cayenne
2 lb. lean ground beef
2 28-oz. cans crushed tomatoes
15 oz. kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 lb. small pasta, such as macaroni or fusilli
2 c. shredded Cheddar
2 c. shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Scallions, jalapeño, avocado, cilantro, and sour cream, for garnish
Directions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic and cook until softened. Add chili, cumin, and cayenne until fragrant, 1 minute. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
Transfer beef mixture to slow cooker along with tomatoes and kidney beans and season generously with salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low, 6 hours.
When ready to serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Add pasta and cheese to slow cooker and stir until melted. Serve with scallions, jalapeños, avocado, cilantro, sour cream and cheese.
APPLE-CHEDDAR MAC AND CHEESE
This comes from FamilyTime, and begins, “Raise your hand if you like mac and cheese? And when it's teamed with apples, you'll want to raise both hands!” Serves: 4; Prep Time: 25 to 30 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes.
To view this online, click here.
Ingredients
1-1/4 cups dry elbow macaroni
1-1/2 cups small diced, unpeeled, tart green or red apples
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2-1/4 cups whole milk, lower fat milk can be substituted
1 small bay leaf
2-1/3 cup shredded sharp white or yellow Cheddar cheese
1/2 teaspoon dry sherry (see second note)
Salt to taste
Ground white pepper to taste
1/3 cup panko bread crumbs, regular bread crumbs can be substituted
Directions
Butter a 1-1/2-quart round casserole.
Cook the pasta in a large saucepan according to package directions until al dente. Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and drain well. Return the pasta to the saucepan and add the apples.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a heavy saucepan. Add the onions and cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes or until tender. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for about 1 minute or until fragrant. Slowly add the milk, whisking constantly until simmering gently. Add the bay leaf, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring, for 10 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Remove and discard the bay leaf and then stir 2 cups of the cheese and the sherry into the milk. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring until the cheese melts. Remove the pan from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Add the cheese sauce to the pasta and apples and stir gently to combine. Transfer the mac and cheese to the casserole and sprinkle with the remaining cheese and the panko. Bake, uncovered, for about 30 minutes or just until heated through and lightly browned. Let stand for about 5 minutes before serving.
Note: You can bake the mac and cheese in individual ramekins. Butter them and bake for about 15 minutes.
Note: If you’re like me and don’t have alcohol around the house, no worries. Omit the Sherry, or add 1/2 teaspoon of milk or water with the cheese.
Per Serving: 600 calories; 33 g fat; 20 g saturated fat; 100 mg cholesterol; 660 mg sodium; 48 g carbohydrate; 3 g fiber; 27g protein
BAKED MACARONI AND CHEESE
This is from an old Weight Watchers' email. Serves: 8; 5 Points (old points value).
Ingredients
12 oz uncooked macaroni, elbow-type
1/2 cup fat-free sour cream
12 oz fat-free evaporated milk
8 oz low-fat cheddar or Colby cheese, shredded
1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
1/4 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
2 Tbsp dried bread crumbs
2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 350ºF.
Cook pasta according to package directions without added fat or salt; drain & transfer to a large bowl. While pasta is still hot, stir in sour cream; set aside.
Heat milk in small saucepan over medium heat until tiny bubbles appear just around the edges. Reduce heat to low, add cheese & simmer until cheese melts, stirring constantly with wire whisk, about 2 minutes; remove from heat & stir in mustard, salt, pepper & nutmeg.
Add cheese mixture to pasta; mix well. Transfer to a 4-quart casserole dish. Combine bread crumbs & Parmesan cheese; sprinkle over pasta. Bake until top is golden, about 30 minutes. Yields about 1 cup per serving.
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