Tuesday Recips

Is there one step that you can take to lower your LDL cholesterol?

According to Diabetes Self-Management, here is.

According to one of their daily tips (which you can sign up for, to come to your email address), if your replace saturated fat and trans fats with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, you can help lower your LDL cholesterol. (Click here to read the short tip in its entirety. You can also click here to learn more lifestyle habits to manage your cholesterol.)

Okay, now on to today's six absolutely yummy recipes to help you through the day. Today's offerings include Hearty Reuben Soup and Bittersweet Chocolate Torte. (Have I got your attention?) Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE

Recipe Yield: Serves: 8

Source: Equal®

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

Ingredients

Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie

1-1/2 cups Equal® Spoonful or Granulated*

1/2 cup cornstarch

1/3 cup European or Dutch-process cocoa

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 cups 2% milk

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

Light whipped topping (optional)

Chocolate curls (optional)

* May substitute 36 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Roll pastry on floured surface into circle 1 inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into plate; trim and flute edge. Pierce bottom and side of pastry with fork. Bake in preheated 375F oven 10 to 12 minutes or until crust is golden. Cool on wire rack.

Combine Equal®, cornstarch, cocoa and salt in medium saucepan. Stir in milk. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, whisking constantly. Boil and stir until thickened, about 1 minute.

Beat eggs in small bowl; whisk about 1 cup chocolate mixture into eggs. Whisk egg mixture into chocolate mixture in saucepan. Cook over very low heat, whisking constantly, 30 to 60 seconds. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla.

Spread hot filling in baked crust. Refrigerate until chilled and set, about 6 hours. Garnish top of pie with dollops of whipped topping and chocolate curls, if desired. Cut pie into wedges.

Notes:

A rich chocolate pie that has 43% less calories than a traditional recipe, because it is flavored with Equal, unsweetened cocoa and lower fat milk. Indulge without the guilt!

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 235; Fat: 10 g; Sodium: 463 mg; Cholesterol: 66 mg; Protein: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 27 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 milk, 1 starch, 2 fat

SPICY GREEN SALAD

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/spicy-green-salad

Ingredients

1/2 roasted red bell pepper*

1-inch wedge sweet onion, chopped

1 small garlic clove, chopped

1 medium plum tomato, seeded and chopped

1/4-1/2 jalapeno pepper, chopped (for a hotter dish, do not remove seeds)

1 tsp. agave syrup or honey

1 Tbsp. fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

1/2 tsp. salt

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

4 large romaine lettuce leaves

4 red-leaf lettuce leaves

1 packed cup baby arugula

6-inch piece English cucumber, sliced

2 plum tomatoes, sliced crosswise

1/8-1/4 red onion; about 3-4 very thin slices as rings

Directions

In blender, whirl red pepper, onion, garlic, tomato, jalapeno, agave, broth, vinegar and salt until pulpy. With motor running, whirl in oil. Set dressing aside while making salad.

Wash greens. Tear lettuces into bite-size pieces and whirl in salad spinner to dry. Place lettuce and arugula in salad bowl. Add 1/4 cup dressing and toss until greens are just coated. Add cucumber, tomatoes and onion rings. Toss lightly, and serve immediately.

* If possible, roast pepper yourself. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Place seeded pepper half, cut-side down on oiled baking sheet and roast 20 to 30 minutes until skin is well-blistered. Place pepper in small bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let sit for 20 minutes. Using fingers, remove skin. Roasted peppers may be tightly covered and refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 70; Fat: 4 g; Saturated Fat: 0.5 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 160 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g

BITTERSWEET CHOCOLATE TORTE

Recipe Yield: Serves: 12

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/bittersweet-chocolate-torte

Ingredients

Torte Ingredients:

6 tablespoons stick butter or margarine

4 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1/3 cup fat-free milk

1/3 cup sugar-free apricot preserves or apricot spreadable fruit

2 teaspoons instant coffee crystals

1 egg yolk

1 teaspoon vanilla

1-1/2 cups Equal Spoonful or Granulated*

3 egg whites

1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

Rich Chocolate Glaze Ingredients:

1 ounce semi-sweet chocolate

1 tablespoon stick butter or margarine

Whipped topping, fresh raspberries, and/or fresh mint (optional)

* May substitute 36 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

For Torte, heat 6 tablespoons butter, 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate, milk, preserves and coffee crystals in small saucepan, whisking frequently until chocolate is almost melted.

Remove pan from heat; continue whisking until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Whisk in egg yolk and vanilla. Add Equal, whisking until smooth.

Lightly grease bottom of an 8-inch round cake pan and line with parchment or waxed paper. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar to stiff peaks in large bowl. Fold chocolate mixture into egg whites; fold in combined flour and salt. Pour cake batter into pan.

Bake in preheated 350 F oven 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Do not over bake. Carefully loosen side of cake from pan with small sharp knife, which will keep cake from cracking as it cools. Cool cake completely in pan on wire rack. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours or until chilled.

For Rich Chocolate Glaze, melt 1 ounce semi-sweet chocolate and 1 tablespoon butter in small saucepan, stirring frequently.

Remove cake from pan and place on serving plate. Pour Rich Chocolate Glaze over top of cake, letting it run down sides. Let cake stand about 1 hour or until glaze is set. Garnish top of cake with prepared whipped topping, fresh raspberries and fresh mint, if desired. Cut cake into wedges.

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

TANDOORI CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH MINT RAITA

Recipe Yield: Makes 4 servings for main course or a snack for 6 or 12 people

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/tandoori-chicken-skewers-with-mint-raita.

Ingredients

1 cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt, divided

1/3 cup reduced fat coconut milk, divided

2 tsp. curry powder, mild or hot

1-2 finely chopped garlic cloves

3/4 tsp. sea salt, divided

1 Tbsp. canola oil

1 lb. skinless and boneless chicken breast

2 Tbsp. finely chopped red onion

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint

1 tsp. fresh lime juice

12 (8-inch) bamboo skewers

Directions

In wide, shallow bowl or deep plate, combine 2 tablespoons of yogurt with 2 tablespoons of coconut milk, curry powder, garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix in oil.

Cut chicken lengthwise into 12 strips. Insert skewer into bottom of one chicken strip and work it up lengthwise to top. Repeat with remaining chicken. Place skewers in curry marinade and using your fingers, make sure it coats them. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 to 8 hours.

Arrange marinated chicken on paper toweling and blot dry, removing all excess marinade. Heat large skillet over medium-high heat, then coat with cooking spray. Or heat stovetop griddle. Arrange skewers in one layer in pan and cook for 2 minutes, browning chicken. Using tongs, turn skewers and brown on another side, 2 minutes. Turn chicken and cook until it is opaque and hot around skewer at thickest part of chicken. Transfer skewers to serving plate.

While chicken cooks, prepare the Raita. In bowl, combine remaining yogurt and coconut milk with onions, mint, lime juice and remaining salt. When possible, make Raita 30 minutes before serving chicken to allow its flavors to develop and meld. Serve it the day it is made.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 121; Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 297 mg; Protein: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g

HEARTY REUBEN SOUP

This recipe begins, “A popular sandwich inspires a great soup! Start with the convenience of canned broth from your pantry. Then blend in the flavors of canned sauerkraut corned beef onion, bell pepper and celery, and then Swiss cheese to make this soup a family favorite.”

Recipe Yield: Servings: 8

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/hearty-reuben-soup.

Ingredients

1/2 cup canned low-sodium beef broth

1/2 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 cups fat-free evaporated milk or half-and-half cream

1 cup shredded corned beef

3/4 up canned sauerkraut

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

Bring beef and chicken broths, celery, onion and green pepper to a boil in a heavy saucepan; reduce heat. Simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

Dissolve the cornstarch in the milk. Stir into soup and simmer until soup thickens.

Add corned beef and sauerkraut; heat through.

Stir in cheese just until melted. Do not allow to boil; season with pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 190; Fat: 4.5 g; Saturated Fat: 4.5 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 500 mg; Cholesterol: 40 mg; Protein: 17 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g

BLACK BEAN BURGERS WITH AVOCADO-LIME MAYO

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings. Serving size: 1 burger.

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-recipe/black-bean-burgers-with-avocado-lime-mayo.

Ingredients

Mayonnaise

1/2 ripe medium avocado, peeled and pitted

2 Tbsp canola mayonnaise

1 Tbsp fresh lime juice

1 Tbsp water

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Burgers

1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 of (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper

1/3 cup quick-cooking oats

2 large egg whites

1 Tbsp canola oil

1/8 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

canola oil cooking spray

4 whole-wheat hamburger buns, split and toasted

1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

4 tomato slices

4 lettuce leaves

4 lime wedges (optional)

Directions

Place canola mayonnaise ingredients in a blender, secure lid, and puree until smooth.

Place beans in a gallon-size resealable bag. Using a meat mallet, pound beans to a coarse texture, resembling lumpy mashed potatoes. Place beans in a medium bowl and add bell pepper, oats, egg whites, canola oil, and cayenne pepper. Mix well and shape into four patties.

Coat a large nonstick skillet with canola oil cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add patties and cook 4 minutes on each side or until they begin to lightly brown. The patties will be fragile, so be sure to turn them gently.

To assemble, spoon 1 Tbsp canola mayonnaise mixture on each bun half. Top each bottom bun with burger, onion, a tomato slice, and a lettuce leaf. Place bun tops over each. Serve with lime wedges.

Fresh tip: If desired, omit the buns and serve the patties on the lettuce leaf, tomato slice, and onion. Spoon the mayonnaise mixture on top of the patties and serve with lime wedges.

Notes:

Jazz up these tasty burgers with avocado-lime mayo and you’ll have a vegetarian sandwich that even die-hard meat eaters will love.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 300; Fat: 12 g; Saturated Fat: 1.8 g; Fiber: 10 g; Sodium: 785 mg; Protein: 19 g; Carbohydrates: 33 g