Wednesday Recipes

Half-way through the work week...only a few more days until the weekend. Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the day, including Lemon Basil Pesto with Fresh Vegetables and Curried Chicken with Apricots. Enjoy!

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

Recipe Yield: Yield: 16 brownies

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/double-chocolate-brownies

Ingredients

6 tablespoons stick butter, softened

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup Equal Spoonful*

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips

6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional: Chopped Walnuts

* May substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Beat butter, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla until blended. Stir in combined flour, Equal, chocolate chips, cocoa, baking powder, nuts (optional) and salt until blended.

Spread batter in sprayed 8-inch square baking pan. Bake in a preheated 350F oven 18 to 20 minutes or until top springs back when gently touched. Cool completely on wire rack. Cut into squares.

Store in airtight containers at room temperature.

Notes:

Applesauce replaces part of the fat, Equal all of the sugar, plus you get double the chocolate flavor with both cocoa and chocolate chips – so who can resist these delicious brownies?

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 105; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 77 mg; Cholesterol: 38 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat

LEMON BASIL PESTO WITH FRESH VEGETABLES

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/lemon-basil-pesto-with-fresh-vegetables

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups packed basil leaves

1/2 cup packed baby spinach leaves

1/2 cup walnuts

1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated Asiago cheese

2 Tbsp. soft silken tofu

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest

1 large red bell pepper, cut into 3/4" strips

1 pint small cherry tomatoes

Directions

In food processor, pulse basil and spinach until finely chopped. Add nuts and cheese. Whirl until nuts are finely chopped. Add tofu, salt and pepper. With motor running, drizzle in oil. Add lemon zest and whirl to blend. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Makes 1 cup pesto.

To serve, scoop pesto into serving bowl. Set bowl in center of a plate and arrange pepper strips and tomatoes around it. Provide toothpicks so tomatoes can be neatly dipped.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 140; Fat: 12 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 180 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g

BANANA RAISIN BREAD

Recipe Yield: Yield: 14 servings

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/banana-raisin-bread

Ingredients

1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)

3 tablespoons 2% milk

1-1/2 cups Kellogg's Special K cereal

6 tablespoons stick butter or margarine, softened

1 cup Equal Spoonful*

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup raisins

* May substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Combine banana and milk in medium bowl. Stir in cereal. Let stand 5 minutes or until cereal is softened.

Beat butter and Equal on medium speed of electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla until well blended. Stir in cereal mixture. Gradually add combined flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt mixing until combined. Stir in raisins.

Spread batter evenly in sprayed 9 x 5-inch loaf pan. Bake in preheated 350F oven 45 to 50 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes before removing from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

Store tightly wrapped in plastic wrap.

Notes:

A full flavored quick bread made with ripe bananas and raisins. Cereal adds extra crunch and beneficial nutrients.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 145; Fat: 12 g; Sodium: 116 mg; Cholesterol: 36 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 starch, 2 fat

ITALIAN-STYLE GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

Source: America's Everyday Diabetes Cookbook

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/italian-style-grilled-chicken-breasts

Ingredients

1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt

1 tablespoon tomato paste

2 green onions, coarsely chopped

2 cloves garlic, quartered

1 piece (1-inch) peeled ginger root, coarsely chopped (or 1 teaspoon ground ginger)

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

4 chicken breasts (bone-in)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander or parsley

Directions

Preheat barbecue grill or oven to 350 degrees F.

In a food processor, combine yogurt, tomato paste, green onions, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, salt and cayenne pepper; puree until smooth.

Arrange chicken in a shallow dish; coat with yogurt mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 1 day ahead. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before cooking.

Place chicken skin-side down on greased grill over medium-high heat; cook for 15 minutes. Brush with marinade; turn and cook for 10 to 15 minutes longer until golden and juices run clear. (Or place chicken on rack set on baking sheet; roast, basting after 30 minutes with marinade, for 50 to 55 minutes or until juices run clear.)

Serve garnished with chopped coriander.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 133; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 300 mg; Cholesterol: 59 mg; Protein: 24 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/4 Low-Fat Milk, 3 Very Lean Meat

CURRIED CHICKEN WITH APRICOTS

Recipe Yield: Makes 6 servings.

Source: NCC

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/curried-chicken-with-apricots

Ingredients

6 chicken breast halves, skinned

6 ounces dried apricots, cut in half

1/4 cup raisins

1 cup orange juice

1 tablespoon light margarine, melted

2 tablespoons minced onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1-1/2 teaspoons curry powder

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ginger

1 bay leaf, broken

1/4 cup skim milk

Directions

In small bowl, place apricots and raisins. Add orange juice and let sit 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

In small dish, place margarine. Add onion, garlic, curry powder, cinnamon, chili powder, salt, ginger and bay leaf; stir to mix well.

In greased 2-quart shallow baking dish, arrange chicken in single layer. Spread spice mixture evenly over chicken. With slotted spoon, remove apricots and raisins from orange juice and arrange in dish with chicken. To orange juice, add skim milk; pour over chicken.

Cover and bake in 350F. oven about 1 hour, removing cover after 45 minutes and cooking uncovered for final 15 minutes.

If desired, garnish with red cherries and serve with rice.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 230; Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 300 mg; Cholesterol: 64 mg; Protein: 21 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g

MEDITERRANEAN BRAISED BEEF

Recipe Yield: Makes 6 servings

Source: TBC

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/mediterranean-braised-beef

Ingredients

1 boneless beef chuck shoulder pot roast (2-1/2 to 3 pounds)

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

2 small onions, halved, sliced

4 medium shallots, sliced

1/4 cup chopped pitted dates

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Heat oven to 325F. Lightly coat beef pot roast with flour. Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium heat until hot. Brown pot roast; remove.

Add 1-1/2 cups water and vinegar to Dutch oven; cook and stir until brown bits attached to pan are dissolved. Return pot roast. Add onions, shallots, dates, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Cover tightly and cook in 325F oven 2 to 2-1/2 hours or until pot roast is fork-tender. Remove pot roast; keep warm.

Cook liquid and vegetables over medium-high heat to desired consistency. Carve pot roast. Serve with sauce.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 290; Fat: 12 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 1.2 g; Sodium: 275 mg; Cholesterol: 75 mg; Protein: 29 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g