LEMON-RICOTTA HOTCAKES

The carb to protein ratio (see nutritional info below) in these hotcakes makes them diabetic-friendly. However, do not spoil that with the topping or syrup you use. Be sure to use only diabetic-friendly toppings such as fresh fruit, sugar-free syrup or a sugar-free or low sugar jam. This recipe calls for sugar. I use Splenda but left sugar in this post as the nutritional information is figured with sugar.

1 cup all-purpose flour*
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, separated
1 cup buttermilk
2/3 cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel

1. Heat oven to 200°F. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl. Whisk egg yolks, buttermilk, ricotta cheese, sugar and lemon peel in medium bowl until blended.

2. Beat egg whites in medium bowl at medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Stir ricotta mixture into flour mixture just until combined. Fold in egg whites.

3. Heat griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot; oil griddle. Ladle batter by scant 1/4 cupful onto griddle, spreading to 4-inch rounds. Cook 2 minutes or until bubbles break surface of pancakes. Turn; cook 1 minute or until golden brown. Place in oven to keep warm while cooking remaining pancakes.

About 15 (4-inch) pancakes

PER PANCAKE: 75 calories, 2.5 g total fat (1 g saturated fat), 3.5 g protein, 9.5 g carbohydrate, 35 mg cholesterol, 160 mg sodium, .5 g fiber (if you have 2 pancakes, double the numbers, etc)
 *Even better for diabetics, use a whole-grain flour such as white whole-wheat. I never use all-purpose flour.

Note: File Photo (I recommend no more than 2 for diabetics.)

CHICKEN BREASTS OVER VEGETABLES

2 stalks celery, chopped

1 cup mushrooms, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
4 green onions, sliced thin
1/2 of a medium red or green bell pepper, diced
2 medium zucchini, diced
poultry seasoning to taste
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/8 tsp paprika

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In a medium mixing bowl combine the celery, mushrooms, carrots, onions, bell pepper, and zucchini with the poultry seasoning.  Place the mixture in the prepare loaf pan.  Place the chicken breasts on top of the vegetable mixture.  Sprinkle with the paprika.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.

file photo for reference only

GREENS AND SAUSAGE

1 teaspoon canola oil

1/4 lb low-fat smoked turkey sausage, diced

6 cups water

1 cup chopped yellow onion

1 tablespoon cider vinegar

2 teaspoons Splenda Granulated

1 lb fresh turnip greens, washed

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons canola oil

Louisiana hot sauce, optional

In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, heat the 1 teaspoon of canola oil, tilting pan to completely oil the bottom.  Add the diced sausage and brown, stirring frequently.  Remove the sausage and set aside.

To the same pan, add the water, onions, vinegar, and Splenda; bring to a boil over high heat.  Gradually add the greens, bring to a boil and stir the greens until wilted.  Reduce heat to simmer and cook, covered, for half an hour or until tender.  Drain the greens; reserve 1/2 cup of the liquid.

Return the greens, reserved liquid, sausage, salt, and 2 teaspoons of canola oil to the Dutch oven.  Allow to stand for 5 minutes for flavors to absorb.

Serve with the hot sauce, if desired.

Yield: 8 servings of 1/2 cup
Per serving: Approximately 65 calories, 3 g fat, 10 mg chol, 365 mg sodium, 5 carbs, 3 protein
Note & Picture from Sept 2011 Diabetes Forecast Magazine

CHOCOLATE-BANANA TUBE CAKE

Yesterday I had a "sweet" tooth and decided I wanted to try something different. (Yesterday was in July 2017) As I am likely to do I went to the kitchen and started throwing things together to make a cake with what I had on hand. Fortunately, it turned out to be quite good. Here is what I did:

I preheated my oven to 350 degrees.

In a medium mixing bowl I combined-
1/2 cup white whole-wheat flour
1 cup quick-cook oats
1 cup unsweetened coconut
1/2 cup Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Then I cut in 1 stick of butter using two knives and eventually my hands. I sat this aside to use as a streusel throughout the cake and as a topping.

For the cake, I combined 4 large eggs, 1/2 cup low-fat sour cream and 3 medium to large bananas, mashed, with my electric mixer. You should have about 1 1/2 cups mashed bananas. When the mixture was completely combined. I added 1 box (2-layer size) Sugar-Free Devil's Food cake mix.

I sprayed my tube pan with nonstick cooking spray and placed about 1/3 of the cake batter in the pan, then I topped that with about 1/3 of the streusel mixture. I repeated twice, ending with the streusel on top.

I baked approximately 1 hour at 350 degrees, and this is what I ended up with:

Even my late husband and my grandson, who are not diabetic, enjoyed this cake.

SPLENDA CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 cup vegetable oil spread (I always use butter rather than man-made products)

1 cup Splenda Brown Sugar Blend

2 large eggs

1 tbsp vanilla extract

1 cup sugar free chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 375-degerees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In a mixing bowl, mix together vegetable oil spread and brown sugar blend. Mix in eggs, one at a time. Stir in the vanilla extract. Mix in flour mixture then fold in chocolate chips.

Drop by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets. Bake at 375-degrees for 11 to 13 minutes. Cool a couple minutes on cookie sheets then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Yield: 4 dozen

file photo

 

CHOPPED PEAR PIE WITH CRUMB TOPPING

This is a pie I first came up with in 2013 at my grandson's request. I have since made it several times, especially for church functions and friends who do not eat added sugar. Pears are excellent in the Fall so I thought I would repost it.

1 unbaked pie shell
4 cups chopped pears
3/4 cup (more or less depending on sweetness of pears) Splenda or Stevia granulated
1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon (remember cinnamon is a blood sugar controller)
1 heaping tsp cornstarch
1 tsp vanilla extract

Place pie shell in a deep-dish pie plate; set aside.

Combine the pears and Splenda in a medium mixing bowl, stirring well; allow to set for 10-15 minutes.

Stir the cinnamon and cornstarch into the pears to combine well; add the vanilla.

Place the pear mixture into the unbaked pie shell; make the following topping:

Crumb Topping:
3/4 cup quick oats
1/2 cup loosely packed Splenda brown sugar blend
1/4 cup + 1 heaping tbsp white whole-wheat flour
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
6 tbsp butter, cut-up into small pieces and slightly softened

In a mixing bowl combine the oats and the brown sugar blend; add the flour, cinnamon, and pecans mixing together well.  Using two knives or your fingers, cut the butter into the mixture until crumbly.

Sprinkle the mixture over the pears and press down lightly.

Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour until the pears are tender and the topping is browned. 

I have also made this topping for apple pies and cherry pies. It is always good.

SMOKED TURKEY SALAD SANDWICHES

1/4 cup olive oil mayonnaise

1/4 cup fat-free plain yogurt
1/4 cup dill relish
2 cups chopped deli smoked turkey breast
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
4 whole-grain sandwich rolls or whole-grain sandwich thins
4 lettuce leaves
1 medium tomato, sliced
In a large mixing bowl combine the mayonnaise and yogurt. Stir in the relish. Add the turkey and celery; toss to combine the mixture well.

Divide the mixture between the 4 sandwich rolls and add a lettuce leaf and tomato slices to each sandwich.

If you want to avoid using bread, wrap in large lettuce leaves for a sandwich wrap.

This is a file photo for reference only

EASY TURKEY SAUSAGE-CHICKEN GUMBO

1/3 cup white whole-wheat flour or equivalent amount of your favorite low/no carb substitute

1 can (14-oz) reduced-sodium chicken broth
3/4 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-in cubes
1/2 large red bell pepper
1/2 large green bell pepper
1 large onion, chopped coarsely
1 celery stalk, sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
1 cup water
3 cups plain cooked brown rice*
1 pkg (10-oz) frozen cut okra
1/2 lb smoked turkey sausage cut into slices
1 large ripe tomato, chopped
In a heavy-duty Dutch oven (4 to 6-quart size), cook and stir the flour over medium heat approximately 6 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring constantly!  Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.  Slowly whisk the broth into the flour.  Cook, stirring, over medium heat until mixture is thickened and bubbly.  Add the chicken, bell peppers, onion, celery, garlic, seasoning, and water.

Bring to mixture to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, 10 to 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.  Stir often during cooking.

Stir in the rice, okra, sausage, and tomato; return just to boiling; reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, for 3 to 4 minutes.

Ladle into serving bowls.
Yield: About 8 servings of 1 cup each

*If you prefer, you can use a pouch of cooked brown rice (14.8-oz size).
This gumbo has a ratio of 26 g carbs and 18 g protein per serving.

 

This is a file photo of a similar recipe.

EASY SHRIMP APPETIZER

2 lb (30 to 40 shrimp) large raw deveined shrimp

1 cup bottled Caesar Salad dressing*
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup lime juice
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, combine all ingredients tossing to coat well.  Bake at 375 degrees for approximately 20 minutes or just until the shrimp turn pink.  Stir halfway through baking time.

Yield: 8 to 10 appetizer-size servings.

*Note: Always check the sugar content of salad dressings and go with the one with the lowest sugar content.

file photo

VEGETABLE CUMIN PILAF WITH SAUSAGE

3/4 cup instant brown rice

4 oz turkey breakfast sausage, removed from casings  

1 1/2 cups chopped onions

1 cup chopped red bell pepper

1 oz pine nuts, toasted

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp salt*

Cook the rice according to package directions leaving out salt and butter or other fat.

Meanwhile place a large skillet that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray over medium-high heat.  Cook the sausage until browned, stirring constantly.  Remove from pan and set aside.

Coat the pan residue with more cooking spray and cook the onions for 3 minutes.  Add the pepper and cook for another 2 minutes or until crisp-tender, stirring frequently.  Stir the sausage back into the skillet along with the pine nuts, cumin, and salt. 

To serve place the rice on a serving platter and spoon the sausage mixture evenly over all.

Yield: 4 (1 cup) serving
Per serving: 215 calories, 11 g (1 saturated) fat, 8 g protein, 22 g carbs, dietary fiber 3 g, 465 mg sodium*, 45 mg cholesterol   *I recommend eliminating the salt to lower the sodium for diabetics

NOTE: I do not eat turkey sausage, so I use lean ground beef. Pork sausage will work, also.

file photo

GOLDEN LAYERS BISCUIT TACO CASSEROLE

1 (16-oz) jar taco sauce

1 can (12-oz) Pillsbury Golden Layers refrigerated buttermilk or flaky biscuits

1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 can (2 1/4-oz) ripe olives, drained

1/2 lb lean ground beef

1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper

1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper

1 can (4-oz) mushroom pieces and stems, drained

Heat oven to 400-degrees. Lightly spray a 13 X 9-inch baking dish or pan with cooking spray. Spread the taco sauce evenly in bottom of the dish.

Separate biscuits dough into 10 biscuits and cut each one into 4 pieces. Place biscuit pieces in the taco sauce, turning to coat. Sprinkle 1/2 cup of the Cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella cheese and the olives over the top. Stir gently to mix.

Bake 15 to 18 minutes or until bubbly. Meanwhile in a skillet, cook the beef, bell peppers and mushrooms over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until beef is thoroughly cooked; drain. 

Sprinkle the remaining cheeses over the baked mixture and top with the beef mixture. Return to the oven and cook another 5 to 7 minutes or until the mixture is bubbly vigorously around the edges.

Yield: 8 servings Per serving: 300 calories, 22g total carbs, 15g protein Not every diabetic may be able to enjoy this casserole, but it is a real treat for us who enjoy biscuits from time to time. You can add more protein by eating this with an egg.

This is basically a Pillsbury Bake-Off Recipe and photo

RASPBERRY PUDDING CAKE

1 pkg (10-oz) no-sugar-added frozen raspberries, thawed

1/2 cup Splenda Granular
1 box (2-layer size) sugar-free yellow cake mix
1 cup water
1/3 cup olive or canola oil
3 large eggs
Sugar-free whipped topping, thawed, if desired
Fresh raspberries for garnish, if desired

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grease a 9 X 13-inch baking pan; set aside.

Drain the raspberries, saving the juice. Add enough water to the juice to make 1 1/2 cups; pour into a medium saucepan and combine with the Splenda. Heat, stirring, until Splenda is dissolved. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a large mixer bowl, combine the cake mix, water, oil and eggs at low speed until moistened. Beat at high speed for 2 minutes. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Spoon the raspberries out evenly over the batter and pour the warm liquid over the berries and batter.

Bake at 350 degrees 35-40 minutes or until the top springs back when lightly touched in the center.

Best served warm topped with the whipped topping and fresh raspberries for garnish.

Yield: 12 servings

Note: Leftovers should be refrigerated.

file photo for reference only

HAM AND CHEESE GRITS CASSEROLE

If you have ever lived anywhere in the South, you know grits are a kitchen staple. Here is a good breakfast casserole using grits. This recipe is from a lady here in the DFW Metroplex with a few of my variations. 

3 cups chicken stock
1 cup quick-cooking grits
1/2 cup Southwestern-style egg substitute
5-oz reduced-fat Velveeta cheese, cubed
1/4 cup low-fat milk
2 tbsp butter
1 1/4 cups cubed fully cooked ham
3 green onions, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 to 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
3/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bring the chicken stock to boiling in a large saucepan; slowly stir in the grits. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, about 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat.

In a small bowl, stir a small amount of the hot grits into the egg substitute; return to the pan, mixing well. Add the Velveeta, milk and butter, stirring until the cheese is melted. Stir in the ham, onions, and spices.

Transfer grits mixture to the prepared baking dish; sprinkle with the cheddar cheese.

Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the cheese is melted.

Allow to stand around 10 minutes before cutting into 6 squares to serve.

Nutritional Information per serving: Calories 284, Fat 12 g (7 sat), Fiber 1 g, Carbs 26 g, Protein 20 g
Note: This carb to protein ratio in this dish is a good one for diabetics.

Note: File Photo

PUMPKIN PENNE

Pumpkin is a very healthy food and should not be put on the back shelf until Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Eat it year-round.  This Pumpkin Baked Penne is a good way to enjoy pasta and get the benefits of pumpkin. 

1 pkg (14.5-oz) multigrain* penne (always use multi-grain or whole-grain pastas!)
1 tsp canola or olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 can (15-oz) pumpkin
1 can (28-oz) crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
3/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 cup shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cook the pasta according to package directions leaving out any salt or butter/oils; drain.

In a large saucepan or a Dutch oven, heat the olive or canola oil.  Add the onion and garlic, cooking and stirring for about 3 minutes to soften.  Add the ricotta cheese, chicken broth, pumpkin, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes.  Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.  Remove from the heat and stir in the drained pasta.

Lightly spray a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.  Pour the pasta mixture into the dish and sprinkle with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. 

Bake pasta at 375 degrees for approximately a half hour until bubbly and the cheese is melted and turned a golden brown.

Serve as a side dish to a lean protein item.

*May substitute veggie pasta or your favorite low/no carb pasta.

Yield: 9 servings

 

CHERRY CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS

12-oz cooked chicken breast, chopped

1/2 cup sliced celery

1/4 cup sliced green onions

1/4 cup light mayonnaise (I use olive oil mayo)

1/4 cup plain fat-free Greek yogurt

2 Tbsp snipped fresh lemon balm or lemon thyme

1/4 tsp salt (I say omit salt)

1/8 tsp black pepper

8 leaves butterhead lettuce

1 cup quartered fresh dark sweet cherries

1/4 cup sliced or slivered almonds, toasted

In a medium bowl combine the first 8 ingredients. Spoon chicken mixture evenly onto the lettuce leaves. Top chicken with the cherries and almonds.

Yield: 4 servings of two wraps

Per serving: 269 cal, 12 g total fat (2 g sat) 322 mg sodium (if using salt), 11g carbs, 30 g protein

Recipe from Diabetic Living 2016

GARLIC-ROSEMARY LAMB CHOPS

4 lamb chops (about 2 lb total)

1 tablespoon snipped fresh rosemary
3 minced garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive or canola oil
2 cups cherry tomatoes
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish, optional

Arrange oven rack so that the chops will be 4 to 5-inches from heat when cooked on a broiler rack.
Preheat broiler.
Spray top of broiler pan with nonstick cooking spray.

Combine the rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.  Rub half the mixture evenly over both sides of the chops.  Broil chops approximately 20 minutes (or until of desired doneness), turning occasionally for even cooking.

While chops are cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  add the tomatoes and the remaining spice mixture; cook approximately 5 minutes or just until the tomatoes begin to soften.  Stir in the vinegar.

Serve the chops with the tomatoes and sprinkle with rosemary sprigs for garnish, if desired.

This is a file photo.

BEEF AND PORK STUFFED CABBAGE ROLLS

1 medium to large head of cabbage

1 lb lean ground beef
1 lb lean ground pork (NOT SAUSAGE)
3/4 cup brown rice, uncooked
2 small onions or 1 medium onion, chopped
pinch of salt
pepper to taste
1 tbsp dill
1/2 pint reduced-fat sour cream
3 tbsp white whole wheat flour
1 small can tomato paste
1/2 tsp salt
2 tbsp Splenda granular
Remove the core of the cabbage; place the cabbage in a large pot of boiling water. Parboil the cabbage until you can peel the leaves off one at a time. Lay the leaves on a paper towel or clean tea towel to drain.

Mix together the ground beef, ground pork, rice, onions, pinch of salt and pepper. Place some of the mixture onto each of the cabbage leaves, leaving enough cabbage leaf to roll it over the mixture, envelope fashion; secure with toothpicks.

Place the cabbage rolls in a large pan and cover with boiling water. Add the dill to the water and bring water back to a boil. Cook rolls for 1 hour. Remove the rolls from the pan using a slotted spoon. In a medium bowl stir together the sour cream, flour, tomato paste, 1/2 tsp salt, and the Splenda. Stir this mixture into the pan from which you removed the cabbage rolls. After the mixture is mixed in well, add the cabbage rolls back to the pan and heat for about 10 minutes.

REMOVE TOOTHPICKS BEFORE SERVING!

 

file photo

CHIPOTLE PORK LOIN WITH VEGGIES

2 tbsp orange marmalade (I use sugar-free)

1 canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
1 lge onion, cut into wedges
1 butternut squash, peeled, halved lengthwise and cut into 2-inch pieces
1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
1 tbsp canola oil
1 (1 - 1 1/2 lb) boneless pork loin roast
1/4 cup cilantro leaves

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a small bowl mash the marmalade and chipotle pepper together and set aside.

Toss the onion, squash, bell pepper, and oil in a large roasting pan.  Push the vegetables to the sides of the pan and place the roast in the middle.

Roast at 400 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour.  During the last 15 minutes of cooking, brush the marmalade mixture over the meat every 5 minutes.  Meat thermometer should read 155 degrees for pork to be done.

Remove the meat to serving plate.  Let stand 10 minutes before slicing.  Stir the cilantro into the veggies and serve with the pork.

Yield: 4 servings
Per serving:  Approximately 360 cal, 29 g pro, 46 g carb, 8 g (2 g sat) fat, 4 g fiber, 99 mg sodium

The carbs number may seem high, but the carb/protein ratio is well above the recommended amount of protein per carbs for diabetics.

file photo for reference

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