Meatless Monday

I hope your weekend went well. Ours was pretty nice: Saturday was spent at an annual celebration that the city where I live put on, then hanging out with family, and vegging out on Sunday.

But enough of the chit-chat. Saturday, we did manage to eat too much (what's a celebration without food!), which brings me to a short tip from Diabetes Self-Management. The tip is an answer to, "I’m overweight. How much weight should I aim to lose?" The short answer can be found here, with a more comprehensive discussion titled "Strategies for Weight Management, found by clicking here. Lots of good info that most of us can use!

And now on to the food portion of this blog.

If you've followed this blog for a while, you know the routine: Today is Meatless Monday, when we explore eating diabetic friendly food without meat. (Yes, it can be done!) Today's offerings include Creamy Pumpkin Apple Bisque and a yummy Skillet Peanut Butter Cinnamon Spice Cookie. Enjoy!

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

ZUCCHINI BREAD

Recipe Yield: Yield: 10 servings

Source: Splenda

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

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups shredded zucchini

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup Splenda Sugar Blend

1/4 cup low-fat milk

1 large egg

2 tablespoons trans-free spread, melted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8 x 4-inch non-stick loaf pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Use paper towels to blot excess water from zucchini. Set aside.

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt.

In another large bowl, whisk Splenda Sugar Blend, milk, egg, trans-free spread, and vanilla. Stir in zucchini. Add dry ingredients and mix just until moistened. (Batter will be lumpy.) Scrape into prepared pan.

Bake 35 to 45 minutes, or until a tester inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove to a wire rack; cool completely.

Nutrition Facts Per Serving: Calories: 130; Fat: 2.5 g; Saturated Fat: .5 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 190 mg; Cholesterol: 20 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g; Sugars: 7 g

PUMPKIN ROLL

Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/pumpkin-roll.

Ingredients

Cake Ingredients:

3 eggs

1 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated*

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 cup self-rising flour

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Filling Ingredients:

4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened

1-1/2 to 2 cups light whipped topping, thawed, if frozen

2 tablespoons Equal Spoonful or Granulated** (or to taste)

* May substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener

** May substitute 3 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

For Cake, beat eggs and 1 cup Equal for 5 minutes in mixing bowl on medium speed of mixer.

Stir in pumpkin and lemon juice. Blend in flour, cinnamon and nutmeg until well combined.

Line a jelly roll pan with waxed paper. Spread batter evenly in pan. Bake in preheated 350F oven 5 to 8 minutes or until wooden pick comes out clean. Cool 3 minutes in pan; turn out onto a cloth and roll up from the narrow end.

Chill in refrigerator until completely cool.

For Filling, beat cream cheese, whipped topping and 2 tablespoons Equal in mixing bowl on medium speed of mixer until smooth and spreadable.

Unroll pumpkin roll and spread with filling. Re-roll. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Slice cake into pinwheels.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 159; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 341 mg; Cholesterol: 87 mg; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 19 g

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

ASIAN SESAME SLAW

Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings.Serving Size: 1/2 cup

Source: CanolaInfo

Recipe and image appear courtesy of CanolaInfo.org.

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/asian-sesame-slaw.

Ingredients

Salad:

1/2 small head of green cabbage, thinly sliced or grated

1/2 small head of red cabbage, thinly sliced or grated

6 green onions, sliced diagonally

1 large carrot, peeled and coarsely grated

1 Tbsp sesame seeds, white or black, toasted

Dressing:

1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar

1/4 cup canola oil

1 large clove garlic, minced

1 tsp grated fresh ginger

1 tsp sodium-reduced soy sauce

1 tsp sesame oil

Directions

In a large bowl, combine both cabbages, onion, carrot and sesame seeds.

Prepare dressing by shaking together rice vinegar, canola oil, garlic, ginger, soy sauce and sesame oil.

Pour dressing over salad, toss and refrigerate before serving. Ideally, allow to stand in fridge for an hour or more to allow flavours to mellow. Re-toss before serving.

Notes:

Much lighter than a classic coleslaw, this colorful salad offers tangy flavor and crunch. Enjoy as an accompaniment to grilled fish, chicken, tofu or pork. (Since it is Meatless Monday, serving this with grilled fish, chicken or pork would, of course, be another day.)

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 100; Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 0.5 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 170 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Sugars: 4 g

CREAMY PUMPKIN APPLE BISQUE

Note: This recipe originally called for chicken broth. I changed it to vegetable broth for the sake of Meatless Monday.

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

Source: The Heart-Smart Diabetes Kitchen: Fresh, Fast and Flavorful Recipes Made with Canola Oil from the American Diabetes Association and CanolaInfo

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/creamy-pumpkin-apple-bisque.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp canola oil

1 cup diced onions

1/2 medium Gala apple, peeled and chopped

1 can (14oz) reduced-sodium vegetable broth

1/2 of (15oz) can solid pumpkin

2 Tbsp sugar

1-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp salt

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

1-1/2 cups fat-free half and half

1/4 cup fat-free sour cream

Directions

Heat canola oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions and apple; cook 5 minutes or until onions begin to brown.

Place onion mixture in a blender with 1 cup broth. Secure lid, and puree until smooth. Return onion mixture to saucepan; add remaining ingredients, except half and half and sour cream. Bring to boil over high heat, reduce heat, cover tightly, and simmer 15 minutes.

Remove from heat and gradually add half and half while stirring. To serve, spoon equal amounts of soup into four shallow bowls and top with dollops of sour cream.

Flavorful tip: Adding the apple while browning the onion brings out the sugars of the apple and richly brown the onions quickly.

Notes:

Enjoy the tastes of the season with this decadent soup.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 175; Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 635 mg; Cholesterol: 5 mg; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g

SKILLET PEANUT BUTTER CINNAMON SPICE COOKIE

This comes from Rachael Hartley, RD, LD, CDE at VeryWellFit, and begins, “This decadent yet low-carb skillet peanut butter cinnamon spice cookie is the perfect treat for someone with diabetes. It takes less than ten minutes of prep time, has only five grams of sugar per serving, and is made with blood sugar lowering cinnamon. Most importantly, it’s delicious!”

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Servings: 16.

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 large egg

1 cup natural peanut butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup almond meal

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon salt

Non-stick spray

2 tablespoons peanuts, optional, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 F.

In a large bowl, beat egg until slightly frothy. Whisk in the peanut butter, brown sugar, almond meal, vanilla extract, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt until well combined.

Spray an ovenproof skillet lightly with nonstick spray. Pour batter into the skillet and spread evenly with a spatula. If desired, sprinkle the top with a few peanuts and press down slightly.

Place cookie on a rack set in the center of the oven and bake 10-12 minutes until puffed and golden around the edges. Let cool 10 minutes before cutting and serving.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

“This is one of my favorite treats to make because I always have the ingredients on hand! Whenever I’m craving something warm, gooey and sweet, I know this skillet cookie is only 20 minutes away.”

Nut Butters

Even in your pantry is looking bare, this recipe is easy to adapt based on what you have on hand. You can use any type of nut butter—cashew butter and almond butter both work well. And if you’re in the unfortunate situation of running out of nut butter, you can make your own by blending a rounded cup of nuts with a tablespoon of oil in the food processor until if forms a creamy spread.

Sweeteners

I made these with brown sugar, which has a richer flavor than white sugar, although you could certainly substitute it in a pinch. You could also use pure maple syrup or honey, but be sure to reduce the oven temperature by 25 degrees and cook it a couple minutes longer to prevent burning.

Nut-Free Variation

If anyone in your household is nut free, you can still make this cookie—just swap in sesame butter and leave out the almond meal. Made with sunflower seeds, it’s perfect for those with tree nut allergies.

Vegan Variation

For a vegan version, use a chia seed egg. Mix 1 tablespoon chia seeds with 3 tablespoons water and let it sit to gel for about 10 minutes before mixing in the other ingredients.

This trick is a perfect one to remember next time you run out of eggs.

More Add-Ins

If you’re feeling extra decadent, load this cookie up with lots of healthy add-ins. In the mood for something chocolatey? Swap the almond flour for 1/4 cup cocoa powder, or stir in 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate, which is rich in antioxidant polyphenols and flavanols. Want something fruity? Stir in a handful of frozen berries. This recipe is especially delicious with frozen wild blueberries.

Make an extra nutty cookie with different kinds of nuts and seeds, like walnuts, sunflower seeds, and almonds. Add a handful or two of dried fruit along with those nuts to make a granola inspired cookie. My favorite way to enjoy this cookie is with a handful of shredded dried coconut and dark chocolate chips.

Cooking and Serving Tips

This cookie is best when it’s slightly undercooked. The center might not look fully done when you take it out, but it will continue cooking as it cools.

Be sure to use a nonstick or well seasoned cast iron skillet to prevent sticking.