Wednesday Recipes

It's hump day, that time of the week where we're just as far into the work week as we have to go. (And sorry about the link, but I couldn't help myself. I'm not pushing insurance, but I had to post...Sorry about the ear-worm!)

Here are six yummy recipes to help you over the mid-week hump, including Southwest Meatloaf and Apple Pie. Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Recipe Yield: Yield: 16 servings

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chocolate-cheesecake-2

Ingredients

Crust Ingredients:

1/2 cup finely ground almonds

Cheesecake Ingredients:

3 packages (8 ounces each) reduced fat cream cheese, softened

1-1/4 cups Equal Spoonful or Granulated*

2 eggs

2 egg whites

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup reduced fat sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla

4 ounces (4 squares) semi-sweet chocolate, melted and cooled

Fresh raspberries, optional

Fresh mint, optional

* May substitute 30 packets Equal sweetener.

Note: The crust in the original post from Diabetic Gourmet is pictured made with chocolate wafer crumbs.

Directions

For Crust, spray bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Sprinkle almonds over bottom, patting gently onto pan; set aside.

For Cheesecake, beat cream cheese and Equal in mixing bowl on medium speed of mixer until smooth and well combined. Mix in eggs, egg whites and salt. Fold in sour cream and vanilla until combined. Gently mix in chocolate until blended. Pour batter over crust.

Bake in preheated 325F oven 40 to 45 minutes or until center of cake is almost set. Cool on wire rack. Gently run metal spatula around rim of pan to loosen cake. Let cheesecake cool completely. Cover and refrigerate several hours or overnight. To serve, remove side of pan. Garnish top of cheesecake with fresh raspberries and mint, if desired. Cut cake into wedges.

Notes:

This delicious chocolate cheesecake is not only greatly reduced in fat, but also has 76% less carbohydrates than the traditional recipe. It will become a favorite!

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 197; Fat: 16 g; Sodium: 231 mg; Cholesterol: 67 mg; Protein: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 milk, 3 fat

APPLE PIE

Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/apple-pie

Ingredients

Pastry for double-crust 9-inch pie

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated*

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

8 cups peeled, cored, sliced Granny Smith or other baking apples (about 8 medium)

* May substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Roll 1/2 the pastry on floured surface into circle 1 inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into plate.

Combine cornstarch, Equal, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Sprinkle over apples in large bowl and toss to coat. Arrange apples in pie crust.

Roll remaining pastry into circle large enough to fit top of pie. Place over apples. Seal edges, trim and flute. Cut a few slits in top of pastry to allow steam to escape. Bake in preheated 400F oven 40 to 50 minutes or until crust is golden and apples are tender.

Cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 253; Fat: 10 g; Sodium: 224 mg; Cholesterol: 10 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 42 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1-1/2 starch, 2 fat

GRILLED PANZANELLA

Recipe Yield: Makes 6 servings.

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/grilled-panzanella

Ingredients

4 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 tsp. Dijon mustard

2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

15 fresh basil leaves, chopped coarsely

1 medium cucumber, seeded (or English cucumber) washed, sliced into 1/2-inch pieces

3 large ripe tomatoes, cut into 1-inch cubes

2 Tbsp. green olives, pitted and chopped (capers may be substituted)

1 medium red bell pepper, seeded and quartered

1/2 large red onion, cut in half and then 1/4 inch slices

1/2 small loaf crusty whole-grain French or Italian bread, cut into 1-inch slices, halved

Directions

In mixing bowl whisk garlic, mustard, vinegar, oil, salt and pepper and set aside.

In large bowl gently combine basil, cucumber, tomatoes and olives.

Brush bell peppers and onion slices on one side with oil mixture. Place oil side down on hot grill and cook for 3-4 minutes. Brush other side with oil mixture, turn over and cook an additional 3-4 minutes.

Remove from grill. On cutting board, slice peppers into 1/2-inch slices and separate onion rings. Add to vegetables. Add oil mixture and toss to coat.

Toast both sides of bread until nicely browned.

On a serving platter layer bread and top with vegetables and basil mixture. Toss bread with vegetables if desired. Serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 193; Fat: 11 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 187 mg; Protein: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g

OMELET PROVENCAL

This recipe begins, “Create the perfect omelet with the savory French flavors of Provence: tomatoes, garlic, olives and herbs. Make one omelet for two, or two omelets for four. Either way, this easy main dish becomes the highlight of a quick, nutritious meal.”

Recipe Yield: Servings: 2

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/omelet-provencall.

Ingredients

3 large eggs*

1 tablespoon water

Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoons olive oil

1/2 cup diced canned tomatoes with garlic and onion, drained

1/4 cup shredded Muenster cheese

2 tablespoons canned sliced black olives

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1 teaspoon herbs de Provence Parsley sprigs, for garnish

* If you need to restrict cholesterol, use 3/4 cup egg substitute, or use some egg whites in place of a whole egg(s).

Directions

Combine eggs, water and pepper in a small bowl; whisk gently to blend the whites and yolks, but not to make them frothy.

Melt the olive oil in a 10-inch, non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, tilting to coat the bottom and sides.

Once the oil is hot, pour the eggs in.

As the eggs start to set, lift the edges so the uncooked egg mixture flows underneath. Cook until the eggs are set and no visible liquid egg remains, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.

Top half the omelet with tomatoes, cheese and olives; sprinkle with parsley and herbs de Provence. Flip the unfilled half of the omelet over the top.

Heat until lightly browned on the bottom, then slide onto a plate to serve.

Garnish with parsley sprigs.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 240; Fat: 17 g; Saturated Fat: 6 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 550 mg; Cholesterol: 330 mg; Protein: 13 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g

SOUTHWEST MEATLOAF

Recipe Yield: Makes 6 to 8 servings

Source: TBC

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/southwest-meatloaf.

Ingredients

2 pounds ground beef (95% lean)

1 cup soft bread crumbs

3/4 cup finely chopped onion

1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper

1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

1 large clove garlic, minced

2 teaspoons salt

1-1/2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup thick and chunky salsa

Directions

Heat oven to 350F. Combine all ingredients in large bowl except salsa, mixing lightly but thoroughly.

Shape beef mixture into 10 x 4-inch loaf on rack in broiler pan. Bake in 350F oven 1 hour,15 minutes to 1 hour, 20 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 160F.

Let stand 10 minutes. Top with salsa; cut into slices.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 280; Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Fiber: 1.8 g; Sodium: 313 mg; Cholesterol: 120 mg; Protein: 34 g; Carbohydrates: 12 g

CHUNKY CHICKEN, VEGETABLE AND ROSEMARY STEW

Recipe Yield: 6 servings.

Source: Recipe by Nancy Hughes. Recipe and photo appear courtesy of Canola Info.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/chunky-chicken-vegetable-and-rosemary-stew.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp canola oil

12 oz boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

1 Tbsp canola oil

1 medium onion, cut in 8 wedges

3 medium carrots, quartered lengthwise and cut into thirds

1 medium celery stalk, cut into 1-inch pieces

2 cups water

2 dried bay leaves

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 can (15 oz) reduced-sodium navy beans, rinsed and drained

1 cup grape tomatoes, quartered

1/2 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley

1 Tbsp chopped fresh rosemary

3/4 tsp salt

Directions

In Dutch oven, heat 1 Tbsp canola oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook about 3 minutes per side or until it begins to brown. (Center will still be slightly pink.) Remove from oven and set aside.

Add remaining 1 Tbsp canola oil, onion, carrot and celery. Saute for 5 minutes or until just beginning to lightly brown on edges, stirring frequently. Add water, bay leaves and pepper flakes. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer, covered, 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

Stir in chicken, beans, tomatoes, Italian parsley, rosemary and salt. Cover and cook 5 minutes or until tomatoes are tender and chicken is cooked.

Notes:

Here’s a great one-pot meal to warm and soothe a hungry, weary body after a hard day.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 220; Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 6 g; Sodium: 380 mg; Cholesterol: 50 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g