Saturday, Labor Day Weekend

It's Saturday of a three-day weekend. It doesn't seem possible that it's already Labor Day weekend. Where did the summer go?

I'll be posting tomorrow morning, as well as on Monday with recipes to help you with your Labor Day meals. In the meantime, here are six yummy recipes to help you through the day, including Turkey Casserole and Quinoa Salad. Enjoy!

REALLY RASPBERRY PARFAITS

Yield: 4 servings

Print version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=837

Online version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/837.shtml

Ingredients

1 cup light raspberry yogurt

1/2 cup nonfat or light whipped topping

2 cups fresh raspberries, rinsed and patted dry

2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Directions

Place the yogurt in a bowl and fold in the whipped topping.

Place 1/4 cup of raspberries in each of four 8-ounce wine glasses.

Top the berries in each glass with 3 tablespoons of the yogurt mixture.

Repeat the layers and top each serving with a sprinkling of almonds.

Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 83; Protein: 2.7 g; Fat: 2.3 g; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Dietary Fiber: 4.5 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g; Exchanges: 1 Carbohydrate, 1/2 Fat

QUINOA SALAD

Yield: 4 servings (1/2 cup each)

Source: The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible

Print version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=852

Online version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/852.shtml

Ingredients

1/2 cup raw quinoa, rinsed

1/4 cup finely chopped yellow pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped red pepper

1/4 cup finely chopped carrot

1/4 cup finely chopped celery

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil

4 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons minced green onions

Fresh ground pepper and salt to taste

Directions

Prepare the quinoa. Rinse the quinoa in a fine sieve for 20 seconds.

In a 1-quart saucepan bring 1-1/2 cups water to a boil.

Add the quinoa and bring to a boil.

Lower the heat to simmer, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile prepare the vegetables. Combine the chopped yellow pepper, red pepper, carrot, celery, and parsley in a medium bowl.

In a blender, combine the oil, vinegar, garlic, green onions, salt, and pepper. Blend for 15 seconds.

Once the quinoa is cooked, add it to the vegetables. Pour the dressing over the quinoa and vegetables and toss well.

Refrigerate for 1 hour. Serve over lettuce if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 125; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 12 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Fat

FALAFEL PATTIES WITH YOGURT CUCUMBER SAUCE

This recipe begins, “The falafel mixture can also be shaped into 1-inch balls and cooked as the recipe directs; serve with Yogurt Cucumber Sauce as appetizers, or in pitas for sandwiches.”

Yield: 4 servings (2 each)

Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes For People with Diabetes

Print version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=845

Online version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/845.shtml

Ingredients

1 package (6 ounces) falafel mix

1/2 cup shredded carrots

1/4 cup sunflower kernels

2 tablespoons thinly sliced green onions and tops

Vegetable cooking spray

Yogurt Cucumber Sauce (recipe follows)

Directions

Prepare falafel mix with water according to package directions; mix in carrots, sunflower kernels, and green onions. Shape mixture into 8 patties about 1/2 inch thick.

Spray large skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Place patties in skillet and spray tops with cooking spray; cook until browned, 4 to 5 minutes on each side.

Serve with Yogurt Cucumber Sauce.

YOGURT CUCUMBER SAUCE

Yield: Makes about 1-1/3 cups

Ingredients

1 cup plain fat-free yogurt

1 cup shredded, or chopped, cucumber

1/2 teaspoon dried dill weed

1/2 teaspoon dried mint leaves

Salt and white pepper, to taste

Directions

Mix yogurt, cucumber, and herbs. Season to taste with salt and white pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 255; Protein: 11.7 g; Fat: 7.7 g; Sodium: 586 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Carbohydrates: 28.6 g; Exchanges: 2 Bread/Starch, 1 Meat, 1 Fat

BACON AND MUSHROOM BITE-SIZE QUICHE

This recipe begins, “Tender, cheesy and savory custards in flaky pastry shells make elegant finger food-and can be made ahead and reheated. Delicious for brunch or evening appetizers.”

Makes 3-1/2 dozen.

Serving size: 1 quiche.

Print version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=844

Online version: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/844.shtml

Ingredients

8 slices bacon

1/4 pound fresh mushrooms, chopped

1 tablespoon butter

1/3 cup green onion, chopped

1 2/3 cups Swiss cheese, shredded

Pastry for double-crust pie, (homemade or purchased)

5 eggs

1-2/3 cups sour cream

Directions

Heat oven to 375 degrees F.

On a lightly floured board, roll out the pastry dough 1/ 16-inch thick.

Using a 3-inch cutter, cut out 42 circles; re-roll scraps as needed.

Fit circles into bottoms and slightly up sides of lightly greased 2-1/2-inch muffin pans.

Meanwhile, fry bacon slices until crisp, drain; crumble or chop.

Chop mushrooms, saute in butter until limp and liquid evaporates.

Combine bacon, mushrooms, green onion and cheese. Divide filling equally among muffin cups.

In large bowl, beat together eggs, add sour cream and stir until smooth. Spoon about 1 tablespoon into each muffin cup.

Bake until puffed and light brown, 20-25 minutes. Cool in pans 5 minutes; lift out.

Serve warm or let cool on wire racks. If made ahead, wrap cooled quiches airtight, and refrigerate overnight.

Reheat, uncovered, in a 350 degrees F. oven for about 10 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 95; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 87 mg; Cholesterol: 35 mg; Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g

TURKEY CASSEROLE

Serves: 4

Source: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

Author: Betty Marks

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/319.shtml

Ingredients

4 ounces vegetable elbow or shell macaroni

1/2 pound ground turkey

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 cup tomato sauce

1/2 teaspoon dried leaf thyme

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pepper to Taste

1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook macaroni until al dente, being careful not to overcook. Drain and rinse under cold water. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan or casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large non-stick skillet, cook turkey, onion and garlic until meat is browned. Drain off fat. Stir in macaroni, tomato sauce, thyme, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Spoon into casserole dish and top with cheese. Bake 30 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 241; Protein: 17 g; Fat: 11 g; Sodium: 253 mg; Cholesterol: 40 mg; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Exchanges: 2 Meat, 1 Starch/Bread, 1 Vegetable