Meatless Monday (Diabetic version)

I hope your Thanksgiving weekend was nice. Ours was, even if someone (your's truly) spent it with a cold. At least it forced me to slow down after Thanksgiving Day and relaxing in front of the television, watching movies I haven't had time to watch for a while. I can live with that!

But now it's time to gear up and head into the homestretch of winter holidays - Christmas, Hanukkah, the Solstice, New Year's...whatever we celebrate over the next month.

Enough already. Since today is Monday (otherwise known as Meatless Monday), here are today's six vegetarian (and diabetic) recipes to help you through the day.Enjoy!

MUSHROOM, GREEN PEPPER AND ONION OMELET

Additional info: 1 g. saturated fat, 3 g. dietary fiber

Makes two servings.

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/370.shtml

Ingredients

3/4 cup good quality marinara sauce

1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar

1/4 tsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Canola cooking oil spray

1 small onion, cut in crescents

6 medium white mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 medium green bell pepper, seeded, cut in thin strips

Salt, as desired

3 large egg whites

1 large egg

1 tsp. grated Parmeggiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions

In a small saucepan, heat marinara sauce, vinegar and soy sauce, just until hot. Season with pepper to taste and set aside.

Coat medium non-stick pan liberally with cooking oil spray. Set pan over medium-high heat. Saute onion until lightly colored, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, pepper and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until mushrooms are soft, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out pan.

Whisk egg whites and egg with cheese, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Coat pan with oil spray and heat over medium-high heat until hot. Add egg mixture, tilting pan to coat bottom evenly. Reduce heat to medium. Cook until eggs are well-set, about 4 minutes. Slip spatula gently around edges, then underneath to loosen omelet. Slide it onto a serving plate.

Spoon filling to cover half of omelet and fold omelet, covering filling. With a spoon, drizzle sauce in a ribbon effect across omelet. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 158; Protein: 12 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 545 mg; Carbohydrates: 17 g; Exchanges: 3 Vegetable, 1-1/2 Low-Fat Meat

SUMMER VEGETABLE SOUP

Makes 6 servings.

http://diabeticgourmet.com/bin/info.cgi?ID=690

Ingredients

5 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (water may be substituted)

1/4 cup uncooked brown rice

1 potato chopped into 1/2-inch pieces

1 carrot, peeled and sliced thin

1 tsp. dried dill

1 Tbsp. thyme

1 tsp. sage

1 tsp. rosemary

3 leeks, sliced, stems removed

2 green onions, sliced, including stems

1 stalk of celery, cut into 1/4-inch slices

10 stalks of asparagus, sliced into 1/2 to 3/4 pieces, include stems

Salt and white pepper to taste

Nonfat Greek yogurt (optional)

Directions

Bring broth (or water) to boil in large saucepan. Add rice and simmer, covered 20 minutes. Add potatoes, carrots and herbs and cook until potato is tender, about 15 minutes.

Add all other ingredients. Simmer 5 minutes or until asparagus are bright green and just tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve with a dollop of yogurt if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: 110 calories; 0 g total fat; 0 g saturated fat; 24 g carbohydrate; 3 g protein; 4 g dietary fiber; 150 mg sodium

CORN BREAD

Servings: 12

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/176.shtml

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Ingredients

2 cup cornmeal

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking Soda

2 tsp baking Powder

1 tbsp honey

1 egg

1 tbsp vegetable Oil

1 cup buttermilk

Directions

Combine the cornmeal, salt, baking soda and baking powder in a bowl. Mix well.

Pour into a lightly oiled 8-inch-square baking pan.

Bake in a 400-degree oven for 20 to 25 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 113; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 184 mg; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Exchanges: 1 Bread

APPLESAUCE BROWNIES

Servings: 16

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/169.shtml

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Ingredients

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Combine oil, applesauce and cocoa. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients together and stir into the mixture.

Pour the batter into a greased and floured (or wax paper lined & sprayed) 9 inch square pan. Sprinkle on nuts (optional).

Bake about 20 to 30 minutes or until top is set but edges are not dried out. Toothpick will come out clean. Cut into 16 or 24 squares.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 165; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 84 mg; Carbohydrates: 27 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 Fat; 1 Fruit

APPLE CINNAMON MUFFINS

Servings: 12

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/170.shtml

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Ingredients

1-1/4 cup oat bran cereal; uncooked

1 cup whole wheat flour

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

1 cup apple, peeled, cored, diced

1/2 cup honey

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 egg

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 375.

Coat 12 medium-size cups with vegetables oil or line with paper baking cups.

In a medium bowl combine oat bran cereal, flour, cinnamon, baking powder, soda, and salt.

In large bowl combine applesauce, honey, oil, egg, and vanilla. Stir in dry ingredients; mix well. Stir in apple.

Fill prepared muffin cup almost full. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 160; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch/Bread; 1 Fat; 1/2 Fruit

CRANBERRY ORANGE BREAD

Servings: 16

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/177.shtml

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Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup Quaker Oats (quick or old fashioned, uncooked)

2 tablespoons fructose

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

3/4 cup skim milk

3/4 cup egg substitute or 3 whole eggs

1/3 cup unsweetened orange juice

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon grated orange peel

1/2 cup chopped cranberries, fresh or frozen

1/4 cup chopped nuts* (optional)

Directions

Heat oven to 350F.

Grease and flour 9x5-inch loaf pan.

Combine first 6 ingredients; mix well. Set aside.

Beat milk, egg substitute, orange juice, vegetable oil and orange peel until mixed thoroughly. Add to dry ingredients, mixing just until moistened. Stir in cranberries and nuts. Pour into prepared pan.

Bake 60 to 70 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan. Cool completely.

*To toast nuts for extra flavor, spread evenly in small baking pan. Bake in 350F oven 7 to 10 minutes or until light golden brown.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 130; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 80 mg; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch/Bread , 1 Fat