Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Yay! Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Chicken and Almond Stew and Mini Chicken and Bacon Tacos. Enjoy!

CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE

Recipe Yield: Servings: 8

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

Ingredients

Crust:

3/4 cup graham crackers crumbs

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

2 tablespoons sugar

2 tablespoons canola or olive oil

Filling:

3 large egg whites

1/3 cup sugar

2 cups nonfat ricotta cheese

1/4 cup cocoa

1/3 cup yogurt cheese **

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

** Place plain, nonfat yogurt into cheese cloth or a coffee filter. Place in strainer over a small bowl or cup. Allow to drain 2 to 24 hours, covered and refrigerated, until cheese reached desired consistency. Discard the whey (liquid). Store in covered container in refrigerator.

Directions

Part 1:

Preheat oven TO 350F. Spray 8-inch springform pan with cooking spray. Fill a 13x9x2-inch pan halfway with hot water.

Place in oven on shelf below where chocolate cheesecake will be placed. This will prevent the top of cheesecake from cracking.

In small bowl, combine all crust ingredients. Press onto bottom and part-way up sides of pan. Set aside.

Part 2:

In food processor or blender, combine egg whites, sugar, ricotta, cocoa, yogurt cheese and vanilla; process, scraping sides occasionally, for 1 minute until smooth and thick. Pour into crust.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes until filling is just set (center will jiggle slightly). Turn off oven and leave cake in closed oven 5 minutes longer.

Remove from oven and cool about an hour on wire rack. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 176; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 140 m; Protein: 11 g; Carbohydrates: 22 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch; 1/2 skim milk

MINI CHICKEN AND BACON TACOS

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "You can't go wrong with a chicken, bacon and ranch taco flavor combination, and Old El Paso's Soft Tortilla Bowls™ are the perfect way to deliver these mini chicken tacos to your mouth. You can cook from scratch or you can pick up an easy rotisserie chicken and some pre-cooked bacon; do what works for you and your schedule to enjoy this delicious take on mini tacos."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 30 minutes; Makes 6 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/mini-chicken-and-bacon-tacos.

Ingredients

1 package (12 count) Old El Paso™ Mini Soft Tortilla Bowls

1 cup chopped deli rotisserie chicken

1 cup Old El Paso™ Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1/2 cup chopped cooked bacon

1/4 cup sliced green onions

1/3 cup Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch sauce

1/2 cup quartered grape tomatoes

Preparation

Heat oven to 375°F. In ungreased 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish, place tortilla bowls.

In small bowl, mix chicken, 1/2 cup of the cheese, the bacon, green onions and sauce; mix well.

Divide chicken mixture evenly among tortilla bowls; top with remaining cheese.

Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until hot and cheese is melted. Top with tomatoes and additional green onions and sauce, if desired.

Expert Tips

Serve these with fresh vegetables for a hearty snack or a light lunch.

Don’t care for tomatoes? Leave them out, and they’re just as delicious.

Leftover cooked chicken can be substituted for the deli rotisserie chicken in this recipe.

Nutrition: 6 servings (2 bowls each); 1 Serving: Calories 250 (Calories from Fat 120); Total Fat 13g (Saturated Fat 6g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 45mg; Sodium 590mg; Total Carbohydrate 17g (Dietary Fiber 0g, Sugars 1g); Protein 14g

% Daily Value: Vitamin A 4%; Vitamin C 2%; Calcium 15%; Iron 8%

Exchanges: 1 Other Carbohydrate, 1 Very Lean Meat, 1 High-Fat Meat, 1 Fat; Carbohydrate Choice: 1

MUSHROOM, GREEN PEPPER AND ONION OMELET

Recipe Yield: Makes two servings.

Source: AICR

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

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/mushroom-green-pepper-and-onion-omelet.

Ingredients

3/4 cup good quality marinara sauce

1/2 tsp. balsamic vinegar

1/4 tsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Canola cooking oil spray

1 small onion, cut in crescents

6 medium white mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 medium green bell pepper, seeded, cut in thin strips

Salt, as desired

3 large egg whites

1 large egg

1 tsp. grated Parmeggiano-Reggiano cheese

Directions

In a small saucepan, heat marinara sauce, vinegar and soy sauce, just until hot. Season with pepper to taste and set aside.

Coat medium non-stick pan liberally with cooking oil spray. Set pan over medium-high heat. Saute onion until lightly colored, about 3 minutes. Add mushrooms, pepper and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often, until mushrooms are soft, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out pan.

Whisk egg whites and egg with cheese, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Coat pan with oil spray and heat over medium-high heat until hot. Add egg mixture, tilting pan to coat bottom evenly. Reduce heat to medium. Cook until eggs are well-set, about 4 minutes. Slip spatula gently around edges, then underneath to loosen omelet. Slide it onto a serving plate.

Spoon filling to cover half of omelet and fold omelet, covering filling. With a spoon, drizzle sauce in a ribbon effect across omelet. Serve immediately.

Notes:

Additional info: 1 g. saturated fat, 3 g. dietary fiber

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 158; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 545 mg; Protein: 12 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Vegetable, 1-1/2 Low-Fat Meat

CHICKEN AND ALMOND STEW

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

Source: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

Book Title: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-and-almond-stew.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cups low-fat, low-sodium chicken broth

1 cup diced canned tomatoes, drained

2 tablespoons slivered almonds

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 pound cubed cooked deli chicken

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

Directions

In a large stockpot over medium-high heat, heat the oil. Add the onion and saute for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the broth, tomatoes, almonds, and spices. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the chicken and beans and simmer for 10 more minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 276; Fat: 7 g; Cholesterol: 40 mg; Protein: 31 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 4 Very Lean Meat, 1 Monounsaturated Fat

BAKED SMOTHERED CHICKEN BURRITOS

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "These Baked Smothered Chicken Burritos are the perfect combination of two Tex-Mex favorites; burritos and enchiladas. Create your burritos, with chicken seasoned with Old El Paso™ Chicken Seasoning Mix, layered with Old El Paso™ Refried Beans, and roll them up in flour tortillas. Smother each burrito in Old El Paso™ Enchilada Sauce for irresistible flavor in every bite. Bake and serve these hearty burritos that will soon be a new family favorite."

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes; Makes 8 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/baked-smothered-chicken-burritos.

Ingredients

2 cups shredded cooked chicken

1 can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ enchilada sauce

1 tablespoon Old El Paso™ chicken taco seasoning mix (from 0.85-oz package)

1 package (11 oz) Old El Paso™ flour tortillas for burritos (8 inch)

1 cup Old El Paso™ refried beans (from 16-oz can)

1 1/2 cups cooked rice

2 cups shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese blend (8 oz)

2 green onions, thinly sliced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Lime wedges, if desired

Preparation

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix chicken, 1 cup of the enchilada sauce and the taco seasoning mix.

Place tortillas on work surface. Divide refried beans, rice and chicken mixture among center of each tortilla in 4-inch long strip. Top with 1 cup of the cheese.

Roll up into burritos, and place seam side down in baking dish.

Bake 35 minutes. Drizzle with remaining 1/4 cup enchilada sauce; sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese. Bake 5 to 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and burritos are heated through (165°F). Top with green onions and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

To freeze: Spray 13x9-inch disposable foil cake pan with cooking spray. Assemble burritos as directed in steps 1 through 3; do not bake. Drizzle with remaining 1/4 cup enchilada sauce and sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese. Cover pan with sprayed foil, and wrap in double layer of plastic wrap. Label and freeze. To bake: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic, and place foil-covered pan on baking sheet. Bake 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes or until thermometer inserted in center reads 165°F.

Expert Tips

To roll burritos, fold one edge of tortilla over length of filling, tucking filling in slightly. Then fold two short edges over. Roll filled tortilla over toward remaining unfolded edge.

Leftover rice is perfect for this recipe, but packaged frozen cooked rice works well in a pinch.

Nutrition: Calories 370 (Calories from Fat 140); Total Fat 16g (Saturated Fat 8g, Trans Fat 1.5g); Cholesterol 55mg; Sodium 1030mg; Potassium 135mg; Total Carbohydrate 36g (Dietary Fiber 2g); Protein 22g % Daily Value: Vitamin A 10%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 30%; Iron 15% Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch, 1 Other Carbohydrate, 2 Very Lean Meat, 1/2 High-Fat Meat, 2 Fat Carbohydrate Choices: 2 1/2

ORANGE AND KIWI SALAD

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings (1 cup each)

Source: The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible

Book Title: The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/orange-and-kiwi-salad.

Ingredients

3/4 pound romaine lettuce (about 1 small head)

3 small kiwi fruits, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds

2 oranges, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch rounds

3 tablespoons apple cider or champagne vinegar

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons walnut oil or olive oil

1 small red onion, sliced into rings

Directions

Wash the lettuce and tear into bite-sized pieces. Put the lettuce on a serving platter. Top the lettuce with the kiwis and oranges placed in a circular pattern.

Combine the vinegar, lemon juice, pepper, salt and oil in a small bowl. Whisk until blended. Drizzle the dressing over the salad.

Top the salad with red onion rings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 103; Fat: 5 g; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Fruit, 1 Fat