Meatless Monday

Were you aware that diabetics are more prone to chronic urinary tract infections than someone without diabetes? According to an article on Diabetes Self-Management, diabetics had a 60 percent higher risk of getting UTIs than non-diabetics.

The article (“Diabetes and Chronic UTIs: Diabetes Questions & Answers”) is worth reading; click here to read the article in its entirety.

And now, here are today's six diabetic vegetarian recipes to help you through the day (it is, after all, Meatless Monday), including Summer Soup, Berry-Peachy Cobbler, and Zucchini Lasagna. Enjoy!

ZUCCHINI LASAGNA

This recipe begins, “Substituting vegetables for white carbs not only adds nutrition, but flavor.”

This is from Diabetic Connect

To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/7300-zucchini-lasagna

Ingredients

3 zucchinis

1 1/2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese

3/4 cup parmesan cheese

2 cups mozzarella cheese (divided)

1 tsp fresh oregano leaves (chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)

2 tsp chopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)

1 tbsp fresh basil (chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried basil)

1 whole eggs

1 jar marinara sauce (sugar-free)

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Using a mandolin or a knife, slice the zucchini lengthwise into 1/4-inch planks. Place zucchini on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil on front and back, then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and oregano. Roast for 20-25 minutes.

Combine in a mixing bowl the cottage cheese, parmesan, egg, and mozzarella.

Layer in a casserole pan, 1-inch marinara, 1/2 of zucchini slices, 1/2 of cheese mixture, then repeat layering being sure to end with cheese on top. NOTE: There may be marinara left over. If so, refrigerate for later use.

Cover the pan with foil, and bake for 3o minutes, or until cheese is melted and lasagna is heated through.

Remove the foil and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes. Garnish with fresh thyme leaves and basil if desired. Allow lasagna to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Facts: Servings: 6; Calories: 300; Total Fat: 15 g; Saturated Fat: 8 g; Potassium: 750 mg; Total Carbohydrate: 24 g; Dietary Fiber: 5 g; Protein: 18 g

LENTIL AND RICE STUFFED SQUASH

Yield: 6 servings

Serving size: halved zucchini

Print version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=783Online version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/783.shtml

Ingredients

1/2 cup brown basmati rice

1/3 cup French green lentils

2 cups fat-free vegetable broth

3 large summer squash (about 2-2 1/2 lb.), halved

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

2/3 cup finely chopped red onion

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 3 whole scallions, chopped

3 cups escarole, rolled up and sliced thin

1-2 Tbsp. finely-chopped fresh dill (optional)

1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes, optional

Salt and freshly-ground black pepper

6 Tbsp. crumbled feta cheese

Directions

Combine the rice, lentils and vegetable broth in a deep saucepan with 1/2 cup water. Cook, covered, until the rice and lentils are tender, about 45 minutes. Drain and transfer to a mixing bowl.

If using yellow squash, cut off the necks. Scoop out the seeds with a spoon. In a large pot of boiling water, cook the squash 4 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice-cold water. When completely cooled, pat the squash dry and set aside.

Place a rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Heat the oil in a pan over medium-high heat until hot. Sauté the onion 3 minutes. Add the garlic and scallions. Cook until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes.

Stir in the escarole and pepper flakes (if using). Cook until the escarole is wilted and bright green, about 5 minutes. Stir the vegetables into the rice mixture. Mix in the dill and parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

In a baking dish just large enough to hold them, arrange the squash. Spoon in the filling, generously mounding it. Sprinkle on the feta. Pour 1/2 cup water into the baking dish.

Bake, uncovered, until the cheese is soft, about 20 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature, or refrigerate, covered in foil, until ready to use. Reheat before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 173; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 240 mg; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Dietary Fiber: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 27 g; Exchanges: 2 Bread/Starch, 1 Reduced-Fat Milk, 1 Fat

SUMMER SOUP

Servings: 4 (1-cup servings)

Source: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

Author: Betty Marks

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/312.shtml

Ingredients

2 cups water

Salt and pepper to taste

2 new potatoes, peeled, diced

2 carrots, sliced

6 fresh spinach leaves, chopped

1/2 cup fresh green peas or thawed frozen green peas

1 tablespoon arrowroot

1-1/2 cups skim milk

1/4 teaspoon red (cayenne) pepper

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

In a medium-size saucepan, place water, salt, pepper, potatoes and carrots; bring to a boil. Cover and cook 10 minutes. Add the remaining vegetables and cook 5 minutes more.

Meanwhile, make a paste of the arrowroot and 3 tablespoons of the milk. Add remaining milk and stir into the vegetables. Add cayenne and simmer 5 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Garnish with parsley.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 97; Protein: 6 g; Sodium: 112 mg; Cholesterol: 2 mg; Carbohydrates: 18 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Milk, 2 Vegetable

FRUITFUL FROZEN YOGURT

Yield: 6 servings

Print version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=841

Online version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/841.shtml

Source: Diabetic Dream Desserts

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups frozen fruit, coarsely chopped and thawed (such as raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, or peaches)

4 cups light vanilla yogurt (or use the same flavor yogurt as the fruit you choose)

Sugar substitute equal for 1/4 cup sugar

Directions

Place the fruit and the accumulated juices in a large bowl and mash slightly with a fork.

Stir in the yogurt and sugar substitute.

Pour the mixture into a 1-1/2 quart ice cream maker and proceed as directed by the manufacturer.

Spoon into dessert dishes and serve immediately.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 114; Protein: 8 g; Fat: 0.4 g; Sodium: 122 mg; Cholesterol: 4 mg; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Exchanges: 1 Carbohydrate

BERRY-PEACHY COBBLER

This is from Diabetes Self Management and can be viewed online at https://www.diabetesselfmanagement.com/recipes/desserts-sweets/berry-peachy-cobbler/

Ingredients

4 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons sugar, divided

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided

1 1/4 pounds peaches, peeled and sliced or 1 package (16 ounces) frozen unsweetened sliced peaches, thawed and drained

2 cups fresh raspberries or 1 package (12 ounces) frozen unsweetened raspberries

1 teaspoon grated lemon peel

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons cold margarine, cut into small pieces

1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray eight ramekins or 11×7-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; place ramekins in baking dish.

Combine 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons flour in large bowl. Add peaches, raspberries, and lemon peel; toss to coat. Divide fruit evenly among prepared ramekins. Bake 15 minutes or until fruit is bubbly around edges.

Meanwhile, combine remaining 3/4 cup flour, 2 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in medium bowl. Cut in margarine with pastry blender or two knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in buttermilk just until dry ingredients are moistened.

Remove ramekins from oven; top fruit with equal dollops of topping. Sprinkle topping with remaining 2 teaspoons sugar. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until topping is lightly browned. Serve warm.

Yield: 8 servings. Serving size: 1/8 of recipe.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving: Calories: 149, Carbohydrates: 28 g, Protein: 3 g, Fat: 3 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 1 mg, Sodium: 195 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Carbohydrate choices: 1 Bread/Starch, 1 Fat, 1 Fruit.

TABBOULEH

This recipe begins, “Always a favorite - this tabbouleh version includes finely chopped mint, as well as parsley.”

Serves: 8 Servings (about 1/2 cup each)

Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/314.shtml

Ingredients

Boiling water

3/4 cup bulgur

1-1/2 cups coarsely chopped seeded tomatoes

3/4 cup thinly sliced green onions and tops

3/4 cup finely chopped parsley

1/4 cup finely chopped mint

1/3 - 2/3 cup plain fat-free yogurt

1/4 - 1/3 cup lemon juice

1-1/2 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Pour boiling water over bulgur to cover; let stand 15 minutes or until bulgur is tender but slightly chewy. Drain well.

Mix bulgur, tomatoes, green onions, parsley, and mint; stir in yogurt, lemon juice, and oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate 1 to 2 hours for flavors to blend.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 88; Protein: 2.9 g; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 17 mg; Cholesterol: 0.2 mg; Carbohydrates: 14.1 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Vegetable, 1/2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Fat