Diabetic Delights: A Confessions of a Foodie Offspring

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Showing posts with label Meringue Tartlets with Pears and Shaved Chocolate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Meringue Tartlets with Pears and Shaved Chocolate. Show all posts

Thursday, March 3, 2022

Thursday Recipes

It's almost the end of the week. To celebrate, how about trying any of these six recipes, including Meringue Tartlets with Pears and Shaved Chocolate or Chimichurri Steak Wraps. Enjoy!

LEMON MERINGUE PIE

Recipe Yield: Serves: 8

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/lemon-meringue-pie

Ingredients

For Pie Filling:

Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie

2-1/4 cups water

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice or frozen lemon juice concentrate*

1/2 cup cornstarch

2 eggs

2 egg whites

1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1-1/2 cups Equal Spoonful or Granulated**

2 tablespoons stick butter or margarine

1 to 2 drops yellow food coloring (optional)

For Meringue:

3 egg whites

1/4 teaspoon cream tartar

2/3 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated***

* Such as Minute Maid Premium Lemon juice (frozen) 100% Pure Lemon Juice from Concentrate

** May substitute 36 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

For Pie Filling, roll pastry on floured surface into circle 1 inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into plate; trim and flute edge. Pierce bottom and side of pastry with fork.

Bake in preheated 425F oven 10 to 12 minutes or until pastry is golden. Cool on wire rack.

Combine water, lemon juice and cornstarch in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Beat eggs, 2 egg whites and lemon peel in medium bowl. Mix in 1-1/2 cups Equal. Stir about half of hot cornstarch mixture into egg mixture.

Return all to saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in butter until melted. Stir in food coloring, if desired. Pour mixture over baked pie shell.

For Meringue, beat 3 egg whites in mixing bowl on medium speed of mixer until foamy. Add cream of tartar. Beat to soft peaks. Gradually beat in 2/3 cup Equal, beating to stiff peaks. Spread meringue over hot lemon filling, carefully sealing to edge of crust to prevent shrinking or weeping.

Bake pie in 425F oven about 5 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned.

Cool completely on wire rack. Cut pie into wedges.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 178; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 133 mg; Cholesterol: 65 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 2 fat

MERINGUE TARTLETS WITH PEARS AND SHAVED CHOCOLATE

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/meringue-tartlets-with-pears-and-shaved-chocolate

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 cup orange juice without pulp

2 cloves

4 ripe pears – Bosc or Anjou varieties (peeled, halved and cored)

1 Tbsp. plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided

4 large, room temperature egg whites

Dash of cream of tartar

Dash of salt

2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. shaved chocolate, from a good-quality dark chocolate bar

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large baking pan, combine water, orange juice, 1 Tbsp. sugar and cloves. Add pears. Poach pears in the oven until soft. Remove pears from liquid and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the eggs are frothy (about 1 minute). With the mixer at high speed, add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Beat for roughly 6 minutes or until stiff, glossy peaks form.

Drop the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet in eight 3- to 4-inch-diameter rounds, smoothing the edges. Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, but leave the meringues in the oven for about 12 hours. Do not open the oven door.

When ready to serve, gently peel the meringues off the parchment paper.

Place each pear half in a bowl and top with one meringue. To garnish, shave chocolate from the side of the chocolate bar using a vegetable peeler. Note, it may help if the chocolate bar is cold, so refrigerate for several minutes prior. Garnish each meringue with 1 teaspoon shaved chocolate.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 117; Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g

VEGETABLE AND BEAN SOUP

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings

Source: The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook

Book Title: The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/vegetable-and-bean-soup.

Ingredients

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

2 (14.5) cans chicken broth

1 cube vegetable bouillon

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 (15.5 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

2 carrots, finely chopped

2 celery stalks, finely chopped

2 summer squashes (zucchini or yellow squash, about 1 pound total), quartered lengthwise and chopped

1 (7 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (about 4 shakes) (optional)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker crock and mix well.

Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.

Stir well before serving.

If desired, stir in Tabasco sauce before serving.

Notes:

Easy substitution: To make this soup completely vegetarian, substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth, and additional olive oil for the butter.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 210; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 1020 mg; Cholesterol: 14 mg; Protein: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 18 g

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

CHIMICHURRI STEAK WRAPS

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chimichurri-steak-wraps

Ingredients

12 ounces grilled top sirloin steak, cut into slices

3 cups fresh baby spinach

1/2 large red bell pepper, cut into thin strips

4 medium whole wheat tortillas (8 to 10-inch diameter)

Chimichurri Sauce:

1 cup fresh parsley leaves

2 cloves garlic

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Place parsley and garlic in food processor or blender container. Cover; process until finely chopped. Add oil, vinegar and salt; process just until blended.

Spread each tortilla evenly with Chimichurri Sauce, leaving 1/4-inch border around edge. Top with equal amounts spinach, bell pepper slices and beef slices on top two-thirds of tortilla. Fold bottom of tortilla up over filling. Fold right and left sides to center overlapping edges; secure with wooden picks; if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 340; Fat: 16 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 3.7 g; Sodium: 410 mg; Cholesterol: 49 mg; Protein: 30 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g

CHICKEN PICADILLO

Yield: 6 servings; Serving size: 3/4 cup chicken and vegetables

Source: Deliciously Healthy Dinners

View this online https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-picadillo

Ingredients

2 tsp olive oil

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, rinsed and finely chopped

1 medium red bell pepper, rinsed and finely chopped

1-1/2 Tbsp garlic, mashed (about 3 cloves)

12 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into thin strips

1/3 cup no-salt-added tomato sauce

1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup lemon juice

1/4 tsp ground cumin

2 bay leaves

1/3 cup water

1/4 cup golden seedless raisins

For garnish:

1 Tbsp fresh cilantro, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or substitute 1 tsp dried coriander)

1 Tbsp capers, drained

2 Tbsp green olives, chopped

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion, bell peppers, and garlic, and saute until vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.

Add the chicken, and stir fry for another 5–10 minutes until chicken is no longer pink inside.

Add the tomato sauce, chicken broth, lemon juice, cumin, bay leaves, water, and raisins to the vegetables and chicken.

Cover the pan, and reduce the heat. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove the bay leaves, and garnish with fresh cilantro, capers, and green olives, and serve.

Notes:

This zesty one-pot meal is easy to throw together on a busy weeknight.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 162; Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 133 mg; Cholesterol: 46 mg; Protein: 18 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g

CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI STIR-FRY

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

Source: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Terrific Diabetic Meals

Book Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Terrific Diabetic Meals

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-and-broccoli-stir-fry

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive or canola oil

4 (3 ounces) boneless, skinless chicken breast, halves, cut into thin strips

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 cups chopped broccoli florets

1 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into 2-1/2 inch pieces

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 cup low-salt chicken broth

3 tablespoons Lea & Perrins White Wine Worcestershire Sauce

Directions

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and garlic. Cook, stirring, for 3 to 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Reduce heat. Remove chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.

Add broccoli and bell pepper to the same skillet; cover and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine cornstarch, ginger, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce, and blend well. Return chicken to skillet. Add cornstarch mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes, until bubbly and thickened.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 189; Fat: 4 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 210 mg;Cholesterol: 68 mg; Protein: 29 g; Carbohydrates: 5 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 4 Lean Meat, 1 Fat

Monday, October 4, 2021

Meatless Monday

It's time for another Meatless Monday. Today's offerings include Veggie Patch Soup and Meringue Tartlets with Pears and Shaved Chocolate. Enjoy!

SPINACH AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO QUESADILLAS

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/spinach-and-sun-dried-tomato-quesadillas

Recipe Yield: Yield: 16 appetizers

Source: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Book Title: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Ingredients

2 tablespoons julienned or diced sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, drained

1-1/2 cups (moderately packed) chopped fresh spinach

1 cup shredded nonfat or reduced-fat mozzarella cheese

4 whole-wheat flour tortillas (8-inch rounds)

Directions

Place 1 to 2 teaspoons of the oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes in a medium nonstick skillet and place over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and saute for a minute or two, just until the spinach is wilted. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the sun-dried tomatoes.

Lay a tortilla on a flat surface and sprinkle the bottom half only with a quarter of the spinach mixture. Sprinkle with a quarter of the cheese. Fold the top half of the tortilla over to enclose the filling. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 4 filled tortillas.

Coat a large griddle or nonstick skillet with cooking spray and preheat over medium heat until a drop of water sizzles when it hits the heated surface.

Lay the quesadillas on the griddle and cook for about 1-1/2 minutes, until the bottoms are golden brown. Spray the tops lightly with the cooking spray and then turn with a spatula. Cook for an additional 1-1/2 minutes, until the second side is golden brown.

Transfer the quesadillas to a cutting board and cut each one into 4 wedges. Serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 47; Fat: 0.9 g; Sodium: 106 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Carbohydrates: 7 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 1/4 Medium-Fat Meat

SUMMER GARDEN PILAF

Recipe Yield: Yield: 7 servings; Serving size: 3/4 cup

Source: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Book Title: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/summer-garden-pilaf

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or canola oil

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1/3-inch dice) zucchini

1 cup fresh or frozen whole kernel corn

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

3 cups cooked brown rice

Scant 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

Place the oil in a large deep nonstick skillet and preheat over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini, corn, red bell pepper, onion, and oregano. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes, just until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Periodically place a lid over the skillet if it becomes too dry. (The steam released from the cooking vegetables will moisten the skillet.)

Add the rice and salt to the skillet mixture and reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring frequently, for a couple of minutes, until the mixture is heated through. Add a tablespoon or two of water if the mixture seems too dry. Serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 140; Fat: 2.9 g; Saturated Fat: 0.4 g; Fiber: 2.7 g; Sodium: 138 mg; Protein: 3.3 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/4 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat

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

SUMMER RATATOUILLE

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 (1 cup) servings

Source: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

Book Title: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/summer-ratatouille

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil, divided

3 cups combination sliced zucchini and yellow squash

1 cup sliced onion

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

1/3 cup minced fresh mint leaves

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 (4.75 oz) can prepared eggplant caponata

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Add the zucchini and yellow squash and onion and saute for 5-7 minutes until tender, stirring often.

Remove the zucchini-yellow squash saute to a salad bowl. Add remaining ingredients and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 105;Fat: 6 g; Fiber: 4 g; Sodium: 299 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g; Sugars: 7 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 1 Fat

NECTARINE AND BERRY TART

Yield: 8 servings

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/nectarine-and-berry-tart

Ingredients

Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie

5 cups sliced nectarines

1 cup raspberries or sliced strawberries

1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened blueberries, partially thawed

2 teaspoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup Equal ® Spoonful*

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

* May substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Roll pastry on floured surface into 12-inch circle. Transfer to ungreased baking sheet.

Toss nectarines and berries with lemon juice in large bowl. Sprinkle fruit with combined cornstarch, Equal®, lemon peel and allspice. Toss to coat.

Arrange fruit mixture over pastry, leaving 2-inch border around edge of pastry. Bring edge of pastry toward center, overlapping as necessary.

Bake tart in preheated 425° F oven 35 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden and fruit is tender. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes:

A seasonal dessert that looks as great as it tastes. Fresh blueberries, strawberries and nectarines fill a prepared pie pastry. This bakery-like tart is easy to make and tastes great.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 188; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 101 mg; Cholesterol: 5 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 29 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 starch, 1 fat

MERINGUE TARTLETS WITH PEARS AND SHAVED CHOCOLATE

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/meringue-tartlets-with-pears-and-shaved-chocolate

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 cup orange juice without pulp

2 cloves

4 ripe pears – Bosc or Anjou varieties (peeled, halved and cored)

1 Tbsp. plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided

4 large, room temperature egg whites

Dash of cream of tartar

Dash of salt

2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. shaved chocolate, from a good-quality dark chocolate bar

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large baking pan, combine water, orange juice, 1 Tbsp. sugar and cloves. Add pears. Poach pears in the oven until soft. Remove pears from liquid and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the eggs are frothy (about 1 minute). With the mixer at high speed, add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Beat for roughly 6 minutes or until stiff, glossy peaks form.

Drop the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet in eight 3- to 4-inch-diameter rounds, smoothing the edges. Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, but leave the meringues in the oven for about 12 hours. Do not open the oven door.

When ready to serve, gently peel the meringues off the parchment paper.

Place each pear half in a bowl and top with one meringue. To garnish, shave chocolate from the side of the chocolate bar using a vegetable peeler. Note, it may help if the chocolate bar is cold, so refrigerate for several minutes prior. Garnish each meringue with 1 teaspoon shaved chocolate.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 117; Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g

Monday, May 10, 2021

Meatless Monday

It's time for another Meatless Monday. Today's offerings include Veggie Patch Soup and Meringue Tartlets with Pears and Shaved Chocolate. Enjoy!

SPINACH AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO QUESADILLAS

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/spinach-and-sun-dried-tomato-quesadillas

Recipe Yield: Yield: 16 appetizers

Source: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Book Title: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Ingredients

2 tablespoons julienned or diced sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, drained

1-1/2 cups (moderately packed) chopped fresh spinach

1 cup shredded nonfat or reduced-fat mozzarella cheese

4 whole-wheat flour tortillas (8-inch rounds)

Directions

Place 1 to 2 teaspoons of the oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes in a medium nonstick skillet and place over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and saute for a minute or two, just until the spinach is wilted. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the sun-dried tomatoes.

Lay a tortilla on a flat surface and sprinkle the bottom half only with a quarter of the spinach mixture. Sprinkle with a quarter of the cheese. Fold the top half of the tortilla over to enclose the filling. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 4 filled tortillas.

Coat a large griddle or nonstick skillet with cooking spray and preheat over medium heat until a drop of water sizzles when it hits the heated surface.

Lay the quesadillas on the griddle and cook for about 1-1/2 minutes, until the bottoms are golden brown. Spray the tops lightly with the cooking spray and then turn with a spatula. Cook for an additional 1-1/2 minutes, until the second side is golden brown.

Transfer the quesadillas to a cutting board and cut each one into 4 wedges. Serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 47; Fat: 0.9 g; Sodium: 106 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Carbohydrates: 7 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 1/4 Medium-Fat Meat

SUMMER GARDEN PILAF

Recipe Yield: Yield: 7 servings; Serving size: 3/4 cup

Source: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Book Title: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/summer-garden-pilaf

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or canola oil

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1/3-inch dice) zucchini

1 cup fresh or frozen whole kernel corn

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

3 cups cooked brown rice

Scant 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

Place the oil in a large deep nonstick skillet and preheat over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini, corn, red bell pepper, onion, and oregano. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes, just until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Periodically place a lid over the skillet if it becomes too dry. (The steam released from the cooking vegetables will moisten the skillet.)

Add the rice and salt to the skillet mixture and reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring frequently, for a couple of minutes, until the mixture is heated through. Add a tablespoon or two of water if the mixture seems too dry. Serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 140; Fat: 2.9 g; Saturated Fat: 0.4 g; Fiber: 2.7 g; Sodium: 138 mg; Protein: 3.3 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/4 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat

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

SUMMER RATATOUILLE

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 (1 cup) servings

Source: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

Book Title: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/summer-ratatouille

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil, divided

3 cups combination sliced zucchini and yellow squash

1 cup sliced onion

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

1/3 cup minced fresh mint leaves

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 (4.75 oz) can prepared eggplant caponata

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Add the zucchini and yellow squash and onion and saute for 5-7 minutes until tender, stirring often.

Remove the zucchini-yellow squash saute to a salad bowl. Add remaining ingredients and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 105;Fat: 6 g; Fiber: 4 g; Sodium: 299 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g; Sugars: 7 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 1 Fat

NECTARINE AND BERRY TART

Yield: 8 servings

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/nectarine-and-berry-tart

Ingredients

Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie

5 cups sliced nectarines

1 cup raspberries or sliced strawberries

1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened blueberries, partially thawed

2 teaspoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup Equal ® Spoonful*

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

* May substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Roll pastry on floured surface into 12-inch circle. Transfer to ungreased baking sheet.

Toss nectarines and berries with lemon juice in large bowl. Sprinkle fruit with combined cornstarch, Equal®, lemon peel and allspice. Toss to coat.

Arrange fruit mixture over pastry, leaving 2-inch border around edge of pastry. Bring edge of pastry toward center, overlapping as necessary.

Bake tart in preheated 425° F oven 35 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden and fruit is tender. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes:

A seasonal dessert that looks as great as it tastes. Fresh blueberries, strawberries and nectarines fill a prepared pie pastry. This bakery-like tart is easy to make and tastes great.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 188; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 101 mg; Cholesterol: 5 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 29 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 starch, 1 fat

MERINGUE TARTLETS WITH PEARS AND SHAVED CHOCOLATE

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/meringue-tartlets-with-pears-and-shaved-chocolate

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 cup orange juice without pulp

2 cloves

4 ripe pears – Bosc or Anjou varieties (peeled, halved and cored)

1 Tbsp. plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided

4 large, room temperature egg whites

Dash of cream of tartar

Dash of salt

2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. shaved chocolate, from a good-quality dark chocolate bar

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large baking pan, combine water, orange juice, 1 Tbsp. sugar and cloves. Add pears. Poach pears in the oven until soft. Remove pears from liquid and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the eggs are frothy (about 1 minute). With the mixer at high speed, add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Beat for roughly 6 minutes or until stiff, glossy peaks form.

Drop the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet in eight 3- to 4-inch-diameter rounds, smoothing the edges. Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, but leave the meringues in the oven for about 12 hours. Do not open the oven door.

When ready to serve, gently peel the meringues off the parchment paper.

Place each pear half in a bowl and top with one meringue. To garnish, shave chocolate from the side of the chocolate bar using a vegetable peeler. Note, it may help if the chocolate bar is cold, so refrigerate for several minutes prior. Garnish each meringue with 1 teaspoon shaved chocolate.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 117; Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g

Thursday, February 13, 2020

Dessert

Ever want something just a little snacky? If you're like many of us, you probably do. Here are six diabetic-friendly desserts to try, including Really Raspberry Parfaits and Granny Smith Apple Tarts. Enjoy!

NECTARINE AND BERRY TART

This recipe begins, “A seasonal dessert that looks as great as it tastes. Fresh blueberries, strawberries and nectarines fill a prepared pie pastry. This bakery-like tart is easy to make and tastes great.”

Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings

Source: Equal

Recipe and image appear courtesy of Equal.

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/nectarine-and-berry-tart.

Ingredients

Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie

5 cups sliced nectarines

1 cup raspberries or sliced strawberries

1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened blueberries, partially thawed

2 teaspoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup Equal ® Spoonful*

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

* May substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Roll pastry on floured surface into 12-inch circle. Transfer to ungreased baking sheet.

Toss nectarines and berries with lemon juice in large bowl. Sprinkle fruit with combined cornstarch, Equal®, lemon peel and allspice. Toss to coat.

Arrange fruit mixture over pastry, leaving 2-inch border around edge of pastry. Bring edge of pastry toward center, overlapping as necessary.

Bake tart in preheated 425° F oven 35 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden and fruit is tender. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 188; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 101 mg; Cholesterol: 5 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 29 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 starch, 1 fat

REALLY RASPBERRY PARFAITS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

Source: Diabetic Dream Desserts

Book Title: Diabetic Dream Desserts

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/really-raspberry-parfaits.

Ingredients

1 cup light raspberry yogurt

1/2 cup nonfat or light whipped topping

2 cups fresh raspberries, rinsed and patted dry

2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Directions

Place the yogurt in a bowl and fold in the whipped topping.

Place 1/4 cup of raspberries in each of four 8-ounce wine glasses.

Top the berries in each glass with 3 tablespoons of the yogurt mixture.

Repeat the layers and top each serving with a sprinkling of almonds.

Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 83; Fat: 2.3 g; Fiber: 4.5 g; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Protein: 2.7 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Carbohydrate, 1/2 Fat

MELON BANANA SORBET

The recipe starts off, “Here's a frozen treat to keep on hand for hot days.”

Yield: 8 servings; Serving Size: 2/3 cup; Source: Splenda; View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1232.shtml

Ingredients

1 small cantaloupe, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks

1 banana, sliced

1/4 cup Splenda Sugar Blend

2 tablespoons corn syrup

2 teaspoons creme de menthe liqueur

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

2 teaspoons grated lime peel

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients.

Process until smooth, then scrape into an ice-cream maker and freeze according to manufacturers directions. Or scrape into a shallow metal pan, cover, and freeze 4 to 6 hours.

Break mixture into chunks and pulse 10 to 20 seconds in food processor or just until no longer chunky and somewhat creamy in texture. Freeze up to 1 month. Pulse briefly in food processor just before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 80; Protein: 1 g; Sodium: 10 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Dietary Fiber: 1 g; Sugars: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 19 g

MERINGUE TARTLETS WITH PEARS AND SHAVED CHOCOLATE

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/meringue-tartlets-with-pears-and-shaved-chocolate

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 cup orange juice without pulp

2 cloves

4 ripe pears – Bosc or Anjou varieties (peeled, halved and cored)

1 Tbsp. plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided

4 large, room temperature egg whites

Dash of cream of tartar

Dash of salt

2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. shaved chocolate, from a good-quality dark chocolate bar

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large baking pan, combine water, orange juice, 1 Tbsp. sugar and cloves. Add pears. Poach pears in the oven until soft. Remove pears from liquid and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the eggs are frothy (about 1 minute). With the mixer at high speed, add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Beat for roughly 6 minutes or until stiff, glossy peaks form.

Drop the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet in eight 3- to 4-inch-diameter rounds, smoothing the edges. Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, but leave the meringues in the oven for about 12 hours. Do not open the oven door.

When ready to serve, gently peel the meringues off the parchment paper.

Place each pear half in a bowl and top with one meringue. To garnish, shave chocolate from the side of the chocolate bar using a vegetable peeler. Note, it may help if the chocolate bar is cold, so refrigerate for several minutes prior. Garnish each meringue with 1 teaspoon shaved chocolate.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 117; Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g

GRANNY SMITH APPLE TART

Yield: 1 tart (8 servings)

Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/501.shtml

Ingredients

1 refrigerated fill-and-bake pie crust (7 to 7-1/2 ounces)

3 large Granny Smith apples (about 1-1/2 pounds total), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup sour half-and-half, or 1/4 cup nonfat sour cream

1 tablespoon quick-cooking tapioca

1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Put the pie crust into a 9-inch-diameter tart pan with a removable bottom; press the crust against the fluted edge and trim off any pastry that extends over the top. Roll the trimmed dough into a ball; flatten to 1/4 inch and cut 2 or 3 shapes with a cookie cutter. Prick the tart shell in several places with the tines of a fork.

Put the sliced apples in a large bowl; drizzle them with lemon juice and toss to mix.

In a small bowl, blend the brown sugar, sour half-and-half, tapioca, and cinnamon.

Fold the brown sugar mixture into the apples until all the fruit is coated. Spoon the apples into the tart shell; arrange the dough shapes on top of the apples. Sprinkle granulated sugar over the top.

Bake for 35 minutes, or until the apples are tender. Cut in 8 equal slices. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 200; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 8 g; Sodium: 146 mg; Cholesterol: 8 mg; Carbohydrates: 34 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Other Carbohydrate, 1 Fat

BAKED APPLES BURNETTE

Yield: 4 servings

View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/743.shtml

Source: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

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

Ingredients

4 MacIntosh or Rome apples

2 tablespoons raisins

1 tablespoon sunflower seeds

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Few drops pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup water

1 tablespoon frozen orange juice concentrate

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Core apples and peel away about 1/2 inch of skin from top of each. Prick each a few times with a fork.

Fill each core with raisins, sunflower seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg and a drop of vanilla.

Place apples in a baking dish and add water mixed with orange juice.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes until apples are soft, basting occasionally with liquid. Serve warm or chilled with syrup.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 96; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 2 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 22 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Fruit

Monday, February 10, 2020

Meatless Monday

It's time for another Meatless Monday. Today's offerings include Veggie Patch Soup and Meringue Tartlets with Pears and Shaved Chocolate. Enjoy!

Note: There's no Double-Post Monday post today. Maybe next week...

SPINACH AND SUN-DRIED TOMATO QUESADILLAS

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/spinach-and-sun-dried-tomato-quesadillas

Recipe Yield: Yield: 16 appetizers

Source: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Book Title: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Ingredients

2 tablespoons julienned or diced sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, drained

1-1/2 cups (moderately packed) chopped fresh spinach

1 cup shredded nonfat or reduced-fat mozzarella cheese

4 whole-wheat flour tortillas (8-inch rounds)

Directions

Place 1 to 2 teaspoons of the oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes in a medium nonstick skillet and place over medium-high heat. Add the spinach and saute for a minute or two, just until the spinach is wilted. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the sun-dried tomatoes.

Lay a tortilla on a flat surface and sprinkle the bottom half only with a quarter of the spinach mixture. Sprinkle with a quarter of the cheese. Fold the top half of the tortilla over to enclose the filling. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make 4 filled tortillas.

Coat a large griddle or nonstick skillet with cooking spray and preheat over medium heat until a drop of water sizzles when it hits the heated surface.

Lay the quesadillas on the griddle and cook for about 1-1/2 minutes, until the bottoms are golden brown. Spray the tops lightly with the cooking spray and then turn with a spatula. Cook for an additional 1-1/2 minutes, until the second side is golden brown.

Transfer the quesadillas to a cutting board and cut each one into 4 wedges. Serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 47; Fat: 0.9 g; Sodium: 106 mg; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Carbohydrates: 7 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Starch, 1/4 Medium-Fat Meat

SUMMER GARDEN PILAF

Recipe Yield: Yield: 7 servings; Serving size: 3/4 cup

Source: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Book Title: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/summer-garden-pilaf

Ingredients

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or canola oil

1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (1/3-inch dice) zucchini

1 cup fresh or frozen whole kernel corn

1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

3 cups cooked brown rice

Scant 1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions

Place the oil in a large deep nonstick skillet and preheat over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini, corn, red bell pepper, onion, and oregano. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3 to 4 minutes, just until the vegetables are crisp-tender. Periodically place a lid over the skillet if it becomes too dry. (The steam released from the cooking vegetables will moisten the skillet.)

Add the rice and salt to the skillet mixture and reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring frequently, for a couple of minutes, until the mixture is heated through. Add a tablespoon or two of water if the mixture seems too dry. Serve hot.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 140; Fat: 2.9 g; Saturated Fat: 0.4 g; Fiber: 2.7 g; Sodium: 138 mg; Protein: 3.3 g; Carbohydrates: 26 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/4 Starch, 1 Vegetable, 1/2 Fat

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

SUMMER RATATOUILLE

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 (1 cup) servings

Source: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

Book Title: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/summer-ratatouille

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil, divided

3 cups combination sliced zucchini and yellow squash

1 cup sliced onion

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

1/3 cup minced fresh mint leaves

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 (4.75 oz) can prepared eggplant caponata

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

Directions

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Add the zucchini and yellow squash and onion and saute for 5-7 minutes until tender, stirring often.

Remove the zucchini-yellow squash saute to a salad bowl. Add remaining ingredients and let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 105;Fat: 6 g; Fiber: 4 g; Sodium: 299 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 11 g; Sugars: 7 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 1 Fat

NECTARINE AND BERRY TART

Yield: 8 servings

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/nectarine-and-berry-tart

Ingredients

Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie

5 cups sliced nectarines

1 cup raspberries or sliced strawberries

1 cup fresh or frozen unsweetened blueberries, partially thawed

2 teaspoons lemon juice

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup Equal ® Spoonful*

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1/4 teaspoon ground allspice

* May substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Roll pastry on floured surface into 12-inch circle. Transfer to ungreased baking sheet.

Toss nectarines and berries with lemon juice in large bowl. Sprinkle fruit with combined cornstarch, Equal®, lemon peel and allspice. Toss to coat.

Arrange fruit mixture over pastry, leaving 2-inch border around edge of pastry. Bring edge of pastry toward center, overlapping as necessary.

Bake tart in preheated 425° F oven 35 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden and fruit is tender. Cool on wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes:

A seasonal dessert that looks as great as it tastes. Fresh blueberries, strawberries and nectarines fill a prepared pie pastry. This bakery-like tart is easy to make and tastes great.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 188; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 101 mg; Cholesterol: 5 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 29 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 starch, 1 fat

MERINGUE TARTLETS WITH PEARS AND SHAVED CHOCOLATE

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/meringue-tartlets-with-pears-and-shaved-chocolate

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 cup orange juice without pulp

2 cloves

4 ripe pears – Bosc or Anjou varieties (peeled, halved and cored)

1 Tbsp. plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided

4 large, room temperature egg whites

Dash of cream of tartar

Dash of salt

2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. shaved chocolate, from a good-quality dark chocolate bar

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large baking pan, combine water, orange juice, 1 Tbsp. sugar and cloves. Add pears. Poach pears in the oven until soft. Remove pears from liquid and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the eggs are frothy (about 1 minute). With the mixer at high speed, add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Beat for roughly 6 minutes or until stiff, glossy peaks form.

Drop the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet in eight 3- to 4-inch-diameter rounds, smoothing the edges. Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, but leave the meringues in the oven for about 12 hours. Do not open the oven door.

When ready to serve, gently peel the meringues off the parchment paper.

Place each pear half in a bowl and top with one meringue. To garnish, shave chocolate from the side of the chocolate bar using a vegetable peeler. Note, it may help if the chocolate bar is cold, so refrigerate for several minutes prior. Garnish each meringue with 1 teaspoon shaved chocolate.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 117; Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g

Thursday, January 16, 2020

Dessert

Whoever says diabetics can't have dessert isn't telling the whole truth. While one needs to eat dessert in moderation, these diabetic-friendly desserts can be had at any time, including Meringue Tartlets with Pears and Shaved Chocolate and Chocolate Velvet Mousse. Enjoy!

REALLY RASPBERRY PARFAITS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

Source: Diabetic Dream Desserts

Book Title: Diabetic Dream Desserts

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/really-raspberry-parfaits.

Ingredients

1 cup light raspberry yogurt

1/2 cup nonfat or light whipped topping

2 cups fresh raspberries, rinsed and patted dry

2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Directions

Place the yogurt in a bowl and fold in the whipped topping.

Place 1/4 cup of raspberries in each of four 8-ounce wine glasses.

Top the berries in each glass with 3 tablespoons of the yogurt mixture.

Repeat the layers and top each serving with a sprinkling of almonds.

Serve immediately.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 83; Fat: 2.3 g; Fiber: 4.5 g; Cholesterol: 1 mg; Protein: 2.7 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Carbohydrate, 1/2 Fat

MELON BANANA SORBET

The recipe starts off, “Here's a frozen treat to keep on hand for hot days.”

Yield: 8 servings; Serving Size: 2/3 cup; Source: Splenda; View Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1232.shtml

Ingredients

1 small cantaloupe, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks

1 banana, sliced

1/4 cup Splenda Sugar Blend

2 tablespoons corn syrup

2 teaspoons creme de menthe liqueur

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

2 teaspoons grated lime peel

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients.

Process until smooth, then scrape into an ice-cream maker and freeze according to manufacturers directions. Or scrape into a shallow metal pan, cover, and freeze 4 to 6 hours.

Break mixture into chunks and pulse 10 to 20 seconds in food processor or just until no longer chunky and somewhat creamy in texture. Freeze up to 1 month. Pulse briefly in food processor just before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 80; Protein: 1 g; Sodium: 10 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Saturated Fat: 0 g; Dietary Fiber: 1 g; Sugars: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 19 g

MERINGUE TARTLETS WITH PEARS AND SHAVED CHOCOLATE

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/meringue-tartlets-with-pears-and-shaved-chocolate

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 cup orange juice without pulp

2 cloves

4 ripe pears – Bosc or Anjou varieties (peeled, halved and cored)

1 Tbsp. plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided

4 large, room temperature egg whites

Dash of cream of tartar

Dash of salt

2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. shaved chocolate, from a good-quality dark chocolate bar

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large baking pan, combine water, orange juice, 1 Tbsp. sugar and cloves. Add pears. Poach pears in the oven until soft. Remove pears from liquid and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the eggs are frothy (about 1 minute). With the mixer at high speed, add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Beat for roughly 6 minutes or until stiff, glossy peaks form.

Drop the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet in eight 3- to 4-inch-diameter rounds, smoothing the edges. Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, but leave the meringues in the oven for about 12 hours. Do not open the oven door.

When ready to serve, gently peel the meringues off the parchment paper.

Place each pear half in a bowl and top with one meringue. To garnish, shave chocolate from the side of the chocolate bar using a vegetable peeler. Note: it may help if the chocolate bar is cold, so refrigerate for several minutes prior. Garnish each meringue with 1 teaspoon shaved chocolate.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 117; Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g

GRANNY SMITH APPLE TART

Yield: 1 tart (8 servings)

Source: The New Family Cookbook for People with Diabetes

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/501.shtml

Ingredients

1 refrigerated fill-and-bake pie crust (7 to 7-1/2 ounces)

3 large Granny Smith apples (about 1-1/2 pounds total), peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup sour half-and-half, or 1/4 cup nonfat sour cream

1 tablespoon quick-cooking tapioca

1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

2 teaspoons granulated sugar

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Put the pie crust into a 9-inch-diameter tart pan with a removable bottom; press the crust against the fluted edge and trim off any pastry that extends over the top. Roll the trimmed dough into a ball; flatten to 1/4 inch and cut 2 or 3 shapes with a cookie cutter. Prick the tart shell in several places with the tines of a fork.

Put the sliced apples in a large bowl; drizzle them with lemon juice and toss to mix.

In a small bowl, blend the brown sugar, sour half-and-half, tapioca, and cinnamon.

Fold the brown sugar mixture into the apples until all the fruit is coated. Spoon the apples into the tart shell; arrange the dough shapes on top of the apples. Sprinkle granulated sugar over the top.

Bake for 35 minutes, or until the apples are tender. Cut in 8 equal slices. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 200; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 8 g; Sodium: 146 mg; Cholesterol: 8 mg; Carbohydrates: 34 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Other Carbohydrate, 1 Fat

BAKED APPLES BURNETTE

Yield: 4 servings

View online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/743.shtml

Source: Light and Easy Diabetes Cuisine

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

Ingredients

4 MacIntosh or Rome apples

2 tablespoons raisins

1 tablespoon sunflower seeds

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

Few drops pure vanilla extract

1/4 cup water

1 tablespoon frozen orange juice concentrate

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Core apples and peel away about 1/2 inch of skin from top of each. Prick each a few times with a fork.

Fill each core with raisins, sunflower seeds, cinnamon, nutmeg and a drop of vanilla.

Place apples in a baking dish and add water mixed with orange juice.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes until apples are soft, basting occasionally with liquid. Serve warm or chilled with syrup.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 96; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 2 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Carbohydrates: 22 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1-1/2 Fruit

CHOCOLATE VELVET MOUSSE

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 Servings; Serving Size: 3/4 cup mousse, 1/2 cup strawberries

Source: Splenda

Recipe and image appear courtesy of Splenda.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chocolate-velvet-mousse.

Ingredients

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1 cup low fat milk

1/4 cup egg substitute

1/2 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated

1 teaspoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons orange liqueur (Grand Marnier, Curacao, Triple Sec, or brandy)*

1/2 cup heavy cream

3 cups sliced strawberries

Directions

Place chocolate and milk in a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until chocolate melts. Set aside.

Stir together egg substitute, Splenda Granulated Sweetener, cornstarch and Grand Marnier in a small mixing bowl. Add to chocolate mixture. Stir constantly. Cook over medium heat while stirring constantly, until mixture begins to thicken (approx. 3-4 minutes). Remove from heat and pour into the bowl of a blender or food processor. Blend or process briefly (10-20 seconds) to make a more creamy texture. Pour into medium bowl and cover.

Refrigerate chocolate mixture approx. 2-3 hours or until cool. Whip cream until stiff and fold into chocolate. Refrigerate overnight to set. Will keep refrigerated for 3 days.

To serve, layer strawberries and mousse in 6 all- purpose wine glasses.

Notes:

This chilled, layered dessert topped with strawberries is quite impressive. Be sure to allow time to let it set! It’s well worth the wait. Alcohol can be replaced with 1 teaspoon orange extract.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 220; Fat: 17 g; Saturated Fat: 10 g; Fiber: 4 g; Sodium: 50 mg; Cholesterol: 30 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g; Sugars: 6 g

Monday, March 11, 2019

Meatless Monday

It's Meatless Monday, time to explore a day without meat. If you normally add meat to your diet, before you decide that a vegetarian diet is b-o-o-o-r-i-n-g, think back to when you, or a loved one, were first diagnosed as diabetic. Remember thinking that the food would be as exciting as cardboard? And sure enough, you discovered that you could actually eat interesting food? The same goes with a vegetarian diet. And, interesting enough, you can eat meals that are both vegetarian and safe for diabetics. Today's vegetarian (and diabetic) offerings should prove that, and include Quesadillas and Meringue Tartlets with Pears and Shaved Chocolate. Enjoy!

LEMON BASIL PESTO WITH FRESH VEGETABLES

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/lemon-basil-pesto-with-fresh-vegetables

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups packed basil leaves

1/2 cup packed baby spinach leaves

1/2 cup walnuts

1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated Asiago cheese

2 Tbsp. soft silken tofu

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest

1 large red bell pepper, cut into 3/4" strips

1 pint small cherry tomatoes

Directions

In food processor, pulse basil and spinach until finely chopped. Add nuts and cheese. Whirl until nuts are finely chopped. Add tofu, salt and pepper. With motor running, drizzle in oil. Add lemon zest and whirl to blend. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Makes 1 cup pesto.

To serve, scoop pesto into serving bowl. Set bowl in center of a plate and arrange pepper strips and tomatoes around it. Provide toothpicks so tomatoes can be neatly dipped.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 140; Fat: 12 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 180 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g

LEMON MERINGUE PIE

Recipe Yield: Serves: 8

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/lemon-meringue-pie

Ingredients

For Pie Filling:

Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie

2-1/4 cups water

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice or frozen lemon juice concentrate*

1/2 cup cornstarch

2 eggs

2 egg whites

1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1-1/2 cups Equal Spoonful or Granulated**

2 tablespoons stick butter or margarine

1 to 2 drops yellow food coloring (optional)

For Meringue:

3 egg whites

1/4 teaspoon cream tartar

2/3 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated***

* Such as Minute Maid Premium Lemon juice (frozen) 100% Pure Lemon Juice from Concentrate

** May substitute 36 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

For Pie Filling, roll pastry on floured surface into circle 1 inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into plate; trim and flute edge. Pierce bottom and side of pastry with fork.

Bake in preheated 425F oven 10 to 12 minutes or until pastry is golden. Cool on wire rack.

Combine water, lemon juice and cornstarch in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Beat eggs, 2 egg whites and lemon peel in medium bowl. Mix in 1-1/2 cups Equal. Stir about half of hot cornstarch mixture into egg mixture.

Return all to saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in butter until melted. Stir in food coloring, if desired. Pour mixture over baked pie shell.

For Meringue, beat 3 egg whites in mixing bowl on medium speed of mixer until foamy. Add cream of tartar. Beat to soft peaks. Gradually beat in 2/3 cup Equal, beating to stiff peaks. Spread meringue over hot lemon filling, carefully sealing to edge of crust to prevent shrinking or weeping.

Bake pie in 425F oven about 5 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned.

Cool completely on wire rack. Cut pie into wedges.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 178; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 133 mg; Cholesterol: 65 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 2 fat

MERINGUE TARTLETS WITH PEARS AND SHAVED CHOCOLATE

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/meringue-tartlets-with-pears-and-shaved-chocolate

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 cup orange juice without pulp

2 cloves

4 ripe pears – Bosc or Anjou varieties (peeled, halved and cored)

1 Tbsp. plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided

4 large, room temperature egg whites

Dash of cream of tartar

Dash of salt

2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. shaved chocolate, from a good-quality dark chocolate bar

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large baking pan, combine water, orange juice, 1 Tbsp. sugar and cloves. Add pears. Poach pears in the oven until soft. Remove pears from liquid and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the eggs are frothy (about 1 minute). With the mixer at high speed, add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Beat for roughly 6 minutes or until stiff, glossy peaks form.

Drop the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet in eight 3- to 4-inch-diameter rounds, smoothing the edges. Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, but leave the meringues in the oven for about 12 hours. Do not open the oven door.

When ready to serve, gently peel the meringues off the parchment paper.

Place each pear half in a bowl and top with one meringue. To garnish, shave chocolate from the side of the chocolate bar using a vegetable peeler. Note, it may help if the chocolate bar is cold, so refrigerate for several minutes prior. Garnish each meringue with 1 teaspoon shaved chocolate.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 117; Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g

VEGETABLE AND BEAN SOUP

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings

Source: The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook

Book Title: The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/vegetable-and-bean-soup.

Ingredients

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

2 (14.5) cans chicken broth

1 cube vegetable bouillon

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 (15.5 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

2 carrots, finely chopped

2 celery stalks, finely chopped

2 summer squashes (zucchini or yellow squash, about 1 pound total), quartered lengthwise and chopped

1 (7 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (about 4 shakes) (optional)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker crock and mix well.

Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.

Stir well before serving.

If desired, stir in Tabasco sauce before serving.

Notes:

Easy substitution: To make this soup completely vegetarian, substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth, and additional olive oil for the butter.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 210; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 1020 mg; Cholesterol: 14 mg; Protein: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 18 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Lean Meat, 2 Fat, 2 Vegetable
QUESADILLAS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 8 servings (2 wedges)

Source: Forbidden Foods Diabetic Cooking

Book Title: Forbidden Foods Diabetic Cooking

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/quesadillas

Ingredients

1 cup shredded Mexican Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or brick cheese

1 green onion, minced

1-3 tablespoons canned chopped green chilies (to taste)

4 8-inch flour tortillas

Chunky salsa, for topping or dip

Directions

In a medium bowl, toss together the cheese, green onion, and chilies; set aside.

Spray a medium skillet with nonstick cooking spray and place over medium heat.

When hot, add 1 tortilla and sprinkle it with one-fourth of the cheese mixture.

When the cheese begins to melt, about 1 minute, fold the tortilla in half.

Continue cooking until lightly browned and crisp on both sides, about 1 minute.

Transfer to a cutting board.

Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.

Cut into 4 wedges with a knife or pizza cutter and serve immediately with the salsa.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 134; Fat: 6 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 211 mg; Cholesterol: 12 mg; Protein: 6 g; Carbohydrates: 14 g; Sugars: 1 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Fat

LEMON-GLAZED BABY CARROTS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

Source: America's Everyday Diabetes Cookbook

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/lemon-glazed-baby-carrots

Ingredients

1 pound peeled baby carrots

1/4 cup vegetable stock

1 tablespoons margarine or butter

1 tablespoon brown sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pepper to taste

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley or chives

Directions

In a medium saucepan, cook carrots in boiling salted water for 5 to 7 minutes (start timing when water returns to a boil) or until just tender-crisp; drain and return to saucepan.

Add stock, butter, brown sugar, lemon juice and rind, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, 3 to 5 minutes or until liquid has evaporated and carrots are nicely glazed.

Sprinkle with parsley or chives and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 91; Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 251 mg; Cholesterol: 8 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetables, 1/2 Fat

Friday, March 1, 2019

Friday Recipes

Here are six yummy recipes to help you through the weekend, including Middle Eastern-Style Chicken and Vegetable and Bean Soup. Enjoy!

SHANGHAI WALNUT CHICKEN

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/shanghai-walnut-chicken

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce

1 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce

1 tsp. rice vinegar

1/4 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 Tbsp. cornstarch

1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil

1 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided

3/4 lb. chicken cutlets, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 green bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice

1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice

1 green chile pepper, thinly sliced

1 garlic clove, chopped

1 can (8 oz.) diced or sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, broth and cornstarch. Mix in the sesame oil. Set the seasoning sauce aside.

Set a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of the canola oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface. Stir-fry the chicken until it is white. Turn it out onto a plate.

Add the remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry the green, red, and chile peppers, and the garlic, for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the water chestnuts and walnuts. Restir the seasoning sauce and add. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, along with cooked rice, preferably brown.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 247; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 378 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Medium-Fat Meat, 2 Vegetable

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIES

Recipe Yield: Yield: 16 brownies

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/double-chocolate-brownies

Ingredients

6 tablespoons stick butter, softened

1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup Equal Spoonful*

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips

6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

Optional: Chopped Walnuts

* May substitute 24 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

Beat butter, applesauce, eggs, and vanilla until blended. Stir in combined flour, Equal, chocolate chips, cocoa, baking powder, nuts (optional) and salt until blended.

Spread batter in sprayed 8-inch square baking pan. Bake in a preheated 350F oven 18 to 20 minutes or until top springs back when gently touched. Cool completely on wire rack. Cut into squares.

Store in airtight containers at room temperature.

Notes:

Applesauce replaces part of the fat, Equal all of the sugar, plus you get double the chocolate flavor with both cocoa and chocolate chips – so who can resist these delicious brownies?

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 105; Fat: 7 g; Sodium: 77 mg; Cholesterol: 38 mg; Protein: 2 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fat

MIDDLE EASTERN-STYLE CHICKEN

Recipe Yield: Yield: 10 servings

Source: The Diabetes Snack Munch Nibble Nosh Book

Book Title: The Diabetes Snack Munch Nibble Nosh Book

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/middle-eastern-style-chicken

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed of all fat and cut into bite-sized pieces

2 cups frozen mixed pepper and onion stir-fry

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 cup fat-free, low-sodium or regular chicken broth

1 (14-1/2 ounce) can low-sodium or regular diced tomato

1/2 cup dark raisins

1 large bay leaf

1-1/2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves

1 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/8 teaspoon cloves

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Salt to taste (optional)

Directions

In a nonstick skillet coated with nonstick spray coating, cook the chicken pieces over medium heat, turning frequently, until they begin to brown.

Add the onion and pepper mixture, garlic, oil and 1 tablespoon of the broth to the skillet. Stir up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Raise the heat and bring to a boil.

Lower the heat again and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, 2 or 3 minutes, or until the onion is slightly softened. Add the remaining broth, tomato, raisins, bay leaf, thyme, cumin, allspice, cloves, and black pepper.

Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, uncovered, about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and the sauce has cooked down slightly. Remove the bay leaf and discard. Add salt to taste (if desired).

Serve at once, or transfer to a casserole, cover, and refrigerate. The chicken will keep for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 99; Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 106 mg; Cholesterol: 27 mg; Protein: 11 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Sugars: 7 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Carbohydrate, 1 Lean Meat

LEMON BASIL PESTO WITH FRESH VEGETABLES

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/lemon-basil-pesto-with-fresh-vegetables

Ingredients

1-1/2 cups packed basil leaves

1/2 cup packed baby spinach leaves

1/2 cup walnuts

1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated Asiago cheese

2 Tbsp. soft silken tofu

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest

1 large red bell pepper, cut into 3/4" strips

1 pint small cherry tomatoes

Directions

In food processor, pulse basil and spinach until finely chopped. Add nuts and cheese. Whirl until nuts are finely chopped. Add tofu, salt and pepper. With motor running, drizzle in oil. Add lemon zest and whirl to blend. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Makes 1 cup pesto.

To serve, scoop pesto into serving bowl. Set bowl in center of a plate and arrange pepper strips and tomatoes around it. Provide toothpicks so tomatoes can be neatly dipped.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 140; Fat: 12 g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 180 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 4 g

MERINGUE TARTLETS WITH PEARS AND SHAVED CHOCOLATE

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/meringue-tartlets-with-pears-and-shaved-chocolate

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 cup orange juice without pulp

2 cloves

4 ripe pears – Bosc or Anjou varieties (peeled, halved and cored)

1 Tbsp. plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided

4 large, room temperature egg whites

Dash of cream of tartar

Dash of salt

2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. shaved chocolate, from a good-quality dark chocolate bar

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large baking pan, combine water, orange juice, 1 Tbsp. sugar and cloves. Add pears. Poach pears in the oven until soft. Remove pears from liquid and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the eggs are frothy (about 1 minute). With the mixer at high speed, add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Beat for roughly 6 minutes or until stiff, glossy peaks form.

Drop the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet in eight 3- to 4-inch-diameter rounds, smoothing the edges. Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, but leave the meringues in the oven for about 12 hours. Do not open the oven door.

When ready to serve, gently peel the meringues off the parchment paper.

Place each pear half in a bowl and top with one meringue. To garnish, shave chocolate from the side of the chocolate bar using a vegetable peeler. Note, it may help if the chocolate bar is cold, so refrigerate for several minutes prior. Garnish each meringue with 1 teaspoon shaved chocolate.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 117; Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g

VEGETABLE AND BEAN SOUP

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings

Source: The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook

Book Title: The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/vegetable-and-bean-soup.

Ingredients

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

2 (14.5) cans chicken broth

1 cube vegetable bouillon

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 (15.5 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

2 carrots, finely chopped

2 celery stalks, finely chopped

2 summer squashes (zucchini or yellow squash, about 1 pound total), quartered lengthwise and chopped

1 (7 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (about 4 shakes) (optional)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker crock and mix well.

Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.

Stir well before serving.

If desired, stir in Tabasco sauce before serving.

Notes:

Easy substitution: To make this soup completely vegetarian, substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth, and additional olive oil for the butter.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 210; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 1020 mg; Cholesterol: 14 mg; Protein: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 18 g

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

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Thursday Recipes

It's almost the end of the week. To celebrate, how about trying any of these six recipes, including Meringue Tartlets with Pears and Shaved Chocolate or Chimichurri Steak Wraps. Enjoy!

LEMON MERINGUE PIE

Recipe Yield: Serves: 8

Source: Equal

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/lemon-meringue-pie

Ingredients

For Pie Filling:

Pastry for single-crust 9-inch pie

2-1/4 cups water

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice or frozen lemon juice concentrate*

1/2 cup cornstarch

2 eggs

2 egg whites

1-1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel

1-1/2 cups Equal Spoonful or Granulated**

2 tablespoons stick butter or margarine

1 to 2 drops yellow food coloring (optional)

For Meringue:

3 egg whites

1/4 teaspoon cream tartar

2/3 cup Equal Spoonful or Granulated***

* Such as Minute Maid Premium Lemon juice (frozen) 100% Pure Lemon Juice from Concentrate

** May substitute 36 packets Equal sweetener

Directions

For Pie Filling, roll pastry on floured surface into circle 1 inch larger than inverted 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into plate; trim and flute edge. Pierce bottom and side of pastry with fork.

Bake in preheated 425F oven 10 to 12 minutes or until pastry is golden. Cool on wire rack.

Combine water, lemon juice and cornstarch in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Beat eggs, 2 egg whites and lemon peel in medium bowl. Mix in 1-1/2 cups Equal. Stir about half of hot cornstarch mixture into egg mixture.

Return all to saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in butter until melted. Stir in food coloring, if desired. Pour mixture over baked pie shell.

For Meringue, beat 3 egg whites in mixing bowl on medium speed of mixer until foamy. Add cream of tartar. Beat to soft peaks. Gradually beat in 2/3 cup Equal, beating to stiff peaks. Spread meringue over hot lemon filling, carefully sealing to edge of crust to prevent shrinking or weeping.

Bake pie in 425F oven about 5 minutes or until meringue is lightly browned.

Cool completely on wire rack. Cut pie into wedges.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 178; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 133 mg; Cholesterol: 65 mg; Protein: 5 g; Carbohydrates: 20 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 starch, 2 fat

MERINGUE TARTLETS WITH PEARS AND SHAVED CHOCOLATE

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/meringue-tartlets-with-pears-and-shaved-chocolate

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 cup orange juice without pulp

2 cloves

4 ripe pears – Bosc or Anjou varieties (peeled, halved and cored)

1 Tbsp. plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided

4 large, room temperature egg whites

Dash of cream of tartar

Dash of salt

2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. shaved chocolate, from a good-quality dark chocolate bar

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large baking pan, combine water, orange juice, 1 Tbsp. sugar and cloves. Add pears. Poach pears in the oven until soft. Remove pears from liquid and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the eggs are frothy (about 1 minute). With the mixer at high speed, add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Beat for roughly 6 minutes or until stiff, glossy peaks form.

Drop the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet in eight 3- to 4-inch-diameter rounds, smoothing the edges. Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, but leave the meringues in the oven for about 12 hours. Do not open the oven door.

When ready to serve, gently peel the meringues off the parchment paper.

Place each pear half in a bowl and top with one meringue. To garnish, shave chocolate from the side of the chocolate bar using a vegetable peeler. Note, it may help if the chocolate bar is cold, so refrigerate for several minutes prior. Garnish each meringue with 1 teaspoon shaved chocolate.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 117; Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g

VEGETABLE AND BEAN SOUP

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings

Source: The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook

Book Title: The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/vegetable-and-bean-soup.

Ingredients

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

2 (14.5) cans chicken broth

1 cube vegetable bouillon

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 (15.5 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

2 carrots, finely chopped

2 celery stalks, finely chopped

2 summer squashes (zucchini or yellow squash, about 1 pound total), quartered lengthwise and chopped

1 (7 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (about 4 shakes) (optional)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker crock and mix well.

Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.

Stir well before serving.

If desired, stir in Tabasco sauce before serving.

Notes:

Easy substitution: To make this soup completely vegetarian, substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth, and additional olive oil for the butter.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 210; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 1020 mg; Cholesterol: 14 mg; Protein: 8 g; Carbohydrates: 18 g

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

CHIMICHURRI STEAK WRAPS

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chimichurri-steak-wraps

Ingredients

12 ounces grilled top sirloin steak, cut into slices

3 cups fresh baby spinach

1/2 large red bell pepper, cut into thin strips

4 medium whole wheat tortillas (8 to 10-inch diameter)

Chimichurri Sauce:

1 cup fresh parsley leaves

2 cloves garlic

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Place parsley and garlic in food processor or blender container. Cover; process until finely chopped. Add oil, vinegar and salt; process just until blended.

Spread each tortilla evenly with Chimichurri Sauce, leaving 1/4-inch border around edge. Top with equal amounts spinach, bell pepper slices and beef slices on top two-thirds of tortilla. Fold bottom of tortilla up over filling. Fold right and left sides to center overlapping edges; secure with wooden picks; if desired.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 340; Fat: 16 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Fiber: 3.7 g; Sodium: 410 mg; Cholesterol: 49 mg; Protein: 30 g; Carbohydrates: 25 g

CHICKEN PICADILLO

Yield: 6 servings; Serving size: 3/4 cup chicken and vegetables

Source: Deliciously Healthy Dinners

View this online https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-picadillo

Ingredients

2 tsp olive oil

1 large yellow onion, finely chopped

1 medium green bell pepper, rinsed and finely chopped

1 medium red bell pepper, rinsed and finely chopped

1-1/2 Tbsp garlic, mashed (about 3 cloves)

12 oz boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into thin strips

1/3 cup no-salt-added tomato sauce

1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup lemon juice

1/4 tsp ground cumin

2 bay leaves

1/3 cup water

1/4 cup golden seedless raisins

For garnish:

1 Tbsp fresh cilantro, rinsed, dried, and chopped (or substitute 1 tsp dried coriander)

1 Tbsp capers, drained

2 Tbsp green olives, chopped

Directions

Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion, bell peppers, and garlic, and saute until vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.

Add the chicken, and stir fry for another 5–10 minutes until chicken is no longer pink inside.

Add the tomato sauce, chicken broth, lemon juice, cumin, bay leaves, water, and raisins to the vegetables and chicken.

Cover the pan, and reduce the heat. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove the bay leaves, and garnish with fresh cilantro, capers, and green olives, and serve.

Notes:

This zesty one-pot meal is easy to throw together on a busy weeknight.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 162; Fat: 5 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 133 mg; Cholesterol: 46 mg; Protein: 18 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g

CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI STIR-FRY

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

Source: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Terrific Diabetic Meals

Book Title: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Terrific Diabetic Meals

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-and-broccoli-stir-fry

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive or canola oil

4 (3 ounces) boneless, skinless chicken breast, halves, cut into thin strips

2 cloves garlic, minced

3 cups chopped broccoli florets

1 medium red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into 2-1/2 inch pieces

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 cup low-salt chicken broth

3 tablespoons Lea & Perrins White Wine Worcestershire Sauce

Directions

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and garlic. Cook, stirring, for 3 to 5 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Reduce heat. Remove chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm.

Add broccoli and bell pepper to the same skillet; cover and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine cornstarch, ginger, chicken broth, and Worcestershire sauce, and blend well. Return chicken to skillet. Add cornstarch mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, about 5 minutes, until bubbly and thickened.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 189; Fat: 4 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 210 mg;Cholesterol: 68 mg; Protein: 29 g; Carbohydrates: 5 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 4 Lean Meat, 1 Fat