Tuesday Recipes

Here are six vegetarian/diabetic recipes to try. Enjoy!

CHILE CON QUESO

Yield: 6 servings

Source: Forbidden Foods Diabetic Cooking

Author: Maggie Powers, Joyce Hendley

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/623.shtml

Ingredients

1 (28 ounce) can low-sodium whole tomatoes in juice

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium onion, finely chopped

3/4 teaspoon ground ancho chile powder

3/4 teaspoon chile powder

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1 (15 ounce) can black beans with juice

1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chiles

3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

2 tablespoons minced cilantro

Directions

In a large nonstick skillet, over medium-high heat, cook the tomatoes, garlic, onion, ancho chile powder, chile powder, and cumin, stirring occasionally, until mixture starts to thicken, 8 -10 minutes.

Turn the heat to low and add the beans, chiles, 2 tablespoons of the parsley, and the vinegar; cook, stirring occasionally, until bubbly, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cheese.

Place in a serving dish or in individual bowls; top with the cilantro and remaining parsley.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 144; Protein: 8 g; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 441 mg; Cholesterol: 8 mg; Dietary Fiber: 7 g; Sugars: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 21 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 2 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat

LEMONY ANGEL HAIR TOSS

Makes 8 servings.

Source: Dreamfields Pasta

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/795.shtml

Ingredients

1 box Dreamfields Angel Hair

1/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups packed baby arugula

2 cups halved cherry and/or grape tomatoes, assorted colors if possible

1/3 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup toasted pine nuts (optional)

Salt and pepper (optional)

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain; rinse in cold water or in ice water until completely cooled and drain well.

Meanwhile, in small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice and salt. Toss with pasta.

Add arugula, tomatoes and cheese to pasta. Toss gently to combine. Sprinkle with pine nuts and season with salt and pepper, if desired. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 262; Protein: 8 g; Fat: 11 g; Sodium: 143 mg; Cholesterol: 2 mg; Dietary Fiber: 5 g; Carbohydrates 37g

BOSTON BAKED BEANS

Yield: 16 servings

Source: "Forbidden Foods Diabetic Cooking" by Maggie Powers

Book info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/12.shtml

Ingredients

1 pound dried navy beans

1 large onion, chopped

2 teaspoons salt

1 tomato, chopped

1/3 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

3 tablespoons molasses

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 tablespoons ketchup

1 tablespoon ground ginger

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

Directions

Place the beans in a strainer and sort through the beans to remove stones, discolored beans, or any other objects. Rinse with cold water until beans are clean, about 2 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the beans, onion, salt, and enough water to cover them by 2 inches. Let stand 8 hours or overnight at room temperature; do not refrigerate.

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

In a strainer, drain and rinse the beans and onion. Place in a 4-quart saucepan and add the tomato, sugar, molasses, vinegar, ketchup, ginger, mustard, and pepper; stir until blended. Add enough water to cover the beans, about 2 cups. Cover and bake until bubbly and the beans are soft, 5 hours.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/2 cup): Calories: 110, Fat: 0 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 50 mg, Carbohydrate: 21 g, Dietary Fiber: 4 g, Sugars: 4 g, Protein: 6 g, Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch

RAINBOW SOBA NOODLE SALAD

This comes from the Diabetic Connect e-newsletter. It begins, “In Japanese, "soba" means buckwheat. If you're a pasta fan, you'll love soba noodles plus, they're brimming with nutrients like antioxidants and amino acids.” Makes 5 servings.

To view this online, along with photo and nutritional facts, click here.

Ingredients

For the salad:

6 ounces soba noodles

2 cups julienned carrots

1 1/2 cups shredded red cabbage

1 cup cooked edamame

1/2 cup thinly sliced green onion

optional: sesame seeds for garnish

For the dressing:

3 tablespoons Bragg liquid aminos, tamari or soy sauce

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 1/2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

1-2 tablespoons honey, agave or brown rice syrup

1-2 garlic cloves, pressed

1-2 teaspoons tahini

1/2 teaspoon ginger paste

1/2 teaspoon sriracha

Directions

In a small mixing bowl, whisk dressing ingredients together and set aside. In a large mixing bowl, toss all salad ingredients together with the exception of the soba noodles and set aside. Cook soba noodles according to package directions. Pour cooked noodles into a colander and rinse with cold water, until noodles are cold to the touch. Drain as much water from the noodles as possible and add to the large mixing bowl and toss with other salad ingredients.

When ready to serve, pour dressing over salad and toss to combine and add salt (I have a slightly heavy hand with mine) to your liking. If serving at a later time, or are only enjoying part of the salad now, prepare only want you plan to eat immediately and store the remaining salad and dressing separately in an airtight containers in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.

Notes:

If cooking edamame yourself from frozen, make sure to run the (cooked) edamame under cold water until they are cold to the touch. Ginger paste can be found in the produce section of your standard grocery store, usually next to the fresh herbs. I use approx. 2 tablespoons of dressing or more per serving. For additional salad options and other tips please see the “Tips & Tricks” section of this post.

VEGETARIAN MINESTRONE [SLOW COOKER]

This also comes from the Diabetic Connect e-newsletter. It begins, “With a few simple steps and time in the crock pot, you'll have this delicious and nutritious minestrone soup ready to serve.” Makes 8 servings.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

6 cups vegetable broth

1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

1 large onion, chopped

2 ribs celery, diced

2 large carrots, diced

1 cup green beans

1 small zucchini

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup elbow macaroni

4 cups chopped fresh spinach

1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese, or more to taste

Directions

Combine vegetable broth, tomatoes, kidney beans, onion, celery, carrots, green beans, zucchini, garlic, parsley, oregano, salt, thyme, and black pepper in a 6-quart slow cooker.

Cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 8 minutes; drain.

Stir spinach and macaroni into minestrone; cook another 15 minutes. Top with Parmesan cheese.

ROASTED-VEGETABLE LASAGNA

This is also from the Diabetic Connect e-newsletter. It begins, “Who needs meat? This gourmet veggie lasagna from one of our favorite chefs will be the centerpiece of your dinner table.” Serves 9.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

Vegetables:

4 red bell peppers

1 teaspoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

6 yellow squash, halved lengthwise and cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 1/2 pounds)

1 large onion, cut into 16 wedges

4 garlic cloves, minced

Cheese mixture:

2 cups 2% low-fat cottage cheese

1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) grated sharp provolone cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

White sauce:

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups 2% reduced-fat milk

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking spray

9 cooked lasagna noodles

2 cups spinach leaves, divided

1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Fresh basil sprigs (optional)

Directions

Preheat broiler.

To prepare vegetables, cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; discard seeds and membranes. Place pepper halves, skin sides up, on a foil-lined baking sheet; flatten with hand. Broil 15 minutes or until blackened. Place in a zip-top plastic bag; seal. Let stand 15 minutes. Peel; set aside.

Preheat oven to 450°.

Combine oil, salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, squash, and onion on a baking sheet; toss well. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes. Remove from oven; combine squash mixture and garlic in a bowl.

Decrease oven temperature to 375°.

To prepare cheese mixture, combine cottage cheese and next 3 ingredients (cottage cheese through oregano) in a bowl.

To prepare white sauce, place flour in a medium saucepan. Gradually add milk; stir with a whisk. Place over medium heat. Cook until thick; stir constantly. Remove from heat; stir in 2 tablespoons chopped basil and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.

Spread 1/4 cup white sauce in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Arrange 3 noodles over sauce; top with 1 1/4 cups cheese mixture, 1 cup spinach, 4 bell pepper halves, 2 cups vegetable mixture, and 1/4 cup white sauce. Repeat layers, ending with noodles. Spread remaining white sauce over noodles. Cover and bake at 375° for 15 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Bake an additional 20 minutes. Garnish with basil sprigs, if desired.

Note: Use a sharp, potent cheese in this dish for the most flavor. Parmesan, Romano, Asiago, or sharp cheddar will all work as well in the filling. Stick to mozzarella for the top, however, as it melts and browns the best. For extra browning, place the lasagna under the broiler for a minute or two at the end of cooking.