MEXICAN EGG SALAD WRAPS

12 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and coarsely chopped

1/2 cup olive oil mayonnaise

1/4 cup finely chopped celery

1/4 tsp salt

1 can (4.5-oz) chopped green chiles

2 medium avocados, pitted, peeled and coarsely chopped

2 tsp lime juice

1 tbsp finely chopped onion

1 pkg (11-oz) flour tortillas for burritos

1/3 cup small fresh cilantro leaves, stems removed

Fresh cilantro sprigs for garnish, if desired

Medium fresh strawberries for plate garnish, if desired

In a large bowl, mix chopped eggs, mayonnaise, celery, salt and chiles. Place avocado in a medium bowl and sprinkle with the lime juice. Add onion, mash with spoon.

Spread 1/4 cup avocado mixture on each tortilla to within 1/2-inch of edge. Spread each with about 1/3 cup egg salad mixture. Sprinkle cilantro leaves over each. Fold in sides of each tortilla, roll up. Arrange wraps on a large serving platter and garnish with the cilantro sprigs and strawberries, if using.

Yield: 8 wraps Per wrap: 430 calories, 28g carbs (fiber 3g, sugar 2g), 14g protein, 620mg sodium

recipe (my version of a Pillsbury recipe) and photo from Pillsbury

JELL-O PIZZAS

Want a fun cool dessert for diabetic kids on a hot day or for an after-school snack? These JELL-O pizzas are fun and refreshing.

2 pkgs (4-serving size) JELL-O sugar-free gelatin dessert, any flavor
2 cups boiling water
1 cup cold water
Sugar-free frozen whipped topping, thawed
Assortment of small fresh fruit* for topping

Dissolve the gelatin in the boiling water, stirring to dissolve completely, about two minutes. Stir in the cold water. Pour gelatin into a 13-x-9-inch pan or a large round cake pan (may use 2-10-inch cake pans. Refrigerate at least 3 hours until firm.

Remove from refrigerator when set and spread the top with the whipped topping. Decorate with the fresh fruits.

To make individual pizzas from the rectangle pan, pour about 4-inches of warm, not hot, water in sink. Dip pan briefly in the warm water, being careful not to get water on the gelatin. Using the rim of a large glass or a large round cookie cutter, cut out the circles. Lift carefully from the pan to serving plates. For the round pans cut wedges like pizza and place on individual plates.

file photo

PINEAPPLE-MANGO CHICKEN

1 lb (4 pieces) boneless skinless chicken breast halves

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup mango fat-free lite yogurt

1 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

1 1/2 cups canned pineapple tidbits in their own juice, drained

butter-flavored cooking spray

In a small bowl mix the yogurt with the cilantro and pineapple.  Cover and refrigerate until needed.  Be sure to stir the sauce before using.

Spray a frying pan with the cooking spray and heat the pan over medium heat.  Lightly salt and pepper the chicken and cook just until cooked through, about 10 minutes.  Turn at least once or twice during cooking.

To serve, drizzle the chicken with the mango sauce.
Note: If serving over or with rice, be sure to use brown rice or riced cauliflower.

Yield: 4 servings
Per serving: Approximately 155 calories, 1 g fat, 66 mg cholesterol, 68 mg sodium, 27 g protein, and 7 g carbs   Exchanges: 3 meats

This is a file photo of a very similar recipe.

GRILLED SALMON WITH ARUGULA CHIMICHURRI

1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 cup chopped fresh arugula

1/4 cup olive oil (plus more for grilling) 

2 tbsp fresh mint leaves

1 1/2 tbsp lime juice

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1 small garlic clove, peeled and chopped

Salt and pepper to taste

6 4-oz salmon fillets

Puree the first 7 ingredients in a blender until smooth. Season with the salt and pepper as desired.

Heat grill to high (450 degrees).

Brush salmon with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill with the meat side down 4 to 5 minutes; turn, reduce heat to medium, cook another 2 to 3 minutes.

Serve the salmon with the chimichurri.

Yield: 6 servings Per serving: 390 calories, 37g protein, 1g carbs, 0g sugar, 5g saturated fats, 0g fiber, 299mg sodium

file photo for reference

PORK CHOPS WITH BLACK BEAN SALSA SKILLET MEAL

4 lean boneless pork chops

1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tsp salt
pinch freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp oregano
pinch red pepper flakes
1 tbsp canola oil
1 can (19-oz) black beans, drained, rinsed
1 cup chunky salsa (watch sugar content)
1/2 cup frozen whole kernel corn, thawed
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Low-fat sour cream or plain Greek yogurt, optional

In a small bowl combine the garlic, salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and pepper flakes to make a rub.  Rub this mixture all over the pork chops.

Heat the oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add the chops.  Cook the pork chops 5 minutes per side, lowering heat if necessary.  Remove the chops to a plate.  Remove fat and bits from the pan and return the chops with any juices on the plate.

Add the beans, salsa, and corn to the skillet.  Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat, simmer 10 to 15 minutes until sauce is hot and chops are cooked through.  Remove to serving platter and sprinkle with the chopped cilantro. Add a dollop of sour cream, if desired.

 File Photo

PANKO-COATED TILAPIA FILLETS

1 cup unseasoned panko bread crumbs

1 1/2 tsp dried dill weed
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
4 tilapia fillets
1/4 cup reduced-fat ranch dressing

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Coat a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In a shallow dish mix the panko crumbs with the dill, salt, and pepper.

Generously brush both sides of the fillets with the ranch dressing and press into the panko mixture, covering tilapia on both sides.  Place the breaded fish on the prepared baking pan. 

Bake fish for 15 minutes at 400 degrees or until the fillets flake with a fork.  Turn oven to broil and cook for another 1 to 2 minutes to brown well.

Yield: 4 servings
Per serving: approximately 192 calories, 25 g protein, 13 g carbs, 1 g dietary fiber

file photo

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

1 pkg (2-layer size) sugar-free chocolate cake mix

1 1/4 cups water

6 egg whites

2 (2.5-oz each) containers pureed baby food plums or prunes

2 tbsp canola oil

3 cups sugar-free whipped topping, thawed

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Coat 24 muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray or line with paper cupcake liners; set aside.

Combine cake mix, water, egg whites, baby food, and oil in a large mixing bowl and mix according to cake mix directions. Divide evenly among the prepared muffin cups. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire racks for 5 minutes. Remove from muffin tins and cool completely on the wire racks.

FROSTNG:

Frost with the whipped topping. If you want to add coloring place whipped topping in a medium mixing bowl and mix in paste food coloring of your choice.

Cover cupcakes and refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with fresh fruit, if desired.

file photo for reference only

OH-SO-EASY CARAMEL APPLE CIDER

1 cup unsweetened apple juice

2 packets Splenda Coffee Flavors, Cinnamon Spice
1 packet Splenda Coffee Flavors, Caramel

Mix all ingredients together in a large microwave proof mug.  Heat in the microwave until warmed as desired.  Serve immediately.

file photo

HOMEMADE APPLE-OAT BARS

This is a recipe I came up with to replace the 'store-bought' breakfast, granola, or whatever bars that are too expensive and often have too much fat or sugar.  These are good with a cup of coffee, hot chocolate, or hot tea.   In fact, I am eating one with my coffee now as I type this.  The only fat in this recipe is in the healthy walnuts.  And remember cinnamon is a blood sugar stabilizer so go heavy with a bit of a rounded teaspoonful.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly spray an 8-inch square baking pan or round cake pan with butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

1 cup raw quick oats
1 cup white whole wheat flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup Splenda Granulated
1/2 cup + 1 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup coarsely diced apple
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

In a medium to large mixing bowl, combine the oats, flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; set aside.

In a small bowl combine the Splenda, applesauce, egg, and vanilla, stirring to blend well.  Stir the applesauce mixture into the oat's mixture until well combined. Stir in the apples and nuts until completely blended in.  Spread the mixture (this mixture will not pour; it is thick and heavy) into the prepared baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until bars start to pull away from the sides of the pan, looks dry and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Allow to cool completely in pan before slicing.  To slice, cut through the center dividing in half.  Then cut across the opposite direction to form bars the size of your choice.  Be sure the bars are cooled completely before storing in a plastic bag or airtight container.  Otherwise, they will sweat and become sticky.

DINER MEAT OLOAF

2/3 cup fat-free milk

3 egg whites

2 cups soft whole wheat breadcrumbs

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

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp dried thyme or oregano

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

1 1/2 lb lean ground beef

1/4 cup ketchup

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 garlic clove, minced

Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Line a 2-qt rectangular baking dish with foil, set aside.

In a large bowl combine milk and egg. Stir in the breadcrumbs, onions, Worcestershire, thyme, salt and pepper. Add the ground beef and mix well. Shape into a rectangle in the prepared baking dish.

Bake at 35q0-degrees 50 minutes. Spoon off fat. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine ketchup, vinegar and garlic. Spread over the top of the meat loaf. Bake about 10 minutes longer.

Allow meat loaf to stand for 10 minutes before slicing into 8 slices to serve.

Yield: 8 servings Per serving: 197 calories, 9g total fat (4g sat) 56mg cholesterol, 308mg sodium, 8g carbs, 20g protein

Diabetic Exchanges: 0.5 starch, 2.5 starch, 2.5 lean meat, 1 fat

eatingwell photo