SWEET AND CRUNCHY DELI-STYLE PICKLES

7 pickling-size cucumbers, quartered lengthwise
1 cup water
1/2 cup rice vinegar
1/3 cup Splenda Granulated
1 tbsp kosher salt
1 whole clove
1 tsp mustard seed
1 tsp whole black peppercorns
1 tsp peeled, chopped fresh ginger
1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
2 garlic cloves

Place the cucumbers into a clean 1-quart canning jar. Set aside.

Combine all the remaining ingredients in a small saucepan; simmer over low heat until the salt is dissolved.

Pour the hot juice over the pickles in the jar; cover tightly with a two-piece lid.

Refrigerate pickles and leave 4 to 5 days before serving.

Note: The sweetness and flavor will intensify over time.

Note: File Photo

EASY CHEESY ZUCCHINI BAKE

2 medium-sized zucchini, cut in slices or half-moon slices
2 medium-sized yellow squash, cut in slices or half-moon slices
2-4 T chopped fresh basil (or even less, depending on how much you like the flavor of basil)
2 T thinly sliced green onion
1/2 tsp. dried thyme
3/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 cup + 1/2 cup low-fat white cheese (I used Pizza Cheese, which is a low-fat blend of Mozzarella, Provolone, Romano, and Parmesan)
1/2 cup coarsely grated Parmesan (I would use a little less if you only have the very finely grated Parmesan from a can)
salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350F/180C.  Spray an 8" x 8" baking dish with olive oil or non-stick spray.  Wash the squash and cut in slices or half-moon slices.  Wash basil, spin dry or dry with paper towels and finely chop.  Slice green onions.

Combine the sliced squash, chopped basil, sliced green onions, dried thyme, garlic powder, and both kinds of cheese and stir together until the veggies are coated with cheese and the herbs are well-distributed.  Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper.  Put the mixture in the baking dish and bake uncovered for about 25-30 minutes.

When the zucchini is nearly cooked through, take the casserole dish out of the oven and sprinkle over the remaining 1/2 cup of grated cheese.  Put the dish back in the oven and bake 10-15 minutes longer, or until the cheese is melted and nicely browned and zucchini is fully cooked.  Serve hot.

This kept well in the fridge overnight, but mine was gone the next day so I don't know if it would last longer than that!
source:http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2011/07/recipe-for-easy-cheesy-zucchini-bake.html

NOTE: This recipe was posted on my diabetic facebook page and credited to the above source.

SAUSAGE GRIT CASSEROLE

2 lbs bulk pork sausage
4 cups water
1 1/4 cups quick cooking grits
4 cups low-fat cheddar cheese, grated or shredded
1 cup low-fat milk
4 large eggs
1/2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp garlic powder
paprika

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease (or spray with nonstick cooking spray) a 9 x 13-inch baking pan or dish; set aside.

In a large skillet, brown the sausage, stirring occasionally to crumble. Drain sausage well; set aside.

Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan; stir in grits. Return the mixture to a boil; cover and reduce heat to simmer. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally as you don't want grits to stick to pan. Remove pan from the heat. Stir in the cheese, milk, thyme and garlic powder until cheese is melted.  Stir in the eggs and sausage.

Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking pan or dish; sprinkle paprika over all. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour or until bubbly throughout.

Note: File Photo