Desserts

“Seize the moment. Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart.” - Erma Bombeck. (Found in Women's Lip: Outrageous, Irreverent and Just Plain Hilarious Quotes, edited by Roz Warren, page 42.)

Back in November 2016, I started another blog, Quote of the Day. While looking for quotes, this one from Erma Bombeck – my mom's favorite humorous columnist – jumped out as for a dessert post on one of my food blogs. I might post a few more on occasion.

It seems most of us occasionally want something snacky. I know I do! With that in mind, here are today's six dessert recipes to help you through the day (and for “whenever”), including Espresso Cream Roll and Dutch Apple Pie. Enjoy!

SUGAR FREE BLUEBERRY PIE

Servings: 8

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/51.shtml

Ingredients

4 cup blueberries, fresh or thawed frozen (unsweetened)

4 teaspoons Sweet and Low

1/4 teaspoons cinnamon

1/8 teaspoons nutmeg

1 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons quick tapioca

8-10 drops liquid butter flavoring

1 pie crust

Directions

Line 10" pie plate with crust.

Pick over, wash and drain berries.

Mix next 6 ingredients together in small bowl.

Toss with berries being careful to not crush the berries too much pour berries in crust, making sure all the "goodies" are scraped from the bowl.

Cover with top crust, slit for steam to escape.

Bake at 425 for 10 minutes, reduce heat to 325 for 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly.

Cool on wire rack, serve with dollop of Lite Cool Whip or small scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.

DUTCH APPLE PIE

Servings: 12

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/50.shtml

Ingredients

1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup quick cooking oats

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

5 cup sliced baking apples

Sweetener equal to 1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened frozen apple juice concentrate

Pie crust for 1 crust pie

Topping:1/4 cup flour

1/2 cup quick cooking oats

Sweetener to equal 1/2 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 package sugar free instant vanilla pudding mix

1/2 cup butter or margarine

Directions

Mix flour, oats, cinnamon, and sweetener with a fork.

Pour over sliced apples and mix well.

Pour apple juice over top of apples and mix well again.

Put apple mixture in pie crust; set aside.

For topping:

Mix dry ingredients with fork.

Add butter and cut into dry ingredients with a pastry blender or 2 knives until it resembles coarse crumbs, Pour mixture over pie filling and press down evenly over apples.

Bake at 400 degrees for 45-55 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 251; Fat: 12 g; Sodium: 238 mg; Cholesterol: 5 mg; Carbohydrates: 25 g; Exchanges: 2 Bread, 3 Fat, and 1 Fruit

PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY CHEESECAKE

Servings: 8

Source: The Diabetic Newsletter

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/47.shtml

Ingredients

2 (8-ounce) packages Philadelphia fat-free cream cheese

1/4 cup reduced fat peanut butter

1 (4-serving) package JELL-O sugar free instant vanilla pudding

2/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder

1 cup water

3/4 cup Cool Whip Lite

1 (6-ounce) Keebler graham cracker pie crust

1/2 cup grape spreadable fruit spread

2 tablespoon dry roasted peanuts

Directions

In a large bowl, stir cream cheese and peanut butter with a spoon until blended and soft.

Add dry pudding mix, dry milk powder, and water. Mix well using a wire whisk. Blend in 1/4 cup Cool Whip Lite.

Spread mixture evenly into piecrust.

Refrigerate while preparing topping.

In a small bowl, stir fruit spread with a spoon until soft. Add remaining 1/2 cup Cool Whip Lite. Mix gently to combine.

Evenly spread topping mixture over filling mixture.

Sprinkle peanuts evenly over top.

Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 289; Protein: 13 g; Fat: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 22.5 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Medium-Fat Meat; 1-1/2 starch; 1 Fat

MINI CHOCOLATE MINT CHEESECAKES

This recipe begins, “Serve a decadent cheesecake to each of your guests at your next dinner party. They'll be calling you the Host of the Year.”

Makes 24 servings

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1337

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1337.shtml

Ingredients

1/2 cup crushed gluten-free chocolate wafer cookies

1 tablespoon butter, melted

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup sugar

1 egg or 1/4 cup egg substitute

1/3 cup chocolate chips, melted

1/3 cup chopped crème de menthe mint candy wafers

1/3 cup sour cream

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup sweetened whipped cream

Directions

Heat oven to 325F.

In small bowl, combine crushed cookie crumbs and melted butter.

Press cookie crumb mixture into bottom of individual small tart dishes custard cups or mini muffin cups.

In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until blended.

Add egg. Blend in melted chocolate, chopped candy, sour cream and vanilla.

Pour evenly over crumbs.

Bake 20 minutes.

Cool. Refrigerate until serving.

Before serving, top with a dollop of sweetened whipped cream.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 100; Protein: 1 g; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 55 mg; Cholesterol: 25 mg; Saturated Fat: 3.5 g; Dietary Fiber: 0 g; Sugars: 7 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g

PEACH AND RASPBERRY CRUMBLE

This is from Diabetes Self-Management

Yield: 6 servings.

Prep time: 15 minutes. Baking time: 30-35 minutes.

Butter-flavor cooking spray

1 can (15 oz) sliced peaches in juice, drained

1 package (12 oz) unsweetened frozen raspberries, thawed

1 C quick-cooking oats, uncooked

2 Tbs brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

3 Tbs reduced-calorie stick margarine, melted

2 Tbs honey

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat 8”X8” baking pan with cooking spray. Arrange peach slices evenly in bottom of the pan. Sprinkle raspberries evenly over peaches. Set aside. In bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon and mix with fork, breaking up brown sugar clumps. Add margarine & honey; stir to combine. Sprinkle topping over fruit. Bake uncovered for 30 – 35 minutes, or until fruit is bubbly. Portion into 6 equal servings. Serve alone or over low-fat, no-sugar-added vanilla ice cream.

Per serving: Calories: 185; Carbs: 33g; Fat: 4 g (sat. fat: 1 g); Sodium: 70 mg; Fiber: 4 g; Exchanges: 1 starch, 1 fruit, 1 fat

ESPRESSO CREAM ROLL

Servings: 10

Source: Sweet N' Low

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/190.shtml

Ingredients

Cake

4 eggs, separated

4 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided

1 teaspoon Sweet'N Low

2 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/4 cup cake flour

4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, divided

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon confectioner's sugar

Filling

2 teaspoons hot water

1 teaspoon instant espresso coffee

2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese

2 tablespoons lowfat vanilla yogurt

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

3/4 teaspoon Sweet'N Low

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 325F. Spray 15-1/2 x 10-1/2-inch jelly-roll pan with nonstick cooking spray; line pan with waxed paper; spray paper with cooking spray. In small bowl with mixer at high speed, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar, continuing to beat until stiff but not dry. In large bowl, beat egg yolks, 1 teaspoon Sweet'N Low and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar until thick and lemon colored. Beat in water and vanilla.

In small bowl, stir together cake flour, 3 tablespoons cocoa, baking powder and salt; beat into egg-yolk mixture. Gently fold egg whites into egg-yolk mixture. Spread batter in pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until cake springs back when touched in center. Immediately invert cake onto paper towel sprinkled with 1 tablespoon cocoa. Peel waxed paper from cake. Starting at narrow end, roll cake with towel, jelly-roll fashion. Place cake, seam-side down, on wire rack to cool completely.

Meanwhile, prepare filling: In cup, mix hot water with instant espresso coffee until completely dissolved. In large bowl with mixer at medium speed, beat ricotta cheese, yogurt, 1 tablespoon cocoa, 3/4 teaspoon Sweet'N Low, granulated sugar and coffee mixture until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Unroll cake. Spread with filling, reserving 1/4 cup for garnish. Roll cake without towel. Using small strainer, sprinkle cake with confectioner's sugar. Pipe on remaining filling. Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 121; Protein: 7 g; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 103 mg; Cholesterol: 84 mg; Carbohydrates: 11 g; Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Fat

Saturday Recipes

I know, I almost never post on weekends. But I figured I might extend my posting (at least temporarily) to six days a week - at least for a couple of weeks to test it out.

Hope your weekend is going well. Here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Peanut Butter and Jelly Cheesecake and Buffalo Style Tacos. Enjoy!

PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY CHEESECAKE

Servings: 8

Source: The Diabetic Newsletter

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/47.shtml

Ingredients

2 (8-ounce) packages Philadelphia fat-free cream cheese

1/4 cup reduced fat peanut butter

1 (4-serving) package JELL-O sugar free instant vanilla pudding

2/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder

1 cup water

3/4 cup Cool Whip Lite

1 (6-ounce) Keebler graham cracker pie crust

1/2 cup grape spreadable fruit spread

2 tablespoon dry roasted peanuts

Directions

In a large bowl, stir cream cheese and peanut butter with a spoon until blended and soft.

Add dry pudding mix, dry milk powder, and water. Mix well using a wire whisk. Blend in 1/4 cup Cool Whip Lite.

Spread mixture evenly into piecrust.

Refrigerate while preparing topping.

In a small bowl, stir fruit spread with a spoon until soft. Add remaining 1/2 cup Cool Whip Lite. Mix gently to combine.

Evenly spread topping mixture over filling mixture.

Sprinkle peanuts evenly over top.

Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 289; Protein: 13 g; Fat: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 22.5 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Medium-Fat Meat; 1-1/2 starch; 1 Fat

BUFFALO STYLE TACOS

Makes 8 servings

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=1341

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/1341.shtml

Ingredients

1 (16-ounce) package JENNIE-O Lean Ground Turkey

1/3 cup hot pepper wing sauce

8 hard corn taco shells, heated as specified on package

1 cup shredded lettuce

2 tomatoes, diced

1 avocado, sliced

1/2 cup blue cheese dressing

Directions

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

Add hot pepper sauce. Stir to combine.

Fill tacos shells with lettuce, turkey mixture, tomatoes and avocado.

Drizzle with blue cheese dressing.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 220; Protein: 14 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 260 mg; Cholesterol: 45 mg; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Dietary Fiber: 3 g; Sugars: 1 g; Carbohydrates: 13 g

LEMON ASPARAGUS AND CARROTS

Servings: 6

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=21

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/21.shtml

Ingredients

1/2 pound carrots, small

1 dash lemon pepper

8 ounces asparagus spears, frozen or fresh

1/8 cup lemon juice
Directions

Wash, trim, and peel small carrots.

Place carrots in a steamer basket above boiling water.

Cover and steam about 15 minutes or till crisp- tender.

Rinse carrots in cold water; drain.

In the meantime, cook frozen asparagus spears according to package.

Rinse asparagus in cold water, drain.

Cover and chill drained carrots and asparagus.

To serve, arrange carrots and asparagus on a platter.

Sprinkle with a little lemon juice and lemon pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 26; Protein: 1 g; Sodium: 19 mg; Carbohydrates: 6 g; Exchanges: 1 Vegetable

SKEWERED CHICKEN STRIPS WITH SOY-PEANUT MARINADE

Servings: 16; 2 Skewers per serving

Source: The New American Heart Association Cookbook

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/70.shtml

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about

4 ounces each), all visible fat removed

Soy-Peanut Marinade:

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (1 to 2 medium limes)

1 tablespoon light soy sauce

1 tablespoon reduced-fat peanut butter

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

2 medium cloves garlic, minced, or 1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic

1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions

Rinse chicken and pat dry with paper towels. Put chicken smooth side up between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using a tortilla press or smooth side of a meat mallet, lightly flatten chicken. Cut each piece lengthwise into 8 long strips.

In a small nonmetallic bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. Put marinade and chiken in an airtight plastic bag and turn bag to coat. Seal and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 8 hours, turning bag occasionally.

Meanwhile, soak 32 wooden skewers in cold water for at least 10 minutes.

Preheat grill on medium-high.

Thread 1 strip of chicken on each skewer. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until chicken is cooked through. Serve hot or cover and refrigerate to serve chilled.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 30; Protein: 6 g; Fat: 1 g; Sodium: 51 mg; Cholesterol: 16 mg; Carbohydrates: 0 g; Exchanges: 1 Low-Fat Meat

ALMOND RICE

Servings: 6

Print Friendly: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/bin/print.cgi?ID=19

View recipe with photo: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/19.shtml

Ingredients

1 cup brown rice, long-grain, dry

2 cups water

2 tablespoons almonds, slivered

2 tablespoons lemon zest (or Zesto*)

1 cube chicken bouillon

Directions

In a medium size saucepan, bring water and bouillon to a boil.

Add rice and cook according to rice instructions on package.

Drain if necessary.

Add almonds and lemon zest.

Let stand a few minutes then fluff with a fork and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 164; Protein: 2.9 g; Fat: 2.3 g; Sodium: 185 mg; Carbohydrates: 24.4 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Starch; 1/2 Fat

BLACK BEAN VEGGIE BURGERS

This recipe begins, “Hearty, tasty and inexpensive, these black bean burgers taste great grilled or baked in the oven.”

From Diabetic Connect

To view this online, go to http://www.diabeticconnect.com/diabetic-recipes/general/4711-black-bean-veggie-burgers

Ingredients

1 (16 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 2 inch pieces

1/2 onion, cut into wedges

3 cloves garlic, peeled

1 egg

1 tablespoon chili powder

1 tablespoon cumin

1 teaspoon Thai chili sauce or hot sauce

1/2 cup bread crumbs

Directions

If grilling, preheat an outdoor grill for high heat, and lightly oil a sheet of aluminum foil. If baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F, and lightly oil a baking sheet.

In a medium bowl, mash black beans with a fork until thick and pasty.

In a food processor, finely chop bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Then stir into mashed beans.

In a small bowl, stir together egg, chili powder, cumin, and chili sauce.

Stir the egg mixture into the mashed beans. Mix in bread crumbs until the mixture is sticky and holds together. Divide mixture into four patties.

If grilling, place patties on foil, and grill about 8 minutes on each side. If baking, place patties on baking sheet, and bake about 10 minutes on each side.

Nutritional Facts: Servings: 4; Calories: 198; Total Fat: 3 g; Cholesterol: 53 mg; Sodium: 607 mg; Total Carbohydrate: 33.1 g; Dietary Fiber: 9.8 g; Protein: 11.2g

Tuesday Recipes

Enjoy!

PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY CHEESECAKE

Servings: 8

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/47.shtml

Ingredients

2 (8-ounce) packages Philadelphia fat-free cream cheese

1/4 cup reduced fat peanut butter

1 (4-serving) package JELL-O sugar free instant vanilla pudding

2/3 cup nonfat dry milk powder

1 cup water

3/4 cup Cool Whip Lite

1 (6-ounce) Keebler graham cracker pie crust

1/2 cup grape spreadable fruit spread

2 tablespoon dry roasted peanuts

Directions

In a large bowl, stir cream cheese and peanut butter with a spoon until blended and soft.

Add dry pudding mix, dry milk powder, and water. Mix well using a wire whisk. Blend in 1/4 cup Cool Whip Lite.

Spread mixture evenly into piecrust.

Refrigerate while preparing topping.

In a small bowl, stir fruit spread with a spoon until soft. Add remaining 1/2 cup Cool Whip Lite. Mix gently to combine.

Evenly spread topping mixture over filling mixture.

Sprinkle peanuts evenly over top.

Refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 289; Protein: 13 g; Fat: 9 g; Carbohydrates: 22.5 g; Exchanges: 1-1/2 Medium-Fat Meat; 1-1/2 starch; 1 Fat

BEET BORSCHT

Yield: 8 servings (about 1-1/4 cups each)

Source: 1,001 Delicious Recipes for People with Diabetes

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/781.shtml

Ingredients

4 medium beets, peeled, cut into julienne strips

8 ounces low-fat smoked Polish sausage, sliced

1/2-1 tablespoon margarine

6 cups reduced-sodium fat-free beef broth

1 small head red cabbage, thinly sliced or shredded

2 carrots, cut into julienne strips

1 clove garlic, minced

1 bay leaf

2-3 teaspoons sugar or Splenda

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

Salt and pepper, to taste

Finely chopped dill weed or parsley, as garnish

Directions

Saute beets and sausage in margarine in Dutch oven 3 to 4 minutes.

Add broth, cabbage, carrots, garlic, bay leaf, sugar, and vinegar; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until vegetables are tender, 20 to 30 minutes.

Discard bay leaf; season to taste with salt and pepper.

Pour soup into bowls; sprinkle with dill weed.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 120; Protein: 10.9 g; Fat: 3.7 g; Sodium: 437 mg; Cholesterol: 17.2 mg; Saturated Fat: 0.4 g; Carbohydrates: 13.1 g; Exchanges: 3 Vegetable, 1 Meat

GOLDEN PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

Yield: 40 cookies

Serving size: 1 cookie

Source: The Complete Diabetes Prevention Plan

Find this recipe at: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/787.shtml

Ingredients

1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour

3/4 cup oat flour

Sugar substitute equal to 1/4 cup sugar

3/4 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

2/3 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons margarine or butter

3/4 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup fat-free egg substitute

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine the flours, sugar substitute, baking soda, and baking powder in a bowl and stir to mix well. Set aside.

Combine the peanut butter, margarine, and brown sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer to mix well. Beat in the egg substitute, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture to the peanut butter mixture and beat to mix well.

Shape level teaspoonfuls of the dough into balls and arrange 1-1/2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets. Flatten each cookie to 1/4 -inch thickness by crisscrossing with the tines of a fork. Dip the tines of the fork lightly in sugar between each cookie if desired.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the bottoms of the cookies are golden brown. Remove the cookies and let sit for 2 minutes. Transfer the cookies to wire racks to cool completely.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 77; Protein: 2 g; Fat: 4 g; Sodium: 82 mg; Cholesterol: 0 mg; Saturated Fat: 0.7 g; Dietary Fiber: 0.9 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Exchanges: 1/2 Carbohydrate, 1 Fat

TACO SALAD WITH CUMIN DRESSING

Servings: 8

View recipe: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/41.shtml

Ingredients

8 tortillas

1 teaspoon powdered mustard

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated

1 teaspoon ground cumin

8 cups romaine lettuce

1/2 cup water

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 tablespoons vegetable oil

4 tablespoons red wine vinegar

4 cups cooked turkey, chopped

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

6 large ripe tomatoes, chopped

4 teaspoons lemon juice

2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

Directions

Toast the tortillas on a baking sheet in a 400F oven for about 10 minutes.

While hot, sprinkle on the Parmesan cheese.

Cool and break into bite-size pieces.

Chop the lettuce and arrange it in the bottom of a salad bowl.

Make the cumin dressing by combining the salt, vinegar, pepper, garlic powder, lemon juice, mustard, cumin, water and oil in a bowl or jar.

Heat the turkey in a skillet with the cumin seeds.

Sprinkle chunks of turkey over the lettuce.

Add the tomato pieces and cheese.

Pour on the cumin dressing and top with tortilla chips.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 205; Protein: 17 g; Fat: 11 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g; Exchanges: 1 Fat; 1/2 Bread/Starch; 1/2 Vegetable; 2 Lean Meat

HAWAIIAN BURGERS

Servings: 4

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 pound extra-lean ground beef

4 slices fresh pineapple, or canned, unsweetened, water packed variety

1 clove garlic, minced

2 scallions, minced

1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

4 slices - 1 ounce each french bread

Directions

Mix the beef, garlic, scallions, ginger, and soy sauce together and form in 4 patties of equal size about 3/4" thick.

Grill or broil 4" from souce of heat, for 7 minutes for medium-rare turning once. Grill longer for well done burgers.

While burgers are grilling, brush 4 slices of fresh or canned water-packed unsweetened pineapple with 1 teaspoon Worcestshire sauce.

Grill until pineapple is heated through and seared with grill marks, about 6 minutes (2 minutes for canned pienapple).

Serve each patty open-face on a 1 oz toasted slice of French bread, topped with grilled slice, and garnished with 1 tablespoon minced green bell pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 282; Protein: 20 g; Fat: 13 g; Sodium: 401 mg; Carbohydrates: 23 g

SLOW-COOKER STOUT AND CHICKEN STEW

This recipe begins, “Chicken thighs can take plenty of cooking without getting tough or drying out, which makes them perfect for the slow cooker. Here we braise them in Guinness stout along with hearty vegetables, with just the right amount of bacon for added savoriness.”

Time: 240 minutes (45 minutes prep)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

6 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, divided

1 teaspoon salt, divided, plus more to taste

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper, plus more to taste

2 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed

4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

3 pieces bacon, chopped

1 2/3 cups Guinness beer or other stout (14-ounce can)

1 pound whole baby carrots or large carrots cut into 1-inch pieces

1 8-ounce package cremini or button mushrooms, halved if large

2 cups chopped onion

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme

1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

2 cups frozen baby peas, thawed

Directions

Combine 6 tablespoons flour with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. Dredge chicken thighs in the mixture to coat completely; transfer to a plate.

Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add half the chicken and cook until well browned, 2 to 4 minutes per side; transfer to a 5- to 6-quart slow cooker. Reduce heat to medium and repeat with the remaining 2 teaspoons oil and chicken thighs. Arrange the chicken in an even layer in the slow cooker.

Add bacon to the pan and cook, stirring often, for 2 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup flour over the bacon and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes more. Add stout and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Pour the mixture over the chicken. Add carrots, mushrooms, onion, garlic and thyme, spreading in an even layer over the chicken. Pour broth over the top.

Cover and cook until the chicken is falling-apart tender, 4 hours on High or 7 to 8 hours on Low.

Stir in peas, cover and cook until the peas are heated through, 5 to 10 minutes more. Season with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper.

Nutritional Facts: Servings: 8; Serving Size: about 1 1/3 cups; Calories: 366; Carbohydrates: 28 g; Fat: 13 g; Saturated Fat: 3 g; Protein: 30 g; Cholesterol: 88 mg; Dietary Fiber: 4 g; Potassium: 650 mg; Sodium: 566 mg; Yield: 8 servings; about 1 1/3 cups each; Exchanges: 1 starch, 2 vegetable, 3 lean meat, 1 fat