Salads

There was a time when salads were not much more than lettuce-tomatoes-and-onions (with a little dressing). The only exceptions were potato or egg salads.

But let's face it: those salads can be a little boring. (Good, when that's all you really want, but boring, on a daily basis.) Today's salad offerings include Southern-Style Slaw and Chicken and Spinach Salad. Enjoy!

BROCCOLI SALAD WITH PEANUT DRESSING

Recipe Yield: Makes 4 servings

To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/broccoli-salad-with-peanut-dressing

This recipe begins, “This recipe takes a tip from Thai cuisine and the peanut dressing is a healthy substitute for high-calorie, high-fat cheese sauces (or butter) that many use to top their broccoli. It is a great tasting topping for this cool salad, and the red onion and red bell pepper provide added nutrition, flavor and color.”

Ingredients

4 cups broccoli florets

1 medium red bell pepper, cut in thin strips, about 1 cup

1/3 cup red onion, cut in thin crescents

3 Tbsp. smooth peanut butter, natural and unsweetened

2 tsp. roasted sesame oil

1-2 Tbsp. rice vinegar

2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

1 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

2 tsp. agave syrup

Pinch of salt

Ground black pepper

Red pepper flakes, optional

Directions

Place steamer basket in large saucepan. Add water to depth of 1 inch. Cover and bring the water to boil. Add broccoli, cover and steam over medium-high heat until tender-crisp, 3 minutes. Transfer broccoli to mixing bowl. Add bell pepper and onion.

In small bowl, combine peanut butter and sesame oil. Add vinegar, lime juice, soy sauce and agave and whisk until dressing is smooth. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper. Pour dressing over vegetables and use fork to toss until salad is well coated. Sprinkle on red pepper flakes, if using, and mix to combine. Cover, and refrigerate the salad for 1 hour before serving, or up to 24 hours. Toss well before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 146; Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 4 g; Sodium: 255 mg; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g

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

SOUTHERN-STYLE SLAW

Recipe Yield: Yields 12 servings

Source: Splenda

Recipe and image appear courtesy of Splenda.

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/southern-style-slaw.

Ingredients

For the dressing:

1/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1 cup lite mayonnaise

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 teaspoons fennel seed

3 tablespoons lemon juice

Salt & pepper, to taste

For the slaw:

2 each medium, seeded & sliced yellow bell peppers

2 each medium, seeded & sliced red bell peppers

4 cups shredded cabbage *

6 oz. bag shredded carrots *

5 each thinly sliced radishes

1 cup diced red onion

* If you would rather use store bought slaw mix, then a 14 oz. bag of cabbage coleslaw mix is about 6-3/4 cups and would work for this recipe.

Directions

Whisk together all dressing ingredients until well combined. Add salt & pepper to taste.

Mix together peppers, cabbage, carrots, radishes and red onion in a large bowl.

Toss the dressing in with the vegetables.

Chill for 60 minutes, stir and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 100, Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 210 mg; Cholesterol: under 5 mg; Protein: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g

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.

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

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

CHICKEN AND SPINACH SALAD

Recipe Yield: Yield: 14 cups (7 - 2 cups servings)

Source: Cooking Healthy and Fast

Book Title: Cooking Healthy and Fast

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-and-spinach-salad.

Ingredients

6 oz. fresh spinach

2 oranges, peeled and cut into chunks

2 cups cooked and cubed chicken

2 cups fresh strawberries

Dressing:

2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

3 Tbsp. orange juice

1-1/2 Tbsp. canola oil

1/4 tsp. dry mustard

1/3 tsp. poppy seeds

Directions

Mix dressing ingredients and regrigerate. Wash spinach and tear into bite size pieces. Add oranges, chicken and strawberries. Serve with dressing.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 135; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 46 mg; Cholesterol: 31 mg;Carbohydrates: 10 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 1/2 lean meat