Meatless Monday

It's time for another Meatless Monday, where we check out food that is both vegetarian and diabetic friendly. Here are six recipes to help you through the day, including Summer Soup and Black Bean Burgers with Avocado-Lime Mayo. Enjoy!

EGGPLANT AND TOMATO CASSEROLE

Serves: 8

Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes

Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/22.shtml

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/310.shtml

Ingredients

1 large eggplant (2 pounds), peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes

1/2 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs

1/3 cup chopped onion

3 cloves garlic

1-1/2 teaspoons dried oregano leaves, divided

1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

Salt and pepper, to taste

2 eggs

3 medium tomatoes, sliced

1/4 cup grated fat-free Parmesan cheese

Directions

Cook eggplant in 2 inches simmering water in covered medium saucepan until tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Drain well. Mash eggplant with fork; mix in breadcrumbs, onion, garlic, 1 teaspoon oregano, basil, and thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix in eggs.

Spoon eggplant mixture into 11x7-inch baking dish. Arrange tomatoes in rows over eggplant; sprinkle with cheese and remaining 1/2 teaspoon oregano.

Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F. until hot through, about 20 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 98; Protein: 5.1 g; Fat: 1.9 g; Sodium: 245 mg; Cholesterol: 53.3 mg; Carbohydrates: 16.9 g; Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 1/2 Bread/Starch, 1/2 Fat

SUMMER SOUP

Servings: 4 (1-cup servings)

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/312.shtml

Source: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

Ingredients

2 cups water

Salt and pepper to taste

2 new potatoes, peeled, diced

2 carrots, sliced

6 fresh spinach leaves, chopped

1/2 cup fresh green peas or thawed frozen green peas

1 tablespoon arrowroot

1-1/2 cups skim milk

1/4 teaspoon red (cayenne) pepper

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Directions

In a medium-size saucepan, place water, salt, pepper, potatoes and carrots; bring to a boil. Cover and cook 10 minutes. Add the remaining vegetables and cook 5 minutes more.

Meanwhile, make a paste of the arrowroot and 3 tablespoons of the milk. Add remaining milk and stir into the vegetables. Add cayenne and simmer 5 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Garnish with parsley.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 97; Protein: 6 g; Sodium: 112 mg; Cholesterol: 2 mg; Carbohydrates: 18 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Milk, 2 Vegetable

CARROT AND RAISIN SALAD

Servings: 6

Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/22.shtml

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/311.shtml

Ingredients

2-1/2 cups shredded carrots (about 3 large)

3/4 cup chopped celery

1/3 cup raisins

1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

3/4 cup fat-free mayonnaise

1/2 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard

1-2 teaspoons sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

6 lettuce leaves

Directions

Combine carrots, celery, raisins, and walnuts in medium bowl.

Add remaining ingredients, except lettuce, stirring until blended.

Serve on lettuce-lined salad plates.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 115; Protein: 2.6 g; Fat: 4.1 g; Sodium: 460 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 19.2 g; Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 1/2 Fruit, 1 Fat

BLACK BEAN BURGERS WITH AVOCADO-LIME MAYO

This recipe starts off, “Jazz up these tasty burgers with avocado-lime mayo and you'll have a vegetarian sandwich that even die-hard meat eaters will love.”

Yield: 4 servings. Serving size: 1 burger.

Source: "The Heart-Smart Diabetes Kitchen: Fresh, Fast and Flavorful

Recipes Made with Canola Oil" from the American Diabetes Association and Canola

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1219.shtml

Ingredients

Mayonnaise

1/2 ripe medium avocado, peeled and pitted

2 Tbsp canola mayonnaise 30

1 Tbsp fresh lime juice

1 Tbsp water

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Burgers

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

1/2 of (15 oz) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper

1/3 cup quick-cooking oats

2 large egg whites

1 Tbsp canola oil

1/8 - 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

canola oil cooking spray

4 whole-wheat hamburger buns, split and toasted

1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion

4 tomato slices

4 lettuce leaves

4 lime wedges (optional)

Directions

Place canola mayonnaise ingredients in a blender, secure lid, and puree until smooth.

Place beans in a gallon-size resealable bag. Using a meat mallet, pound beans to a coarse texture, resembling lumpy mashed potatoes. Place beans in a medium bowl and add bell pepper, oats, egg whites, canola oil, and cayenne pepper. Mix well and shape into four patties.

Coat a large nonstick skillet with canola oil cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add patties and cook 4 minutes on each side or until they begin to lightly brown. The patties will be fragile, so be sure to turn them gently.

To assemble, spoon 1 Tbsp canola mayonnaise mixture on each bun half. Top each bottom bun with burger, onion, a tomato slice, and a lettuce leaf. Place bun tops over each. Serve with lime wedges. Fresh tip: If desired, omit the buns and serve the patties on the lettuce leaf, tomato slice, and onion. Spoon the mayonnaise mixture on top of the patties and serve with lime wedges.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 300; Protein: 19 g; Fat: 12 g; Sodium: 785 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Saturated Fat: 1.8 g; Dietary Fiber: 10 g; Carbohydrates: 33 g

CHILLED TOMATO SOUP

Prep Time: 15 Minutes - Cost: $
Servings: 4 - Difficulty Level: 2; Source: Family Circle's "All-time Favorite Recipes"

To view online, click here.

Ingredients

3/4 cup finely diced, seeded, unpeeled cucumber

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

1/4 cup finely chopped red onion

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

3 pounds tomatoes, chopped

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Combine 1/4 cup cucumber, 2 tablespoons basil, 2 tablespoons onion and 2 teaspoons oil in a small bowl.

Working in batches, puree tomatoes, vinegar, salt, pepper and remaining cucumber, basil and onion in a food processor or blender. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Garnish with diced cucumber-onion mixture. Drizzle each serving with 1 teaspoon olive oil (optional).

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 143 ; Protein: 3 g ; Fat: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 19 g; Exchanges: 1-1/4 Starch, 1 Low-Fat Meat, 1 Fat

POACHED PEARS IN CINNAMON GINGER SAUCE

Servings: 6

Find this recipe at:
http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/16.shtml

Ingredients

6 Bosc or Anjou pears *

2 lemons, cut in half

6 cups water

1-1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 whole cinnamon sticks

8 quarter-sized slices fresh, ginger **

1 tbsp Minced candied ginger * slightly under-ripe, peeled, halved and cored
** smashed with flat sided knife or cleaver

Directions

Rub pear halves with cut lemon to prevent browning and set aside. Combine water, sugar, cinnamon and ginger in large non aluminum pan. Heat until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, 30 for minutes.

Add pears and heat until liquid almost boils. Reduce heat until liquid is just under a boil and poach pears until just tender, 12 to 15 minutes. (Knife will pierce center easily.) Remove pears with slotted spoon and let cool slightly. Arrange cooked pears on serving dish or in individual serving bowls.

Remove ginger and cinnamon from poaching liquid and reheat liquid until boiling. Cook until liquid is reduced to thick syrup, about 25 minutes. Let cool slightly. Pour warm syrup over pears. Sprinkle with candied ginger and serve. You may also serve with scoops of vanilla or ginger ice cream.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 280; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 8 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg ; Carbohydrates: 15 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Fruit, 1/2 Bread