Salads

There was a time when I considered salads nothing more than a lettuce-tomato-and-dressing side or, possibly, potato or egg salad.

But salads can be so much more, as today's post shows. Check out the Chicken and Spinach Salad, the Southwestern Chicken Salad, and the rest of today's offerings. Enjoy!

CONFETTI BEAN SALAD

Servings: 6

Source: The Diabetic Newsletter

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/43.shtml

Ingredients

16 ounces can mixed cut green & wax beans

1/4 cup onion, chopped

2 tablespoons pimiento, chopped

1/2 cup cider vinegar

Sugar substitute equivalent to 5 teaspoons sugar

1 tablespoon mixed pickling spices

1/4 cup celery, finely chopped

Crisp lettuce leaves

1/4 cup green pepper, chopped

Directions

Drain beans, saving liquid.

Combine this liquid with vinegar in a saucepan.

Add mixed pickling spice, either loose or in a small cheesecloth bag.

Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, mix all the vegetables in a bowl.

Remove liquid from heat; add sweetener and stir until dissolved.

Pour over vegetables and remove spice bag or loose spices.

Chill several hours, stirring occasionally.

Drain before serving on crisp lettuce.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 28; Protein: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 7 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable

ASIAN CHICKEN AND SLAW

Recipe Yield: Servings: 4

Source: Family Circle's "All-time Favorite Recipes"

Book Title: Family Circle's "All-time Favorite Recipes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/asian-chicken-and-slaw.

Ingredients

1-1/4 pounds ground chicken

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 green onions (including some green), finely chopped

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger

1 can (8 ounces) water chestnuts, drained and chopped

2 tablespoons dark Asian sesame oil

3 tablespoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon hoisin sauce

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 package (16 ounces) shredded coleslaw mix

1/4 cup beef broth

Directions

Combine chicken, 2 cloves garlic, green onions, 2 teaspoons ginger, half of water chestnuts, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, hoisin sauce, 3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper in a medium- size bowl. Shape into patties.

Heat remaining 2 teaspoons sesame oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add patties and cook 4 minutes per side or until internal temperature registers 165 degrees F on an instant thermometer. Remove to a serving platter and keep warm.

Add remaining garlic, water chestnuts, soy sauce and salt to skillet, along with coleslaw mix. Cook over medium-high heat 7 minutes. Add broth, cover and cook 3 minutes or until tender. Serve slaw alongside patties.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 344; Fat: 16 g; Sodium: 579 mg; Protein: 32 g; Carbohydrates: 5 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Low-Fat Meat; 2 Fat

SOUTHERN-STYLE SLAW

Recipe Yield: Yields 12 servings

Source: Splenda

Recipe and image appear courtesy of Splenda.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/southern-style-slaw.

Ingredients

For the dressing:

1/4 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1 cup lite mayonnaise

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

4 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 teaspoons fennel seed

3 tablespoons lemon juice

Salt & pepper, to taste

For the slaw:

2 each medium, seeded & sliced yellow bell peppers

2 each medium, seeded & sliced red bell peppers

4 cups shredded cabbage *

6 oz. bag shredded carrots *

5 each thinly sliced radishes

1 cup diced red onion

* If you would rather use store bought slaw mix, then a 14 oz. bag of cabbage coleslaw mix is about 6-3/4 cups and would work for this recipe.

Directions

Whisk together all dressing ingredients until well combined. Add salt & pepper to taste.

Mix together peppers, cabbage, carrots, radishes and red onion in a large bowl.

Toss the dressing in with the vegetables.

Chill for 60 minutes, stir and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 100; Fat: 7 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 210 mg; Cholesterol: under 5 mg; Protein: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN SALAD

Yield: 6 servings

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/908.shtml

Source: 200 Healthy Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less!

http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/74.shtml

Ingredients

Salad:

1 cup cooked corn kernels

1 cup diced tomatoes

1 cup green peas, frozen and thawed

1/2 cup each sliced red and green pepper

1/3 cup canned black beans, drained

2 cups cooked, cubed chicken breast

Dressing:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 cup lime juice

2 teaspoons cumin

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon oregano

Directions

Combine all salad ingredients. In a blender or food processor, blend all dressing ingredients. Toss the dressing with the salad and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 181; Protein: 17 g; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 94 mg; Cholesterol: 42 mg ; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Sugars: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g; Exchanges: 2 Very Lean Meat, 1 Starch, 1/2 Monounsaturated Fat

CHICKEN AND SPINACH SALAD

Recipe Yield: Yield: 14 cups (7 - 2 cups servings)

Source: Cooking Healthy and Fast

Book Title: Cooking Healthy and Fast

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-and-spinach-salad.

Ingredients

6 oz. fresh spinach

2 oranges, peeled and cut into chunks

2 cups cooked and cubed chicken

2 cups fresh strawberries

Dressing:

2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar

3 Tbsp. orange juice

1-1/2 Tbsp. canola oil

1/4 tsp. dry mustard

1/3 tsp. poppy seeds

Directions

Mix dressing ingredients and regrigerate. Wash spinach and tear into bite size pieces. Add oranges, chicken and strawberries. Serve with dressing.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 135; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 46 mg; Cholesterol: 31 mg;Carbohydrates: 10 g

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

FRESH SPINACH SALAD

Yield: 6 cups (4 servings)

Source: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/24.shtml

View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/578.shtml

Ingredients

5 cups (5 ounces) packed torn spinach leaves (about 1/2 of a 10-ounce bag), washed and thick stems removed

1-1/2 cups (3 ounces) thinly sliced mushrooms

1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion rings

1/3 cup prepared fat-free or light red French or honey Dijon salad dressing

1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1/4 cup croutons (optional)

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the spinach, mushrooms, and onion; toss to mix.

Drizzle the dressing over the salad; toss to coat the greens.

Sprinkle the salad with freshly ground pepper and top with croutons if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 50; Protein: 2 g; Sodium: 208 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Dietary Fiber: 1 g; Sugars: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g

Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 1 Vegetable