Meatless Monday

It's time for another Meatless Monday, when we explore having both meatless and diabetic-friendly recipes. Today's offerings include Butternut Squash Crostini and Garden Vegetable and Tempeh Saute. Enjoy!

STUFFED PEPPERS

Servings: 8

Source: The New American Heart Association Cookbook

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/238.shtml

Ingredients

4 large bell peppers, any color or combination

1 teaspoon olive oil

2 medium tomatoes, chopped (about 1-1/2 cups)

1 medium crookneck squash, diced (about 2 cups)

1 medium zucchini, diced (about 2 cups)

1/2 cup diced onion (1 medium)

2 medium cloves garlic, minced, or 1 tsp bottled minced garlic

2 cups cooked brown rice (1/2 to 2/3 cup uncooked)

1/2 cup grated fat-free or low-fat Cheddar cheese (2 ounces)

1/4 cup sliced water chestnuts (2 ounces)

1 cup no-salt-added tomato juice

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Cut peppers in half lengthwise, removing stems, ribs, and seeds. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, swirling to coat bottom. Saute tomatoes, crookneck squash, zucchini, onion, and garlic until zucchini is tender-crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Don't overcook.

In a medium bowl, combine rice, cheese, and water chestnuts. Gently stir into skillet. Stuff pepper halves with vegetable mixture. Place in 9-inch round or square casserole dish, then carefully pour tomato juice around peppers. Bake, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 119; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 68 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Carbohydrates: 23 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Low-Fat Milk, 2 Vegetable

BUTTERNUT SQUASH CROSTINI

Recipe Yield: Yield: 32 servings

Source: Roman Meal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/butternut-squash-crostini.

Ingredients

8 slices Roman Meal bread (or similar whole grain, sliced bread), toasted or grilled

2 cups butternut squash, broiled and cut into 1/4-inch cubes

4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

2 tablespoons maple syrup

1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves

32 fresh basil leaves

Directions

Cut each piece of toast into quarters for a total of 32 pieces.

Combine squash, cheese, maple syrup and thyme in medium bowl.

Top toast quarters with about 1 tablespoon squash mixture each. Top with fresh basil leaves.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 30; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Cholesterol: 5 mg; Protein: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 5 g

CRANBERRY-ALMOND TARTS

Yield: Servings Per Recipe: 24; Serving Size: 1 square tart

Source: Splenda

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/cranberry-almond-tarts

Ingredients

1/2 (15 ounce) container refrigerated pie crusts

3/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1/3 cup water

1 (12 ounce) bag fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed

1/4 cup chopped almonds, toasted

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 (8 ounce) carton non-dairy whipped topping

1/4 cup toasted almond slices

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Unroll pastry and roll to 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface; using a 2- inch square cookie cutter, cut out 24 squares, re-rolling pastry, if necessary. Place squares in ungreased miniature muffin pans. Place in freezer.

Combine Splenda Granulated Sweetener and water in a saucepan, stirring until blended. Stir in cranberries. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring constantly 2 minutes or until berries pop. Pour through a wire-mesh sieve, set over a bowl. Return liquid to saucepan; reserving berries. Bring liquid to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes or until liquid is reduced to about 3 tablespoons. Pour sauce over cranberries, tossing to coat. Stir in almonds and almond extract. Spoon mixture into pastry shells.

Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until pastry is golden and filling is set. Carefully remove tarts from muffin tins; cool on a wire rack.

Notes:

Cranberries and almond nestled in a flaky pastry make a sweet ending for a holiday party.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 100; Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 2.5 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 55 mg; Protein: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Sugars: 3 g

ROMAINE, RED ONION, AND FENNEL SALAD WITH TART LIME DRESSING

Recipe Yield: Servings: 4

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/romaine-red-onion-and-fennel-salad-with-tart-lime-dressing.

Ingredients

1 cup Romaine lettuce

1-1/2 cups fennel bulb, shredded

1 cup cauliflowerets

1/2 cup red onion, sliced thinly

Tart Lime Dressing

1/2 cup lime juice, fresh

1 tbsp olive oil

1 cup garlic, minced

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground pepper

1/4 tsp paprika

Directions

Salad: Wash, dry, and tear lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Arrange lettuce pieces in a salad bowl; toss with shredded fennel, cauliflowerets, and red onion. Prepare Tart Lime Dressing. Sprinkle dressing over salad and toss just before serving.

Tart Lime Dressing: Combine all ingredients and mix well.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 60; Fat: 3 g; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 6 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable and 1 fat

CHOCOLATE CHERRY TARTS

Recipe Yield: Servings: 24

Source: Cinnamon Hearts

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chocolate-cherry-tarts.

Ingredients

2 (8oz) packages Neufchatel (light) cream cheese, room temp

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs, room temp

1 tsp vanilla extract

24 Keebler chocolate wafers, 30% reduced fat

1 (21oz) can light cherry pie filling

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F. Line muffin tins with foil and paper cupcake liners.

Beat cream cheese and sugar until creamy. Add eggs and vanilla extract and beat until smooth. Place a chocolate wafer in each cup, spoon on cheese mixture. Bake 18 to 20 minutes; remove from tins and let cool. Top with cherry pie filling. Chill overnight before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 118; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 104 mg; Cholesterol: 24 mg; Carbohydrates: 16 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 bread; 1/2 fruit; 1/2 protein; 1 fat

GARDEN VEGETABLE AND TEMPEH SAUTE

Yield: 4 servings

Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes For People with Diabetes

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/657.shtml

Ingredients

2 cups frozen stir-fry pepper blend

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1-2 teaspoons olive oil

1 package (8 ounces) tempeh, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 cup tomato juice

2 tablespoons tamari soy sauce

1 medium zucchini, sliced

2 cups (4 ounces) sliced mushrooms

1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges

Salt, to taste

Directions

Saute pepper blend and garlic in oil in large skillet 2 to 3 minutes. Add tempeh and cook 5 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients, except tomatoes and salt; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.

Add tomato wedges; cook, covered, until softened, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 180; Protein: 15 g; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 732 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 1 Bread/Starch, 1 Meat, 1/2 Fat