Diabetic Thursday

If you've followed this blog for a while, you know that Thursdays are time for posting six diabetic recipes. Here are six that'll show how versatile and good diabetic food can be. Enjoy!

LOWER-CARB BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

This recipe begins, “Blueberry-filled muffins that have a cake-like texture.”

Yield: 12 muffins

Serving size: 1 muffin

See the recipe with photo here: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/998.shtml

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup light margarine, softened

1 cup Splenda Essentials No Calorie Sweetener with Fiber, Granulated

1/4 cup honey

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed

Directions

Place oven rack in top 1/3 of oven.

Preheat oven to 400F.

Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. Lightly spray liners with nonstick cooking spray.

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.

Beat margarine at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add Splenda Essentials Granulated Sweetener and honey, beating until light and fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition. Fold in blueberries.

Spoon batter evenly into paper lined muffin cups. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until golden. Remove from pan immediately and cool on wire rack.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 160; Calories from Fat: 45; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 280 mg; Cholesterol: 35 mg; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Dietary Fiber: 1 g; Sugars: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g

STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD

Yield: 10 servings

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

Ingredients

1 package (10 ounces) fresh baby spinach, washed, dried and trimmed

1 pint fresh strawberries, cleaned and sliced lengthwise to 1/4-inch thickness

1/2 of a small onion, finely chopped

2 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons white vinegar

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil

Directions

Place the spinach in a large salad bowl; add the strawberries.

In a small bowl, combine the onion, sugar, water, vinegar, mustard, and oil. Whisk until well combined. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup): Calories: 79, Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 23 mg, Carbohydrate: 6 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 4 g, Protein: 1 g Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Carbohydrate, 1 Fat

CHICKEN CASSOULET

Yield: 6 servings

Source: The Other Diabetes: Living and Eating Well with Type 2 Diabetes

Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/32.shtml

Notes: Chicken and beans are flavored with a small amount of sausage in this easy version of a classic dish. But this lighter cassoulet contains just a fraction of the calories and saturated fat that you'd would find in a French country kitchen.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts

2 large yellow onions, chopped

2 ounces hot Italian turkey sausage

3 medium carrots, cut into chunks

2 celery ribs, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

8 sun-dried tomatoes, cut into strips

1 (15 1/2 ounce) can great Northern beans, rinsed and drained

1-1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, defatted

1 cup dry white wine

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 bay leaf

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat; add the chicken, onions, and sausage, and cook until the chicken and sausage are brown on both sides. Break up the sausage into small pieces. Add the remaining ingredients; bring to a boil.

Bake, covered, for 1 hour. Remove bay leaf before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:Calories: 290, Protein: 26 g, Fat: 7 g, Carbohydrate: 25 g, Sodium: 205, Potassium: 746, Fiber: 6 g Exchanges: 4 Vegetable, 2-1/2 Lean Meat, 1 Fat

WARM CHICKEN SALAD

Yield: 4-1/2 cups (6 servings)

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/379.shtml

Ingredients

2 cups diced cooked chicken (8 ounces)

2 cups chopped celery

1/3 cup light mayonnaise

1/4 cup slivered almonds

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

2 tablespoons chopped pimiento

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/4 cup (about 1 ounce) grated or shredded Swiss cheese

2 cups (2-oz) fat-free or reduced-fat potato chips, coarsely crushed

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 2-quart casserole with non-stick pan spray.

Mix all the ingredients except the cheese and potato chips in a large bowl. Turn into the casserole. Top with the cheese and crushed potato chips.

Bake about 25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the salad is hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 212; Protein: 15 g ; Fat: 11 g ; Sodium: 439 mg; Cholesterol: 43 mg; Carbohydrates: 13 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 2 Medium-Fat Meat

MERINGUE COOKIES

Yield: 3-1/2 dozen cookies (14 Servings)

Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes

Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/26.shtml

View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/511.shtml

Ingredients

2 large egg whites

1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Pinch of salt

1/3 cup finely chopped pecans or almonds

Directions

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or non-stick oven liner film.

Put the egg whites and lemon juice in a chilled bowl. Beat with an electric mixer to a soft foam. Slowly beat in the sugar, mixing well after each addition. Continue beating at medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Add the vanilla and salt. Gently fold in the nuts.

Drop the batter by heaping teaspoons onto the cookie sheets. Shape with the back of a spoon onto 1-inch circles. Bake until set and firm, about 1 hour. Turn off the oven but leave the cookies there until the oven is completely cool. Remove the cookies from the oven and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 46; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 18 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Sugars: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Other Carbohydrate

CUBAN BLACK BEANS

Source: How to Cook for People with Diabetes

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/262.shtml

Contains 9 grams of dietary fiber

8 servings Serving size: 1 cup

Ingredients

2-1/2 cups dried black beans

Enough water to cover the beans

2 qt water

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 green pepper, sliced

1 tsp oregano

1 bay leaf

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp ginger

1 tsp salt

1 tsp chili powder

2 tsp lime juice

2 tsp cumin

Directions

Cover the beans with cold water and soak them for 8-12 hours. Discard the water. Then combine all ingredients in a large stock- pot. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

Once the mixture boils, reduce the heat and allow beans to simmer for 1 1/2 – 2 hours with cover slightly ajar. (The age of dried beans affects their cooking time. Older beans take longer; fresh beans cook faster.)

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 233; Protein: 13 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 29 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 37 g; Exchanges: 2-1/2 Starch; 1 Lean Meat

Diabetic Thursday

Thursday - time for another round of diabetic recipes. Enjoy!

MERINGUE COOKIES

Yield: 3-1/2 dozen cookies (14 Servings)

Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes

Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/26.shtml

View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/511.shtml

Ingredients

2 large egg whites

1/4 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

Pinch of salt

1/3 cup finely chopped pecans or almonds

Directions

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.

Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper or non-stick oven liner film.

Put the egg whites and lemon juice in a chilled bowl. Beat with an electric mixer to a soft foam. Slowly beat in the sugar, mixing well after each addition. Continue beating at medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Add the vanilla and salt. Gently fold in the nuts.

Drop the batter by heaping teaspoons onto the cookie sheets. Shape with the back of a spoon onto 1-inch circles. Bake until set and firm, about 1 hour. Turn off the oven but leave the cookies there until the oven is completely cool. Remove the cookies from the oven and store in an airtight container at room temperature.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 46; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 18 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Sugars: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Other Carbohydrate

APPLE AND HONEY SCONES

Servings: 10

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/226.shtml

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

2/3 cup toasted wheat germ

1/3 cup margarine

1-1/4 cups finely chopped apple

1/2 cup skim milk

1/4 cup honey Topping

1 tbsp toasted wheat germ

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tbsp sugar

Directions

Preheat oven 400F. Lightly spray a large cookie heet with non-stick cooking spray. Handle the dough gently; overmixing the scones can make them tough.

Combine flour, wheat germ, baking powder, spices, baking soda & optional salt. Cut in the margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add combined apple, milk, and honey, mixing until dry ingredients are moistened.

Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface; knead gently 5-6 times. Pat dough into a 9-inch circle. Mix together topping ingredients (1 tbsp wheat germ, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, and 1 tbsp sugar). Sprinkle over dough. Cut dough into 10 wedges. Place 1/2-inch apart on prepared cookie sheet. Bake 16-18 minutes, or until golden brown.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 223; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 270 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 36 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Bread/Starch; 1 Fat

MINESTRONE SOUP

Yield: 4 servings (about 1 cup each)

Source: "Cooking with The Diabetic Chef"

Ingredients

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 medium onion, finely diced

1/4 medium carrot, finely diced

1/4 stalk celery, finely diced

2/3 teaspoon garlic, minced

2 tablespoons leeks, finely diced

3 ounces (about 1/3 cup) canned tomatoes, chopped

1/2 medium zucchini, diced

1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme

3/4 teaspoon fresh oregano, minced

3 cups chicken stock

3 ounces (about 1/2 cup) frozen spinach, chopped

3/4 cup white beans, cooked

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon white pepper

1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until the vegetables are slightly tender, about 3-4 minutes.

Add the garlic and leek and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato, zucchini, thyme, oregano, and chicken stock. Bring the liquid to a simmer for 20 minutes.

Add the spinach and white beans. Return the liquid to a simmer for 20 minutes. Season with the salt and white pepper. Serve immediately and garnish with the Parmesan cheese.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (about 1 cup): Calories: 110, Fat: 3 g, Cholesterol: 3 mg, Sodium: 283 mg, Carbohydrate: 15 g, Dietary Fiber: 5 g, Sugars: 3 g, Protein: 7 g, Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1/2 Lean Meat, 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat

CURRIED RICE

Yield: 6 servings (Makes 2-1/2 - 3 cups)

Source: "Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine"

Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/24.shtml

Ingredients

2 cups Chicken Broth

1 cup brown Basmati rice, well rinsed

2 teaspoons virgin olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1-1/2 teaspoons curry powder

1 tablespoon raisins

1/2 cup green peas, thawed if frozen

6 hazelnuts, chopped

Directions

In a medium-size saucepan, bring broth and rice to a boil. Cover and simmer 40 minutes until water is absorbed and rice is tender. Drain, if necessary.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a non-stick skillet and saute onion until softened. Stir in curry powder. Add onion, raisins and peas to rice and heat through. Garnish with nuts.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (About 1/2 cup): Calories: 128, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Carbohydrate: 23 g, Protein: 3 g, Sodium: 13 mg, Fat: 3 g, Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch/Bread, 1/2 Fat

GREEN BEANS WITH TOASTED NUTS

Yield: 4 servings

Source: The Eating Well Diabetes Cookbook

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

View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/508.shtml

Ingredients

1 pound green beans, stem ends trimmed

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons chopped peeled hazelnuts or walnuts

1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions

Cook beans in a large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over low heat. Add nuts and cook, stirring, until golden, about 1 minute. Return the reserved beans to the pot and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 104; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 145 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 11 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 1 Fat

STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD

Yield: 10 servings

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

Ingredients

1 package (10 ounces) fresh baby spinach, washed, dried and trimmed

1 pint fresh strawberries, cleaned and sliced lengthwise to 1/4-inch thickness

1/2 of a small onion, finely chopped

2 tablespoons sugar

3 tablespoons water

2 tablespoons white vinegar

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 cup canola or vegetable oil

Directions

Place the spinach in a large salad bowl; add the strawberries.

In a small bowl, combine the onion, sugar, water, vinegar, mustard, and oil. Whisk until well combined. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup): Calories: 79, Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 23 mg, Carbohydrate: 6 g, Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 4 g, Protein: 1 g Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Carbohydrate, 1 Fat