Wednesday Recipes

It's Wednesday (otherwise known as hump day). We're half-way through the way; if we made it this far, we can make it through to the weekend.

In the meantime, we do need to eat, so here are today's six recipes. Check out the Grilled Onion Burger, the Turkey Casserole, or any of the other yummy recipes to help you through the day. Enjoy!

BELL PEPPER POPPERS

This comes from American Diabetes Association. The site's Diabetes Food Hub has quite a few yummy recipes

This recipe begins, "For a little more heat in these poppers, increase the amount of crushed red pepper flakes to your liking."

Prep Time: 10 minutes; Cook Time: 30 minutes; Makes 12 servings; Serving Size: 2 poppers

To view this online, go to https://www.diabetesfoodhub.org/recipes/bell-pepper-poppers.html.

Ingredients

1 nonstick cooking spray

12 mini sweet peppers

2 slices turkey bacon (diced)

1/2 cup diced onion

4 oz. fat-free cream cheese (room temperature)

2 oz. soft goat cheese (room temperature)

1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 slice whole wheat bread (toasted)

1 clove garlic (minced)

1 tbsp Parmesan cheese (grated)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375° F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside.

Slice each pepper in half lengthwise then scoop out any seeds and membrane.

Add bacon to a non-stick sauté pan with cooking spray over medium heat and cook until crisp. Drain on a paper towel and set aside.

Add onions to the pan used to cook the bacon and add more cooking spray if needed. Cook the onions, stirring occasionally until clear. Set aside to cool.

In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese and goat cheese. Add the bacon, onions and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine.

Grind toasted bread in a food processor with the garlic and parmesan cheese. Set aside in a small bowl.

Spoon the cheese mixture into each pepper half (1 Tsp. of mixture per popper), and then press the cheese side of the popper into the whole wheat breadcrumb mixture. Lay on the prepared baking sheet breadcrumb side up and spray each on lightly with cooking spray.

Bake the poppers for about 20 minutes or until the peppers have softened and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.

STRAWBERRY FROST

Yield: 4 servings

Source: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

View Recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/574.shtml

Ingredients

1-1/4 cups plain low-fat yogurt

1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

2 cups frozen strawberries (no sugar added)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon frozen orange juice concentrate

Extra strawberries for garnish

Few sprigs fresh mint (optional)

Directions

In a blender or a food processor fitted with a metal blade, place yogurt, ricotta, strawberries, vanilla and orange juice; process until smooth.

Spoon into parfait glasses and garnish with berries and a mint sprig, if desired. Serve at once.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 81; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 1 g ; Sodium: 72 mg; Cholesterol: 6 mg; Carbohydrates: 13 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Milk, 1/2 Fruit

GRILLED ONION BURGER

Recipe Yield: Makes 4 servings

Source: TBC

Recipe and photo appears courtesy of Cattlemen's Beef Promotion Board.

View this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/grilled-onion-burger.

Ingredients

1-1/2 pounds 95% lean ground beef

1 large sweet onion, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices

Vegetable oil

Salt and pepper

4 hamburger buns, split, toasted

Lettuce leaves

Tomato slices

Directions

Lightly shape Ground Beef into four 3/4-inch thick patties. Brush onion slices with oil.

Place patties and onion slices on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, covered, 11 to 15 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, 13 to 14 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160F, turning occasionally. Grill onions, 10 to 12 minutes or until tender, brushing with oil and turning occasionally.

Season burgers and onions with salt and pepper as desired.

Line bottom of each bun with lettuce. Place burgers on top of lettuce. Top with tomatoes and grilled onions. Close bun.

Notes:

Here’s a healthier version of a classic burger topped with grilled onions and all the fixings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 368; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 324 mg; Protein: 39 g; Carbohydrates: 27 g

TURKEY CASSEROLE

Recipe Yield: Serves: 4

Source: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

Book Title: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/turkey-casserole.

Ingredients

4 ounces vegetale elbow or shell macaroni

1/2 pound ground turkey

1/4 cup chopped onion

1 garlic clove, minced

1/2 cup tomato sauce

1/2 teaspoon dried leaf thyme

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pepper to Taste

1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cook macaroni until al dente, being careful not to overcook. Drain and rinse under cold water. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan or casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large non-stick skillet, cook turkey, onion and garlic until meat is browned. Drain off fat. Stir in macaroni, tomato sauce, thyme, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Spoon into casserole dish and top with cheese. Bake 30 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 241; Fat: 11 g; Sodium: 253 mg; Cholesterol: 40 mg; Protein: 17 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g

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

APRICOT-ORANGE CHICKEN WITH GLAZED ONIONS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings; Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe

Source: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

Book Title: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/apricot-orange-chicken-with-glazed-onions.

Ingredients

1 whole roasted deli chicken, skinned

3 tablespoons no-added-sugar apricot preserves, divided

3 tablespoons no-added-sugar orange marmalade, divided

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided

Nonstick cooking spray

1 large onion, quartered

1 clove garlic, minced

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In small bowl, blend 1 tablespoon each apricot preserves, marmalade, and vinegar.

Place chicken in baking pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Add water to pan to a depth of 1/4-1/2 inch. Brush chicken with preserve mixture. Combine the remaining preserves, marmalade, vinegar, onion, and garlic and spoon around the chicken.

Roast, covered, for 25 minutes. Uncover and roast for 10 more minutes, until onion is tender.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 278; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 110 mg; Cholesterol: 100 mg; Protein: 34 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Carbohydrate, 4 Lean Meat

MOROCCAN-STYLE SPICED HALIBUT WITH GRILLED FLATBREAD

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings. Serving Size: 1 halibut fillet with 1 cup vegetables.

Source: CanolaInfo

Recipe and image appear courtesy of CanolaInfo.org

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/moroccan-style-spiced-halibut-with-grilled-flatbread.

Ingredients

1 cinnamon stick

1 tsp coriander

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp ginger

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

2 Tbsp canola oil

4-5 ribs celery, cut on the bias

1 large onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

4 Roma tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped

4 halibut fillets (6 oz)

4 pieces grilled flatbread

Directions

In large non-stick pan, add cinnamon stick, coriander, paprika, ginger and cayenne pepper. Toast over medium high heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

Add canola oil, celery and onion and cook 3-5 minutes until vegetables are softened. Stir in garlic. Add chicken broth and chopped tomatoes. Continue to cook uncovered about 8-10 minutes.

Push halibut fillets into sauce. Reduce heat, cover and simmer gently until fish is just cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Serve with grilled flatbread.

Notes:

Halibut is often called the steak of the fish family due to its thickness and texture. See how this meaty, flaky white fish gets spiced up in sweet and savory ways.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 320; Fat: 11 grams; Saturated Fat: 1 grams; Fiber: 4 grams; Sodium: 170 milligrams; Cholesterol: 55 milligrams; Protein: 38 grams; Carbohydrates: 14 grams