Tuesday Recipes, and an Article

Okay, I'm going to try five days a week here (again). Here's hoping...I'm also going to try having helpful diabetic articles again.

So, here goes...Today's article is titled ”Welcome to Diabetes: A Quick-Start Guide for the Newly Diagnosed”. It's full of helpful advice. To read the entire article, click here.

And now, here are six recipes to try, including Zesty Ranch Chicken Tacos and Spaghetti Squash Carbonara. Enjoy!

ORANGE TAPIOCA

Serves: 4 (1 Serving = 1/2 Cup)

Source: The New Family Cookbook For People with Diabetes

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/361.shtml

Ingredients

1-1/2 cup fat-free milk

3 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca

1 large egg, beaten, or 1/4 cup egg substitute

1 tablespoon sugar

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup orange juice

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 orange, peeled, seeded, and diced

Directions

Combine the milk, tapioca, egg, sugar, and salt in a small non-stick saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a boil.

Remove from the heat. Add the orange juice slowly, stirring constantly. Return to the heat, stirring until the mixture boils again. Remove from the heat.

Let cool 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix in the vanilla and diced orange. Chill well before serving, at least 2 hours.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 117; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 98 mg; Cholesterol: 55 mg; Carbohydrates: 21 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Other Carbohydrate

ISLAND SALAD

Yield: 2 servings

Source: Mix 'n Match Meals in Minutes for People with Diabetes

Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/13.shtml

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/724.shtml

Ingredients

1/2 head Boston lettuce (or similar)

1 cup canned hearts of palm, drained and sliced

2 Tablespoons Paul Newman's Oil and Vinegar Salad Dressing

Directions

Wash and dry lettuce and tear into bite-sized pieces.

Place in salad bowl. Add hearts of palm and dressing.

Toss and serve with the fish.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 113; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 480 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Sugars: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 2 Fat

NEW POTATOES WITH OLIVE OIL AND GARLIC

Serves: 4 (1 Serving = About 3 potatoes)

Source: The New Family Cookbook For People with Diabetes

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/358.shtml

Ingredients

12 small new potatoes (1 pound total)

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil

1 large clove garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pinch of freshly ground pepper

Directions

Peel off a 1/2-inch strip of skin around the center of each potato.

Place the potatoes in a steamer set over simmering water. Cover and steam until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain and reserve.

Heat the oil and garlic in a nonstick skillet large enough to hold the potatoes in one layer. Cook over medium heat until the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the potatoes and roll them in the oil mixture. Season with salt and pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 123; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 153 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Fat

SPAGHETTI SQUASH CARBONARA

Serves: 6 (1 Serving = 1/2 Cup)

Source: The New Family Cookbook For People with Diabetes

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/357.shtml

Ingredients

1 spaghetti squash (about 2 pounds)

6 strips bacon, cooked crisp, drained and crumbled

1/4 cup fat-free evaporated milk

1/4 cup egg substitute

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper

Pinch of ground nutmeg

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Pierce the squash in several place with a fork. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until soft.

Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Split the squash lengthwise; remove the seeds. Using a fork, shred the squash strands into a bowl.

Add the remaining ingredients to the hot spaghetti squash; toss and serve immediately.

Nutritional Information Per Serving; Calories: 82; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 366 mg; Cholesterol: 7 mg; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 1 Fat

ZUCCHINI LEMON BREAD

Serving: 1/2-inch thick slice. Also contains 1g dietary fiber and 6g sugars

Yields one 18-slice loaf.

Source: The New Family Cookbook For People with Diabetes

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/355.shtml

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup sugar

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup packed shredded peeled zucchini

1/3 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 cup fat-free milk

1/3 cup canola or corn oil

2 large eggs, or 1/2 cup egg substitute

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare a 9x5-inch loaf pan with nonstick pan spray.

Combine the flours, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl. Stir in zucchini, walnuts, lemon zest, and cinnamon.

Combine the milk, oil, and eggs; add to the dry ingredients and mix until the dry ingredients are moistened. Spread evenly in the prepared pan.

Bake 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Let the bread stand in the pan for 5 minutes; turn the loaf out onto a wire cooling rack. When cool, cut in 18 slices.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 122; Protein: 2 g; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 206 mg; Cholesterol: 24 mg; Carbohydrates: 15 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Fat

ZESTY RANCH CHICKEN TACOS

Of course, since it's Tueday (think Taco Tuesday), I wanted to add a taco recipe. This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "Chicken tacos are jazzed up with a creamy, Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch sauce coleslaw topping. Topped with fresh avocado and cilantro, these tacos are hard to beat!"

Prep Time: 20 Minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 5 servings

You can view this online at https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/zesty-ranch-chicken-tacos.

Ingredients

2 cups coleslaw mix

1/3 cup chopped red onion

1/3 cup Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch sauce

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 package (16 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips

1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ Chicken Taco Seasoning Mix

1/4 cup water

1 package (10 count) Old El Paso™ Stand ‘N Stuff™ Taco Shells, heated as directed on package

1 cup Old El Paso™ Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled, diced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

In medium bowl, mix Coleslaw ingredients; cover and refrigerate.

In 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips; cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until no longer pink in center. Add taco seasoning mix and water; reduce heat, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.

Divide chicken among warm taco shells. Top evenly with cheese and coleslaw; top with avocado and cilantro.

Expert Tips

Garnish tacos with sliced jalapeños for a bit of spicy heat.

If desired, serve drizzled with additional sauce.

To easily assemble tacos, line heated shells in baking pan, and use tongs to add chicken and coleslaw to the shells. Continue with the remaining toppings, and they’ll all be ready to serve.

Nutrition: 5 servings (2 tacos each); 1 Serving: Calories: 440 (Calories from Fat: 220); Total Fat: 24g (Saturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0g); Cholesterol: 75 mg; Sodium: 770 mg; Total Carbohydrate: 28 g (Dietary Fiber: 5 g, Sugars: 2 g); Protein: 28 g

% Daily Value: Vitamin A 10%; Vitamin C 15%; Calcium 20%; Iron 10%

Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch, 1/2 Vegetable, 2 Very Lean Meat, 1 High-Fat Meat, 3 Fat

Carbohydrate Choice: 2