Friday Recipes

One of the big diet crazes is the keto diet. But is it a help of hindrance for someone with diabetes?

According to Diabetes Self-Management, while some diabetics might benefit from it, others should definitely not follow the keto diet.

What exactly does the keto diet entail? Who might benefit from it, and who should not follow it? These answers (and more) can be found in the article "Keto Diet for Diabetics: Help or Hindrance?". And, as always, check with your health care team for the best info on your particular situation.

And now, on to today's recipes.

It's finally Friday. (Yay!) Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Buffalo Turkey Tacos and Cornbread and Dried Fruit Dressing. Enjoy!

TURKEY ROULADE

Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings. Serving size: 2 slices (4 ounces).

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/turkey-roulade.

Ingredients

1/2 boneless, skinless turkey breast, about 1-1/2 lb

1-1/2 cups Cornbread and Dried Fruit Dressing

1/4 tsp smoked paprika

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp marjoram

1/4 tsp thyme

1/4 tsp sage

1 Tbsp canola oil

Need: kitchen twine and plastic wrap

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F.

Place large piece of plastic wrap on countertop. Place turkey breast half on plastic and cover. Cover with additional plastic wrap. Using meat mallet, pound turkey to rectangle about 9-10 X 6 inches, about 1/4-inch thick.

Remove plastic wrap from top of turkey and spread dressing evenly lengthwise over surface, almost to edge. Roll turkey lengthwise. With kitchen twine, tie roulade lengthwise once and in several places across turkey. Discard plastic wrap.

In small bowl, mix together spices. Rub canola oil over all surfaces of roulade; rub spice blend evenly over roulade.

Place roulade in shallow roasting pan, then place in oven. Roast for 45 to 60 minutes or until internal temperature measured with an instant-read thermometer reads 155F.

Remove roulade from oven and let rest 15 minutes before carefully removing twine and slicing into 16 half-inch slices. Serve with Porcini Mushroom Gravy, Warm Apple and Cranberry Sauce and extra Cornbread and Dried Fruit Dressing.

Notes:

This elegant turkey entree with stuffing offers a unique presentation of America’s traditional holiday combination.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 140; Fat: 3.5 g; Saturated Fat: 0.5 g; Sodium: 150 mg; Cholesterol: 65 mg; Protein: 222 g; Carbohydrates: 5 g

CORNBREAD AND DRIED FRUIT DRESSING

This recipe begins, “This colourful dressing has layers of flavour that allow for a delicious side dish on its own as well as blend well in the Turkey Roulade entree. Yield: 6 cups; enough for Turkey Roulade and 8 side dish servings. Serving size: 1/2 cup.”

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 cups

Source: Cheryl Forberg, R.D.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/cornbread-and-dried-fruit-dressing.

Ingredients

4 cups cornbread cubes, dried

4 oz lean Italian turkey sausage, casing removed

1 Tbsp canola oil

1 cup chopped yellow or white onions

1/4 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup chopped carrot

1 small garlic clove, crushed

4 each dried apricots and pitted dried plums, coarsely chopped

1/2 tsp dried thyme

3/4 tsp dried sage

1/4 tsp dried marjoram

1 cup fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup minced fresh parsley

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Canola oil cooking spray

1 egg, lightly beaten

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F. Place cornbread cubes in large bowl and set aside.

In small nonstick skillet, cook sausage over medium to high heat, crumbling and stirring until brown and cooked through. Drain well and set aside.

In large nonstick skillet, heat canola oil over medium heat. Stir in onions, celery and carrot; cook 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute longer, but don't allow garlic to brown. Stir in sausage, apricots, plums, thyme, sage, marjoram and 1/4 cup broth. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 3 minutes. Remove from heat; pour vegetable mixture over cornbread. Add parsley and stir well. Season with salt and pepper. (Dressing may be prepared to this stage a day ahead and refrigerated, covered.)

Whisk together egg and remaining 3/4 cup broth and pour over cornbread mixture, tossing well. Spray 2-quart baking dish with canola oil cooking spray (use larger baking dish if not reserving dressing for Turkey Roulade) and transfer all but 1 1/2 cups of dressing to baking dish. Cover dish with foil and set aside.

After Turkey Roulade has been in oven 30 minutes, place covered baking dish of dressing in oven. After 15 minutes (or when internal temperature of roulade, measured with instant-read thermometer, is 155F), remove roulade from oven and remove foil from baking dish with dressing. Continue baking dressing for about 15 minutes or until top begins to brown.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 100; Fat: 3.5 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 310 mg; Cholesterol: 30 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 12 g

PORCINI MUSHROOM GRAVY

This recipe begins, “While it sounds luxuriously rich, this gravy is light on calories and fat so you can enjoy all of the flavour with none of the guilt.”

Recipe Yield: Yield: 2 cups; 8 servings. Serving size: 1/4 cup.

Source: Cheryl Forberg, R.D.

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/porcini-mushroom-gravy.

Ingredients

1/2 oz dried porcini mushrooms

2 Tbsp warm water

1 1/2 Tbsp canola oil

6 Tbsp white whole-wheat flour

2 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth

3/4 tsp salt (optional)

1 tsp onion powder

1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper or to taste

Directions

Soak mushrooms in warm water for 5 minutes.

In 2 quart saucepan, heat canola oil over medium heat. Whisk in flour until blended and continue stirring until roux is lightly browned and develops nutty aroma.

Whisk in broth, optional salt and onion powder. Bring to a gentle boil until just thickened, stirring. Cook and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat and season with pepper. Add softened mushrooms and any soaking liquid.

Puree gravy in food processor or food mill. Return mixture to saucepan. Heat just to a simmer.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 50; Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 115 mg; Protein: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 5 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

BUFFALO TURKEY TACOS

Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings

Source: Jennie-O

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/buffalo-turkey-tacos.

Ingredients

1 (16-ounce) package JENNIE-O Lean Ground Turkey

1/3 cup hot pepper wing sauce

8 hard corn taco shells, heated as specified on package

1 cup shredded lettuce

2 tomatoes, diced

1 avocado, sliced

1/2 cup blue cheese dressing

Directions

Cook turkey as specified on package. Always cook to well-done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Add hot pepper sauce. Stir to combine.

Fill tacos shells with lettuce, turkey mixture, tomatoes and avocado.

Drizzle with blue cheese dressing.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 220; Fat: 13 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 260 mg; Cholesterol: 45 mg; Protein: 14 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g; Sugars: 1 g

APPLESAUCE BROWNIES

Recipe Yield: Servings: 16

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/applesauce-brownies

Ingredients

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup chopped nuts

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Combine oil, applesauce and cocoa. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients together and stir into the mixture.

Pour the batter into a greased and floured (or wax paper lined & sprayed) 9 inch square pan. Sprinkle on nuts (optional).

Bake about 20 to 30 minutes or until top is set but edges are not dried out. Toothpick will come out clean. Cut into 16 or 24 squares.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 165; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 84 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 27 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch; 1 Fat; 1 Fruit