Friday Recipes

It's finally Friday. Here are six yummy diabetic recipes to help you through the weekend, including Beef and Vegetable Lo Mein and Sweet Potato-Raisin Cookies. Enjoy!

EASY MICROWAVE CHICKEN ENCHILADAS

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "After only one taste of these microwave enchiladas, you will find yourself wondering why you’ve never thought to bake homemade enchiladas in the microwave before! In just 20 minutes, get this delicious dinner on the table without any unnecessary hassle or stress. These cheesy chicken enchiladas are packed with delicious ingredients - Old El Paso™ mild enchilada sauce, Old El Paso™ Taco seasoning, rotisserie chicken and of course tons of Mexican cheese! Garnish these traditional-style enchiladas with cilantro and sour cream to give them the perfect finishing touch."

Pre Time: 10 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 4 servings

You can view this online at https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/easy-microwave-chicken-enchiladas.

Ingredients

1 can (19 oz) Old El Paso™ mild enchilada sauce

2 cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken

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

1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend (6 oz)

8 corn tortillas (6 inch)

3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

3/4 cup sour cream

Preparation

In medium bowl, mix 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce, the chicken, seasoning mix and 3/4 cup of the cheese.

Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) microwavable baking dish with cooking spray. Place 1/2 cup of the enchilada sauce in bottom of dish. Working with 1 tortilla at a time, fill with heaping 1/4 cup chicken mixture, and roll to seal; place in baking dish seam side down. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

Pour remaining enchilada sauce over tortillas; top with remaining 3/4 cup cheese.

Microwave uncovered on High 9 to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and enchiladas are heated through. Garnish with cilantro; serve with sour cream.

Expert Tips:

This recipe uses our mild sauce that is packed with flavor without being too spicy. If you want to add a little heat to this recipe, use either Old El Paso™ medium or hot enchilada sauce instead of mild.

Our preference is to use a Mexican cheese blend for the additional flavor from the combination of cheese, but you can also use shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese if you don’t have Mexican cheese available.

If you have leftover rotisserie chicken, use it the next day to make quick and easy Chicken Quesadillas!

Keep your guests happy by making a delicious Mexican taco salad dip appetizer to enjoy before dinner. As a bonus, this recipe is made in the microwave too! We love this easy and delicious dip that is easy to assemble and only takes about 10 minutes of total microwave cooking time.

Nutrition: 4 Enchiladas; 1 Serving Calories: 520 (Calories from Fat 250, Total Fat 28g (Saturated Fat 15g, Trans Fat 1/2g); Cholesterol 125mg; Sodium 1390mg; Total Carbohydrate 34g (Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 5g); Protein 33g

% Daily Value: Vitamin A 20%; Vitamin C 0%; Calcium 40%; Iron 10%;

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

COPYCAT TACO BELL QUESARITO

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Forget about needing to leave the house to go to the drive-through, you can make this amazingly-good copycat recipe for Taco Bell™ Quesaritos easily at home! Roll up spicy beef, Old El Paso™ fiesta rice, cheese and guacamole inside two quesadillas packed with freshly-melted cheese. Add in your own ingredients to make these your own custom masterpiece or keep it classic by making them mimic the Taco Bell™ recipe. Either way, you get the satisfaction of making these amazing Quesaritos at home and the freedom to make (and of course eat) as many as you want!"

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 8 servings

Want to view this online? Go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/copycat-taco-bell-quesarito.

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef

1 packet Old El Paso™ taco seasoning mix

1 packet Old El Paso™ heat & serve fiesta rice

16 Old El Paso™ Old El Paso™ flour tortillas for burritos

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

8 tablespoons sour cream

8 tablespoons prepared guacamole

Preparation

Add the ground beef to a large skillet over medium heat. Stir often to break up the meat until cooked through, about 10 minutes.

Drain the grease from the meat and stir in the packet of taco seasoning and water, as called for on the seasoning packet. Cook for 2 minutes and remove from the heat.

While the meat is cooking, cook the rice according to package instructions.

Lay one tortilla on a microwave-safe plate and top with a sprinkling of cheddar cheese. Top with a second tortilla. Microwave for 15 seconds or until the cheese has melted.

Spoon a bit of rice onto the tortilla, topped with the ground beef, more cheese, sour cream, and guacamole as desired. Don’t overfill your tortillas or they’ll be difficult to close.

Fold the ends of the tortillas up and bring the center over the filling. Roll the burritos closed.

Expert Tips:

Try a blend of Mexican cheese instead of cheddar for a little extra cheesy flavor in your Quesarito!

Before you roll up your Quesaritos, add a little fresh cilantro and squeeze a sprinkle of fresh lime juice over your ingredients for an added flavor boost.

Make your own homemade guacamole for this recipe! Try our famous recipe for Guacamole with Queso Fresco for a rich and creamy guacamole - perfect for your quesaritos or just great alone with a bag of corn chips.

We are firm believers that chips and dip should be eaten as often as possible. Try our easy and amazing microwave recipe for Taco Salad Dip that the whole family is sure to love.

SPINACH SAUTE WITH MUSHROOMS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings (1/2 cup)

Source: The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible

Book Title: The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/spinach-saute-with-mushrooms.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

3 bunches spinach (about 2 pounds), stemmed and washed

1 tablespoon lemon juice

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

In a skillet over medium heat, heat the oil. Add the mushrooms and garlic and saute for 3 minutes.

Add the spinach, cover, and steam for 2 minutes. Add the lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 99; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 132 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Vegetable, 1-1/2 Fat

CHICKEN GUMBO SOUP

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings

Serving Size: 1 cup

Source: The New Soul Food Cookbook for People with Diabetes

Book Title: The New Soul Food Cookbook for People with Diabetes

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-gumbo-soup

Ingredients

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced

3 cups reduced-sodium, reduced-fat chicken broth, divided

3 cups water

1 cup chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 bay leaf

1/8 tsp sage

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1/4 tsp thyme

1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes

1 cup corn kernels, frozen or fresh

1 cup frozen okra

2 Tbsp canola oil

1/4 cup flour

2 cups cooked brown rice

Directions

Place the chicken in a large soup pot with 1 cup of broth. Bring to a boil.

Add the additional broth, water, onion, garlic, salt (omit this if you need to reduce total sodium), pepper, bay leaf, sage, red pepper flakes, and thyme and simmer for 20 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, corn, and okra and simmer for 15 minutes.

In a separate pan, heat the oil and flour and stir until the flour and oil are golden brown and bubbly, stirring constantly. Add 1 cup of the soup broth to the mixture and whisk until smooth.

Add the mixture back to the soup pot and whisk until dissolved. Simmer 30 minutes. Stir in the rice the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 279; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 720 mg; Cholesterol: 43 mg; Protein: 23 g; Carbohydrates: 31 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 Starch; 2 Lean Meat

SWEET POTATO - RAISIN COOKIES

Recipe Yield: Yield: 24 cookies; Serving Size: 2 cookies

Source: Magic Menus for People with Diabetes

Book Title: Magic Menus for People with Diabetes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/sweet-potato-raisin-cookies.

Ingredients

1 cup raisins

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 cup sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 cups whole-wheat flour

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup walnuts, chopped

1/2 cup unprocessed bran flakes.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Soak raisins in hot water to cover for 5 minutes, then drain.

Cream margarine, then add sweet potatoes, egg, and vanilla; beat until creamy.

Mix flour, allspice, salt, nutmeg, baking soda, baking powder, and cinnamon. Add to creamed mixture and mix well.

Add raisins, nuts, and bran. Drop onto cookie sheet that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 12 minutes or until done.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 186; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 256 mg; Cholesterol: 28 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 31 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Carbohydrate, 1 Fat

BEEF AND VEGETABLE LO MEIN

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

Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes

Book Title: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/beef-and-vegetable-lo-mein.

Ingredients

1 package (12 ounces) fresh Chinese-style noodles

4 quarts boiling water

4 Chinese dried black, or shiitake, mushrooms

1 tablespoon sesame, or vegetable, oil

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh gingerroot

3 cloves garlic, minced

12 ounces beef eye of round steak, fat trimmed, cut into 1/2-inch strips

2 cups broccoli florets

1 cup sliced carrots

1/3 cup water

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon black bean paste

2 teaspoons light soy sauce

Ingredients

Cook noodles in 4 quarts boiling water until tender, about 2 minutes; drain and reserve. Place dried mushrooms in bowl; pour hot water over to cover. Let stand until mushrooms are soft, about 15 minutes; drain. Slice mushrooms, discarding tough parts.

Heat oil in wok or skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Stir-fry mushrooms, gingerroot, and garlic 2 minutes. Add beef; stir-fry until beef is cooked, about 5 minutes. Remove from wok.

Add broccoli and carrots to work; stir-fry until vegetables are crisp-tender, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from wok.

Combine 1/3 cup water, sherry, and cornstarch; add to wok and heat to boiling. Boil, stirring constantly, until thickened, about 1 minute. Stir in black bean paste and soy sauce. Return beef and vegetable mixtures to wok; add noodles. Stir-fry over medium heat until hot through, 2 to 3 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 300; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 153 mg; Cholesterol: 41.2 mg; Protein: 22.1 g; Carbohydrates: 38 g

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