WESTERN BROCCOLI SALAD

4 cups fresh broccoli florets

1 medium tomato, chopped
1 can (16 oz) kidney beans, rinsed and drained (always buy low-sodium canned beans)

3/4 cup chopped red onion
1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
1/2 cup low-sugar or sugar ranch salad dressing 

Steam broccoli until crisp tender. Drain well. In serving bowl, toss the broccoli, tomato, beans, onion, and cheese together. Drizzle dressing over top and toss again to coat. Cover and keep refrigerated until serving time.

Note: Kidney beans can be an important part of a diabetics diet.

file photo used for reference only

not this exact recipe

MAXINE'S BAKED PORK CHOPS

This recipe was made frequently by Maxine back in my hometown over 60 years ago. When you really crave an old fashion comfort meal, try these pork chops with a substitute for the brown sugar.

4 pork chops (about 1 1/2 lbs.)
1/3 cup diced celery
1/2 cup water
1/8 tsp. pepper
2 tbs. brown sugar (Diabetics should substitute 1 tbs of Splenda Brown Sugar Blend or your favorite brown sugar substitute.)
juice 1/2 lemon
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
2 cans (8-oz. each) tomato sauce

Brown chops in fat. Place in shallow baking dish. Combine tomato sauce, water, celery, brown sugar, lemon juice and seasonings; pour over chops. Cover and bake in 350 degrees oven for 1 1/2 hours or until chops are tender.

file photo for reference only

APPLE ONION SAUTE

4 medium firm apples, cored and sliced

3 tbsps butter*
2 onions, sliced
1/2 tsp marjoram
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

Heat butter in a large skillet. Add onions and apples. Sauté over medium heat until apples and onions are tender. Season with marjoram, salt and pepper. Stir in lemon juice. Serve hot with a lean protein item such as chicken, pork chops, steak, etc.

Serves 4

*You can substitute olive oil for some of the butter, if desired. I would keep at least 1 tablespoon of butter for it's glazing properties.

BLACK BEAN BURGERS

Beans are important in the diabetics diet. This is a great alternative to beef.

1 can (15-oz) black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup dry whole-wheat breadcrumbs (Or your favorite low/no carb substitution)
1/4 cup minced red onion
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp dried cumin
1/8 tsp fresh ground black pepper
1 egg

Place beans in a large mixing bowl and partially mash using a fork. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Divide mixture into four equal parts and shape into patties.

If grilling, spray grill with non-stick cooking spray. Grill about five minutes on each side.

If cooking in skillet or on griddle, spray surface before cooking and again when you turn burgers.

I like to serve on a whole-grain sandwich thin instead of a bun. Garnish with your favorites, I prefer pickle, onion, lettuce and tomato.

Note: File Photo

HOMEMADE APPLE BUTTER

9 cups apples, peeled and cored

1 cup cider vinegar
6 cup Splenda
cinnamon to taste

Cook apples until tender; run through a blender or food processor. In a saucepan, mix apple pulp with the vinegar, Splenda, and cinnamon. Bring mixture to a boil and cook for 18 minutes. Pour mixture into hot sterilized jars and seal.

Note: File Photo

LEMON DILL BAKED SALMON

4 salmon steaks (about 3-oz each)

Vegetable oil cooking spray
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp dried whole dillweed
1/2 tsp dried parsley flakes
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Rinse salmon thoroughly with water and pat dry with paper toweling. Spray a shallow baking pan with vegetable oil spray. Place steaks in the prepared pan. Brush steaks with the lemon juice. Sprinkle the dill weed, parsley, and pepper evenly over the salmon steaks. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes or until salmon flakes easily when tested with a fork.

Note: File Photo

APPLE PORK CHOPS

4 lean pork chops

1 medium yellow onion, sliced thin
1 1/4 cups water
1 tsp chicken-flavored bouillon granules
1/4 tsp fresh ground black pepper
3 medium apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Spray a large skillet with nonstick cooking spray or heat 2 teaspoons of canola oil and brown the pork chops in the pan with the onion.

In a small bowl combine the water, bouillon, and pepper, stirring well to dissolve all the bouillon. Add the mixture to the skillet with the pork chops and onion. Cover the skillet and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Skim off any fat.

Add the apple slices and the cinnamon to the skillet. Return lid to skillet and simmer for another 15 minutes. Serve hot.

Note: Photo credit - Mel's Kitchen

TASTY PEACH CAKE

1 box sugar-free white or yellow cake mix

1 1/4 cups water
1/3 cup canola or coconut oil
3/4 cup egg substitute
1 small box sugar-free peach gelatin

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Lightly spray a 9x13-inch or a large round baking pan with non-stick vegetable spray; set aside.

 In a large mixing bowl, beat together cake mix, water, oil, egg substitute and dry gelatin with electric mixer, on low speed, about 30 seconds until blended. Increase speed to medium and beat two minutes longer. Pour batter into prepared pan. 

Bake 35-40 minutes until lightly browned and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Remove from oven and cool until barely warm. Lay a fancy paper doily on top of cake and sprinkle with sugar-free powdered sugar to decorate.

To make sugar-free powdered sugar:
Put 3/4 cup of Splenda Granular and 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a blender and blend until it is a very fine powder. 0 grams of sugar and only 4 carbs per tablespoon.

Note: File Photo

MINI HAM & CHEESE FRITTATAS

1/4 lb cubed fully cooked lean ham

1 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups egg substitute (or 6 eggs)
4 egg whites
3 tbsp minced chives
2 tbsp skim milk
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat 8 muffins cups with nonstick cooking spray.

Divide ham evenly among the 8 muffin cups. Top ham with cheese. In a large mixing bowl beat eggs or egg substitute with egg whites. Beat in the chives, milk, salt and pepper. Pour this mixture over the cheese in muffin cups. Each cup should be about 3/4 full. Bake 22-25 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean. Carefully run a knife around edges to loosen. Remove from pan and serve warm.

Note: File Photo

ALABAMA CHICKEN CACCIATORE

1 tbsp unsalted butter

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 garlic clove, minced
1 large can Italian-style diced tomatoes
1 cup fresh, sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
5 servings cauliflower rice

In a large skillet, melt butter. Add chicken to skillet and cook until no longer pink in center. Remove chicken from skillet and chop into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.

Add onion, celery, bell pepper, mushrooms and garlic to skillet. Sauté vegetables until crisp tender. Return to chicken to skillet and add the tomatoes and remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer 20 minutes.

Serve over the rice. Sprinkle with a dash of red pepper flakes, if desired.

This is a file photo.

BLACK BEAN SOUP

3 tbsp olive oil

1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped 

1/2 cup finely chopped celery

1/2 medium green bell pepper, finely chopped

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

1 cup water

2 cans (15-oz each) black beans

2 cans (15-oz each) Mexican-style stewed tomatoes

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp ground coriander

1/4 tsp salt 

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 cup low-fat sour cream

Heat the olive oil in a 10-inch skillet; add the onion, celery, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté approximately 5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

Drain the black beans.

In a large saucepan, combine the sautéed veggies, black beans, water, and undrained tomatoes; stir in the cumin, coriander, salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Spoon half the mixture into a blender container and process until pureed. Return pureed mixture to the saucepan with the remainder of the soup. Cook, stirring occasionally, until completely heated through.

To serve, ladle into bowls and top each bowl with a tablespoon of sour cream. Serve with baked tortilla chips, if your diet allows.

Yield: 4 servings.

Note: File Photo

HAMBURGER BEANS

1 tbsp butter

1 lb lean ground beef
2 cans pork and beans
1 can red kidney beans, drained
1 cup catsup
1/2 cup cold water
2 tbsp prepared mustard
2 tsp apple cider vinegar
1 envelope onion soup mix

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, stirring to crumble, until browned. Drain off any excess fat.

In a large mixing bowl combine the pork and beans, kidney beans, catsup, water, mustard, vinegar, and onion soup mix together until well blended. Add the drained ground beef and stir to combine.

Pour the mixture into a casserole dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 400 degrees approximately 25 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Note: This is a file photo.

WARM FIESTA BEAN DIP

1 lb lean ground beef OR turkey

1 can petite cut diced tomatoes with jalapenos
1 can low-sodium refried beans
1 tbsp chili powder
1/2 cup thawed frozen corn
1 can petite cut diced tomatoes
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
Chips for serving (see below)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lightly spray a 2 1/2-quart baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In a skillet, brown the ground beef, stirring to crumble; drain off any excess fat.
Add the diced tomatoes with jalapenos, refried beans, and chili powder; cook, stirring until heated through. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish. On top of the hot mixture, layer the corn, diced tomatoes, and cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes or so until hot and the cheese is melted.

Serve warm with the chips that work best for your blood sugar. I use Beanito's which work great for my blood sugar. Remember this is to share. Limit your intake.

Note: This is a file photo.

PARTY MEATBALLS

Meatballs: 

1 lb ground beef

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup fine whole-grain bread crumbs
2 eggs
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp chopped fresh parsley
Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Sauce: 

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup A-1 sauce
1/4 ketchup
1 tbsp Splenda brown sugar blend

To make the sauce, combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat on low, stirring often, until Splenda dissolves. Allow to simmer on low while you make the meatballs.

To make meatballs, in a medium mixing bowl combine all the ingredients and mix together well. Form into appetizer size meatballs. Spray a large skillet with non-stick cooking spray. Place meatballs, in a single layer, in heated skillet. Simmer on low heat until browned.

Mix sauce with the meatballs and keep warm in a chafing dish or slow cooker.

Note: File Photo

BANANA-BLUEBERRY-NUT BREAD

1/2 cup fresh blueberries

2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup light olive oil
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1 1/2 cups white whole-wheat flour*
2/3 cup Splenda
1/4 tsp salt (optional, according to diet)
1/2 cup egg substitute or 2 eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of the flour over blueberries. Sift rest of the flour with Splenda, baking powder and salt. Stir in oats. 

Blend egg substitute, olive oil and banana together. Combine dry ingredient mixture with banana mixture. Stir in nuts. Fold in blueberries. 

Pour into a loaf pan that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake one hour or until bread springs back when lightly touched. Cool ten minutes then remove from pan. Allow to cool on a wire rack before slicing.

*Feel free to use your favorite low/no carb flour alternative but be sure to make any quantity adjustments necessary. 

Note: File Photo

HEALTHY BASIL BROCCOLI

1 bunch of fresh broccoli

2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
pinch of red pepper flakes
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
sea salt
1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
1/2 cup quartered cherry tomatoes*
2 tsp lemon zest

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. 

Cut the broccoli florets off the stalks and peel the stems.  Cut stems into bite-sized pieces.

Add a pinch of the sea salt and the broccoli to the boiling water and blanch for 30 seconds. Drain and run cold water over the broccoli to stop the cooking process - broccoli should still retain its bright green color.

Heat the olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat.  Add the garlic and pepper flakes to the oil and sauté 30 seconds.  Add the tomatoes and a pinch of salt; sauté another minute.  Stir in the drained broccoli and 1/4 tsp of the sea salt, if needed; sauté 2 minutes.  Broccoli should still be firm.  Gently stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest, and the basil. 

*May substitute diced red bell pepper, if desired.

Serve immediately.
Leftovers may be stored in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days in an airtight container.

Yield: 4 servings
Per serving: 125 calories, 7.7 grams total fat (1.1 saturated), 13 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams protein, 5 grams dietary fiber, and 125 mg sodium

file photo shown for reference only

INCREDIBLY MOIST CHICKEN BREASTS

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves 

1/2 pkg (1.4-oz) French Onion Soup Mix
1/2 cup fine whole-grain bread crumbs
1/3 cup mayonnaise

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Put the soup mix and bread crumbs in a gallon size zip-top plastic bag. Shake to mix together well.

Brush the chicken breasts with the mayonnaise on all sides, discarding any unused mayo. Place chicken in the zip-top bag, one piece at a time, and shake bag to coat well. Arrange the chicken pieces on a rack in a broiler pan. Bake at 425 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until juices run clear and chicken is tender. 

Note: This is a file photo.