New Year's Resolutions

Most of us go into the last week of the old year making New Year's resolutions. These usually entail something like losing weight, exercising more, saving more money, and other worth-while things.

The problem, of course, is that we lose sight of our resolutions fairly quickly. While the following recipes won't help you keep your resolutions (or help me with mine), they might help in the following way: the turkey pot pie (a Campbell's recipe) will help you use up any holiday turkey (hopefully not left over on the counter from Thanksgiving!), the risotto (from Diabetic Gourmet) shows that if you're diabetic or cooking for a diabetic, the food can still taste good while being good for you, the spinach omelet (from Weight Watchers) is healthy and light. The apple & cranberry crisp? I don't know about you, but if I don't have something a little snacky once in a while, I'm going to have problems keeping to any kind of diet.

Enjoy the following. Oh, and one other thing: Happy New Year's!

CAMPBELL'S® EASY TURKEY POT PIE

Prep. time: 10 min. Cooking time: 30 min.

Serves: 4

Ingredients

1 can (10 3/4 oz.) Campbell's® Cream of Chicken Soup OR 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup

1 pkg. (about 9 oz.) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed

1 cup cubed cooked turkey OR chicken

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

1 cup all-purpose baking mix

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Mix soup, vegetables and turkey in 9" pie plate.

Mix milk, egg and baking mix. Pour over turkey mixture. Bake 30 min. or until golden.

Tips

*Or use Campbell's® Cream of Chicken with Herbs Soup.

Serve with a tossed green salad. For dessert serve pineapple tidbits.

APPLE & CRANBERRY CRISP

Filling:

12 apples

1/4 cup sugar

3 tablespoons flour

1/4 cup dried cranberries

Juice of one lemon

Topping:

1/4 cup butter (1/2 stick)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup oats

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup slivered almonds

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Filling: Peel and core apples. Cut into bite-size chunks. Combine with all other filling ingredients. Spoon into generously buttered ramekins.

Topping: Combine all ingredients. Using fingers, crumble butter until mixture resembles peas. Spoon generous 2 tablespoons on top of each apple-filled ramekin.

Place ramekins on baking sheet. bake for 35-45 minutes, until browned on top.

Makes 10 generous servings.

RISOTTO

Yield: 4 side-dish servings

Source: "Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine" by Betty Marks

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

Ingredients

2 teaspoons virgin olive oil

1 small onion, chopped

1 cup Italian Arborio rice

2 cups Vegetable stock

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pepper to taste

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

Directions

In a medium-size non-stick saucepan, heat oil and saute onion until tender. Add rice and cook, stirring, 2 to 3 minutes. Add stock and salt. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer 20 minutes. Remove from heat. Turn rice into a warm dish and season with pepper. Garnish with cheese.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/4 of recipe):

Calories: 136, Cholesterol: 1 mg, Carbohydrate: 26 g, Protein: 3 g, Sodium: 107 mg, Fat: 2 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Starch/Bread

SPANISH OMELET

POINTS® value | 5

Servings | 1

Preparation Time | 8 min

Cooking Time | 10 min

Ingredients

2 1/2 cup spinach, coarsely chopped (do not dry)

2 large egg(s)

2 tsp grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 tsp table salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp olive oil

Directions

In a medium saucepan, cook spinach with just the water that clings to it until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Drain well, squeezing out all liquid. Cool, then chop finely.

In a medium bowl, combine eggs, cheese, salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon water.

In a small nonstick skillet, heat oil. Pour egg mixture into pan; reduce heat and cook until base is set and top is still a little creamy, about 2 minutes.

Sprinkle spinach over one half of eggs; fold omelet in half and cook until eggs are completely set, about 1 minute longer. Serve at once.

Munchies

Most of us realize that we need to eat healthy foods. Many of us even try to eat healthy. But there are times we simply want something a little snacky. So, in honor of all snackiness, here are today's offerings. Enjoy!

Note: I've included where I got each recipe from immediately after the recipe's title.

Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

from Diabetic Gourmet Recipes Yield: 40 cookies

Serving size: 1 cookie

Source: Splenda

View Online with Photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1077.shtml

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1-1/4 cups rolled oats

6 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

6 tablespoons trans-free margarine, softened

1/2 cup Splenda Sugar Blend

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine flour, oats, cocoa, baking powder, and salt.

In bowl of electric mixer, beat margarine and Splenda Sugar Blend on medium speed 1 to 2 minutes, or until light and aerated. Beat in eggs for 1 minute, or until light. Beat in vanilla and almond extract. Stir in dry ingredients.

Drop teaspoonfuls of dough onto lightly greased baking sheets and flatten each with the back of a fork dipped in water.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or just until puffed and no longer shiny on top. Cool on sheets 5 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 50 ; Calories from Fat: 20 ; Protein: 1 g ; Fat: 2 g ; Sodium: 55 mg; Cholesterol: 10 mg ; Saturated Fat: 0 g ; Dietary Fiber: 1 g ; Carbohydrates: 7 g

Find more great COOKIE recipes at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/Desserts/Cookies

Homemade Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups

From Peggy Trowbridge Filippone, guide at HomeCooking.about.com

Peggy writes, "These taste similar to the commercial peanut butter cups, but better! Great for gifts." Yum! Peggy always seems to come up with great recipes, so you might want to sign up for her emails. Just saying...

Prep Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate bar

1/4 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup butter (4 Tbsp or 1/2 stick)

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs

3/4 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate bar

1/8 cup butter (2 Tbsp or 1/4 stick)

1 ounce paraffin wax, chopped

Preparation:

Place 1-inch mini-muffin or candy1 papers in a mini-muffin tin.

In a double boiler, melt 4 ounces chocolate bar, peanut butter, and 1/4 cup butter, mixing until smooth. Gently mix in graham cracker crumbs.

Place about 1 teaspoon chocolate5 graham cracker mixture in bottom of paper cups. Chill 15 to 30 minutes to harden.

Place 3/4 cup peanut butter6 in a bowl over hot water to soften. Mix in powdered sugar and graham cracker7 crumbs. Place 1 teaspoon peanut butter8mixture on top of hardened chocolate9 cracker layer. Chill 15 to 30 minutes.

Melt 6 ounces chocolate10 bar with butter and paraffin wax11. Top the peanut butter12 layer with about 1 teaspoon chocolate13 mixture. Chill to harden. Refrigerate leftovers.

Yield: 3 dozen peanut butter cups

Chocolate Dunk Cookies

another offering from Diabetic Gourmet Recipes

Yield: 36 servings

Serving size: 1 cookie

Source: Splenda

Ingredients

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 squares Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) margarine, softened

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon thawed Cool Whip Sugar Free Whipped Topping

1 teaspoon warm water

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Combine flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. Set aside. Chop 2 of the chocolate squares.

Beat margarine, brown sugar and Splenda Granulated Sweetener in large bowl with mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Blend in egg and vanilla. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in chopped chocolate.

Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of dough, 2 inches apart, onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake cookies 11 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets one minute; remove and place on wire racks. Cool completely.

Melt remaining 2 chocolate squares as directed on package. Stir in cool whip and water. Dip half of each cookie into melted chocolate; let stand until firm.

Nutritional Information Per Serving Calories: 90; Calories from Fat: 45; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 90 mg; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Sugars: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g

Whoopie Pies

from Carroll Pellegrinelli, guide at Baking.about.com

Carroll writes, "Want to make someone smile? Just offer them a Whoopie Pie. It's a cookie. It's a cake, but I can't think of it as a pie. It's also known as the official treat of Maine. Typically, it's top and bottom are chocolate cake with a middle fluffy frosting often made with marshmallow fluff. These days you can find fancier versions made of Red Velvet Cake, Pumpkin and/or Gingerbread Cake both with a cream cheese frosting filling. You'll note that I've included both a from-scratch cake and a cake mix recipe on this page. You could also make yours with a more traditional buttercream frosting. Personally, I prefer the taste and texture of the marshmallow cream frosting."

She always comes up with decadent dessert recipes; I recommend signing up for her emails, too. You won't regret it!

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 57 minutes

Yield: Makes 8 individual servings

Ingredients:

From-Scratch Whoopie Pies

2 cups flour

1/2 cup cocoa

1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 large egg

1 cup buttermilk*

Filling

1 cup butter, softened

7-ounce jar marshmallow fluff

1 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

Cake Mix Version

one 18-ounce chocolate or Devil's Food cake mix

1/2 cup vegetable oil or softened butter

3 eggs

3/4 cup water

Preparation:

For From-Scratch Recipe

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. In a small bowl, mix flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt with a wire whisk. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars. Mix in egg. Slowly add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk. Ending with the buttermilk. Scoop 1/4 cup of batter into rounds on prepared baking sheet. You should be able to get 16 cakes. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove from oven and let sit on baking sheets for 2 minutes, then remove to wire racks for cooling. Cool completely.

For Cake Mix Recipe

Mix ingredients in a bowl with a electric mixer to just moisten. Then, on medium for 2 minutes until well combined. Finish by following the above baking instructions.

Filling Instructions

Cream the butter and marshmallow fluff. Slowly add in the powdered sugar. Add vanilla and beat until smooth.

To Assemble Whoopie Pies

Place a couple of tablespoons of filling on the flat bottoms of half of the pies. Top the filling with the flat bottoms of the other pies.

Notes in the Margin: *Don't have buttermilk? Take a glass mixing cup and add one tablespoon of white vinegar. Fill the rest of the cup with milk. Stir and use instead of the buttermilk.

So, if these recipes, sound good, sign up for Carroll's and Peggy's emails (at about.com), as well as Diabetic Gourmet Recipes. You won't be disappointed!

More Diabetic Recipes

Many people, upon learning that they have diabetes, have three immediate questions: How will this change my life? What medications will I need to take? What can I safely eat?

The first two questions are best answered by your doctor, nurse-practitioner, or health care provider, while the third question can be answered by the Registered Dietician that your health care provider has hopefully put you in touch with.

One website that I discovered with my better-half was first diagnosed is Diabetic Gourmet.

Here are some yummy recipes. Enjoy!

ORANGE CRANBERRY BREAD

Yield: 1 loaf (18 slices)

Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes

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

Print Version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/412.shtml

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 medium orange

2 teaspoons margarine, melted

1 large egg, beaten, or 1/4 cup egg substitute

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut aluminum foil to fit the bottom of a 9x5-inch loaf pan and spray the sides of the pan with nonstick pan spray.

Sift the flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl.

Grate the zest from the orange and set aside. Cut the orange in half and squeeze the juice into a measuring cup. Add the grated zest and melted margarine to the juice and add enough hot water to make 1 cup.

Stir the liquids into the dry ingredients. Add the egg, vanilla, cranberries, and walnuts; stir to mix.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the top of the loaf comes out clean. Cool in the pan on a wire rack.

If time permits, let stand overnight for easy slicing. Cut the loaf into 18 slices.

Nutritional Information Per Serving:

Calories: 108; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Cholesterol: 12 g; Sodium: 109 mg; Fat: 3 g

Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1/2 Fat

Find great DESSERT recipes at:

http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/Desserts

RECIPE FROM THE ARCHIVE:

Fresh Cranberry and Wild Rice Stuffing

http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/184.shtml

ROASTED POTATOES WITH GARLIC AND ROSEMARY

Yield: 8 to 12 wedges (4 servings)

View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/804.shtml

Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes

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

Ingredients

2 large baking potatoes or 3 medium potatoes (1-1/4 pounds total), each cut in 4 wedges

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon crushed rosemary

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a shallow dish or pan with nonstick pan spray.

Arrange potato wedges in the prepared pan. Combine the oil, garlic, rosemary, and salt in a small bowl. Brush the potatoes lightly with the oil mixture.

Bake until tender and golden brown, about 1 hour, basting with oil from the pan every 15 minutes.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Calories: 136; Protein: 3 g; Sodium: 155 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Fat: 3 g; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Sugars: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch, 1/2 Fat

Find great MAIN DISH recipes at:

http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/Main_Courses

RECIPE FROM THE ARCHIVE:

Baked Potato Pancakes

http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/436.shtml

STRAWBERRY RHUBARB PIE

Yield: 8 servings

Source: Splenda

View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1000.shtml

Ingredients

Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie

3 cups 1-inch rhubarb pieces or 1 package (16-ounces) frozen unsweetened rhubarb, thawed, undrained

3/4 cup water

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons lemon juice

3 cups sliced strawberries

1-2/3 cups Equal Spoonful or Granulated*

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

* May substitute 40 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Roll pastry on floured surface into circle 1 inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into plate; trim and flute edge. Pierce bottom and side of pastry with fork. Bake in preheated 375F oven 10 to 12 minutes or until pastry is golden. Cool on wire rack.

Cook rhubarb in large covered saucepan over medium heat 5 minutes or until rhubarb releases liquid. Combine water, flour, cornstarch and lemon juice. Stir into rhubarb. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 3 to 5 minutes or until mixture is thickened and rhubarb is almost tender, stirring frequently. Stir in strawberries. Cook 2 to 3 minutes longer.

Stir Equal and nutmeg into fruit mixture. Spoon into baked crust. Bake in 350F oven 40 to 45 minutes or until bubbly. Cover edge of crust with aluminum foil if browning too quickly. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Calories: 175; Protein: 2 g; Sodium: 64 mg; Cholesterol: 5 mg; Fat: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1 fat

Find great MUFFIN recipes at:

http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/Breads/Muffins

ANOTHER RECIPE TO TRY:

Fruit Scones

http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/616.shtml

Raisin-Pumpkin Muffins

Yield: 12 servings

Source: Equal

View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/997.shtml

Ingredients

3/4 cup canned pumpkin

6 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 egg

2 egg whites

1 tablespoon light molasses

2 teaspoons vanilla

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated*

1/2 cup raisins

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

* May substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Combine pumpkin, oil, egg, egg whites, molasses and vanilla. Stir in a combined flour, Equal, raisins, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt just until all ingredients are moistened. Spoon batter into muffin cups.

Bake in preheated 375F oven 18 to 20 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove muffins from pan and cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Calories: 149; Protein: 3 g; Sodium: 224 mg; Cholesterol: 18 mg; Fat: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 18 g

Exchanges: 1 starch, 1-1/2 fat

Find great DINNER recipes at:

http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/Main_Courses

ANOTHER RECIPE TO TRY:

Pumpkin Risotto

http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/612.shtml

Yummy!

Most of us like having the occasional dessert and/or snack. Here are a few yummy recipes for you. The first three are from Taste of Home, while the last one is from Diabetic Gourmet emailing list.

Florida Pie

Light & Tasty

December/January 2007 issue

According to the blurb just before the recipe, "She may live in chilly Roscoe, Illinois, but Muriel Boyd puts winter in its place with this light and lovely, orange meringue pie that tastes just as sun-kissed as it looks." Enjoy!

The link for this is http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Florida-Pie.

SERVINGS: 8

CATEGORY: Lower Fat

METHOD: Baked

TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 15 min. + chilling

Ingredients:

1 cup sugar

5 tablespoons cornstarch

1-1/2 cups orange juice

3 egg yolks, beaten

2 large navel oranges, peeled, sectioned and finely chopped

2 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon grated orange peel

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 pastry shell (9 inches), baked

MERINGUE:

3 egg whites

2 tablespoons sugar

Directions:

In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in orange juice until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer.

Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the oranges, butter and orange peel. Gently stir in lemon juice. Pour into pastry shell.

In a small mixing bowl, beat egg whites on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar, 1 teaspoon at a time, beating on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Spread evenly over hot filling, sealing edges to crust.

Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until meringue is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. Refrigerate leftovers. Yield: 8 servings.

Nutrition Facts

One serving: 1 piece Calories: 345 Fat: 12 g Saturated Fat: 5 g Cholesterol: 92 mg Sodium: 153 mg Carbohydrate: 57 g Fiber: 1 g Protein: 4 g

Lemon Chiffon Cake

Taste of Home

According to Trisha Kammers of Clarkston, Washington, "This moist, airy cake was my dad's favorite. My mom revamped the original recipe to include lemons. I'm not much of a baker, so I don't make it very often. But it is well worth the efffort." Unfortunately, I don't have a link for this one, though it is from Taste of Home.

SERVINGS: 12-16

CATEGORY: Dessert

METHOD: Baked

TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 50 min. + cooling

Ingredients:

7 eggs, separated

2 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 cups sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

4 teaspoons grated lemon peel

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

LEMON FROSTING:

1/3 cup butter, softened

3 cups confectioners' sugar

4-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

Dash salt

1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions:

Let eggs stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, whisk the egg yolks, water, oil, lemon peel and vanilla; add to dry ingredients. Beat until well blended.

In another large mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on medium speed until soft peaks form; fold into batter. Gently spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Cut through batter with a knife to remove air pockets.

Bake on the lowest oven rack at 325° for 50-55 minutes or until top springs back when lightly touched. Immediately invert the pan; cool completely, about 1 hour.

Run a knife around side and center tube of pan. Remove cake to a serving plate. In a small mixing bowl, combine frosting ingredients; beat until smooth. Spread over top of cake. Yield: 12-16 servings.

Nutrition Facts

One serving: 1 slice Calories: 345; Fat: 13 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Cholesterol: 100 mg; Sodium: 288 mg; Carbohydrate: 54 g; Fiber: 1 g; Protein: 4 g

Chocolate Angel Cake

Another recipe from Taste of Home. According to Joyce Shiffler of Colorado Springs, Colorado, "When I was married in 1944, I could barely boil water. My dear mother-in-law taught me her specialty - making the lightest angel food cakes ever. This chocolate version is an easy, impressive treat. For many years, it was our son's birthday cake." The link for this is http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Chocolate-Angel-Cake

SERVINGS: 12-16

CATEGORY: Lower Fat

METHOD: Baked

TIME: Prep: 25 min. Bake: 35 min. + cooling

Ingredients:

1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 cup cake flour

1/4 cup baking cocoa

1-1/2 cups egg whites (about 10)

1-1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

FROSTING:

1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup baking cocoa

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate leaves, optional

Directions:

Sift together confectioners' sugar, flour and cocoa three times; set aside.

In a mixing bowl; beat egg whites, cream of tartar and salt until soft peaks form. Add sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, beating until stiff peaks form. Gradually fold in cocoa mixture, about a fourth at a time.

Spoon into an ungreased 10-in. tube pan. Carefully run a metal spatula or knife through batter to remove air pockets. Bake on the lowest oven rack at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched and cracks feel dry.

Immediately invert pan; cool completely. Run a knife around edges and center tube to loosen; remove cake.

In a mixing bowl, combine the first five frosting ingredients; cover and chill for 1 hour. Beat until stiff peaks form. Spread over the top and sides of cake. Store in the refrigerator. Garnish with chocolate leaves if desired. Yield: 12-16 servings.

Nutrition Facts

One serving: Calories: 244; Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 5 g; Cholesterol: 31 mg; Sodium: 194 mg; Carbohydrate: 39 g; Fiber: 1 g; Protein: 4 g

PEANUT BUTTER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Yield: 40 cookies

Source: The Best Diabetes Cookbook

Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/25.shtml

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1/3 cup peanut butter

1/3 cup 2% milk

1/4 cup soft margarine

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/3 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/3 cup chocolate chips

1/4 cup raisins

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray baking sheets with nonstick vegetable spray.

In large bowl or food processor, beat together brown and granulated sugars, peanut butter, milk, margarine, egg and vanilla until well blended.

Combine all-purpose and whole what flours and baking soda; add to bowl and mix just until incorporated. Do not overmix. Stir in chocolate chips and raisins.

Drop by heaping teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart onto baking sheets. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until browned.

Nutritional Facts Per Serving:

Calories: 70, Carbohydrate: 10 g, Fiber: 1 g, Protein: 1 g, Fat: 3 g, Sodium: 51 mg, Cholesterol: 6 mg Diabetic Exchanges: 2/3 Other Carbohydrate, 1/2 Fat

RECIPE FROM THE ARCHIVE:

Superfast Picnic Chicken

http://www.diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/13.shtml

A little of this, a little of that...

These days, it can difficult to find meals that are cheap, healthy and taste good, especially if one has an underlying health issue, such as diabetes. But it doesn't have to be impossible. There are recipes that can fit the bill on all three.

Today, I'm posting several recipes that I've found online that are well worth making. With the exception of the No Peek Chicken, they've come from an emailing list that I signed up for years ago. When we discovered that my husband was diabetic, he was worried that he wouldn't be able to eat "real food." Thank goodness the visiting nurse who came by the first couple of weeks helped him through that.

The emailing list is ; I've tried listing the exact link to each recipe where possible. Of course, you don't have to be diabetic to enjoy these recipes, but if you are cooking for a diabetic, these might help you explore a few choices.

And now, without further introductions, we have:

BROCCOLI CHOWDER

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 large onion, chopped (1-1/2 cups)

1 large carrot, diced (1/2 cup)

2 stalks celery, diced (1/2 cup)

1 large potato, peeled and diced (1-1/2 cups)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3-1/2 cups vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth (two 14-ounce cans)

8 ounces broccoli crowns, cut into 1-inch pieces, stems and florets separated (3 cups)

1 cup grated reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream

1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, carrot and celery; cook, stirring often, until the onion and celery soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Add potato and garlic; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in flour, dry mustard and cayenne; cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Add broth and broccoli stems; bring to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to medium. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Stir in florets; simmer, covered, until the broccoli is tender, about 10 minutes more.

Transfer 2 cups of the chowder to a bowl and mash; return to the pan. Stir in Cheddar and sour cream; cook over medium heat, stirring, until the cheese is melted and the chowder is heated through. Season with salt.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup each): Calories: 180, Fat: 8 g, Cholesterol: 15 mg, Carbohydrate: 23 g, Protein: 6 g, Fiber: 4 g, Sodium: 354 mg Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1 High-Fat Meat

Green Beans with Poppy Seed Dressing

Yield: 4 servings (3/4 cup each)

View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/922.shtml

1 teaspoon poppy seeds

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

1 teaspoon white-wine or rice-wine vinegar

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon honey

1 tablespoon minced shallot

1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Freshly ground pepper to taste

1 pound green beans, stem ends trimmed

To prepare dressing: Heat a small dry skillet over medium-low heat.

Add poppy seeds and toast, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Transfer to a small bowl (or jar) and let cool. Add oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, shallot, salt and pepper; whisk (or shake) until blended.

To prepare beans: Cook beans in a large pot of boiling water until just tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain. Warm the dressing in a large skillet over medium heat. Add beans and toss to coat.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving) Calories: 113; Protein: 3 g; Sodium: 104 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Fat: 8 g; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g Exchanges: 1-1/2 Vegetable, 1-1/2 Fat

NO PEEK CHICKEN

This is one of those "Not sure where it came from" recipes.

4 skinless, boneless, chicken breasts

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1/2 package dry onion soup mix

1 cup milk or water

3/4 cup rice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place chicken in a baking dish. In a bowl, mix remaining ingredients together. Pour mixture over chicken breasts. Cover dish with aluminum foil and bake for 2 hours, remembering not to peek!

STRAWBERRY SPINACH SALAD

This is another recipe from

Yield: 10 servings

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

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

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

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

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

PENNE WITH GREENS AND CANNELLINI BEANS

Low in fat and loaded with fiber, the smooth texture and slightly nutty flavor of cannellini beans (or white kidney beans) makes a great addition to healthy pasta recipes.

Yield: 6 main dish servings

Source: Dreamfields Healthy Carb Pasta

Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/Trusted_Brands/Dreamfields

Print & Photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/713.shtml

1 box uncooked Dreamfields Penne Rigate

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 cup reduced-sodium, fat free chicken broth

1 pound fresh collard or mustard greens, washed, trimmed and cut into large bite-sized pieces

1 can (15 ounces) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained (or other white beans)

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and return to pan.

Meanwhile, in large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add bell pepper, garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add broth; bring to boil.

Add greens; return to boil. Cook 1 to 2 minutes, uncovered, until greens are just crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Add greens with liquid to pasta; toss to coat. Add beans; toss gently. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Top with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Serving Note: Any dark, leafy greens such as kale, spinach or chard can be substituted for the collard greens. 1-1/2 cups cooked cannellini beans can be substituted for the canned beans.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving):Calories: 336; Protein: 16g; Sodium: 128 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Dietary Fiber: 11 g; Digestible Carbohydrates: 22g

Note: The Dreamfields process results in a pasta with 5 grams fiber and only 5 grams digestible carbohydrates per serving and a 65% lower glycemic index than regular pasta. If traditional pasta is used in this recipe there is a total of 63g carbohydrate.

STRAWBERRY-PEACH COOLER

Yield: 2 servings (1 cup per serving)

Source: "The Diabetes Snack, Munch, Nibble, Nosh Book"

Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/1.shtml

Print version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/737.shtml

1 cup dry-pack unsweetened frozen strawberries

2/3 cup dry-pack unsweetened frozen peaches

3/4 cup orange juice

In a 2-cup measure or similar microwave-safe bowl, combine the strawberries and peaches. Cover with wax paper, and microwave on high power 45 seconds to 1 minute to thaw the fruit slightly. The fruit should be icy but not hard. Working with a small knife in the measuring cup, cut each peach slice in half.

Transfer the peaches and strawberries to a blender container. Add the orange juice. Blend on low power to combine. Then increase power to high and continue to blend until the peaches are completely pureed, at least 1-1/2 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 cup):

Calories: 105, Fat: 0 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 2 mg, Carbohydrate: 26 g, Dietary Fiber: 3 g, Sugars: 23 g, Protein: 2 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Fruit

FRESH FRUIT CLAFOUTI

Yield: 1 Cake (6 servings)

Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes

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

Print Version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/387.shtml

1-1/2 cups slice ripe nectarines, plums, peaches, or pitted cherries (about 10 ounces cut fruit)

2/3 cup fat-free evaporated milk

1 large egg, beaten, or 1/4 cup egg substitute

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon nutmeg, preferably freshly grated

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sifted powdered sugar

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Prepare an 8-inch glass pie plate with non-stick pan spray. Layer the fruit in the pie plate.

Combine the milk, egg, flour, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt in a food processor. Process until smooth; pour over the fruit.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature. At serving time, sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut into 6 slices.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 slice):

Calories: 92, Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 36 mg, Sodium: 92 mg, Carbohydrate: 17 g, Dietary Fiber: 1 g, Sugars: 13 g, Protein: 4 g Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Other Carbohydrate