Wednesday Recipes

Here we are, half-way through the week. What to fix to help us through hump day? Try any of these six recipes, including Moroccan Chicken with Eggplant-Zucchini Ragout and Mocha Cheesecake Bars. (Good luck getting certain animals out of your mind today! I guess an apology might be in order!) Enjoy!

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

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

MOROCCAN CHICKEN WITH EGGPLANT-ZUCCHINI RAGOUT

This recipe begins, “The word ragout refers to a main dish, French-style stew. It is typically hearty and features well-seasoned meat or fish, often stewed along with vegetables. This is a very flavorful ragout which features chicken, eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes and olives.”

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/moroccan-chicken-with-eggplant-zucchini-ragout

Ingredients

1-1/2 to 2 pounds chicken leg quarters

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 teaspoon salt, divided

1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided

1 small eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch dice

1 medium zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch dice

1 small onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup white wine or water

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juices

1/4 cup pimento-stuffed green olives, roughly chopped

2 tablespoons capers, rinsed

2 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon sugar

2 tablespoons parsley, minced

Directions

In large skillet over medium high-heat, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season leg quarters with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add leg quarters to pan, skin-side down. Brown chicken, turning once, 8 to 10 minutes per side. Remove chicken to plate and drain off all but 2 tablespoons oil.

Add eggplant to hot pan and cook, stirring, 5 minutes. Add remaining tablespoon olive oil, along with zucchini, onion and garlic. Cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Raise heat to high and add white wine to pan, stirring to scrape up any browned bits. Add all other ingredients, except parsley, and place chicken legs in mixture. Bring to boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes or until cooked through or until an instant read thermometer reads 170F.

To serve, place some of the eggplant ragout onto plates, top with a leg quarter and sprinkle with parsley.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 370; Fat: 20 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Fiber: 6 g; Sodium: 900 mg; Protein: 28 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g; Sugars: 8 g

ROASTED CORN AND ROMA TOMATO SALAD

Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings.

Source: Dreamfields

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/roasted-corn-and-roma-tomato-salad.

Ingredients

1 box Dreamfields Penne Rigate

1 tablespoon plus 5 teaspoons olive oil

4 cups corn kernels (see note below)

1 medium bell pepper (red, orange or yellow), cut in half lengthwise, seeds and membranes removed

6 Roma tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise

1/2 cup sliced fresh basil

Coarsely ground black pepper

Dressing:

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup crumbled cooked bacon (optional)

Shredded Parmesan cheese (optional)

Note: Fresh or frozen corn kernels (thawed) may be used. Grilled corn, cut off the cob, may be substituted; omit roasting.

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°F. Line two rimmed baking pans (15x10x1-inch) with aluminum foil. Brush lightly with olive oil (about 1 teaspoon each).

Toss corn with 2 teaspoons oil. Spread in even layer on one baking pan, covering 3/4 of pan. Place pepper halves cut side down in pan with corn; brush with 1 teaspoon oil.

Place tomatoes cut side down in second pan. Brush with remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Place both pans in oven, using center rack and rack below center.

Roast corn and peppers about 30 minutes, stirring corn two times and turning peppers once until corn and peppers are lightly browned and peppers are tender. Roast tomatoes 30 to 40 minutes until tender and browned on top. (Switch rack positions after 15 minutes.)

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again. Place in large bowl. Remove skin from peppers; chop. Remove skin from tomatoes; chop. Toss corn, peppers and tomatoes with pasta. Add basil; toss gently. Season with black pepper, as desired.

For dressing, whisk together 2 tablespoons oil, vinegar and salt. Toss with pasta mixture. Sprinkle with bacon and Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Variations: If desired, add chopped avocado and/or cooked shrimp.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 308; Calories from fat: 51; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 172 mg; Protein: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 0 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

MOCHA CHEESECAKE BARS

Recipe Yield: 20 Servings

Source: Splenda

Recipe and image appear courtesy of Splenda.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/mocha-cheesecake-bars

Ingredients

1-1/4 cups chocolate wafer crumbs

1/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1/3 cup light butter, melted

12 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese

2/3 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1-1/4 teaspoons instant espresso granules

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon cocoa powder

1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup white chocolate chunks

Directions

Crust Directions: preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray an 8-inch x 8-inch square baking pan with vegetable cooking spray. Set aside.

Combine chocolate wafer crumbs, Splenda Granulated Sweetener and butter in a mixing bowl, stirring until blended.

Press mixture into prepared pan. Bake 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Filling Directions: beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth.

Combine Splenda Granulated Sweetener, espresso granules, and cocoa powder; add to cream cheese, beating until blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add sour cream and vanilla, beating, just until blended.

Stir in chocolate chunks. Pour filling over prepared crust.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes, or until firm; cool.

Chill until firm. Cut into bars.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 120; Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 4.5 g; Sodium: 120 mg; Cholesterol: 40 mg; Protein: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Sugars: 4 g