Meatless Monday

It's Meatless Monday, time to check out how good vegetarian food can be. Here are six vegetarian and diabetic recipes to try out, including Sugar Free Blueberry Muffins and Black Bean and Tomato Salsa. Enjoy!

PUMPKIN SOUP

Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings.

Source: AICR

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/pumpkin-soup-2

Ingredients

4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided

4 cups pumpkin puree (canned or fresh) (butternut squash may be substituted)

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 clove garlic

1 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

2 Tbsp. light whipping cream (optional)

1 tsp. fresh parsley, chopped

Nutmeg (optional)

Directions

In large pot over medium-high heat add 3 cups broth, pumpkin, onion, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring to boil. Reduce to low and simmer uncovered, about 30 minutes.

Puree mixture until smooth, in small batches, using blender or food processor. Return to pot. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for another 30 minutes. Add remaining broth as desired. (Optional, stir in cream.)

Pour into bowls. Garnish with parsley (or sprinkle of nutmeg) and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 71; Fat: 1 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 284 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g

BLACK BEAN AND TOMATO SALSA

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings (1/2 cup each)

Source: The Eating Well Diabetes Cookbook

Book Title: The Eating Well Diabetes Cookbook

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/black-bean-and-tomato-salsa

Ingredients

1 cup seeded, diced plum tomatoes (3-4 tomatoes)

1 cup canned black beans, rinsed

2 tablespoons chopped scallions

1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

1 tablespoon lime juice

1-1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil

1/2-1 teaspoon minced canned chipotle in adobo sauce

1/8 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; stir to blend. If not serving immediately, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 83; Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 4 g; Sodium: 283 mg; Protein: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch

CINNAMON BUN BREAKFAST FOCACCIA

Recipe Yield: Serves: 16

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/cinnamon-bun-breakfast-focaccia

Ingredients

1 package (16 oz.) Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix

1/4 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated*

2-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided

1 cup very hot tap water

1 egg, slightly beaten

5 tablespoons stick butter or margarine, melted, divided

3/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated**

1 cup reduced-fat granola cereal

4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened

2 tablespoons Equal Spoonful or Granulated***

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk

* May substitute 6 packets Equal sweetener

** May substitute 6 packets Equal sweetener

*** May substitute 3 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Combine hot roll mix, yeast packet, 1/4 cup Equal and 1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon. Stir in hot water, egg and 3 tablespoons melted butter. Mix until a soft dough forms. Turn out onto lightly floured surface and knead in cranberries. Continue to knead until dough is smooth and elastic, about 3 minutes. Shape into a ball. Cover with a bowl and let rest 5 minutes.

Press dough evenly into a well sprayed 15 x 10-inch baking pan. Combine 1/4 cup Equal, remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Spread over surface of dough. Sprinkle with granola, pressing lightly into dough. Cover with waxed paper and let rise until puffy, about 25 minutes.

Bake in preheated 375F oven 18 to 22 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool in pan on wire rack 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, beat cream cheese, 2 tablespoons Equal, vanilla and enough milk to form a spreading consistency. Drizzle cream cheese mixture over warm focaccia. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes:

Hot roll mix makes this breakfast bread easy to prepare. Low fat granola cereal and colorful dried cranberries along with a cream cheese glaze add appetite appeal.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 198; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 228 m; Cholesterol: 27 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 30 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat

SOUTHWESTERN CORN AND ZUCCHINI SAUTE

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings (3/4 cup each)

Source: The Eating Well Diabetes Cookbook

Book Title: The Eating Well Diabetes Cookbook

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/southwestern-corn-and-zucchini-saute

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 large onion, thinly sliced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 large zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch dice

1 cup fresh corn kernels (from 2 ears) or frozen

1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chilies

1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions

Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat.

Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until golden and tender, 5 to 10 minutes.

Stir in zucchini, corn and chilies.

Cover and cook, stirring once, until the zucchini is tender, about 10 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 76; Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 138 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 12 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat

SUGAR FREE BLUEBERRY MUFFINS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 12 muffinsServing size: 1 muffin

Source: Splenda

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/sugar-free-blueberry-muffins

Ingredients

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup light margarine, softened

1 cup Splenda Essentials No Calorie Sweetener with Fiber, Granulated

1/4 cup honey

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed

Directions

Place oven rack in top 1/3 of oven.

Preheat oven to 400F. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. Lightly spray liners with nonstick cooking spray.

Sift together flour, baking powder and salt, set aside.

Beat margarine at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add Splenda Essentials Granulated Sweetener and honey, beating until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Alternately add flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition. Fold in blueberries.

Spoon batter evenly into paper lined muffin cups. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until golden. Remove from pan immediately and cool on wire rack.

Note:

Blueberry-filled muffins that have a cake-like texture.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 160; Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 280 mg; Cholesterol: 35 mg; Protein: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g; Sugars: 8 g

BROCCOLI SALAD WITH PEANUT DRESSING

Recipe Yield: Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/broccoli-salad-with-peanut-dressing

This recipe begins, “This recipe takes a tip from Thai cuisine and the peanut dressing is a healthy substitute for high-calorie, high-fat cheese sauces (or butter) that many use to top their broccoli. It is a great tasting topping for this cool salad, and the red onion and red bell pepper provide added nutrition, flavor and color.”

Ingredients

4 cups broccoli florets

1 medium red bell pepper, cut in thin strips, about 1 cup

1/3 cup red onion, cut in thin crescents

3 Tbsp. smooth peanut butter, natural and unsweetened

2 tsp. roasted sesame oil

1-2 Tbsp. rice vinegar

2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

1 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

2 tsp. agave syrup

Pinch of salt

Ground black pepper

Red pepper flakes, optional

Directions

Place steamer basket in large saucepan. Add water to depth of 1 inch. Cover and bring the water to boil. Add broccoli, cover and steam over medium-high heat until tender-crisp, 3 minutes. Transfer broccoli to mixing bowl. Add bell pepper and onion.

In small bowl, combine peanut butter and sesame oil. Add vinegar, lime juice, soy sauce and agave and whisk until dressing is smooth. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. Pour dressing over vegetables and use fork to toss until salad is well coated. Sprinkle on red pepper flakes, if using, and mix to combine. Cover, and refrigerate the salad for 1 hour before serving, or up to 24 hours. Toss well before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 146; Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 4 g; Sodium: 255 mg; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g

And if you're looking for something a little different (and easy), check out LEMON BROCCOLI PASTA from Diabetes Self Management. Very yummy, and you can view this online here.