PARMESAN CRUSTED CHICKEN BREASTS

1/3 cup low-fat mayonnaise

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
4 chicken breast halves
4 tsp Italian seasoned breadcrumbs

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Combine mayo and Parmesan.

Arrange chicken on a baking sheet that's been lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray; top with mayo mixture. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.

Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.

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TEX-MEX BEEF TACO STEW

2 lb beef chuck, cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 14 1/2 ounces diced tomatoes with jalapeno
• 1 1ounce packet reduced sodium taco seasoning
• 1 15 1/2 ounce can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 15 1/2 ounce can kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 10 ounce package frozen corn, thawed
• Sour cream, sliced scallions and tortilla chips for garnish (optional)

1. Coat slow-cooker bowl with nonstick cooking spray. Place beef and onion in bottom of slow cooker. Combine tomatoes and taco seasoning; pour over beef.

2. Cover and cook on HIGH for 6 hours or LOW for 8 hours. One hour before end of cooking time, stir in beans and corn.

3. Serve with sour cream, sliced scallions and tortilla chips, if desired.

Yield:  6 servings

42 g carbs and 41 g protein per serving

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EASY COLESLAW

1 head cabbage, chopped
1 medium-size onion, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
3/4 cup Splenda or Stevia Granulated (or the equivalent of your favorite sugar substitute)

Place cabbage, onion, and bell pepper in a large heat-proof bowl; pour Splenda over the mixture.

Dressing:
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt (I recommend omitting or using only 1/4 tsp)
1 tsp celery seed

In a small saucepan, combine the dressing ingredients and stir to mix well; bring to a boil.

Pour the hot dressing over the cabbage mixture and refrigerate until serving time. Do not stir.

file photo - not this exact recipe

COUNTRY BREAKFAST SKILLET

This is a good way for diabetics to enjoy hash browns. With the proteins included in this recipe that makes 8 servings, each serving has a good carb to protein ratio for diabetics. If you only want 4 servings, this is an easy recipe to cut in half.

12-oz bacon, chopped fine
1 medium yellow onion, chopped fine
1 bag (30-oz) frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
8 large eggs
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 cup low-fat shredded Mexican-blend cheese

Cook the bacon and onion over medium heat in a large skillet until bacon is crisp; drain, reserving 1/4 cup drippings. Add reserved drippings back into skillet.

Stir the hash browns into the skillet and cook, uncovered, 10 minutes (or until bottoms are browned) over medium heat; turn potatoes.

Using the back of a spoon, make 8 indentations, evenly spaced throughout, into the potato mixture. Break one egg into each well: sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Cover and cook on low heat for 10 minutes or until eggs are done to your desired level. Sprinkle the cheese overall and let set until cheese is melted.

Yield: 8 servings
Per serving: 278 calories, 17 g carbs, 14 g protein

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SPINACH-BASIL PESTO PASTA

1 pkg (14.5 oz) multigrain spaghetti such as Barilla Protein Plus, for example

1/2 cup packed fresh basil (+ additional for garnish, if desired)

1/2 cup baby spinach

1/4 cup packed fresh parsley

1 large garlic clove

1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese

1/4 cup chicken broth

4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil

2 tbsp chopped walnuts

2 tbsp grated Romano cheese (+ additional for garnish, if desired)

1/4 cup chopped onions

1 cup halved cherry tomatoes

Cook spaghetti per package directions, drain and keep warm.

In a food processor, pulse basil, spinach, parsley and garlic until finely chopped. Add ricotta, broth, 2 tablespoons of the oil, walnuts and Romano. Process until smooth, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper, if desired.

In a skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring, until tender, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook 1 minute. 

In a large bowl, gently toss the spaghetti, pesto mixture and tomato mixture. If desired, garnish with the additional Romano and basil.

Yield: 8 servings

Per serving: 279 calories, 39g carbs, 13g protein, 4g fiber, 167mg sodium, 9g fat (2g sat)

file photo for reference only

basic recipe First for women 2024

VENISON SWISS STEAK IN SLOW COOKER

2 lb venison round steak

1/4 cup white whole-wheat flour
2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 tbsp coconut or olive oil
2 medium onions, sliced
2 celery ribs, diced
1 cup sliced carrots
2 cups fresh tomatoes, chopped*
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Combine the flour, salt, and pepper in a pie plate; dredge steak in the mixture.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet; add the steak and brown on both sides.

Place the browned meat in a slow cooker; add the remaining ingredients to the cooker.

Place lid on cooker and cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or until meat is tender and cooked through.

*May substitute low-sugar stewed tomatoes for the fresh tomatoes.

Yield: 6 servings
Per serving: 277 calories, 14 g carbs, 39 g protein
Diabetic exchanges: .5 starch, 2 vegetables, 4 very lean meat, 1 fat

file photo for reference

POPEYE'S MEATBALLS

1 egg

1 tbsp water
1/4 cup dry whole-grain breadcrumbs
1 cup fat-free cottage cheese
2 tbsp dried minced onion
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 pkg (10-oz) frozen chopped spinach, thaw and drain well
1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef

Combine the egg, water, crumbs, cottage cheese, onion, and garlic powder in a large bowl.

Add the spinach and beef to the above mixture; mix well.

Shape mixture into 1-inch diameter balls and place on an ungreased baking sheet that has sides.

Broil meatballs for 8 minutes 4 to 6-inches from the heat. Turn meatballs and broil another 4 to 5 minutes until cooked through.

Yield: Serves 8
Per serving: 176 calories, 6 g carbs, 18 g protein
Diabetic Exchanges: 2 meat, 1 vegetable

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MINI BROCCOLI FRITTATAS

1 small bunch broccoli (about 1/2 lb)

10 large eggs
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 cups grated low-fat sharp cheddar cheese
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Very lightly spray 24 mini muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray.

Cut down broccoli into small florets. (You can save the stems to add to soups and/or casseroles if you don't want to waste them. Do not use them in this recipe.)

Place broccoli in a large saucepan and cover with water; bring to a rolling boil. Cook until broccoli is bright green but is still crisp. Drain in a colander, rinse and drain again. Be sure broccoli is drained well.

Whisk the eggs with the salt, pepper, red pepper flakes until combined. Give one last good whisk and pour into a pitcher with a good pouring spout.

Into each muffin cup place about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cheese and a little broccoli. Gently pour the egg mixture into the muffin cups but do not fill to the brim as the frittatas will puff up during baking.

Place on the middle oven rack and bake 12 to 15 minutes until set.

Remove from oven and allow to cool a few minutes then remove from pan. Use a thin knife to loosen if needed. Place mini frittatas on a plate and sprinkle with the remaining cheese and the parsley.

This recipe is great for appetizers or as a brunch item.

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SHAKSHUKA WITH FETA

3 tbsp olive oil

1 medium-sized onion, finely chopped

2 large red bell peppers, seeded and diced

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 tsp harissa

2 tbsp tomato paste

5 large ripe tomatoes OR 1 can (28-oz) crushed tomatoes

5-oz feta cheese

4 large eggs

Chopped cilantro, for garnish

1 avocado, sliced, optional

Preheat oven to 375-degrees.

In a cast iron pan or a shallow Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion to the pan and stir for 2 minutes.

Add bell peppers, garlic, cumin, kosher salt, black pepper, harissa and tomato paste. Cook for 8-10 minutes, until pepper have softened.

Add the tomatoes and cook on simmer for another 10 minutes. Crumble feta cheese over the tomato mixture. Make four dips in the sauce and carefully crack the eggs into the holes.

Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes, depending on how runny you want the yolks. Garnish with the cilantro and the sliced avocado, if desired.

Yield: 4 servings

recipe basics first for women 2024, file photo for reference

 

BAKED SAUSAGE AND VEGGIES

A friend shared this recipe with me. It is a good way for us diabetics to have a few tasty potatoes once in awhile. I recommend cutting back a potato to only two or better yet use 3 unpeeled red potatoes.

1 lb. Italian sausage (mild or hot)
3 potatoes cut into large chunks
2 carrots, peeled and cut up
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 yellow squash cut into large chunks
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dried basil
1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
olive oil

Lightly spray a casserole dish with cooking spray. Add in the cut up veggies, pour in a little olive oil and sprinkle the seasonings in. Using your hands toss to coat all the veggies. Place the sausage across the top and cover with foil. Bake at 400 degrees for 1 hour 15 minutes. Remove and uncover, return to the oven to brown the sausage for 15 minutes, turn sausage to brown the other side an additional 15 minutes. 

file photo of this recipe