Thursday Recipes

Here are six recipes to help you through the day. Today's offerings include Mexican Chicken Soup and Baked Beef Empanadas. Enjoy!

RAISIN-PUMPKIN MUFFINS

Recipe Yield: Serves: 12

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/raisin-pumpkin-muffins.

Ingredients

3/4 cup canned pumpkin

6 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 egg

2 egg whites

1 tablespoon light molasses

2 teaspoons vanilla

1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated*

1/2 cup raisins

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon salt

* May substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Combine pumpkin, oil, egg, egg whites, molasses and vanilla. Stir in a combined flour, Equal, raisins, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and salt just until all ingredients are moistened. Spoon batter into muffin cups.

Bake in preheated 375F oven 18 to 20 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove muffins from pan and cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 149; Fat: 8 g; Sodium: 224 mg; Cholesterol: 18 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 18 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1-1/2 fat

GINGERBREAD MUFFINS

Recipe Yield: 12 servings

Source: Equal®

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/gingerbread-muffins.

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups Kellogg's Special K cereal, crushed to 1 cup

3/4 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated*

1/2 cup raisins

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup low-fat buttermilk

2 egg whites

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 tablespoons light molasses

* May substitute 18 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Lightly coat 12 muffin cups with nonstick spray or line with paper-liners; set aside.

Combine flour, crushed cereal, Equal, raisins, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, baking soda and salt in large mixing bowl.

Stir in buttermilk, egg whites, vegetable oil and molasses until all ingredients are just moistened. Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling 2/3 full.

Bake in preheated 400F oven 18 to 20 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove muffins from pan and cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 152; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 273 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Protein: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1/2 fat

CHICKEN AND MUSHROOM FRICASSEE

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings; Serving size: 1 chicken leg, 1 C vegetables and sauce

Source: Deliciously Healthy Dinners

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-and-mushroom-fricassee.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 carton (10 oz) white button mushrooms, rinsed and quartered

1 C leeks, split into quarters, then sliced into small squares and rinsed well

1 C potatoes, peeled and diced

1 C celery, rinsed and diced

1 C pearl onions, raw or frozen

3 C low-sodium chicken broth

1 lb skinless chicken legs or thighs (4 whole legs, split, or 8 thighs)

2 Tbsp each fresh herbs (such as parsley and chives), rinsed, dried, and minced (or 2 tsp dried)

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1 Tbsp cornstarch

2 Tbsp fat-free sour cream

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F.

Heat olive oil in a medium-sized heavy-bottom roasting or braising pan (a large saute pan with a metal handle will work as well).

Add mushrooms to pan, and cook until golden brown, about 3-5 minutes. Add leeks, potatoes, celery, and pearl onions, and continue to cook until the vegetables become soft, about 3-5 additional minutes.

Add chicken broth to the pan, and bring to a boil. Add chicken legs to the pan, cover, and place in the heated oven for about 20 minutes or until the chicken legs are tender when pierced with a fork (to a minimum internal temperature of 165F).

When chicken legs are tender, remove legs from the pan, return the pan to the stovetop, and bring the liquid to a boil. Add herbs and lemon juice.

In a bowl, mix the cornstarch with the sour cream, and add to the pan. Bring back to a boil and then remove from the heat.

Season with salt and pepper, and pour 1 cup of vegetables and sauce over chicken.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 242; Fat: 9 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 430 mg; Cholesterol: 42 mg; Protein: 20 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g

BAKED BEEF EMPANADAS

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 20 servings.

Source: Lauras Lean Beef

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/baked-beef-empanadas

Ingredients

1/2 pound Laura's 92% Lean Ground Beef or 96% Lean Ground Round

1/4 cup finely chopped onion

1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/4 cup canned low-salt yellow corn, drained

1/3 cup salsa

1 tablespoon tomato paste

20 wonton wrappers

Cooking spray

Salsa, low-fat sour cream (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400F.

Cook ground beef, onion and next 3 ingredients in a large nonstick skillet 5 minutes or until beef is browned; drain. Add corn and next 2 ingredients and cook until heated through. Remove and let cool.

Working with one wonton wrapper at a time, spoon 1 tablespoon beef mixture into center of each wrapper. Bring 2 opposite corners together and pinch the points to seal, forming a triangle. Place wrappers on a wire rack and repeat procedure with remaining wrappers and beef mixture.

Place empanadas on lightly greased baking sheets and coat lightly with cooking spray. Bake 4 to 6 minutes on each side, turning once or until golden. Serve with salsa and sour cream, if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 85; Fat: 1.5 g; Saturated Fat: .68 g; Fiber: .62 g; Sodium: 157 mg; Cholesterol: 10 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g

MEXICAN CHICKEN SOUP

Recipe Yield: Yield: 10 servings.Serving Size: 1-1/2 cups.

Source: CanolaInfo

Recipe and image appear courtesy of CanolaInfo.org.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/mexican-chicken-soup.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp canola oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 medium onion, sliced

4 celery stalks, sliced

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

2 tsp cumin

1 tsp red pepper flakes

8 cups low-sodium chicken stock

2/3 cup lentils

1 can (19 oz) tomatoes, chopped

3 medium carrots, thinly sliced

2 lbs cooked chicken, cubed

1 small zucchini, thinly sliced

1 cup frozen peas

1 small avocado, peeled and sliced

Directions

In Dutch oven, heat canola oil. Add garlic, onion and celery. Saute until vegetables are tender. Season with black pepper, cumin and red pepper flakes.

Add chicken stock, lentils, tomatoes and carrots. Simmer, covered, 30 minutes, or until carrots are tender.

Add chicken, zucchini and peas.

Cover and simmer 10 to 15 minutes longer, or until vegetables are tender. Garnish with avocado slices.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 250; Fat: 6 g; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 280 mg; Cholesterol: 75 mg; Protein: 33 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g

INDONESIAN TOFU AND VEGETABLE STEW

Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings. Serving Size: 1 cup

Source: Patricia Chuey, RD

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/indonesian-tofu-and-vegetable-stew.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp freshly grated ginger

Juice of one medium sized lime

1 1/2 Tbsp canola oil, divided

1 (12 oz) block of firm or extra firm tofu, diced into cubes

1 large onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground coriander

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1 cup sodium-reduced vegetable or chicken broth

1 cup light coconut milk

2 cups green beans, cut in 2 inch pieces

1 red bell pepper, diced

1 medium zucchini, diced

2 Tbsp fresh cilantro

Directions

In a bowl, marinate tofu with the ginger, lime juice and 1/2 Tbsp canola oil. Toss well to coat. This can be done about 30 minutes ahead of time and up to overnight in the refrigerator.

In a large saucepan, no lid required heat remaining 1 Tbsp canola oil. Add onion and cook for about 6 minutes or until softened and slightly browned. Add garlic, cumin, coriander and cloves and stir for 2 minutes.

To saucepan, add stock and coconut milk. Simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes until slightly thickened.

Add green beans, bell pepper and zucchini and cook for about 10 minutes more or until vegetables are tender. Add marinated tofu and cook an additional 5 minutes. Garnish with cilantro. Serve over steamed brown rice or quinoa, if desired.

Notes:

With a light coconut lime flavor, this recipe features green beans, bell peppers and zucchini. If you have other fresh veggies on hand, then you can add them as well.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 120; Fat: 8 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 290 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 8 g