Meatless Monday

I realize I haven't posted here in a couple of weeks. I'm debating keeping this blog going, or, at least, cutting back some...

Anywho, today is Meatless Monday, showing that you can adhere to a vegetarian diet that happens to be diabetic-friendly. Today's offerings include Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Curried Chickpeas and Teriyaki Tofu Kabobs. Enjoy!

MINESTRONE SOUP

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings (about 1 cup each)

Source: Cooking with The Diabetic Chef

Book Title: Cooking with The Diabetic Chef

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/minestrone-soup.

Note: This originally called for chicken stock. But since I’m posting it on Meatless Monday, I changed it to veggie broth.

Ingredients

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 medium onion, finely diced

1/4 medium carrot, finely diced

1/4 stalk celery, finely diced

2/3 teaspoon garlic, minced

2 tablespoons leeks, finely diced

3 ounces (about 1/3 cup) canned tomatoes, chopped

1/2 medium zucchini, diced

1/4 teaspoon fresh thyme

3/4 teaspoon fresh oregano, minced

3 cups vegetable stock

3 ounces (about 1/2 cup) frozen spinach, chopped

3/4 cup white beans, cooked

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon white pepper

1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

Heat the olive oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook until the vegetables are slightly tender, about 3-4 minutes.

Add the garlic and leek and cook for 1 minute. Add the tomato, zucchini, thyme, oregano, and chicken stock. Bring the liquid to a simmer for 20 minutes.

Add the spinach and white beans. Return the liquid to a simmer for 20 minutes. Season with the salt and white pepper. Serve immediately and garnish with the Parmesan cheese.

Notes: Additional info: Dietary Fiber: 5 g, Sugars: 3 g

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 110; Fat: 3 g; Sodium: 283 mg; Cholesterol: 3 mg; Protein: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1/2 Lean Meat, 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat

BLACK BEAN BURGERS WITH AVOCADO-LIME MAYO

Recipe Yield: 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 CanolaInfo

To view this online, go to https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/black-bean-burgers-with-avocado-lime-mayo.

Ingredients

Mayonnaise

1/2 ripe medium avocado, peeled and pitted

2 Tbsp canola mayonnaise

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.

Notes:

Jazz up these tasty burgers with avocado-lime mayo and you’ll have a vegetarian sandwich that even die-hard meat eaters will love.

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

PINEAPPLE CAKE

Yield: 18 servings

Source: The Diabetic Four Ingredient Cookbook

View online:http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/538.shtml

Ingredients

5 egg whites

1 can (20 oz. ) water packed pineapple (crushed, drained)

1 yellow reduced fat cake mix

1 tablespoon sugar or equivalent alternative sweetener

Directions

Beat egg whites with electric mixer until foamy. Add drained pineapple then cake mix.

Spread mix in a floured 9x13 inch pan with nonstick spray. Sprinkle with sugar or sweetener.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 71; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 100 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 14 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch

WARM MOLE BEAN DIP

Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/706.shtml

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. tomato paste

1 small tomato, seeded and chopped

1/2 cup mild, medium or hot chunky salsa

2 Tbsp. chopped cilantro

1/2 tsp. salt, or to taste

3/4 cup (3 ounces), shredded, reduced-fat Jack cheese

One (15-ounce) can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

2 tsp. canola oil

1/2 cup finely chopped onion

1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped

1 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. dried oregano

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray and set aside.

In a food processor, whirl beans until pureed but still slightly lumpy. Scoop beans into a mixing bowl and set aside.

In medium skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Saute onion and jalapeno until onion is soft, 5 minutes. Add chili powder, cocoa, cumin, and oregano, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 minute. Mix in tomato paste and cook for 30 seconds. Add contents of the pan to the pureed beans.

Add tomato, salsa, cilantro and salt, to beans and mix to combine all ingredients. Spread bean mixture in an even layer in the prepared pan. Sprinkle cheese over the top.

Bake until cheese is melted and bubbly and beans are heated through, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve immediately, accompanied by a bowl of baked tortilla chips.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 100; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 3.5 g; Sodium: 370 mg; Saturated Fat: 1.5 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g

TERIYAKI TOFU KABOBS

Recipe Yield: Yield 4 servingsServing Size: 2 skewers

Source: The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible

Book Title: The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible

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

Ingredients

8 bamboo skewers

3/4 pound extra firm tofu, drained and cut into 32 cubes

1 red pepper, cut into 16 squares

1 cup canned pineapple chunks, reserve 1/2 cup juice

1 tablespoon lite soy sauce

1 clove garlic

2 teaspoons minced ginger

Directions

Soak skewers in water for 30 minutes to keep them from burning as you cook the skewers.

Meanwhile, put the tofu, red pepper, and pineapple chunks in a plastic bag or container with a lid. Add reserved pineapple juice, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Drain, reserving marinade to baste. Thread the tofu, red pepper, and pineapple on the skewers.

Prepare an outdoor grill or oven broiler with the rack set 6 inches from the heat source. Grill or broil the kabobs about 5 minutes per side, basting with the marinade. Serve with brown rice.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 107; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 147 mg; Protein: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Carbohydrate, 1 Very Lean Meat

STUFFED SWEET POTATOES WITH CURRIED CHICKPEAS

From Renew (by United Healthcare).

This begins, “These sweet potatoes — prepared by a smart shortcut in the microwave — are packed with flavor and make a satisfying main dish in a hurry. Low-glycemic foods such as sweet potatoes, chickpeas and kale can help regulate blood glucose levels.”

View this online at https://www.medicare.uhc.com/Healthlineu/health/uhcarticle/hwal-sweet-potato-curried-chickpeas.

Ingredients

4 medium sweet potatoes, scrubbed

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 (15-ounce) can unsalted chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon curry powder

2 cups baby kale leaves

1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Yogurt Sauce

1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon turmeric or curry powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Pierce the sweet potatoes several times with a fork, then place them on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high 10-12 minutes, or until tender. In a large pan or skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add chickpeas, salt, pepper and curry powder. Cook 5-6 minutes or until heated through. Add kale to skillet and cook 2-3 minutes or until wilted. In a small bowl, combine yogurt sauce ingredients. Cut open each sweet potato; top with chickpea mixture and yogurt sauce. Garnish with cilantro.

Serves 4. Calories: 239, Total fat: 3g, Saturated fat: 1.2g, Cholesterol: 1.3mg, Sodium: 478mg, Carbs: 45g, Dietary fiber: 10.2g, Sugars: 6g, Protein: 9g