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Showing posts with label Roasted Veggie Buddha Bowl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roasted Veggie Buddha Bowl. Show all posts

Monday, April 5, 2021

Meatless Monday

It's time for another Meatless Monday. Here are six yummy vegetarian recipes to help you through the day, including Bush’s® Black Bean Quesadillas, Veggie Chili Cornbread Casserole, and Frosted Peppermint Brownies (because we all could use something yummy for dessert). Enjoy!

CREAMY TURMERIC PASTA

This is from Sue Li in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Sue wrote, "This earthy pasta is cobbled together using ingredients that you almost certainly already have in your kitchen. Its approach is fairly standard: Melt some butter, sauté some garlic and shallots, simmer with cream, then add some Parmesan and pasta cooking water to create a silky sauce. That alone would make a great meal, but what makes this recipe really special is the addition of ground turmeric, which gives this simple dish its vibrant color and sophisticated depth of flavor. This is meant to be a lazy meal — the kind of dish you throw together, then eat out of a big bowl while sitting on the couch — but if you're feeling the need for something green, serve the pasta with a simple salad dressed with vinegar and olive oil."

Yield: 4 to 6 servings; Time: 30 minutes

This can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1020033-creamy-turmeric-pasta.

Ingredients

1 pound spaghetti

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 large shallot, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

Kosher salt and black pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons ground turmeric

1 cup half-and-half

2 cups lightly packed freshly grated Parmesan (about 4 ounces), plus more for serving

4 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley or chives

Preparation

Cook spaghetti according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water and drain.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add shallot and garlic, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until golden-brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Add turmeric and stir to toast, about 30 seconds. Slowly whisk in the half-and-half then bring to a simmer.

Whisk in the 2 cups Parmesan, then add the cooked spaghetti and all of the reserved pasta cooking liquid and toss to coat. Serve with chopped parsley and more Parmesan.

TOFU MUSHROOM SOUP

This comes from Martha Rose Shulman, also in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Martha wrote, "For a full meal in a bowl, serve this deeply flavorful soup with warm brown rice or noodles."

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 1 hour 45 minutes

This was featured in "Tofu and Mushroom Broth: Happy Together", and can be viewed online at https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017969-tofu-mushroom-soup.

Ingredients

1 ounce dried mushrooms (about 1 cup), preferably porcinis

1/2 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms

1/2 pound fresh button or cremini mushrooms, quartered

1 head of garlic, cut in half crosswise

2 teaspoons salt, or to taste

6 slices fresh ginger, from the widest part of the root

2 tablespoons soy sauce

14 to 16 ounces tofu (1 box), either firm or soft, cut in 1-inch dice

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

2 tablespoons chopped chives

Preparation

Place dried mushrooms in a bowl or large heatproof measuring cup and cover with 2 cups boiling water. Let sit for 30 minutes. If mushrooms are sandy, agitate from time to time. Line a strainer with cheesecloth and place over a 1-quart measuring cup. Drain through the strainer, then twist mushrooms in the cheesecloth, holding them over the strainer, to squeeze out the last of the flavorful liquid. Discard reconstituted mushrooms or set aside for another use.

While porcinis are soaking, pull tough stems away from shiitake mushroom caps. Slice caps thin and set aside.

Combine the mushroom broth with enough water to make 9 cups liquid and place in a saucepan or soup pot. Add shiitake stems, quartered button or cremini mushrooms, halved head of garlic, salt and ginger slices, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 30 minutes.

Use a slotted spoon or skimmer to remove mushrooms, stems, garlic and ginger from broth. Add soy sauce to broth. Taste and adjust salt.

Bring broth back to a boil and add tofu. Reduce heat to a simmer or a gentle boil, cover partly and simmer for 30 minutes. Tofu will puff a little, and texture will become more porous and spongy.

Add thinly sliced shiitake mushroom caps, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro and chives. Taste, adjust seasoning and serve.

Tip

Broth can be prepared in advance through Step 4 and refrigerated for 3 days or frozen for 2 months. Soup can be prepared through Step 5 a day ahead of time.

BUSH'S® BLACK BEAN QUESADILLAS

This comes from (you guessed it) Bush's Best. The recipe, which couldn't be easier, begins, "For a quick and hearty lunch, these Black Bean and cheese quesadillas with salsa are perfect.

"These recipes were created with our vegetarian friends in mind. However, we recommend reading each label to make sure every ingredient suits your dietary needs. Please also remember that product formulations can change, so if you ever have any questions, make sure to contact the product manufacturer!"

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 6 minutes; Total Time: 21 minutes; Servings: 4

To view this online, go to https://bushbeans.com/en_US/recipe/black-bean-and-cheese-quesadillas.

Ingredients

2 cans (15 oz) BUSH'S® Seasoned Black Beans, drained

1 cup salsa

2 cups shredded Colby & Monterey Jack cheese

8 (8-inch) flour tortillas

1/3 cup sour cream

Directions

Mash one can of beans.

Mix in remaining can of beans, salsa.

Spread mixture evenly on 4 tortillas; top with cheese.

Cover with remaining tortillas.

Heat skillet & cook quesadillas 2 minutes.

Cut into wedges & serve with salsa & sour cream on the side.

VEGGIE CHILI CORNBREAD CASSEROLE

This comes from Taylerand20 at Allrecipes. Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes; Additional Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes; Servings: 10

To view this online, go to https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/270846/veggie-chili-cornbread-casserole/.

Ingredients

Chili:

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

1 large red bell pepper, chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons chili powder

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

salt to taste

ground black pepper to taste

1 (28 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15 ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup frozen corn

2 cups vegetable broth

1 tablespoon lime juice

Cornbread:

1 1/2 cups milk

1 large egg

1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1 small jalapeno pepper, chopped

Garnish:

1 jalapeno pepper, sliced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering, about 1 minute. Add onion, carrot, and bell pepper. Mix to combine and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, chili powder, cumin, oregano, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Stir and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes.

Add diced tomatoes, black beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, and corn to the Dutch oven and stir to combine. Pour in broth and lime juice; stir to combine. Increase heat to high and bring chili to a boil, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered and stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Whisk milk and egg together in a large bowl until well combined.

Combine cornmeal, flour, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda together in a large bowl. Add milk mixture and whisk until smooth. Add melted butter and stir to combine. Add jalapeno and stir to incorporate into the cornbread batter.

Remove Dutch oven from the stove. Pour batter over the chili in the Dutch oven. Use a spatula to cover chili completely and smooth the top.

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the cornbread comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Garnish cornbread casserole with sliced jalapeno and cilantro.

ROASTED VEGGIE BUDDHA BOWL

This is from the Food Network, and begins, "Healthy vegetables and spiced chickpeas get roasted on the same baking sheet, making dinner a breeze to put together and clean up. Quinoa and avocado round out this nutritional meal."

Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 2 servings; Level: Easy

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/roasted-veggie-buddha-bowl-5293785.

Ingredients

One 14-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

3/4 teaspoon spicy curry powder

4 teaspoons olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 small red onion (about 4 ounces), cut into 1-inch pieces

1 small sweet potato (about 7 ounces), peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

4 ounces medium cremini mushrooms, halved

1/3 cup fat-free Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon tahini

1 lemon

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 avocado, thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Toss the chickpeas with the curry powder, 1 teaspoon of the oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl. Place on one side of a baking sheet. Arrange the onions next to the chickpeas, then the sweet potatoes and lastly the mushrooms. Toss the onions, sweet potatoes and mushrooms with the remaining 3 teaspoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Bake until the chickpeas are a bit crunchy and the sweet potatoes are softened and starting to turn brown in a few spots, 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the yogurt, tahini and juice of half the lemon in a small bowl. Slice the remaining lemon into wedges.

Divide the quinoa between two bowls. Arrange half the vegetables and avocado slices on top of the quinoa, leaving a space for the yogurt in the middle. Dollop the yogurt in the empty space and serve with the lemon wedges.

FROSTED PEPPERMINT BROWNIES

This is from Betty Crocker, and begins, “Easy brownie-mix brownies get dressed up for the holidays with frosting and crushed peppermint candy.”

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes; Servings: 16

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 box (16 oz) Betty Crocker™ Supreme original brownie mix

Water, oil and egg called for on brownie mix box

1 1/4 cups Betty Crocker™ Rich & Creamy vanilla frosting (from 16 oz container)

1/8 teaspoon mint or peppermint extract

Betty Crocker™ green or pink gel food color

Peppermint or spearmint candies, crushed, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom of 9-inch square pan with shortening or cooking spray. Make and bake brownie batter as directed on box. Cool completely on cooling rack, about 1 1/2 hours.In small bowl, stir together frosting, extract and food color until smooth. Spread frosting evenly over brownies. Sprinkle with crushed candies. For easier cutting, refrigerate about 15 minutes until frosting is set. Cut into 4 rows by 4 rows. Store covered at room temperature.

Expert Tips

Cut brownies into bite-size pieces and serve in holiday paper liners for easy dessert pickups.

Monday, March 22, 2021

Double-Post Monday

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's offerings include Mexican Meatloaf and Roasted Veggie Buddha Bowl. Enjoy!

APPLE-RASPBERRY STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

This was in a Weight Watchers' email several years ago. The program has changed, but I'm using the values from when this was sent.

This begins, “Frozen and canned fruits enjoyed on their own - or used in this tasty fruit-stuffed French toast - are a great way to get in some of your five-or-more servings of fruit and vegetables a day.”

POINTS® Value: 6; Servings: 4; Preparation Time: 12 min; Cooking Time: 10 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

1 cup canned fruit pie filling, apple, chopped

1/3 cup sweetened frozen red raspberries, thawed

8 slice raisin bread, or cinnamon raisin bread

1/4 cup regular egg substitute

1/4 cup fat-free skim milk

1/3 tsp vanilla extract, or maple extract

1 Tbsp margarine

1 Tbsp powdered sugar

2 Tbsp reduced-calorie pancake syrup

Directions

Combine apple filling and raspberries. Arrange 4 slices of bread on a flat surface. Top each with about 1/3 cup fruit filling. Cover with remaining bread slices.

Combine egg substitute, milk and extract in a bowl.

Heat margarine in a large skillet.

Dip each sandwich into egg mixture; place in skillet. Cook on medium until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Sprinkle each with 1/4 tablespoon powdered sugar and then drizzle each with 1 1/2 teaspoons syrup. Serve.

SIMPLE VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA

This comes from Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN at VeryWellFit. Vicki wrote, “There's nothing like lasagna to soothe a craving for a creamy, dreamy meal. With a foundation of vitamin C-rich tomato sauce, which is loaded with the carotenoid lycopene, this Italian classic takes on a healthy bend with a good dose veggies nestled in its layers.

“Chock full of leafy green spinach, this dish is good for your brain health, as eating a serving of veggies each day has shown to fend off cognitive decline. Spinach is also loaded with iron and calcium for a total body wellness boost.“

Total Time: 65 min; Prep Time: 20 min; Cook Time: 45 min; Servings 9 (1 cup each)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 package no-boil lasagna noodles

2 28-ounce cans tomato sauce

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon oregano

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 15-ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese

1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated

3 cups raw baby spinach leaves

Preparation

Preheat the oven the 350F.

On the stovetop over medium heat, pour the tomato sauce into a saucepan. Add salt, oregano, and garlic. Bring to a light boil, lower the heat, and simmer for a few minutes. Stir occasionally.

On the bottom of a 9x13 pan put a layer of tomato sauce. Place a layer of noodles on top, covering the bottom of the pan. Spread ricotta cheese on top of the noodles, top with spinach, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and coat with a small ladle full of sauce. Repeat the layers until you get to the top of the pan. Sprinkle the final layer with mozzarella cheese.

Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is golden brown on top.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a 10 minutes before serving.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

Make this dish higher in fiber with whole wheat noodles, although they may only be available in the boil variety. Add other vegetables such a sliced carrots, zucchini, or eggplant. For an alternative green, use baby kale or arugula. Spread pesto between the layers or incorporate it into the tomato sauce for a rich, nutty flavor.

If you want to add meat, add cooked, diced chicken breast or ground turkey to the sauce. For a non-dairy twist, use vegan cheese in lieu of ricotta and mozzarella cheese.

Cooking and Serving Tips

To save time use no-boil lasagna noodles—they're quick and easy to assemble. Plus, the part-skim ricotta cheese and mozzarella reduce the fat but still offer good-quality protein.

This dish can be assembled and placed, uncooked and covered, in the refrigerator overnight. Simply heat and serve the next day. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container.

LIGHT SOUR CREAM CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

Recipe Yield: Servings: 6 (2 Enchiladas each)

Source: Cooking Healthy and Fast

Book Title: Cooking Healthy and Fast

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/light-sour-cream-chicken-enchiladas.

Ingredients

1 (8oz) container light sour cream

1 (8oz) container nonfat plain yogurt

1 (10-3/4oz) can cream of chicken soup with 1/3 less salt

1 (4oz) can diced green chilies

12 (6-7 inch) white corn or flour tortillas

1 Cup (4oz) shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

1-1/2 Cups chopped cooked chicken

1/4 Cup sliced green onions

Directions

Heat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 13x9-inch (3 Qt) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In med. bowl, combine sour cream, yogurt, soup and chilies; mix well. Spoon bout 3 Tbsp sour cream mixture down center of each tortilla. Reserve 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese; sprinkle each tortilla with remaining cheese, chicken and onions. Roll tortillas and place in spray-coated dish, seam side down. Spoon remaining sour cream mixture over tortillas. Cover with foil and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Remove foil; sprinkle with reserved 1/4 cup cheese. Return to oven & bake, uncovered, an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes, if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 358; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 590 mg; Cholesterol: 63 mg; Carbohydrates: 35 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Lean Meat, 2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Milk, 1 Fat

MEXICAN MEATLOAF

This comes from Stephanie Gallagher, About.com’s Cooking for Families expert. Stephanie wrote, “This Mexican meatloaf recipe gets its zing from salsa and Mexican cheese blend. If you're a fan of make-ahead cooking. you can make this easy meatloaf recipe and freeze it, either before or after cooking.

“If you freeze it before cooking, shape the meatloaf and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then put it in a zip-loc bag.“If freezing it after cooking, wrap the meatloaf tightly and store in an airtight container. Be sure to defrost the meatloaf overnight in the refrigerator before cooking or reheating.”

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 cup Panko (Japanese bread crumbs)

2 large eggs, beaten

1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (cheddar and Monterey Jack)

3/4 cup tomato salsa, divided

2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 pound lean ground beef

1 pound ground pork

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine Panko, eggs, cheese, 1/2 cup of the salsa, mustard and meats.

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Shape meat mixture into a loaf on the baking sheet.

Spread remaining 1/4 cup of salsa on top.

Bake 50-60 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf (as measured with a thermometer) reaches 155 degrees. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

PASTA WITH BROWN BUTTER AND PARMESAN

This comes from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Ali wrote, “Sometimes you just want a big bowl of pasta with butter and Parmesan. Starchy, silky and salty, it’s always good — and practically foolproof. To make it a little more grown up, just take it one step further: Brown the butter. When you slide the butter into the skillet, let it cook until the milk solids turn a toasty brown. It adds a rich, nutty flavor that makes the dish a bit more sophisticated with very little extra work.”

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 25 minutes.

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019980-pasta-with-brown-butter-and-parmesan.

Ingredients

Kosher salt

1 pound spaghetti, linguine or other long noodle

8 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Bring a large pot of heavily salted water (2 heaping tablespoons kosher salt to about 7 quarts water) to a boil. Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta, but don’t shake it fully dry.

In a skillet or Dutch oven large enough to hold the pasta (and preferably with a light-colored bottom so you can see the butter solids brown), melt the butter over medium heat. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the foam subsides, the milk solids turn golden-brown and it smells nutty and toasty, 3 to 4 minutes. (Watch carefully to see that it does not burn. If it does, start over.) Remove from heat immediately.

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the brown butter. Stir in the cheese until melted. Stir in pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the pasta is glossy with sauce (you probably won’t need the full 1/2 cup).

Serve with black pepper and more Parmesan on top.

ROASTED VEGGIE BUDDHA BOWL

This is from the Food Network, and starts off, “Healthy vegetables and spiced chickpeas get roasted on the same baking sheet, making dinner a breeze to put together and clean up. Quinoa and avocado round out this nutritional meal.”

Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 2 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

One 14-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

3/4 teaspoon spicy curry powder

4 teaspoons olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 small red onion (about 4 ounces), cut into 1-inch pieces

1 small sweet potato (about 7 ounces), peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

4 ounces medium cremini mushrooms, halved

1/3 cup fat-free Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon tahini

1 lemon

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 avocado, thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Toss the chickpeas with the curry powder, 1 teaspoon of the oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl. Place on one side of a baking sheet. Arrange the onions next to the chickpeas, then the sweet potatoes and lastly the mushrooms. Toss the onions, sweet potatoes and mushrooms with the remaining 3 teaspoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Bake until the chickpeas are a bit crunchy and the sweet potatoes are softened and starting to turn brown in a few spots, 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the yogurt, tahini and juice of half the lemon in a small bowl. Slice the remaining lemon into wedges.

Divide the quinoa between two bowls. Arrange half the vegetables and avocado slices on top of the quinoa, leaving a space for the yogurt in the middle. Dollop the yogurt in the empty space and serve with the lemon wedges.

Friday, August 21, 2020

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. (Yay!) Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Light Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas and Turkey Meatloaf. Enjoy!

WEEKNIGHT TWO-BEAN CHILI

This comes from the Food Network kitchen, and starts out, “This 30-minute weeknight dinner is a vegetarian chili that tastes like it's been slow simmered for hours. The hint of Chinese five-spice powder is a nice spice surprise. If you serve it over spaghetti, it turns into Cincinnati-style chili. (1 serving of Cincinnati-style chili equals 3/4 cup chili + 2 ounce (dry) cooked whole-wheat spaghetti.)”

Level: Easy; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 small jalapeno, minced (with some seeds)

1 small or 1/2 large red onion, finely diced

2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

1 large clove garlic, minced

1 1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth

1 cup canned crushed roasted tomatoes

1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder

1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder or ground cinnamon, optional

Two 15-ounce cans beans (such as kidney and black), rinsed and drained

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 cups cooked brown rice

1/2 cup finely shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (2 ounces)

Directions

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; add the jalapenos, onions and vinegar and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds.

Stir in the broth, tomatoes, chili powder and five-spice powder if using, and increase the heat to high. Bring to a full boil and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the beans and return to a full boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until just slightly thickened but still soupy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cilantro.

Fill each bowl with about 1/2 cup of rice. Ladle the chili on top, sprinkle with the Cheddar and serve.

IRISH WHOLE WHEAT SODA BREAD

This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. However, since it has nutritional info for diabetics, I have to guess that it was in a diabetic email.

Yield: Makes 1 Round Loaf

Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups buttermilk

Directions

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

In a large bowl, stir together whole wheat flour, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add buttermilk all at once, stirring with a fork to make a soft, but slightly sticky dough.

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

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

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/12 of loaf): Calories: 123, Carbohydrate: 25 g, Fiber: 3 g, Protein: 5 g, Fat: 1 g, Sodium: 335 mg, Cholesterol: 1 mg

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch/Bread

VEGETARIAN STUFFED PEPPERS

This comes from Ready Set Eat, and begins, “A heart healthy recipe for stuffed peppers filled with brown rice, vegetables and cheese for a Mexican flavor influence.”

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Servings: 4; Number of ingredients: 8.

To view this online (and to check out more recipes), go to https://www.readyseteat.com/recipes-Vegetarian-Stuffed-Peppers-7419.

Ingredients

PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray

2 large green or red bell peppers

1/2 cup instant brown rice, uncooked

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1 can (10 oz each) Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies-No Salt Added, drained

1-1/2 cups frozen Southwest mixed vegetables (corn, black beans, red peppers)

1 can (8 oz each) Hunt's® Tomato Sauce, divided

1/3 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray 8x8-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cut bell peppers lengthwise through stem into halves. Remove and discard seeds and membranes. Place peppers, cut-side down, in dish. Bake 15 minutes or until tender.

Meanwhile, prepare rice according to package directions, adding cumin and garlic salt. Add drained tomatoes, mixed vegetables and half of tomato sauce to cooked rice; stir to combine. Divide rice mixture and place inside peppers. Top with remaining tomato sauce; sprinkle with cheese.

Cover dish with aluminum foil. Bake 20 minutes or until peppers are hot and cheese melts.

LIGHT SOUR CREAM CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

Recipe Yield: Servings: 6 (2 Enchiladas each)

Source: Cooking Healthy and Fast

Book Title: Cooking Healthy and Fast

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/light-sour-cream-chicken-enchiladas.

Ingredients

1 (8oz) container light sour cream

1 (8oz) container nonfat plain yogurt

1 (10-3/4oz) can cream of chicken soup with 1/3 less salt

1 (4oz) can diced green chilies

12 (6-7 inch) white corn or flour tortillas

1 Cup (4oz) shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

1-1/2 Cups chopped cooked chicken

1/4 Cup sliced green onions

Directions

Heat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 13x9-inch (3 Qt) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In med. bowl, combine sour cream, yogurt, soup and chilies; mix well. Spoon bout 3 Tbsp sour cream mixture down center of each tortilla. Reserve 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese; sprinkle each tortilla with remaining cheese, chicken and onions. Roll tortillas and place in spray-coated dish, seam side down. Spoon remaining sour cream mixture over tortillas. Cover with foil and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Remove foil; sprinkle with reserved 1/4 cup cheese. Return to oven & bake, uncovered, an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes, if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 358; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 590 mg; Cholesterol: 63 mg; Carbohydrates: 35 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Lean Meat, 2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Milk, 1 Fat

ROASTED VEGGIE BUDDHA BOWL

This is from the Food Network, and starts off, “Healthy vegetables and spiced chickpeas get roasted on the same baking sheet, making dinner a breeze to put together and clean up. Quinoa and avocado round out this nutritional meal.”

Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 2 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

One 14-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

3/4 teaspoon spicy curry powder

4 teaspoons olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 small red onion (about 4 ounces), cut into 1-inch pieces

1 small sweet potato (about 7 ounces), peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

4 ounces medium cremini mushrooms, halved

1/3 cup fat-free Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon tahini

1 lemon

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 avocado, thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Toss the chickpeas with the curry powder, 1 teaspoon of the oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl. Place on one side of a baking sheet. Arrange the onions next to the chickpeas, then the sweet potatoes and lastly the mushrooms. Toss the onions, sweet potatoes and mushrooms with the remaining 3 teaspoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Bake until the chickpeas are a bit crunchy and the sweet potatoes are softened and starting to turn brown in a few spots, 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the yogurt, tahini and juice of half the lemon in a small bowl. Slice the remaining lemon into wedges.

Divide the quinoa between two bowls. Arrange half the vegetables and avocado slices on top of the quinoa, leaving a space for the yogurt in the middle. Dollop the yogurt in the empty space and serve with the lemon wedges.

TURKEY MEATLOAF

This comes from Campbell's Soup, and begins, “This turkey meatloaf is so moist and flavorful it’s guaranteed to be a hit! It gets wonderful taste from the addition of tomato soup, onion, garlic and Italian seasoning. Try it tonight for dinner and watch how fast it disappears!”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 40 minutes; Serves: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 pounds lean 99% fat free ground turkey

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s® Healthy Request® Condensed Tomato Soup

1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, crushed

3/4 cup plain dry whole wheat bread crumbs

1/4 cup cholesterol-free egg substitute

Directions

Heat the oven to 350°F.

Thoroughly mix the turkey, 1/2 cup soup, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, bread crumbs and egg substitute in a large bowl. Place the mixture into a 13x9x2-inch baking pan and firmly shape into an 8x4-inch loaf. Pour the remaining soup over the meatloaf.

Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes or until the meatloaf is cooked through. Let the meatloaf stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

Monday, August 17, 2020

Double-Post Monday

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday (since not everyone wants to forgo meat, even for one day). Today's offerings include Sweet Corn Soup with Crab and Asparagus and Savory Meatloaf. Enjoy!

ROASTED VEGGIE BUDDHA BOWL

This is from the Food Network, and starts off, “Healthy vegetables and spiced chickpeas get roasted on the same baking sheet, making dinner a breeze to put together and clean up. Quinoa and avocado round out this nutritional meal.”

Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 2 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

One 14-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

3/4 teaspoon spicy curry powder

4 teaspoons olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 small red onion (about 4 ounces), cut into 1-inch pieces

1 small sweet potato (about 7 ounces), peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

4 ounces medium cremini mushrooms, halved

1/3 cup fat-free Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon tahini

1 lemon

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 avocado, thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Toss the chickpeas with the curry powder, 1 teaspoon of the oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl. Place on one side of a baking sheet. Arrange the onions next to the chickpeas, then the sweet potatoes and lastly the mushrooms. Toss the onions, sweet potatoes and mushrooms with the remaining 3 teaspoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Bake until the chickpeas are a bit crunchy and the sweet potatoes are softened and starting to turn brown in a few spots, 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the yogurt, tahini and juice of half the lemon in a small bowl. Slice the remaining lemon into wedges.

Divide the quinoa between two bowls. Arrange half the vegetables and avocado slices on top of the quinoa, leaving a space for the yogurt in the middle. Dollop the yogurt in the empty space and serve with the lemon wedges.

SAVORY MEATLOAF

This comes from Campbell's Soup, and begins, “Meatloaf is the definition of comfort food and this saucy version shines when the family gathers for a good meal.”

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 30 minutes; Serves: 6

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s® Condensed Tomato Soup

1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs

1 egg, beaten

1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 cup water

Directions

Thoroughly mix the beef, 1/2 cup soup, bread crumbs, egg, onion, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper in a large bowl. Place the beef mixture into a shallow 3-quart baking pan and shape firmly into an 8 x 4-inch loaf.

Bake at 350°F. for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through. Let the meatloaf stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

Heat 2 tablespoons pan drippings, remaining soup and water in a 1-quart saucepan over medium-high heat until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Serve the soup mixture with the meatloaf.

PINEAPPLE CREAM PIE

This is one of those gems from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing lists.

Ingredients

1 graham cracker crust or pre-baked regular crust

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 large can crushed pineapple, well drained

1/2 to 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in sweetened condensed milk. Stir in pineapple and pecans. Put into pie crust and top with whipped cream or Cool Whip. Refrigerate for several hours.

CANNOLI QUESADILLA WITH STRAWBERRY SAUCE

This was in an old Weight Watchers email (we're talking more than 10 years ago). The plan has changed several times since then.

This recipe begins, “Whip up this Italian-inspired specialty in honor of Mother’s Day. Topped with a simple strawberry sauce or just sliced strawberries, it’s a sweet treat every mom will love.”

POINTS® Value: 3 (value from when this recipe was emailed); Servings: 4; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 1 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

8 oz fat-free ricotta cheese

3 Tbsp McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, or similar product, or to taste

1/4 tsp almond extract

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

4 medium whole wheat tortilla

5 oz sweetened frozen whole strawberries, partially thawed and pureed (1/2 a 10 oz package), or whole sliced strawberries if you prefer

Directions

Mix together ricotta cheese, Splenda and almond extract by hand in a large bowl until well-combined and smooth; gently fold in chocolate chips. Chill for at least 2 hours (and up to overnight); drain off any liquid.

To soften tortillas, wrap them in layers of paper towels and then microwave them on high for 30 seconds.

Place about 1/4 cup of cheese mixture down the center of each cooled tortilla; fold tortilla over in half (or roll up burrito-style). Drizzle each serving with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of strawberry sauce or top with fresh strawberry slices; serve immediately. Yields 1 cannoli per serving.

Notes: Add more Splenda if you prefer your desserts very sweet. And feel free to top the quesadillas with freshly sliced strawberries when they’re in season. Or you can use a combination of pureed and sliced strawberries.

Note: Okay, this is me talking. I personally would refrain from the Splenda, simply because I'm not a big fan of non-sugar (read not-quite-sure-it's-not-synthetic) sweeteners. But that's my preference. I would use sugar or no sweetener at all. It's your call here.

SWEET CORN SOUP WITH CRAB AND ASPARAGUS

This begins, “This Cantonese-style soup is practically a meal in itself.”

Yield: 8 servings

Source: Reprinted with permission from The New American Heart Association Cookbook, Seventh Edition, Copyright 2004 by the American Heart Association. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers.

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1310

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1310.shtml

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds fresh asparagus

1/4 cup water

4 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth

1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added cream-style corn

2 teaspoons low-salt soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons cold water

Egg substitute equivalent to 3 eggs, or 3 large eggs

2 (6-ounce) cans crabmeat, rinsed and drained

1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

6 medium green onions (green part only), finely chopped

Chili garlic sauce to taste (optional)

Directions

Trim the asparagus and cut into 1-inch pieces.

Put in a microwave-safe dish with 1/4 cup water. Microwave, covered, on 100 percent power (high) for 5 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Don't overcook. Drain well.

In a large saucepan, bring the broth to a boil over high heat. Stir in the corn, soy sauce, and salt. Return to a boil.

Meanwhile, put the cornstarch in a cup. Add 2 tablespoons water, stirring to dissolve. Pour into the broth mixture, stirring constantly.

Pour the egg substitute into the boiling soup in a thin stream. Remove from the heat.

To serve, spoon 1/2 cup asparagus into each bowl. Ladle the broth mixture over each serving. Top with the crabmeat and sesame oil. Sprinkle the green onions over each serving.

Serve the chili garlic sauce on the side.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 138; Protein: 15 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 278 mg; Cholesterol: 38 mg; Carbohydrates: 17 g

LEMON SNACKING CAKE WITH COCONUT GLAZE

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “With a poundcake-like texture and zippy lemon flavor, this tender treat is loaded with grated citrus zest and topped with a sweet, mellow coconut frosting. Like many snacking cakes, it’s easily whisked together without a mixer, and quick to bake. Perfect as an afternoon pick-me-up, it goes as well with a glass of milk as it does with mugs of coffee, tea or hot cocoa.”

Yield: 12 servings; Time: 1 hour, plus cooling

This was featured in “Three Snacking Cakes to Change Your Afternoons”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1/2 cup neutral oil, such as grapeseed or canola, plus more for pan

3 lemons

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup coconut milk

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 packed cup shredded sweetened coconut

For the Glaze:

3 tablespoons coconut milk

1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted

Pinch of fine sea salt

2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

Finely grated lemon zest, for garnish

Preparation

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-9-inch pan, and then line with parchment paper, letting the two long ends hang over the edge of the pan by at least 2 inches.

Grate 2 tablespoons of zest from the lemons. Juice the lemons so you have 1/4 cup juice. Add juice and zest to a medium bowl, then whisk in oil, sour cream, coconut milk and eggs.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk wet mixture into dry mixture until smooth.

Scrape batter into baking pan and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle evenly with shredded sweetened coconut. Bake until the top of the cake springs back when lightly pressed in the center, and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely.

When cake is cool, make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, oil and salt. Whisk in the confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Pour over the cake, and grate some lemon zest over the top. Let the glaze set for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Monday, June 3, 2019

Double-Post Monday

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday (since not everyone wants to forgo meat, even for one day). Today's offerings include Sweet Corn Soup with Crab and Asparagus and Savory Meatloaf. Enjoy!

ROASTED VEGGIE BUDDHA BOWL

This is from the Food Network, and starts off, “Healthy vegetables and spiced chickpeas get roasted on the same baking sheet, making dinner a breeze to put together and clean up. Quinoa and avocado round out this nutritional meal.”

Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 2 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

One 14-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

3/4 teaspoon spicy curry powder

4 teaspoons olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 small red onion (about 4 ounces), cut into 1-inch pieces

1 small sweet potato (about 7 ounces), peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

4 ounces medium cremini mushrooms, halved

1/3 cup fat-free Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon tahini

1 lemon

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 avocado, thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Toss the chickpeas with the curry powder, 1 teaspoon of the oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl. Place on one side of a baking sheet. Arrange the onions next to the chickpeas, then the sweet potatoes and lastly the mushrooms. Toss the onions, sweet potatoes and mushrooms with the remaining 3 teaspoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Bake until the chickpeas are a bit crunchy and the sweet potatoes are softened and starting to turn brown in a few spots, 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the yogurt, tahini and juice of half the lemon in a small bowl. Slice the remaining lemon into wedges.

Divide the quinoa between two bowls. Arrange half the vegetables and avocado slices on top of the quinoa, leaving a space for the yogurt in the middle. Dollop the yogurt in the empty space and serve with the lemon wedges.

SAVORY MEATLOAF

This comes from Campbell's Soup, and begins, “Meatloaf is the definition of comfort food and this saucy version shines when the family gathers for a good meal.”

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 30 minutes; Serves: 6

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds ground beef

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s® Condensed Tomato Soup

1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs

1 egg, beaten

1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 cup water

Directions

Thoroughly mix the beef, 1/2 cup soup, bread crumbs, egg, onion, Worcestershire sauce and black pepper in a large bowl. Place the beef mixture into a shallow 3-quart baking pan and shape firmly into an 8 x 4-inch loaf.

Bake at 350°F. for 1 hour or until the meatloaf is cooked through. Let the meatloaf stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

Heat 2 tablespoons pan drippings, remaining soup and water in a 1-quart saucepan over medium-high heat until the mixture is hot and bubbling. Serve the soup mixture with the meatloaf.

PINEAPPLE CREAM PIE

This is another one of those gems from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing lists.

Ingredients

1 graham cracker crust or pre-baked regular crust

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 large can crushed pineapple, well drained

1/2 to 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in sweetened condensed milk. Stir in pineapple and pecans. Put into pie crust and top with whipped cream or Cool Whip. Refrigerate for several hours.

CANNOLI QUESADILLA WITH STRAWBERRY SAUCE

This was in an old Weight Watchers email (we're talking more than 10 years ago). The plan has changed several times since then.

This recipe begins, “Whip up this Italian-inspired specialty in honor of Mother’s Day. Topped with a simple strawberry sauce or just sliced strawberries, it’s a sweet treat every mom will love.”

POINTS® Value: 3 (value from when this recipe was emailed); Servings: 4; Preparation Time: 10 min; Cooking Time: 1 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

8 oz fat-free ricotta cheese

3 Tbsp McNeil Nutritionals SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, or similar product, or to taste

1/4 tsp almond extract

1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

4 medium whole wheat tortilla

5 oz sweetened frozen whole strawberries, partially thawed and pureed (1/2 a 10 oz package), or whole sliced strawberries if you prefer

Directions

Mix together ricotta cheese, Splenda and almond extract by hand in a large bowl until well-combined and smooth; gently fold in chocolate chips. Chill for at least 2 hours (and up to overnight); drain off any liquid.

To soften tortillas, wrap them in layers of paper towels and then microwave them on high for 30 seconds.

Place about 1/4 cup of cheese mixture down the center of each cooled tortilla; fold tortilla over in half (or roll up burrito-style). Drizzle each serving with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of strawberry sauce or top with fresh strawberry slices; serve immediately. Yields 1 cannoli per serving.

Notes: Add more Splenda if you prefer your desserts very sweet. And feel free to top the quesadillas with freshly sliced strawberries when they’re in season. Or you can use a combination of pureed and sliced strawberries.

Note: Okay, this is me talking. I personally would refrain from the Splenda, simply because I'm not a big fan of non-sugar (read not-quite-sure-it's-not-synthetic) sweeteners. But that's my preference. I would use sugar or no sweetener at all. It's your call here.

SWEET CORN SOUP WITH CRAB AND ASPARAGUS

This begins, “This Cantonese-style soup is practically a meal in itself.”

Yield: 8 servings

Source: Reprinted with permission from The New American Heart Association Cookbook, Seventh Edition, Copyright 2004 by the American Heart Association. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publishers.

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1310

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1310.shtml

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds fresh asparagus

1/4 cup water

4 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth

1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added cream-style corn

2 teaspoons low-salt soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons cold water

Egg substitute equivalent to 3 eggs, or 3 large eggs

2 (6-ounce) cans crabmeat, rinsed and drained

1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

6 medium green onions (green part only), finely chopped

Chili garlic sauce to taste (optional)

Directions

Trim the asparagus and cut into 1-inch pieces.

Put in a microwave-safe dish with 1/4 cup water. Microwave, covered, on 100 percent power (high) for 5 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Don't overcook. Drain well.

In a large saucepan, bring the broth to a boil over high heat. Stir in the corn, soy sauce, and salt. Return to a boil.

Meanwhile, put the cornstarch in a cup. Add 2 tablespoons water, stirring to dissolve. Pour into the broth mixture, stirring constantly.

Pour the egg substitute into the boiling soup in a thin stream. Remove from the heat.

To serve, spoon 1/2 cup asparagus into each bowl. Ladle the broth mixture over each serving. Top with the crabmeat and sesame oil. Sprinkle the green onions over each serving.

Serve the chili garlic sauce on the side.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 138; Protein: 15 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 278 mg; Cholesterol: 38 mg; Carbohydrates: 17 g

LEMON SNACKING CAKE WITH COCONUT GLAZE

This is from Melissa Clark in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Melissa wrote, “With a poundcake-like texture and zippy lemon flavor, this tender treat is loaded with grated citrus zest and topped with a sweet, mellow coconut frosting. Like many snacking cakes, it’s easily whisked together without a mixer, and quick to bake. Perfect as an afternoon pick-me-up, it goes as well with a glass of milk as it does with mugs of coffee, tea or hot cocoa.”

Yield: 12 servings; Time: 1 hour, plus cooling

This was featured in “Three Snacking Cakes to Change Your Afternoons”, and can be viewed online here.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1/2 cup neutral oil, such as grapeseed or canola, plus more for pan

3 lemons

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup coconut milk

2 large eggs

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 packed cup shredded sweetened coconut

For the Glaze:

3 tablespoons coconut milk

1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted

Pinch of fine sea salt

2/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

Finely grated lemon zest, for garnish

Preparation

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-9-inch pan, and then line with parchment paper, letting the two long ends hang over the edge of the pan by at least 2 inches.

Grate 2 tablespoons of zest from the lemons. Juice the lemons so you have 1/4 cup juice. Add juice and zest to a medium bowl, then whisk in oil, sour cream, coconut milk and eggs.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk wet mixture into dry mixture until smooth.

Scrape batter into baking pan and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle evenly with shredded sweetened coconut. Bake until the top of the cake springs back when lightly pressed in the center, and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Let cool completely.

When cake is cool, make the glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the coconut milk, oil and salt. Whisk in the confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Pour over the cake, and grate some lemon zest over the top. Let the glaze set for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Monday, April 15, 2019

Double-Post Monday

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's offerings include Baked Spaghetti and Gluten-Free Vermont-Style Chicken Pot Pie. Enjoy!

SIMPLE VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA

This is from Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN on the VeryWellFit site. Vicki wrote, “There's nothing like lasagna to soothe a craving for a creamy, dreamy meal. With a foundation of vitamin C-rich tomato sauce, which is loaded with the carotenoid lycopene, this Italian classic takes on a healthy bend with a good dose veggies nestled in its layers.

“Chock full of leafy green spinach, this dish is good for your brain health, as eating a serving of veggies each day has shown to fend off cognitive decline. Spinach is also loaded with iron and calcium for a total body wellness boost.”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 45 minutes; Total Time: 65 minutes; Servings: 9 (1 cup each)

To view this online, go to https://www.verywellfit.com/vegetarian-spinach-lasagna-4144632.

Ingredients

1 package no-boil lasagna noodles

2 28-ounce cans tomato sauce

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon oregano

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 15-ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese

1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated

3 cups raw baby spinach leaves

Directions

Preheat the oven the 350F.

On the stovetop over medium heat, pour the tomato sauce into a saucepan. Add salt, oregano, and garlic. Bring to a light boil, lower the heat, and simmer for a few minutes. Stir occasionally.

On the bottom of a 9x13 pan put a layer of tomato sauce. Place a layer of noodles on top, covering the bottom of the pan. Spread ricotta cheese on top of the noodles, top with spinach, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and coat with a small ladle full of sauce. Repeat the layers until you get to the top of the pan. Sprinkle the final layer with mozzarella cheese.

Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is golden brown on top.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a 10 minutes before serving.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

Make this dish higher in fiber with whole wheat noodles, although they may only be available in the boil variety. Add other vegetables such a sliced carrots, zucchini, or eggplant. For an alternative green, use baby kale or arugula. Spread pesto between the layers or incorporate it into the tomato sauce for a rich, nutty flavor.

If you want to add meat, add cooked, diced chicken breast or ground turkey to the sauce. For a non-dairy twist, use vegan cheese in lieu of ricotta and mozzarella cheese.

Cooking and Serving Tips

To save time use no-boil lasagna noodles—they're quick and easy to assemble. Plus, the part-skim ricotta cheese and mozzarella reduce the fat but still offer good-quality protein.

This dish can be assembled and placed, uncooked and covered, in the refrigerator overnight. Simply heat and serve the next day. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container.

BAKED SPAGHETTI

This is from the Food Network, and begins, “This mash-up of lasagna and spaghetti with meat sauce makes for a warming one-pan dinner. (And if you start with leftover cooked noodles and meat sauce, you're set for a super-fast weeknight meal.) Assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake when you're ready to serve.”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Inactive Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes; Level: Intermediate; Yield: 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/baked-spaghetti-3361814.

Ingredients

Kosher salt

1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck

Freshly ground black pepper

1 large onion, diced (about 2 cups)

1 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and diced (about 1 cup)

4 cloves garlic, finely chopped

One 28-ounce can crushed tomatoes

One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes

2 teaspoons sugar

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

8 ounces thin spaghetti

8 ounces sharp Cheddar, grated (about 2 cups)

1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, finely chopped

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

Heat a second large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and cook, stirring to break the meat up, until browned, about 4 minutes. Add the onions, bell peppers, garlic and a generous pinch of salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in the crushed and diced tomatoes, sugar and oregano and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti for 2 minutes less than the time indicated in the package directions. Strain well. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Cover the bottom of a 13-by-9-by-2-inch pan with a third of the sauce. Add half the pasta and a third of the Cheddar; repeat the layers and add the last of the sauce; reserve the last of the Cheddar.

Bake for 30 minutes. Top with the remaining Cheddar and continue baking until it melts and the sauce bubbles, about 5 more minutes. Let cool in the dish for at least 10 minutes. Garnish with the parsley before cutting into squares.

GLUTEN-FREE VERMONT-STYLE CHICKEN POT PIE

This comes from VeryWellFit, and begins, “Who doesn't love a pot pie on a cold winter's night? A creamy filling chock-full of chicken and vegetables bubbling under a golden crust. This pot pie is considered "Vermont-style" because it is made with biscuits on the top instead of a pie or pastry crust. The almond meal drop biscuits make this recipe gluten-free, and add a nice dose of protein and nutrition to the dish. Gluten-free flour or other thickener can also be used to thicken the sauce but this is completely up to you.”

Prep Time: 30 minutes; Cook Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 50 minutes; Servings: 7

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1/4 cup unsalted butter or olive oil

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup chopped green or red bell pepper

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons gluten-free flour (optional)

2/3 cup unsweetened soy milk or other unsweetened milk

1/3 cup heavy cream

1 cup chicken broth

3 cups cooked chicken, cubed

16-ounce bag frozen green beans

1 recipe gluten-free biscuit dough

Preparation

Preheat oven to 400F.

Melt butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion in butter until it begins to soften.

Add chopped pepper and black pepper, and let it cook for 1 minute. Add the gluten-free flour here if using; let it cook for 1 minute.

Add the milk, cream, and broth. If you are using guar or xanthan gum, or other specialty product, add it here. Add the chicken and then green beans. Some water will come out of the beans during cooking, so the sauce should be a little on the thick side at this point. Season to taste with salt. While the mixture heats back up, make the biscuit dough.

When the biscuit dough is made and the pot pie mixture is bubbling hot, pour the pot pie filling into a 2-quart casserole dish.

Drop spoonfuls of biscuit dough onto the top, leaving room for expansion. (If you have extra dough, you can drop spoonfuls onto a piece of aluminum foil to cook alongside the pot pie.)

Bake about 10 minutes until biscuits are golden brown.

Ingredient Substitutions and Cooking Tips

Using a thickener in this dish is optional, and there are many ingredient options when it comes to thickening a sauce. If you don't use gluten-free flour, you can go for more specialty products, such as bean flour or rice flour along with guar gum or Carb Counters ThickItUp.

Whether you use milk, cream, or unsweetened soy or almond milk is really up to you and the specific diet you are on. For the fewest carbs, combine unsweetened soy (or almond) milk with cream for richness.

For a more "chickeny" flavor, instead of the chicken broth you can use Better than Bouillion soup base; make it about double the concentration the package calls for, and don't add any salt to the filling.

And feel free to swap turkey for the chicken if you have some leftover in the fridge. And if you don't care for green beans in your pot pie try carrots and peas.

ROASTED VEGGIE BUDDHA BOWL

This is from the Food Network, and starts off, “Healthy vegetables and spiced chickpeas get roasted on the same baking sheet, making dinner a breeze to put together and clean up. Quinoa and avocado round out this nutritional meal.”

Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 2 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

One 14-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

3/4 teaspoon spicy curry powder

4 teaspoons olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 small red onion (about 4 ounces), cut into 1-inch pieces

1 small sweet potato (about 7 ounces), peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

4 ounces medium cremini mushrooms, halved

1/3 cup fat-free Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon tahini

1 lemon

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 avocado, thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Toss the chickpeas with the curry powder, 1 teaspoon of the oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl. Place on one side of a baking sheet. Arrange the onions next to the chickpeas, then the sweet potatoes and lastly the mushrooms. Toss the onions, sweet potatoes and mushrooms with the remaining 3 teaspoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Bake until the chickpeas are a bit crunchy and the sweet potatoes are softened and starting to turn brown in a few spots, 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the yogurt, tahini and juice of half the lemon in a small bowl. Slice the remaining lemon into wedges.

Divide the quinoa between two bowls. Arrange half the vegetables and avocado slices on top of the quinoa, leaving a space for the yogurt in the middle. Dollop the yogurt in the empty space and serve with the lemon wedges.

PINEAPPLE CREAM PIE

This is one of those gems from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing lists.

Ingredients

1 graham cracker crust or pre-baked regular crust

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 large can crushed pineapple, well drained

1/2 to 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

Beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in sweetened condensed milk. Stir in pineapple and pecans. Put into pie crust and top with whipped cream or Cool Whip. Refrigerate for several hours.

CHICKEN JAMBALAYA

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

Source: AICR

Recipe and image appear courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research.

Recipe Yield: Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

3/4 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut in 3/4-inch pieces

1 can (14.5 oz.) whole plum tomatoes in juice

1 rib celery, cut in 1/2-inch slices

1 small green bell pepper, chopped

1 scallion, chopped

1 Tbsp. tomato paste

1 bay leaf

1 tsp. dried thyme

1/4 tsp. dried red pepper flakes

1 pinch ground cloves

1 cup hot long-grain brown rice, cooked according to package directions

Directions

In 3-quart Dutch oven, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic. Saute, stirring frequently, until onion is tender but not brown, about 4 minutes. Add chicken and cook, stirring, until pieces are white on all sides.

Add tomatoes with liquid, breaking up with spoon. Mix in celery, bell pepper, scallion and tomato paste. Stir in bay leaf, thyme, pepper flakes and cloves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked and sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes.

Remove bay leaf. Stir rice into chicken mixture until well combined.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 235; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 203 mg; Protein: 17 g; Carbohydrates: 33 g

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

Friday, March 29, 2019

Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. (Yay!) Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Light Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas and Turkey Meatloaf. Enjoy!

WEEKNIGHT TWO-BEAN CHILI

This comes from the Food Network kitchen, and starts out, “This 30-minute weeknight dinner is a vegetarian chili that tastes like it's been slow simmered for hours. The hint of Chinese five-spice powder is a nice spice surprise. If you serve it over spaghetti, it turns into Cincinnati-style chili. (1 serving of Cincinnati-style chili equals 3/4 cup chili + 2 ounce (dry) cooked whole-wheat spaghetti.)”

Level: Easy; Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Yield: 4 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 small jalapeno, minced (with some seeds)

1 small or 1/2 large red onion, finely diced

2 teaspoons red wine vinegar

1 large clove garlic, minced

1 1/4 cups low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth

1 cup canned crushed roasted tomatoes

1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder

1/4 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder or ground cinnamon, optional

Two 15-ounce cans beans (such as kidney and black), rinsed and drained

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

2 cups cooked brown rice

1/2 cup finely shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (2 ounces)

Directions

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; add the jalapenos, onions and vinegar and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook about 30 seconds.

Stir in the broth, tomatoes, chili powder and five-spice powder if using, and increase the heat to high. Bring to a full boil and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the beans and return to a full boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer until just slightly thickened but still soupy, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cilantro.

Fill each bowl with about 1/2 cup of rice. Ladle the chili on top, sprinkle with the Cheddar and serve.

IRISH WHOLE WHEAT SODA BREAD

This is from the infamous long-since-forgotten emailing list. However, since it has nutritional info for diabetics, I have to guess that it was in a diabetic email.

Yield: Makes 1 Round Loaf

Ingredients

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1-1/2 cups buttermilk

Directions

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

In a large bowl, stir together whole wheat flour, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add buttermilk all at once, stirring with a fork to make a soft, but slightly sticky dough.

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

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

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/12 of loaf): Calories: 123, Carbohydrate: 25 g, Fiber: 3 g, Protein: 5 g, Fat: 1 g, Sodium: 335 mg, Cholesterol: 1 mg

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch/Bread

VEGETARIAN STUFFED PEPPERS

This comes from Ready Set Eat, and begins, “A heart healthy recipe for stuffed peppers filled with brown rice, vegetables and cheese for a Mexican flavor influence.”

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 45 minutes; Servings: 4; Number of ingredients: 8.

To view this online (and to check out more recipes), go to https://www.readyseteat.com/recipes-Vegetarian-Stuffed-Peppers-7419.

Ingredients

PAM® Original No-Stick Cooking Spray

2 large green or red bell peppers

1/2 cup instant brown rice, uncooked

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

1 can (10 oz each) Ro*Tel® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies-No Salt Added, drained

1-1/2 cups frozen Southwest mixed vegetables (corn, black beans, red peppers)

1 can (8 oz each) Hunt's® Tomato Sauce, divided

1/3 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray 8x8-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cut bell peppers lengthwise through stem into halves. Remove and discard seeds and membranes. Place peppers, cut-side down, in dish. Bake 15 minutes or until tender.

Meanwhile, prepare rice according to package directions, adding cumin and garlic salt. Add drained tomatoes, mixed vegetables and half of tomato sauce to cooked rice; stir to combine. Divide rice mixture and place inside peppers. Top with remaining tomato sauce; sprinkle with cheese.

Cover dish with aluminum foil. Bake 20 minutes or until peppers are hot and cheese melts.

LIGHT SOUR CREAM CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

Recipe Yield: Servings: 6 (2 Enchiladas each)

Source: Cooking Healthy and Fast

Book Title: Cooking Healthy and Fast

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/light-sour-cream-chicken-enchiladas.

Ingredients

1 (8oz) container light sour cream

1 (8oz) container nonfat plain yogurt

1 (10-3/4oz) can cream of chicken soup with 1/3 less salt

1 (4oz) can diced green chilies

12 (6-7 inch) white corn or flour tortillas

1 Cup (4oz) shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

1-1/2 Cups chopped cooked chicken

1/4 Cup sliced green onions

Directions

Heat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 13x9-inch (3 Qt) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In med. bowl, combine sour cream, yogurt, soup and chilies; mix well. Spoon bout 3 Tbsp sour cream mixture down center of each tortilla. Reserve 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese; sprinkle each tortilla with remaining cheese, chicken and onions. Roll tortillas and place in spray-coated dish, seam side down. Spoon remaining sour cream mixture over tortillas. Cover with foil and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Remove foil; sprinkle with reserved 1/4 cup cheese. Return to oven & bake, uncovered, an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes, if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 358; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 590 mg; Cholesterol: 63 mg; Carbohydrates: 35 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Lean Meat, 2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Milk, 1 Fat

ROASTED VEGGIE BUDDHA BOWL

This is from the Food Network, and starts off, “Healthy vegetables and spiced chickpeas get roasted on the same baking sheet, making dinner a breeze to put together and clean up. Quinoa and avocado round out this nutritional meal.”

Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 2 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

One 14-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

3/4 teaspoon spicy curry powder

4 teaspoons olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 small red onion (about 4 ounces), cut into 1-inch pieces

1 small sweet potato (about 7 ounces), peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

4 ounces medium cremini mushrooms, halved

1/3 cup fat-free Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon tahini

1 lemon

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 avocado, thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Toss the chickpeas with the curry powder, 1 teaspoon of the oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl. Place on one side of a baking sheet. Arrange the onions next to the chickpeas, then the sweet potatoes and lastly the mushrooms. Toss the onions, sweet potatoes and mushrooms with the remaining 3 teaspoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Bake until the chickpeas are a bit crunchy and the sweet potatoes are softened and starting to turn brown in a few spots, 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the yogurt, tahini and juice of half the lemon in a small bowl. Slice the remaining lemon into wedges.

Divide the quinoa between two bowls. Arrange half the vegetables and avocado slices on top of the quinoa, leaving a space for the yogurt in the middle. Dollop the yogurt in the empty space and serve with the lemon wedges.

TURKEY MEATLOAF

This comes from Campbell's Soup, and begins, “This turkey meatloaf is so moist and flavorful it’s guaranteed to be a hit! It gets wonderful taste from the addition of tomato soup, onion, garlic and Italian seasoning. Try it tonight for dinner and watch how fast it disappears!”

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 1 hr 40 minutes; Serves: 8

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

2 pounds lean 99% fat free ground turkey

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell’s® Healthy Request® Condensed Tomato Soup

1 small onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)

1 clove garlic, minced

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, crushed

3/4 cup plain dry whole wheat bread crumbs

1/4 cup cholesterol-free egg substitute

Directions

Heat the oven to 350°F.

Thoroughly mix the turkey, 1/2 cup soup, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, bread crumbs and egg substitute in a large bowl. Place the mixture into a 13x9x2-inch baking pan and firmly shape into an 8x4-inch loaf. Pour the remaining soup over the meatloaf.

Bake for 1 hour 10 minutes or until the meatloaf is cooked through. Let the meatloaf stand for 10 minutes before slicing.

Monday, March 25, 2019

Double-Post Monday

Besides being Meatless Monday, it's also Double-Post Monday. Today's offerings include Mexican Meatloaf and Roasted Veggie Buddha Bowl. Enjoy!

APPLE-RASPBERRY STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

This was in a Weight Watchers' email several years ago. The program has changed, but I'm using the values from when this was sent.

This begins, “Frozen and canned fruits enjoyed on their own - or used in this tasty fruit-stuffed French toast - are a great way to get in some of your five-or-more servings of fruit and vegetables a day.”

POINTS® Value: 6; Servings: 4; Preparation Time: 12 min; Cooking Time: 10 min; Level of Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

1 cup canned fruit pie filling, apple, chopped

1/3 cup sweetened frozen red raspberries, thawed

8 slice raisin bread, or cinnamon raisin bread

1/4 cup regular egg substitute

1/4 cup fat-free skim milk

1/3 tsp vanilla extract, or maple extract

1 Tbsp margarine

1 Tbsp powdered sugar

2 Tbsp reduced-calorie pancake syrup

Directions

Combine apple filling and raspberries. Arrange 4 slices of bread on a flat surface. Top each with about 1/3 cup fruit filling. Cover with remaining bread slices.

Combine egg substitute, milk and extract in a bowl.

Heat margarine in a large skillet.

Dip each sandwich into egg mixture; place in skillet. Cook on medium until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Sprinkle each with 1/4 tablespoon powdered sugar and then drizzle each with 1 1/2 teaspoons syrup. Serve.

SIMPLE VEGETARIAN SPINACH LASAGNA

This comes from Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN at VeryWellFit. Vicki wrote, “There's nothing like lasagna to soothe a craving for a creamy, dreamy meal. With a foundation of vitamin C-rich tomato sauce, which is loaded with the carotenoid lycopene, this Italian classic takes on a healthy bend with a good dose veggies nestled in its layers.

“Chock full of leafy green spinach, this dish is good for your brain health, as eating a serving of veggies each day has shown to fend off cognitive decline. Spinach is also loaded with iron and calcium for a total body wellness boost.“

Total Time: 65 min; Prep Time: 20 min; Cook Time: 45 min; Servings 9 (1 cup each)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 package no-boil lasagna noodles

2 28-ounce cans tomato sauce

1/8 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon oregano

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 15-ounce container part-skim ricotta cheese

1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, grated

3 cups raw baby spinach leaves

Preparation

Preheat the oven the 350F.

On the stovetop over medium heat, pour the tomato sauce into a saucepan. Add salt, oregano, and garlic. Bring to a light boil, lower the heat, and simmer for a few minutes. Stir occasionally.

On the bottom of a 9x13 pan put a layer of tomato sauce. Place a layer of noodles on top, covering the bottom of the pan. Spread ricotta cheese on top of the noodles, top with spinach, and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and coat with a small ladle full of sauce. Repeat the layers until you get to the top of the pan. Sprinkle the final layer with mozzarella cheese.

Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until bubbly and cheese is golden brown on top.

Remove from the oven and allow to cool for a 10 minutes before serving.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

Make this dish higher in fiber with whole wheat noodles, although they may only be available in the boil variety. Add other vegetables such a sliced carrots, zucchini, or eggplant. For an alternative green, use baby kale or arugula. Spread pesto between the layers or incorporate it into the tomato sauce for a rich, nutty flavor.

If you want to add meat, add cooked, diced chicken breast or ground turkey to the sauce. For a non-dairy twist, use vegan cheese in lieu of ricotta and mozzarella cheese.

Cooking and Serving Tips

To save time use no-boil lasagna noodles—they're quick and easy to assemble. Plus, the part-skim ricotta cheese and mozzarella reduce the fat but still offer good-quality protein.

This dish can be assembled and placed, uncooked and covered, in the refrigerator overnight. Simply heat and serve the next day. Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer in an airtight container.

LIGHT SOUR CREAM CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

Recipe Yield: Servings: 6 (2 Enchiladas each)

Source: Cooking Healthy and Fast

Book Title: Cooking Healthy and Fast

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/light-sour-cream-chicken-enchiladas.

Ingredients

1 (8oz) container light sour cream

1 (8oz) container nonfat plain yogurt

1 (10-3/4oz) can cream of chicken soup with 1/3 less salt

1 (4oz) can diced green chilies

12 (6-7 inch) white corn or flour tortillas

1 Cup (4oz) shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

1-1/2 Cups chopped cooked chicken

1/4 Cup sliced green onions

Directions

Heat oven to 350F degrees. Spray a 13x9-inch (3 Qt) baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In med. bowl, combine sour cream, yogurt, soup and chilies; mix well. Spoon bout 3 Tbsp sour cream mixture down center of each tortilla. Reserve 1/4 cup Cheddar cheese; sprinkle each tortilla with remaining cheese, chicken and onions. Roll tortillas and place in spray-coated dish, seam side down. Spoon remaining sour cream mixture over tortillas. Cover with foil and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly. Remove foil; sprinkle with reserved 1/4 cup cheese. Return to oven & bake, uncovered, an additional 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes, if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 358; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 590 mg; Cholesterol: 63 mg; Carbohydrates: 35 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Lean Meat, 2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Milk, 1 Fat

MEXICAN MEATLOAF

This comes from Stephanie Gallagher, About.com’s Cooking for Families expert. Stephanie wrote, “This Mexican meatloaf recipe gets its zing from salsa and Mexican cheese blend. If you're a fan of make-ahead cooking. you can make this easy meatloaf recipe and freeze it, either before or after cooking.

“If you freeze it before cooking, shape the meatloaf and wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then put it in a zip-loc bag.“If freezing it after cooking, wrap the meatloaf tightly and store in an airtight container. Be sure to defrost the meatloaf overnight in the refrigerator before cooking or reheating.”

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 cup Panko (Japanese bread crumbs)

2 large eggs, beaten

1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (cheddar and Monterey Jack)

3/4 cup tomato salsa, divided

2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 pound lean ground beef

1 pound ground pork

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine Panko, eggs, cheese, 1/2 cup of the salsa, mustard and meats.

Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Shape meat mixture into a loaf on the baking sheet.

Spread remaining 1/4 cup of salsa on top.

Bake 50-60 minutes or until the internal temperature of the meatloaf (as measured with a thermometer) reaches 155 degrees. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

PASTA WITH BROWN BUTTER AND PARMESAN

This comes from Ali Slagle in The New York Times cooking e-newsletter. Ali wrote, “Sometimes you just want a big bowl of pasta with butter and Parmesan. Starchy, silky and salty, it’s always good — and practically foolproof. To make it a little more grown up, just take it one step further: Brown the butter. When you slide the butter into the skillet, let it cook until the milk solids turn a toasty brown. It adds a rich, nutty flavor that makes the dish a bit more sophisticated with very little extra work.”

Yield: 4 servings; Time: 25 minutes.

To view this online, go to https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1019980-pasta-with-brown-butter-and-parmesan.

Ingredients

Kosher salt

1 pound spaghetti, linguine or other long noodle

8 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan, plus more for serving

Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Bring a large pot of heavily salted water (2 heaping tablespoons kosher salt to about 7 quarts water) to a boil. Add pasta to boiling water and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta, but don’t shake it fully dry.

In a skillet or Dutch oven large enough to hold the pasta (and preferably with a light-colored bottom so you can see the butter solids brown), melt the butter over medium heat. Cook, swirling occasionally, until the foam subsides, the milk solids turn golden-brown and it smells nutty and toasty, 3 to 4 minutes. (Watch carefully to see that it does not burn. If it does, start over.) Remove from heat immediately.

Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss with the brown butter. Stir in the cheese until melted. Stir in pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the pasta is glossy with sauce (you probably won’t need the full 1/2 cup).

Serve with black pepper and more Parmesan on top.

ROASTED VEGGIE BUDDHA BOWL

This is from the Food Network, and starts off, “Healthy vegetables and spiced chickpeas get roasted on the same baking sheet, making dinner a breeze to put together and clean up. Quinoa and avocado round out this nutritional meal.”

Active Time: 30 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Level: Easy; Yield: 2 servings

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

One 14-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

3/4 teaspoon spicy curry powder

4 teaspoons olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 small red onion (about 4 ounces), cut into 1-inch pieces

1 small sweet potato (about 7 ounces), peeled and chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

4 ounces medium cremini mushrooms, halved

1/3 cup fat-free Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon tahini

1 lemon

1 cup cooked quinoa

1/2 avocado, thinly sliced

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Toss the chickpeas with the curry powder, 1 teaspoon of the oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl. Place on one side of a baking sheet. Arrange the onions next to the chickpeas, then the sweet potatoes and lastly the mushrooms. Toss the onions, sweet potatoes and mushrooms with the remaining 3 teaspoons oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a generous amount of black pepper. Bake until the chickpeas are a bit crunchy and the sweet potatoes are softened and starting to turn brown in a few spots, 25 to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, whisk the yogurt, tahini and juice of half the lemon in a small bowl. Slice the remaining lemon into wedges.

Divide the quinoa between two bowls. Arrange half the vegetables and avocado slices on top of the quinoa, leaving a space for the yogurt in the middle. Dollop the yogurt in the empty space and serve with the lemon wedges.