Diabetic Delights: A Confessions of a Foodie Offspring

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Thursday, December 4, 2025

Desserts

There was a time when I thought Desserts were something one couldn't have after a diabetes diagnosis. Was I ever wrong! These dessert recipes are diabetic-friendly. Of course, we're talking moderation here, but that's cool. Check out the Heavenly Chocolate Cake, the Spiced Apple Pudding, and the rest of today's yumminess. Enjoy!

PUMPKIN CHEESECAKE

Yield: 12 to 14 slices

Source: "1,001 Delicious Desserts for People with Diabetes"

Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/21.shtml

Ingredients

3/4 cup ground reduced-fat graham crackers

3/4 cup ground gingersnap cookies

8-1/4 teaspoons Equal for Recipes or 27 packets Equal sweetener, divided

4-5 tablespoons margarine, melted

2 packages (8 ounces each) fat-free cream cheese

1 cup canned pumpkin

2 eggs

2 egg whites

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground ginger

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup light whipped topping

Chopped toasted pecans, as garnish

Directions

Mix graham cracker and gingersnap crumbs, 1 teaspoon Equal for Recipes, and melted margarine in bottom of 9-inch springform pan; reserve 2 tablespoons crumb mixture. Pat remaining mixture evenly on bottom and 1/2 inch up side of pan. Bake at 350 degrees F. until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Cool on wire rack.

Beat cream cheese until smooth in large bowl; beat in pumpkin, eggs, and egg whites. Mix in remaining 7-1/4 teaspoons Equal for Recipes, spices, and cornstarch. Pour mixture into springform pan.

Bake at 300 degrees F. just until set in the center, 45 to 60 minutes; sprinkle with reserved crumbs and return to oven. Turn oven off and let cheesecake cool in oven with door ajar for 3 hours. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/12 of recipe): Calories: 213, Fat: 9.8 g, Saturated Fat: 4.3 g, Cholesterol: 47.2 g, Sodium: 444 mg, Protein: 12.1 g, Carbohydrate: 18.2 g; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Bread/Starch, 1 Meat, 2 Fat

ORANGE DREAM ANGEL CAKE

This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "This cake is so light and so refreshing you'll think you've stepped into a dream. Truth is, our Orange Dream Angel Cake reminds us of those orange and cream pops we dream about in the summertime. You and your gang are going to love this no-bake dessert!"

Chill Time: 2 hours; Serves: 15; Serving Size: 1 (2-1/2 x 3-inch) piece

To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Cakes/Orange-Dream-Angel-Cake.

Ingredients

1 (10-inch) prepared angel food cake, cut into 15 slices

1 (.3-ounce) package sugar-free orange gelatin

3/4 cup boiling water

1/2 cup cold water

1 (1-ounce) package sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix

1-1/2 cup fat-free milk

2 teaspoons orange zest

1 (8-ounce) container fat-free frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 orange, cut into slices for garnish

Directions

In a 9- x 13-inch baking dish, arrange cake slices.

In a medium bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water and stir in cold water. Slowly pour over cake, then refrigerate 1 hour.

In a large bowl, whisk vanilla pudding mix and milk until thickened. Stir in orange zest and whipped topping. Evenly spread over cake.

Cover and refrigerate 1 hour, or until ready to serve. Garnish with orange slices.

CHOCOLATE CHIP FUDGIE CUPS

This is from Diabetic Gourmet, and begins, "This cookie has something for everyone. The crust is chocolate chip cookie dough; the filling is a rich brownie. They are a little more involved to make, but well worth the effort."

Recipe Yield: Yield: makes 2 dozen

Source: Equal

Recipe and image appear courtesy of Equal.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chocolate-chip-fudgie-cups.

Ingredients

Chocolate Chip Dough:

1/3 cup stick butter, softened

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/3 cup Equal Spoonful*

1/3 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Fudge Nut Filling:

1 cup Equal Spoonful**

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

1/3 cup chopped nuts

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

6 tablespoons stick butter, softened

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

* May substitute 8 packets Equal sweetener

** May substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

For Chocolate Chip Dough, beat 1/3 cup butter with electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla until blended. Mix in 1/3 cup Equal* and brown sugar until combined. Combine 1 cup flour, baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Mix into butter mixture.

Stir in chocolate chips. Form dough into circle about 1/2-inch thick. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze while preparing Fudge Nut Filling.

For Fudge Nut Filling, combine 1 cup Equal**, 3/4 cup flour, cocoa, nuts, baking powder and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Beat applesauce, 6 tablespoons butter, 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla until blended. Stir in combined flour mixture until well blended.

Remove Chocolate Chip Dough from freezer. Spread approximately 1 rounded tablespoonful of dough in each of 24 mini-muffin pans. Fill each with Fudge Nut Filling to top of cup.

Bake in preheated 350F oven 15 to 18 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in muffin pans about 5 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.

Store in airtight containers at room temperature.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 138; Fat: 8 g; Sodium: 106 mg; Cholesterol: 41 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1-1/2 fat

SPICED APPLE PUDDING

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

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/spiced-apple-pudding.

Ingredients

2 cups Unsweetened apple juice

1/3 cup Granulated sugar substitute

1/3 cup Cornstarch

1/2 tsp Cinnamon

1 Egg

Directions

In a heavy saucepan, combine 1/2 cup apple juice and cornstarch; mix well. Add remaining juice. Place over medium heat and cook, stirring, until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

In a bowl, beat egg with a fork. Add 1/2 cup of hot mixture to beaten egg. Stir until smooth. Return immediately to hot mixture, stirring constantly. (The hot mixture will cook the egg.)

Stir in sweetener and cinnamon. Pour into 4 dessert dishes, cover with plastic wrap to prevent skin from forming. Cool to room temperature or chill in refrigerator.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 117; Fat: 1 g; Protein: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch; 1 fruit

SECRET DEVILISH CHOCOLATE CAKE

This recipe is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "We've got a secret ingredient that makes this moist chocolate cake recipe so decadent, you'll never be able to tell that it's diabetes-friendly. What makes our Secret Devilish Chocolate Cake so delicious? We kick this recipe up a notch with diet cola! It's true. Try it for yourself. One bite, and you'll see exactly what we mean."

Cook Time: 30 minutes; Serves: 24; Serving Size: 1 (2-inch) piece

To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Cakes/Secret-Devilish-Chocolate-Cake-7385.

Ingredients

1 (15-1/4-ounce) package devil's food chocolate cake mix

1 can (12-ounce) diet cola

1-1/2 cup fat-free whipped topping, thawed

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Add cake mix to large bowl. Break up lumps with your fingers. Fold in cola gradually with large spatula just until mix is moistened.

Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth evenly with spatula.

Bake for 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.

Spoon 1 tablespoon whipped topping on each serving.

HEAVENLY CHOCOLATE CAKE

This recipe is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "If you're looking for a diabetic chocolate cake recipe for your recipe box, then you've got to try this Heavenly Chocolate Cake. You're going to love the tasty combination of chocolate cake with a surprising creamy layer at the bottom. It's made with healthier ingredients, and has under 10g of sugar per serving. After one taste, we can pretty much guarantee you're going to want to make this recipe a permanent part of your collection."

Cook Time: 50 minutes; Chill Time: 4 hours; Serves: 20; Serving Size: 1 (1-1/2 X 2-inch) slice

To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Cakes/Heavenly-Chocolate-Cake.

Ingredients

2 pounds fat-free ricotta cheese

3 eggs

1/4 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 (16-ounce) package sugar-free chocolate cake mix

1 (1.4-ounce) package sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix

1 cup fat-free milk

1 (8-ounce) container fat-free frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, with a hand mixer, beat ricotta cheese, eggs, sugar, and vanilla until smooth; set aside. In another large bowl, prepare cake mix according to package directions. Pour cake batter evenly into baking dish. Slowly pour cheese mixture evenly over cake batter.

Bake 50 to 55 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool completely.

In a medium bowl, whisk pudding mix and milk until smooth. Fold whipped topping into pudding until well combined. Spread mixture on top of cake.

Refrigerate 4 hours or until ready to serve.

Do You Believe in Magic?

This Heavenly Chocolate Cake actually does a bit of magic while it's baking in the oven. Your layers will actually reverse from the order that you put them into your baking dish. How cool is that?!

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

Wednesday Recipes

There was a time, shortly after a loved one was diagnosed as diabetic, that I thought we'd have to give up on good-tasting food. Wow, was I wrong! Today's post is full of yummy diabetic-friendly recipes, including Grill Pan Chicken with Fiery Mango-Ginger Salsa and Crustless Sweet Potato Pie (because we all could use a little dessert, right?). Enjoy!

BAKED CAJUN CHICKEN

Servings: 4

Source: Better Homes & Gardens

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/33.shtml

Ingredients

1-1/2 to 2 pounds split chicken breasts

1/2 dried thyme, crushed

Nonstick spray coating

1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

2 tablespoons nonfat milk

1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper

2 tablespoons onion powder

1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

Rinse chicken, pat dry. Cut off skin and discard.

Spray a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

Arrange the chicken in the dish; meat side up.

Brush lightly with milk.

In small bowl mix onion powder, thyme, garlic salt, white pepper, red pepper, and black pepper.

Sprinkle over chicken.

Bake in a 375 degree oven for 45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 166; Protein: 25 g; Fat: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 0 g; Exchanges: 3 Lean Meat

SPICY BUFFALO-STYLE MEATBALLS

Makes 32 appetizer servings.

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/541.shtml

Ingredients

1 pound 95% lean ground beef

1/2 cup soft bread crumbs

1 egg, slightly beaten

2 tablespoons chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 to 3 tablespoons hot pepper sauce

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 tablespoon honey

Blue cheese dressing

Celery sticks

Directions

Preheat oven to 350F. Combine ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt and pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly.

Shape beef mixture into 32 1-inch meatballs; place on rack in broiler pan. Bake in 350F oven 18 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine hot pepper sauce, butter and honey in large bowl; mix well. Add meatballs; stir to coat.

Serve with dressing and celery sticks, as desired. Makes 32 appetizer servings. Cook's Tip: Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef done-ness.

Cook's Tip: 1 package (about 18 ounces) frozen fully-cooked beef meatballs can be substituted for ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, onion, garlic, salt and pepper. Cook meatballs according to package directions. Continue as directed in step 3.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 33; Protein: 3 g; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 78 mg; Cholesterol: 16 mg; Carbohydrates: 1 g

COLORFUL TURKEY STUFFED PEPPERS

Yield: 4 servings

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1321

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1321.shtml

Source: Jennie-O

Ingredients

2 bell peppers, preferably a mix of yellow, green or red

1/2 (16-ounce) package Jennie-O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast

1/4 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

1/4 teaspoon salt, if desired

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 (14-1/2-ounce) can low-sodium diced tomatoes or seasoned diced tomatoes, drained

1/2 cup cooked white or brown rice

3/4 cup shredded low-fat Cheddar cheese, divided

paprika, if desired

fresh parsley, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 375F.

Cut bell peppers lengthwise through stems keeping stem halves intact to hold stuffing. Discard seeds and veins.

Cook peppers in boiling salted water 5 to 6 minutes or until crisp-tender. Drain and immediately place peppers in ice water to stop cooking process. Drain peppers well and place cut side up in 8 x 8-inch baking dish.

Cook ground turkey as specified on the package. Always cook to well-done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Add onion, garlic, basil, salt, if desired, ground pepper, tomatoes, and rice; continue to cook 5 to 6 minutes or until heated through and most of the juices have reduced.

Remove meat mixture from heat and stir in 1/2 cup cheese.

Mound heaping 1/2 cup of mixture into each pepper half.

Bake 20 minutes or until filling is hot and peppers are tender.

Remove peppers from oven and sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup cheese on top of peppers. Sprinkle with paprika and parsley, if desired.

Always cook to an internal temperature of 165F. Learn how to safely handle turkey.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 160; Protein: 20 g; Fat: 2.5 g; Sodium: 210 mg; Cholesterol: 30 mg; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g ; Sugars: 5 g ; Carbohydrates: 14 g

FAJITA TURKEY BURGER

Makes 5 servings

See the recipe with photo here: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1326.shtml

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon chili powder

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon paprika

Salt and freshly ground pepper, if desired

1 (16-ounce) package Jennie-O Extra Lean Ground Turkey Breast

1/4 cup salsa, drained

3/4 cup cilantro, divided

2 onions, sliced

1 green bell pepper, sliced

1 red bell pepper, sliced

Wholly Guacamole classic or spicy dip, if desired

Wholly Guacamole salsa, if desired

5 reduced-calorie hamburger buns, split

1/3 cup shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese

Directions

In small bowl, combine cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, red pepper flakes, paprika and salt and pepper, if desired.

Mix ground turkey, half of spice mixture, drained salsa, and 1/2 cup cilantro; form into 5 (1/2-inch thick) patties. Lightly spray patties with cooking spray. Place patties in skillet over medium-high heat. Cook 17 to 19 minutes, turning occasionally.

Always cook to well done, 165F as measured by a meat thermometer.

Meanwhile, coat large skillet with cooking spray. Cook onions, bell peppers and remaining spice mixture over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining 1/4 cup cilantro.

To assemble burgers, spread guacamole and salsa, if desired, on buns. Place burgers, cheese and vegetable mixture on buns.

Always cook to an internal temperature of 165F.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 260; Protein: 29 g; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 410 mg; Cholesterol: 60 mg; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Sugars: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 23 g

GRILL PAN CHICKEN WITH FIERY MANGO-GINGER SALSA

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings; Serving size: 1 chicken breast and 1/4 cup salsa

Source: The Heart-Smart Diabetes Kitchen: Fresh, Fast and Flavorful Recipes Made with Canola Oil

Book Title: The Heart-Smart Diabetes Kitchen: Fresh, Fast and Flavorful Recipes Made with Canola Oil

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/grill-pan-chicken-with-fiery-mango-ginger-salsa.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 teaspoon curry powder

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each), rinsed, patted dry and flattened to 1/2-inch thickness

Canola oil cooking spray

1 lemon, cut into quarters

Salsa

1 cup finely chopped mango

2 to 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion

1/2 teaspoon lemon zest

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon canola oil

Directions

Combine 1 tablespoon canola oil, curry powder, sugar, pepper and salt. Brush over chicken and let marinate for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, stir together salsa ingredients in a small bowl.

Coat a grill pan with canola oil cooking spray and place over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken, discarding any marinade. Cook chicken 4 minutes on each side or until no longer pink inside and juices run clear. Transfer to a serving platter. Squeeze lemon juice over chicken; serve with salsa.

Notes:

This dish offers a medley for flavours. Using salsa in place of more salt lowers the sodium content and boosts taste!

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 205; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 175 mg; Cholesterol: 65 mg; Protein: 25 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 3 lean meat, 1/2 fat

CRUSTLESS SWEET POTATO PIE

This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "There's no reason to feel left out during the holidays! Our homemade sweet potato pie recipe makes a great addition to your Thanksgiving menu. Best part? We use real sweet potatoes to make our Crustless Sweet Potato Pie, so you can enjoy a truly authentic taste!"

Cook Time: 1 hour 35 minutes; Serves 10

To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Pie/Crustless-Sweet-Potato-Pie.

Ingredients

2 pounds sweet potatoes (about 4 medium)

1/2 cup skim milk

1 tablespoon sugar-free maple syrup

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

1 tablespoon light margarine, softened

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray.

Place potatoes on a baking sheet and bake 50 to 60 minutes, or until tender. Let cool 10 minutes, then scoop out pulp and place in a large bowl.

Add remaining ingredients to bowl; beat with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour mixture into pie plate. Reduce oven to 350 degrees.

Bake 45 to 50 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool, then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

Give this pie an extra-special touch by adding a dollop of sugar-free whipped topping!

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Taco Tuesday

It's time for another Taco Tuesday. Check out the Mini Chicken and Bacon Tacos, the Salsa Verde Scrambled Egg Tacos, and the rest of today's yumminess. Enjoy!

CHIPOTLE BBQ PORK FOLDED TACOS

This is from Diabetes Food Hub, and begins, "Looking for an easy meal that's a prep-it and forget-about-it special? This amazing taco recipe from Kelley Coffeen, author of the cookbook Tex-Mex Diabetic Cooking, lets your slow-cooker do all the work! (Though if you're home all day, be prepared for the appetizing smell of slow-cooked pork to fill your house—hunger may be a side-effect.) Finished off in a simmering BBQ and chipotle blend, the final shredded pork is a juicy filling for a healthier version of southwestern tacos."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 6 hours; Makes 16 servings; Serving Size: 1 taco

To view this online, go to https://www.diabetesfoodhub.org/recipes/chipotle-bbq-pork-folded-tacos.html.

Ingredients

2 cloves garlic (minced)

1 cup reduced-sugar barbecue sauce

4 chipotle chili peppers in adobo sauce (pureed )

2 lbs pork shoulder (trimmed)

1-1/2 tsp smoked paprika

16 low-carb whole-wheat tortillas

2 cups shredded cabbage

1-1/2 cups diced onion (about 2 medium onions)

Directions

In a medium bowl, combine the garlic, barbecue sauce, and chipotles. Blend well, then set aside in the refrigerator.

Place the pork in a 3- to 6-quart slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or on high for 4 to 6 hours.

Transfer the cooked pork to a cutting board. Shred the pork with two forks, discarding the excess fat. Return the pork to the slow cooker. Sprinkle the paprika over the shredded pork, then add the barbecue mixture. Cover and cook on low for 1 hour. Skim off any excess fat.

To build the tacos, place a heaping spoonful of pork (about 1/4 cup) on a warmed tortilla. Top with cabbage and onions, and serve. Place any leftover pork in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

SOUTHWEST TURKEY TACOS

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Lean ground turkey, veggies and savory salsa meld in the slow cooker to make this deliciously easy taco filling."

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes; Makes 12 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/southwest-turkey-tacos.

Ingredients

1 package (20 oz) extra-lean ground turkey

1/2 cup chopped onion (1 medium)

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

2 cups Old El Paso™ Thick ‘n Chunky salsa

1 can (15 oz) Progresso™ black beans, drained

1 can (11 oz) whole kernel corn with red and green peppers, drained, rinsed

1 tablespoon chili powder

2 boxes (4.6 oz each) Old El Paso™ taco shells (24 shells total)

3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro

3 cups chopped lettuce

3 medium tomatoes, chopped (1 1/2 cups)

Preparation

In 12-inch skillet, place turkey and onion; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until turkey is no longer pink.

Spray 3- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In cooker, mix turkey mixture, salsa, beans, corn and chili powder.

Cover; cook on Low heat setting 6 to 7 hours.

To serve, heat taco shells in oven as directed on boxes. Stir cilantro into turkey mixture. Spoon about 1/4 cup mixture into each warm taco shell; top with lettuce and tomatoes.

Expert Tips

This taco mixture is also delicious served over rice and topped with chopped fresh cilantro.

Top with fat-free sour cream, if desired.

Exchanges:1 1/2 Starch; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 1 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 1/2 Fat; Carbohydrate Choices:2 *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

ZESTY RANCH CHICKEN TACOS

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "Chicken tacos are jazzed up with a creamy, Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch sauce coleslaw topping. Topped with fresh avocado and cilantro, these tacos are hard to beat!"

Prep Time: 20 Minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 5 servings

You can view this online at https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/zesty-ranch-chicken-tacos.

Ingredients

2 cups coleslaw mix

1/3 cup chopped red onion

1/3 cup Old El Paso™ Zesty Ranch sauce

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 package (16 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips

1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ Chicken Taco Seasoning Mix

1/4 cup water

1 package (10 count) Old El Paso™ Stand ‘N Stuff™ Taco Shells, heated as directed on package

1 cup Old El Paso™ Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled, diced

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

In medium bowl, mix Coleslaw ingredients; cover and refrigerate.

In 10-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips; cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until no longer pink in center. Add taco seasoning mix and water; reduce heat, and cook 3 to 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.

Divide chicken among warm taco shells. Top evenly with cheese and coleslaw; top with avocado and cilantro.

Expert Tips

Garnish tacos with sliced jalapeƱos for a bit of spicy heat.

If desired, serve drizzled with additional sauce.

To easily assemble tacos, line heated shells in baking pan, and use tongs to add chicken and coleslaw to the shells. Continue with the remaining toppings, and they’ll all be ready to serve.

Nutrition: 5 servings (2 tacos each); 1 Serving: Calories: 440 (Calories from Fat: 220); Total Fat: 24g (Saturated Fat: 8g, Trans Fat: 0g); Cholesterol: 75 mg; Sodium: 770 mg; Total Carbohydrate: 28 g (Dietary Fiber: 5 g, Sugars: 2 g); Protein: 28 g

% Daily Value: Vitamin A 10%; Vitamin C 15%; Calcium 20%; Iron 10%

Exchanges: 1 1/2 Starch, 1/2 Vegetable, 2 Very Lean Meat, 1 High-Fat Meat, 3 Fat

Carbohydrate Choice: 2

EASY SLOW-COOKER CHICKEN AL PASTOR TACOS

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "Get ready to add a new recipe to your list of slow-cooker favorites! This easy dinner uses tender chicken thighs and canned pineapple for a fun riff on al Pastor that the whole family will love."

Prep Time: 25 minutes; Total Time: 3 hours 55 minutes; Makes 10 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/easy-slow-cooker-chicken-al-pastor-tacos.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 cup thinly sliced yellow onion

1 medium red bell pepper, cut in thin strips

1 package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ Al Pastor Taco Seasoning Mix

20 oz boneless skinless chicken thighs

1 can (8 oz) pineapple tidbits in juice, drained

1 1/4 cups shredded green cabbage

1 package (10 count) Old El Paso™ Stand ‘N Stuff™ Taco Shells, heated as directed on package

1 cup Old El Paso™ Shredded Monterey Jack Cheese (4 oz)

1/4 cup sliced green onions

1/4 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves

Lime wedges

Preparation

In large bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil, the salt, cumin and pepper. Add yellow onion and bell pepper; toss to coat. Spray oval 5-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Spread vegetable mixture in bottom of slow cooker.

In same bowl, mix remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil and the taco seasoning mix. Add chicken; turn to coat. Place chicken in single layer over vegetables.

Pour drained pineapple over chicken. Cover; cook on Low heat setting 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours, until chicken is cooked through and easy to shred (at least 165°F).

Drain chicken and vegetables, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid; discard remaining cooking liquid. Shred chicken with two forks; return to slow cooker, and toss shredded chicken and vegetables in reserved cooking liquid to coat.

Divide cabbage among heated taco shells; top with chicken and vegetables, cheese, green onions and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges.

Expert Tips

Boneless skinless chicken thighs are not only more flavorful than breasts—they also stay more tender with longer cooking.

Shredded iceberg lettuce makes a nice substitute for the shredded cabbage.

Nutrition: 10 servings (1 taco each)

1 Taco Calories 230 (Calories from Fat 100); Total Fat 12g (Saturated Fat 4.5g, Trans Fat 0g); Cholesterol 65mg; Sodium 420mg; Total Carbohydrate 16g (Dietary Fiber 2g, Sugars 4g); Protein 15g

% Daily Value: Vitamin A 8%; Vitamin C 20%; Calcium 10%; Iron 6%

Exchanges: 1 Starch, 2 Very Lean Meat, 2 Fat

Carbohydrate Choice: 1

SALSA VERDE SCRAMBLED EGG TACOS

This comes from Old El Paso, and begins, "Enjoy your scrambled eggs in a mini soft tortilla bowl with these delicious breakfast tacos, perfect for kids and adults! They’re topped with shredded cheese, fresh pico de gallo, avocado and Old El Paso™ Creamy Salsa Verde sauce."

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Total Time: 20 minutes; Makes 6 servings

View this online at https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/salsa-verde-scrambled-egg-tacos.

Ingredients

6 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter

1 package (12 count) Old El Paso™ Mini Soft Tortilla Bowls, heated as directed on package

1/2 cup Old El Paso™ shredded Mexican Style 4 Cheese Blend

1/2 cup pico de gallo

1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled, diced

1/3 cup Old El Paso™ Creamy Salsa Verde sauce

Preparation

In large bowl, beat eggs with whisk. Add milk and salt; beat well.

In 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add egg mixture; cook 3 to 5 minutes, scraping cooked eggs up from bottom of skillet occasionally, until mixture is firm but still moist.

Divide eggs evenly among warm tortilla bowls. Top with cheese, pico de gallo and avocado; drizzle with sauce.

Expert Tips

Try chopped tomatoes in place of pico de gallo.

Kids love to help in the kitchen. After filling tortillas with eggs, let the kids top with their favorite cheese and fresh toppings!

Add cooked breakfast sausage to tacos for a flavor twist.

Nutrition: 6 servings (2 tacos each); 1 Serving: Calories: 310 (Calories from Fat: 190); Total Fat: 21 g (Saturated Fat: 8 g, Trans Fat: 0 g); Cholesterol: 210 mg; Sodium: 550 mg; Total Carbohydrate: 18 g (Dietary Fiber: 2 g, Sugars: 2 g); Protein: 10 g

% Daily Value: Vitamin A 10%; Vitamin C 4%; Calcium 15%; Iron 10%

Exchanges: 1 Other Carbohydrate, 1 Medium-Fat Meat, 1/2 High-Fat Meat, 2 1/2 Fat

Carbohydrate Choice: 1

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

Monday, December 1, 2025

Meatless Monday

Time for another Meatless Monday. Today's offerings include Spicy Baked Sweet Potato Fries and Restaurant-Style Spinach Manicotti. Enjoy!

VEGGIE PATCH SOUP

Recipe Yield: Yield: 10 servings

Source: Mr. Food Every Day's a Holiday Diabetic Cookbook

Book Title: Mr. Food Every Day's a Holiday Diabetic Cookbook

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

Ingredients

6 cups water

2 medium-sized white potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

4 large tomatoes, cored and cut into 1-inch chunks

4 medium-sized carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks

3 medium-sized zucchini, cut into 1-inch chunks

2 medium-sized green bell peppers, coarsely chopped

2 medium-sized onions, coarsely chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

In a soup pot, combine all the ingredients; mix well and bring to a boil over high heat.

Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 1 hour, or until the vegetables are tender.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 84; Fiber: 4 g; Sodium: 383 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Sugars: 7 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 2 Vegetable

CHEESE AND RICE STUFFED PEPPERS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes

Book Title: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/cheese-and-rice-stuffed-peppers.

Ingredients

4 medium green bell peppers

2 cups cooked rice

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Directions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

Slice off the tops of the peppers. Wash the peppers and remove the cores and seeds. Stand the pepper cups upright in a saucepan containing 1/2 cup boiling water. Cover tightly and allow steam 5 minutes. Remove and drain.

In a large bowl, mix together the rice, cheese parsley, salt, and ground pepper. Divide the mixture and stuff each pepper.

Stand the peppers in a loaf pan or cupcake tins. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the filling is hot and the cheese melts.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 222; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 455 mg; Cholesterol: 15 mg; Protein: 12 g; Carbohydrates: 31 g

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

RESTAURANT-STYLE SPINACH MANICOTTI

This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "Who says you need fancy restaurants for classic Italian dishes? Our Restaurant-Style Spinach Manicotti is a lighter version of your favorite baked pasta dish, so you can still enjoy this Italian dish, in moderation of course!"

Cook Time: 50 minutes; Serves: 7

To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Pastas/Restaurant-Style-Spinach-Manicotti.

Ingredients

1 (8-ounce) package manicotti shells (14 shells)

1 small onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/4 pound fresh mushrooms, diced

1 (32-ounce) container fat-free ricotta cheese

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

1 egg

1 (10-ounce) package frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

1-1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

2 cups light spaghetti sauce

2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Cook the manicotti shells according to the package directions, omitting the salt; drain, rinse, drain again, and place in a large baking dish. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Coat a small saucepan with nonstick cooking spray. Add the onion and garlic and saute over medium heat until tender. Add the mushrooms and saute until brown.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, the egg, spinach, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Add the onion mixture; mix well.

Spoon the mixture into the manicotti shells (see Note), top with the spaghetti sauce, and sprinkle with the Parmesan cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until heated through.

Note

To fill the shells, carefully place the cheese mixture in a large resealable plastic storage bag with a corner snipped off. Then you can just squeeze the filling into the manicotti shells, using the storage bag like a pastry bag. Simple, right?

SPICY BAKED SWEET POTATO FRIES

This is from Everyday Diabetic Recipes, and begins, "Chili powder gives our Spicy Baked Sweet Potato Fries the perfect kick, sure to get your gang excited about their new favorite side! Plus, using sweet potatoes instead of regular baking potatoes provides an added nutritional boost!"

Cook Time: 25 minutes; Serves: 6

To view this online, go to https://www.everydaydiabeticrecipes.com/Potatoes-Rice/Spicy-Baked-Sweet-Potato-Fries--6743.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon canola oil

2 teaspoons chili powder*

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper*

3 large sweet potatoes (about 2-1/2 pounds), peeled and cut lengthwise into thin wedges

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Coat rimmed baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large bowl, toss the potatoes with oil. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, salt, and ground red pepper. Sprinkle over the potato wedges and toss until evenly coated.

Spread the potato wedges in a single layer on the baking sheets.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden and tender, turning once halfway through cooking time. Serve immediately.

Notes

To make this a gluten-free recipe, use nonstick cooking spray with no flour added, and seasonings with no added starch from a gluten-containing source.

If you're a fan of crispy fries, simply combine the seasonings with 2 beaten egg whites in a shallow dish. Coat the potato wedges with this mixture and bake as above. They'll crisp up in no time!

ROASTED BABY EGGPLANT AND TOMATOES

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

Source: Great Healthy Food - Diabetes

Book Title: Great Healthy Food - Diabetes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/roasted-baby-eggplant-and-tomatoes.

Ingredients

4 baby eggplant, stalks trimmed

8 small plum tomatoes, pierced once

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Cut the baby eggplants into quarters lengthwise.

Put them into an open ovenproof dish with the tomatoes and drizzle them with the balsamic vinegar. Season, then roast in the oven for 1 hour.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 56; Fat: 2 g; Sodium: 14 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetable

VEGETABLE STIR-FRY

Recipe Yield: Servings: 8

Source: The New American Heart Association Cookbook

Book Title: The New American Heart Association Cookbook

View this online at http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/240.shtml

Ingredients

1 pound fresh broccoli

1 teaspoon acceptable margarine

1 teaspoon acceptable vegetable oil

1 pound carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

12 ounces fresh mushrooms, thinly sliced (3-1/2 to 4 cups)

2 to 3 medium green onions, thinly sliced (about 1/3 cup)

2 tablespoons dry sherry

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled

Pepper to taste

Directions

Separate broccoli florets so they are of small, uniform size. Peel tough stems; cut stems into 2-inch pieces.

In a large skillet or wok, heat margarine and oil over medium heat, swirling to coat bottom. Stir-fry broccoli, carrots, mushrooms, and green onions for 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender-crisp. Stir in remaining ingredients.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 65; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 57 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 1 Fat