Friday Recipes

It's Friday - the end of the week, the beginning of the weekend. If you're like me, you probably have a bunch of stuff to get done over the weekend. Of course, by Sunday evening, we'll probably be wondering where the weekend went and why we didn't get half the stuff we'd planned to do done.

Of course, we still have to eat. With that in mind, here are six recipes to help you through the weekend. Enjoy!

CALIFORNIA AVOCADO TORTILLA SOUP

This recipe begins, “Serve with a crisp salad for a soup-and-salad meal.”

Yield: 8 servings.

Source: © Courtesy of California Avocado Commission.

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/710.shtml

Ingredients

3 cans (14-ounces each) fat free, less salt (or lower sodium) chicken broth

2 cans (10.75-ounces each) low sodium, condensed tomato soup

1/2 bunch cilantro, leaves only

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1 ripe California avocado, seeded, peeled and cubed (Reserve 8 cubes for garnish)

8 corn tortilla chips, crumbled

Directions

In a large pan combine chicken broth, soup, cilantro, garlic, and pepper.

Bring to a boil, decrease heat, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Cool slightly, and puree in batches in a blender.

Return to pan, add avocado cubes and heat through.

Ladle into soup bowls and garnish with reserved avocado cubes and crumbled tortilla chips.

Serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 142; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 383 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g

QUICK ITALIAN BEEF ROAST WITH ZUCCHINI AND TOMATOES

This recipe begins, “Rubs are an popular way to season a roast. Not only does it add flavor, but it creates a coat that helps seal in moisture and adds texture.”

Makes 8 servings

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1305

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1305.shtml

Ingredients

1 beef Eye of Round Roast (2 pounds)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/8 teaspoon pepper

3 medium zucchini, sliced (1/2-inch)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 cup cherry tomatoes halves

Directions

Heat oven to 325F.

Combine salt, 1/2 teaspoon basil, oregano and pepper; press onto beef roast.

Place roast on rack in shallow roasting pan. Insert ovenproof meat thermometer so tip is centered in thickest part of beef. Do not add water or cover.

Roast in 325F oven 1-1/4 hours for medium rare doneness.

Remove roast when meat thermometer registers 135F.

Transfer to board; tent with foil. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes. (Temperature will continue to rise about 10F to reach 145F for medium rare.)

Increase oven temperature to 425F.

Combine remaining ingredients, except tomatoes, in large bowl; toss. Place on rack in pan.

Roast in 425F oven 15 minutes or until tender. Add tomatoes; toss. Carve roast. Serve with vegetables.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 244; Protein: 35 g; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 278 mg; Cholesterol: 86 mg; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Dietary Fiber: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g

ALMOND BISCOTTI

Servings: 32

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/39.shtml

Ingredients

1/4 cup finely chopped almonds

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons margarine

4 egg whites, lightly beaten

2 teaspoons almond extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degree F. Place almonds in a small baking pan. Bake 7 to 8 minutes until golden brown (watch carefully to avoid burning). Set aside.

Beat sugar and margarine in medium bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Add egg whites and almond extract; mix well. Combine flour, baking powder and salt in large bowl; mix well. Stir egg white mixture and almonds into flour mixture until well blended.

Spray two 9x5-inch loaf pans with non-stick cooking spray. Evenly divide dough between prepared pans. Spread dough evenly over bottoms of pans with wet fingertips. Bake 15 minutes or until knife inserted into centers comes out clean.

Remove from oven and turn onto cutting board. As soon as loaves are cool enough to handle, cut each into 16 (1/2-inch thick) slices. Place slices on baking sheets covered with parchment paper or sprayed with cooking spray. Bake 5 minutes; turn over. Bake 5 minutes more or until golden brown. Serve warm or cool completely and store in airtight container.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 56; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Starch/Bread; 1/2 Fat

PARMESAN CHICKEN TOPPED WITH SPINACH AND ALMONDS

Yield: 4 servings

Source: Hellmann's

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1313

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1313.shtml

Ingredients

1-1/2 tablespoons Hellmann's or Best Foods Real Mayonnaise

1 cup loosely packed baby spinach leaves, chopped

1 tablespoon chopped almonds

2 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon plain dry bread crumbs

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)

Directions

Preheat oven to 425F.

In medium bowl, combine all ingredients except chicken.

On baking sheet, arrange chicken.

Evenly top with mayonnaise mixture.

Bake 15 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 180; Protein: 27 g; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 140 mg; Cholesterol: 10 mg; Carbohydrates: 2 g

TOMATO, CHIVE AND MANGO SALSA

This recipe begins, “This salsa is great with tortilla chips, but consider using it to top grilled, broiled or roasted chicken, pork or seafood.”

Yield: 3 servings.

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1315

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1315.shtml

Ingredients

1 cup fresh mango, diced

1-1/2 cups ripe tomatoes, diced

2 tablespoons fresh chives, minced

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves, minced

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir.

Serve or cover and refrigerate until needed.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 31; Protein: 1 g; Sodium: 121 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 7 g

TACO SALAD WITH CUMIN DRESSING

Servings: 8

Source: The Diabetic Newsletter

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/41.shtml

Ingredients

8 tortillas

1 teaspoon powdered mustard

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

1 teaspoon ground cumin

8 cups romaine lettuce

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 tablespoons red wine vinegar

4 cups cooked turkey, chopped

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

6 large ripe tomatoes, chopped

4 teaspoons lemon juice

2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

Directions

Toast the tortillas on a baking sheet in a 400F oven for about 10 minutes.

While hot, sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese.

Cool and break into bite-size pieces.

Chop the lettuce and arrange it in the bottom of a salad bowl.

Make the cumin dressing by combining the salt, vinegar, pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice, mustard, cumin, water and oil in a bowl or jar.

Heat the turkey in a skillet with the cumin seeds.

Sprinkle chunks of turkey over the lettuce.

Add the tomato pieces and cheese.

Pour on the cumin dressing and top with tortilla chips.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 205; Protein: 17 g; Fat: 11 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Exchanges: 1 Fat; 1/2 Bread/Starch; 1/2 Vegetable; 2 Lean Meat