Meatless Monday

It's Meatless Monday. Here are today's six diabetic and vegetarian recipes to get you through the da, including Spring Vegetable Pilaf and Vegetarian Curry. Enjoy!

RATATOUILLE

This recipe begins, “Ratatouille, a specialty of the Provence region of France, is a popular and versatile dish that uses large amounts of produce. The tomatoes and eggplant create a juicy, stew-like sauce that accentuates the flavors of basil and garlic. Serve it hot as a side dish or over a grain for an entree. This version also tastes great when served cold.”

Serves 4

Source: AICR

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/230.shtml

Ingredients

1 small eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

2 large red bell peppers, seeded and cut into 3/4-inch pieces

4 small zucchini, sliced

1 onion, coarsely chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb. tomatoes, chopped, OR 1 can (28 oz.) whole tomatoes, drained and chopped

1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

Directions

Sprinkle eggplant lightly with salt and let drain in colander for 30 minutes. Pat dry.

In non-stick skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add eggplant. Stir and cook until soft and browned, about 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer eggplant to bowl.

Add remaining oil to pan and heat until hot. Add red peppers, zucchini, onion and garlic. Cook vegetables, stirring, until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Mix in tomatoes, basil and eggplant. Stirring occasionally, cook on low heat 15 to 20 minutes or until all vegetables are very tender. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 123; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 200 mg; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Exchanges: 3-1/2 Vegetable; 1 Fat

COLORFUL COLESLAW

Yield: 4 servings

Source: Secrets of Good-Carb Low-Carb Living

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/740.shtml

Ingredients

1 cup thinly sliced green cabbage

1 cup thinly sliced red cabbage

1 medium carrot shredded with a potato peeler, or 1/2 cup precut matchstick carrots

Dressing Ingredients:

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or canola oil

1 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon dried dill

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Place the cabbage and carrots in a medium bowl, and toss to mix.

Combine the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to mix well. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss again.

Serve immediately or cover and chill until ready to serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 52; Protein: 0.8 g; Fat: 3.6 g; Sodium: 187 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Saturated Fat: 0.5 g; Dietary Fiber: 1.2 g; Carbohydrates: 5 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat

SPRING VEGETABLE PILAF

Yield: 7 servings

Source: Secrets of Good-Carb Low-Carb Living

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/741.shtml

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1/2 cup chopped yellow onion

1 teaspoon dried savory or fines herbes

1 cup 3/4-inch pieces fresh asparagus spears (use thin spears for best results)

1/2 cup diced red bell pepper

1/2 cup frozen green peas, thawed

1 teaspoon fresh or jarred minced garlic

3 cups cooked brown rice (or 1-1/2 cups brown rice plus 1-1/2 cups wild rice)

Scant 1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Coat a large nonstick skillet with the olive oil and preheat over medium heat. Add the onion and savory or fines herbes, cover, and cook for a couple of minutes or until the onions start to soften.

Add the asparagus and bell pepper and cook for another minute or two, or until the vegetables are crisp-tender.

Add the peas and garlic, and cook for another few seconds or until the garlic begins to turn color and smell fragrant.

Add the rice, salt, and pepper to the skillet and toss over medium heat for a minute or two to heat through. Serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 129; Protein: 3.6 g; Fat: 2.8 g; Sodium: 149 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Saturated Fat: 0.4 g; Dietary Fiber: 2.8 g; Carbohydrates: 23 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Fat, 1/2 Vegetable

EASY-TO-BE GREEN GAZPACHO

This recipe begins, “Who said gazpacho must be made with tomatoes? The following green gazpacho makes use of leafy greens and other vegetables in a tangy combination.”

Makes 5-2/3 cups or 6 servings.

Source: AICR

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/234.shtml

Ingredients

1 cup fat-free chicken or vegetable broth

1 can (28 oz.) tomatillos, drained

1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped

1/2 cup packed baby spinach leaves

12 cups packed romaine or other dark green lettuce leaves, chopped

1/2 medium green bell pepper, seeded and chopped

1/2 mild white onion, like Bermuda or Vidalia, chopped

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro leaves

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 Tbsp. canned diced green chilies

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

Juice of 1 lime, or to taste

1/4 tsp. cumin powder

1/4 tsp. sugar

2 slices bread (crusts removed), cubed*

Salt to taste, if desired

Hot sauce to taste, if desired

1/4 cup finely minced chives, for garnish

Directions

Place first 10 ingredients in blender and puree until smooth. Add oil, lime juice, cumin, sugar and bread. Blend until smooth. Let mixture stand 2 minutes to allow bread to absorb liquid. Puree again until smooth. Season to taste with salt, hot sauce and more chilies and lime juice, if desired.

Transfer to bowl or pitcher and chill until very cold.

Before serving, check seasoning and add more, as desired. Garnish with chives, if desired, and serve.

* Either white or soft whole-wheat bread can be used.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 97; Protein: 4 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 324 mg; Carbohydrates: 12 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1 Fat

VEGETARIAN CURRY

This is from Diabetic Connect.

View this online at http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/292-vegetarian-curry

Ingredients

3 potatoes chopped

1 cauliflower chopped

1 1/2 cup green peas

3 tomatoes chopped

3/4 tsp tumeric

1/2 tsp chili powder

1 1/2 tsp cumin

1 tsp curry

1 cup of water

Directions

Place all ingredients in a crock pot or slow cooker. Cook on low for five to six hours.

Nutritional Facts:Servings: 3; calories 125; cholesterol 0 mg;sodium 23 mg;total carbs 26 g; dietary fiber 6 g; protein 5 g

SPINACH AND BROWN RICE CASSEROLE

Servings: 8

Source: The New American Heart Association Cookbook

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/237.shtml

Ingredients

Vegetable Oil spray

10 ounces fresh spinach OR 10-oz package frozen no-salt-added chopped spinach, thawed

3 cups cooked brown rice (about 1 cup uncooked)

2 cups nonfat or low-fat cottage cheese

Egg substitute equivalent to 1 egg or 1 egg

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled

Pepper to taste

1 teaspoon light margarine

1-1/2 cups chopped onion (3 medium)

3 medium cloves, garlic, minced, or 1-1/2 tsp bottled minced garlic

8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced (2 to 2-1/2 cups)

3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons sunflower seeds

Directions

Preheat oven to 375F. Lightly spray a 13x9x2-inch pan with vegetable oil spray.

If using fresh spinach, remove large stems and tear leaves into bite-size pieces. If using frozen spinach, squeeze out moisture. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine rice, cottage cheese, egg substitute, flour, 1 tablespoon Parmesan, thyme, and pepper. Set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt margarine over medium-high heat. Saute onions and garlic until onion is translucent, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce heat to low and add spinach and mushrooms. Cook, covered, for 3 to 5 minutes.

Add cottage cheese mixture and blend well. Spoon mixture into pan and sprinkle with 3 tablespoons Parmesan and sunflower seeds. Bake, uncovered, for 25 to 30 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 182; Protein: 13 g; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 319 mg; Cholesterol: 8 mg; Carbohydrates: 25 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Bread/Starch, 1 Vegetable, 3/4 Low-Fat Milk