Sides

Most of us have an easy enough time coming up with the main part of a meal, whether it's chicken, meatloaf, burgers, or what-have-you. But sometimes coming up with a side dish is a little trickier.

Here are six side dishes to help round out your dinner, including Gingered Carrots and Grilled Vegetables with Basil Dressing. Enjoy!

SAUTEED SPINACH WITH GARLIC

Makes 4 servings.

To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/sauteed-spinach-with-garlic

Ingredients

1 pound raw spinach

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 fresh tomato

2 cloves garlic

Directions

Wash spinach thoroughly and drain.

Saute tomato and garlic in olive oil in a large saute pan.

Add spinach, cover and cook over low heat for 5 minutes, stirring a few times.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Cook, uncovered, 5 minutes longer, stirring occasionally.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 108; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 94 mg; Protein: 3.9 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Vegetable; 1-1/2 Fat

GINGERED CARROTS

Source: The Diabetic Newsletter

Recipe Yield: Prep Time: 15 Minutes; Servings: 1; Difficulty Level: 2

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/gingered-carrots

Ingredients

3/4 pound fresh carrots

1/2 cup chicken broth

Dash onion powder

2 tablepoons fresh lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

1 tablespoon whipped butter

Directions

Cut carrots julienne (matchstick slices) or in thin rounds.

In a saucepan, add the carrots, broth and onion powder.

Cook 15 minutes or until carrots are tender.

Drain, add remaining ingredients, and toss lightly.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 56; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 68 mg; Protein: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetable

ORANGE AND JICAMA SALAD

Recipe Yield: 2 Servings

To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/orange-and-jicama-salad

Ingredients

Butter lettuce leaves

Salt

1 tablespoon fresh orange juice

Freshly ground pepper

1 large orange, peeled and sliced

1/2 cup red onion, chopped

1 teaspoon white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro

1 cup Jicama, julienned

1 teaspoon olive oil

Directions

Line plates with lettuce.

Top with orange slices.

Mound with jicama.

Sprinkle with chopped red onion.

Blend juice, vinegar, salt & pepper in small bowl.

Whisk in oil in thin stream.

Spoon over salads.

Garnish with minced cilantro.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 282; Fat: 2.8 g; Sodium: 36 mg; Protein: 4.9 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit; 1 vegetable; 1 fat; 1 starch

ALMOND RICE

Prep Time: 5 Minutes; Servings: 6; Difficulty Level: 1

To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/almond-rice

Ingredients

1 cup brown rice, long-grain, dry

2 cups water

2 tablespoons almonds, slivered

2 tablespoons lemon zest (or Zesto*)

1 cube chicken bouillon

Directions

In a medium size saucepan, bring water and bouillon to a boil.

Add rice and cook according to rice instructions on package.

Drain if necessary.

Add almonds and lemon zest.

Let stand a few minutes then fluff with a fork and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 164; Fat: 2.3 g; Sodium: 185 mg; Protein: 2.9 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch; 1/2 Fat

TOMATO-BASIL SALAD WITH BALSAMIC DRESSING

Recipe Yield: Servings: 6

Source: The New American Heart Association Cookbook

Book Title: The New American Heart Association Cookbook

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/tomato-basil-salad-with-balsamic-dressing

Ingredients

Salad:

4 medium tomatoes, sliced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or 2 teaspoons dried, crumbled

Dressing:

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1 tablspoon olive oil

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Remaining Ingredients:

2 tablespoons shredded fat-free mozzarella cheese

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions

For salad, arrange tomato slices on a large, flat plate.

Sprinkle with basil.

In a small bowl, whisk together dressing ingredients. Pour over tomatoes.

Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover and refrigerate until serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 50; Fat: 3 g; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 5 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat

GRILLED VEGETABLES WITH BASIL DRESSING

Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/grilled-vegetables-with-basil-dressing

Ingredients

1 small eggplant, sliced into thick rounds

1 zucchini, cut into thick, diagonal slices

1 yellow summer squash, cut into thick slices

1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into eighths

1 small red onion, sliced and cut into 8 segments

2 Tbsp. balsamic or red wine vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, or 1 Tbsp. dried

1/4 cup non-fat yogurt

2 Tbsp. reduced-fat mayonnaise

1 Tbsp. minced fresh basil, or 1 tsp. dried

1 tsp. lemon juice

Directions

Thread skewers with alternating pieces of eggplant, zucchini, squash, bell pepper and onion. Place skewered vegetables in shallow pan.

Make marinade for vegetables by blending vinegar, oil and 1/4 cup fresh basil (or 1 Tbsp. dried). Pour over vegetables. Let stand 10 minutes, occasionally turning skewers so marinade coats all sides.

Meanwhile, make dressing. Place yogurt, mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp. fresh basil (or 1 tsp. dried) and lemon juice in a blender and mix until smooth. Transfer to small pitcher.

Grill vegetables, adjusting height of rack to avoid charring if using an outdoor grill. Serve vegetables as a side dish, as a sandwich filling in pita halves, or on sliced French bread or bruschetta. Pass basil-yogurt dressing to use as a topping.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 88; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 44 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetable; 1 Fat