EASY CHICKEN POT PIE

2 tbsp olive oil

1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 2-inch pieces

1 1/4 cups chicken broth

1/4 cup whole-wheat or your favorite low-carb flour

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

1 onion, finely chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 cup frozen mixed vegetables, thawed

1 sheet frozen puff pastry dough, thawed

Heat oven to 400-degrees.

In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoonful of the oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes; flip. Reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook until cooked through, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pan juices. Transfer chicken to a 2-quart baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.

In a bowl, mix the reserved pan juices, broth, flour, mustard and 1/4 teaspoon salt. In a skillet over medium heat, heat remaining tablespoon of oil and add vegetables. Cook 5 minutes then add broth and cook another 3 minutes. Stir into the chicken.

Roll out puff pastry to 1-inch larger than top of baking dish. Place dough over the filling, trim. Bake until golden, about 30 minutes. Allow to stand 15 minutes before serving.

Yield: 12-15 servings Per serving (15): 390 calories 20g protein, 30g carbs, 500mg sodium, fat 18g (6g sat) Note: reduce sodium by using low-sodium chicken broth.

recipe idea and photo First for women 2022

SAUTEED CHARD AND CRISPY SHALLOTS

2/3 cup olive oil

1/2 cup sliced shallots

2 garlic cloves, sliced

2 lbs rainbow chard, trimmed, sliced 

In a small pot, heat oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. In batches, add shallot and cook, turning often, until browned and crisp, about 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels; sprinkle with 1/4 tsp (or less) salt. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the oil.

In a large skillet, heat the 3 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, 30 seconds. Add the chard and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until chard is just wiled, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to serving bowl and sprinkle with the shallots.

Yield: 8 servings Cal 190, Pro 2 g Carb 6g, fat 10g (3g sat), sod 460 mg

I suggest only a pinch of salt on the shallots and only 1/4 teaspoon in the chard. Add a small amount, around 1/4 cup chopped ham and a couple tablespoons chopped walnuts. Of course, this will change the nutritional numbers above.

recipe and photo from First for women 2022

KANSAS CITY STEAK SOUP

nonstick cooking spray
1/2 lb ground sirloin or ground round beef
1 cup chopped onion
3 cups frozen mixed vegetables
1 cup sliced celery
1 can (14.5-oz) stewed tomatoes, do not drain
1 beef bouillon cube
1 tsp ground black pepper
2 cups water
1/2 cup white whole wheat flour (or almond flour)
1 can (10.5-oz) defatted beef broth

Spray a Dutch oven or large pot with the nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat until pot is hot. Add the beef and onion; cook stirring until browned.

To the beef and onion, add the mixed vegetables, celery, tomatoes, bouillon cube, pepper and water; bring to a boil.

Use a whisk, combine the flour and beef broth until smooth; add to the pot, stirring constantly. Return the mixture to a boil then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 15 minutes or until slightly thickened and heated through, stirring constantly.

Yield: 6 servings
Per serving: 198 calories, 5 g fat (2 g saturated), 23 mg cholesterol, 598 mg sodium, 27 g carbs, 5 g dietary fiber, 13 g protein

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HEARTY TOMATO-CHICKPEA STEW

This recipe is also suggested to fight inflammation in the body thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties in the legumes (chickpeas).

1 tbsp olive oil

1 onion, diced

2 tsp curry powder

2 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp grated ginger

1/2 tsp salt

1 can (28-oz) crushed tomatoes

2 cans (15-oz) chickpeas, drained, rinsed

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté 5 minutes or until translucent and softened but not browned. Stir in the curry powder, coriander, ginger and salt. Cook until fragrant, stirring constantly for 1 - 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes then chickpeas and simmer 15-20 minutes or until of a stew consistently.

Yield: 6 servings

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ARE YOU EATING THE RIGHT FRUIT?

Do you love fruit but find is often causes a blood sugar spike? Maybe you are eating the wrong fruits. Kiwi is one of the best fruits for diabetics. It doesn't affect blood sugar and also helps to lower cholesterol. One large kiwi has 3 grams of fiber and a low glycemic number. Other fruits that are good choices for diabetics include fresh figs, apples, pears, pomegranates, apricots, blueberries and strawberries. Avocados should be included in that group although some question if they are a fruit or vegetable. Avocados are fruits.

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ORANGE COTTAGE CHEESE SALAD

1 large carton large curd low-fat cottage chees

1 tub (8-oz) sugar-free frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 box (4-serving size) sugar-free orange-flavored gelatin
1 regular can crushed pineapple in its own juice, drained
1 small can mandarin oranges, well drained

In a large mixing bowl combine all the salad ingredients. Using a large silicone spatula, gently combine until thoroughly mixed. Transfer to a bowl or dish with a lid; cover and refrigerate at least an hour before serving.

Note: This should be a side dish to a lean protein item such as a boneless skinless chicken breast, pork loin, etc. It is a good salad to make for large meals, pitch-in meals, etc. You can have a serving along with everyone else and not be tempted to "eat the whole thing".

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BLOOD SUGAR AND TIREDNESS

Do you ever wonder why you feel tired more than you think you should?  Of course, tiredness can also be a symptom of other problems. Since you are a diabetic, I assume you see your doctor regularly where other problems can be detected.

BACON-WRAPPED SHRIMP IN THE AIR-FRYER

8 slices thick-cut bacon, cut into thirds

24 peeled tail-on shrimp

Wrap a bacon piece around each shrimp, securing with a toothpick. 

In batches, lay shrimp in a single layer in the air-fryer basket. Air fry for 20 minutes at 390-degrees.

Always remove toothpicks before serving with your favorite sauce.

Yield: 24 appetizers, 6 servings

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ZUCCHINI SOUP

I suggest following the directions and using butter rather than margarine. Many doctors suggest dairy products over substitute products for diabetics.

2 tbsp butter

1/2 cup sliced carrots

1/2 cup sliced celery

1 small onion, chopped

2 cups chicken broth

2 cups grated zucchini

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 small potato, cubed

14 tsp seasoned salt, optional

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a 2-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, and onion; sauté, stirring frequently until onion is translucent. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer cook 35-45 minutes or until the veggies are tender.

This is a photo of a very similar recipe. I got my recipe from my younger days in Indiana where The Amish Cook had a recipe column.

 

 

PORK CHOPS 'N' MUSHROOMS

2 tbsp olive oil

4 bone-in pork loin chops

Kosher salt, to taste

Ground black pepper, to taste

1/2 cup chicken stock

10-oz quartered baby bella mushrooms

2 tbsp thyme, to garnish

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Season pork with salt and pepper. Sauté for 7 minutes. Turn and cook until pork chops are browned and done to medium, about 7 to 8 minutes or until pork registers 160-degrees in centers. Remove pork from the pan and keep warm.

Add the stock to the same pan deglaze. Add mushrooms and season with fresh pepper; cook about 3 to 5 minutes or until browned and tender. 

Place pork chops on a serving platter and add the mushrooms around the pork. Garnish with the thyme.

Yield: 4 servings

Per serving: 280 calories, 32g protein, 15g fat (4g sat), 5g carbs, 240mg sodium

recipe and photo Woman's World '26