Meatless Monday

If you've ever thought of trying a vegetarian life-style, but was afraid that the change would be difficult, Meatless Monday is a good way to give it a try. This way, you only need to try one day a week to go without meat.

Of course, if you're already a vegetarian, you know that once you've made the commitment to going without meat that it's really a lot easier than you'd expected. Add to that the health benefits and tasty recipes, and it's really no more difficult that trying to eat healthy as a diabetic!

That said, here are six yummy diabetic and vegetarian recipes to help you through the day, including Lemon Broccoli Pasta and Roasted Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with Spinach-Cilantro Pesto. Enjoy!

SPINACH SOUFFLE

Recipe Yield: Serves: 4

Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes

Book Title: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/spinach-souffle.

Note: The recipe originally called for beef or veggie broth. Since today is Meatless Monday, I've deleted the beef broth option.

Ingredients

1 small onion, minced

1 teaspoon margarine

3 tablespoons flour

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/2 cup fat-free milk

1/2 cup reduced-sodium vegetable broth

2 egg yolks, lightly beaten

1 package (10-oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, well drained

Pinch white pepper

4 egg whites

Pinch cream of tartar

Directions

Saute onion in margarine in medium saucepan until tender; stir in flour and nutmeg and cook 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in milk and broth and heat to boiling, whisking until thickened. Whisk about half the sauce into egg yolks; whisk yolk mixture into saucepan. Mix in spinach and white pepper.

Beat egg whites and cream of tartar in large bowl to stiff, but not dry, peaks; fold into spinach mixture and spoon into souffle dish. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F. until puffed and browned, about 40 minutes. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 118; Fat: 3.9 g; Sodium: 167 mg; Cholesterol: 107.1 mg; Protein: 9.7 g; Carbohydrates: 12 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Bread, 1 Meat

ROASTED STUFFED PORTOBELLO MUSHROOMS WITH SPINACH-CILANTRO PESTO

Recipe Yield: Serves: 4

Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes

Book Title: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/roasted-stuffed-portobello-mushrooms-with-spinach-cilantro-pesto.

Ingredients

8 large portobello mushrooms (5-6 inches diameter)

Vegetable cooking spray

1 cup finely chopped zucchini

1 cup shredded carrots

3 green onions and tops, thinly sliced

4 tablespoons dry unseasoned breadcrumbs

Spinach-Cilantro pesto (recipe follows)

Salt and pepper, to taste

1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese

Directions

Remove and chop mushroom stems. Spray large skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Saute mushroom stems, zucchini, carrots, and green onions until crisp-tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in breadcrumbs and pesto. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon vegetable mixture onto mushrooms.

Spray aluminum-foil-lined jelly roll pan with cooking spray; arrange mushrooms on pan. Roast mushrooms at 425 degrees until mushrooms are tender, about 20 minutes, sprinkling with cheese the last 5 minutes of roasting time.

SPINACH-CILANTRO PESTO

I'm really not sure where this recipe came from, though I suspect it's from Diabetic Gourmet.

Makes about 1/2 cup

Ingredients

1 cup loosely packed spinach leaves

1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro

3 cloves garlic

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon grated fat-free Parmesan cheese

1-2 teaspoons olive oil

1-2 teaspoons lime juice

1-2 teaspoons water

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Process all ingredients, except water, salt and pepper, in a food processor or blender until smooth; add water if necessary for consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 185; Fat: 3.9 g; Sodium: 206 mg; Cholesterol: 7.6 mg; Protein: 16 g; Carbohydrates: 19 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 4 Vegetable, 1 Meat, 1/2 Bread/Starch

HAZELNUT MACAROONS

Recipe Yield: Servings: 30 Cookies (1 per serving)

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/hazelnut-macaroons

Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes

Book Title: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes

Ingredients

4 egg whites

1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup sugar

1 cup canned sweetened coconut

1/4 cup hazelnuts or pecans, finely chopped

Directions

Beat egg whites, cream of tartar, and salt to soft peaks in medium bowl. Beat in sugar gradually, beating to stiff, shiny peaks. Fold in coconut; fold in hazelnuts.

Drop mixture by tablespoons onto parchment-or aluminum foil-lined cookie sheets. Bake at 300 degrees until cookies begin to brown and feel crisp when touched, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in pans on wire racks.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 44; Fat: 1.4 g; Sodium: 25.6 mg; Protein: 0.7 g; Carbohydrates: 8 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Fat

GRILLED VEGETABLES WITH BASIL DRESSING

Recipe Yield: Makes 8 servings.

To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/grilled-vegetables-with-basil-dressing.

Ingredients

1 small eggplant, sliced into thick rounds

1 zucchini, cut into thick, diagonal slices

1 yellow summer squash, cut into thick slices

1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into eighths

1 small red onion, sliced and cut into 8 segments

2 Tbsp. balsamic or red wine vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, or 1 Tbsp. dried

1/4 cup non-fat yogurt

2 Tbsp. reduced-fat mayonnaise

1 Tbsp. minced fresh basil, or 1 tsp. dried

1 tsp. lemon juice

Directions

Thread skewers with alternating pieces of eggplant, zucchini, squash, bell pepper and onion. Place skewered vegetables in shallow pan.

Make marinade for vegetables by blending vinegar, oil and 1/4 cup fresh basil (or 1 Tbsp. dried). Pour over vegetables. Let stand 10 minutes, occasionally turning skewers so marinade coats all sides.

Meanwhile, make dressing. Place yogurt, mayonnaise, 1 Tbsp. fresh basil (or 1 tsp. dried) and lemon juice in a blender and mix until smooth. Transfer to small pitcher.

Grill vegetables, adjusting height of rack to avoid charring if using an outdoor grill.

Note: Serve vegetables as a side dish, as a sandwich filling in pita halves, or on sliced French bread or bruschetta. Pass basil-yogurt dressing to use as a topping.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 88; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 44 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetable; 1 Fat

RATATOUILLE

Recipe Yield: Serves 4

Source: AICR

Recipe and image appear courtesy of American Institute for Cancer Research.

To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/ratatouille.

Ingredients

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

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

2 large red bell peppers, seeded and cut into 3/4-inch pieces

4 small zucchini, sliced

1 onion, coarsely chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 lb. tomatoes, chopped, OR 1 can (28 oz.) whole tomatoes, drained and chopped

1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

Directions

Sprinkle eggplant lightly with salt and let drain in colander for 30 minutes. Pat dry.

In non-stick skillet heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. Add eggplant. Stir and cook until soft and browned, about 6 to 7 minutes. Transfer eggplant to bowl.

Add remaining oil to pan and heat until hot. Add red peppers, zucchini, onion and garlic. Cook vegetables, stirring, until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Mix in tomatoes, basil and eggplant. Stirring occasionally, cook on low heat 15 to 20 minutes or until all vegetables are very tender. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Note: Ratatouille, a specialty of the Provence region of France, is a popular and versatile dish that uses large amounts of produce. The tomatoes and eggplant create a juicy, stew-like sauce that accentuates the flavors of basil and garlic. Serve it hot as a side dish or over a grain for an entree. This version also tastes great when served cold.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 123; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 200 mg; Protein: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 19 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3-1/2 Vegetable; 1 Fat