PISTACHIO DREAM CAKE

NOTE: If you want to try this cake just be sure you share with family and/or friends and only have 1 piece yourself. This should be for special occasions only and only then if your blood sugar is under control! Not all diabetics can indulge in desserts.

1 box (2-layer size) sugar-free yellow cake mix
1 pkg (1-oz) instant sugar-free pistachio pudding mix
1 carton (8-oz) nonfat plain yogurt
3 egg whites
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup sugar-free lemon-lime soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a mixing bowl, combine the dry cake mix, pudding mix, yogurt, egg whites, and vanilla extract; beat on low speed for 1 minute. Gradually beat in the soda.

Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and bake at 350 degrees 20-25 minutes or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Frost with the following:

Frosting:
1 1/2 cups cold fat-free milk
1 pkg (1-oz) instant sugar-free pistachio pudding mix
2 cups sugar-free frozen whipped topping, thawed

In a mixing bowl, combine the milk and pudding mix; beat on low for 2 minutes. Fold in the whipped topping and spread over the cake.

Note: Cake should be stored in the refrigerator.

Yield: 20 servings
Per serving: 148 calories, 28 g carbs, 3 g protein
Diabetic Exchange: 2 starch

 

COBB SALAD WRAPS

2 large low carb tortillas 

1/2 cup ranch dressing

2 cups fresh baby spinach

8 slices deli ham

3 hard boiled eggs, chopped

4 strips bacon, preferably thick cut, cooked, crumbled

1/4 cup blue cheese or cheese of your choice

4 oz cherry tomatoes, halved

Spread the dressing evenly over each tortilla. Divided toppings between the two tortillas, layering spinach, ham, eggs, bacon, cheese and tomatoes.

Fold in the sides, then roll up tightly to enclose the filling. Slice each wrap in half and serve.

Braum's photo and recipe

EASY OREO COOKIE DESSERT

2 small pkgs sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix

3 cups low-fat milk
8-oz light cream cheese, softened
8-oz carton frozen sugar-free whipped topping, thawed
16 Oreo sugar-free cookies, broken into pieces

Extra Oreo cookies to break over the top as garnish, if desired.

Mix together pudding mix and milk on low speed of electric mixer; add cream cheese and mix until well blended. Add whipped topping and mix well with a large spoon (do not use mixer). Add cookie pieces and mix in. Place in a serving dish and chill for several hours or overnight before serving.

file photo

 

CHERRY ANGEL TRIFLE

One day when I had a sweet tooth I pulled out a few ingredients and made this tasty trifle. I think it is yummy.

1 sugar-free angel food cake (I buy mine at Walmart)
2 cans (20-oz each) Splenda sweetened cherry pie filling

1 carton sugar-free frozen whipped topping, thawed
Pecan pieces for garnish, if desired

In a large bowl, break up half the cake into bite-size pieces and spread over bottom of bowl.

Top cake pieces with one can of the pie filling, spreading evenly over the cake.

Top pie filling with approximately 2/3s to 3/4s of the whipped topping.

Repeat the process ending with the remaining whipped topping in the center of the dish. Sprinkle the pecans over the topping as a garnish, if desired.

Notes: Nuts are good for diabetics, especially with sweets; so I would not eliminate the nuts. Almonds would also go good with cherry pie filling.
Other pie fillings such as blueberry, apple, etc work well, too. With apple I like to sprinkle a little ground cinnamon on the top.

 

WHOLE ROASTED TRUFFLE CHICKEN

The foundation for this recipe is from Chef Charlie Palmer, a James Beard awarding winning chef who owns 18 restaurants and uses a French technique for this chicken. It is supposedly very popular at his home with his wife and four grown sons. Truffle oil can be expensive, so this is a chicken recipe to impress those you love. 

4-qz butter, softened

1/2-oz truffle oil

Salt and pepper

1 whole 3 - 3 1/2 lb chicken

1/2 lemon

4 thyme sprigs

1 garlic clove

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Combine the butter and truffle oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Pipe butter mixture under the skin of the chicken breasts and legs. Place fingers under the skin and rub mixture around the entire chicken.

Tie the legs together with kitchen twine at the knuckle joint. Place chicken in the refrigerator, allowing to air-dry for 24 hours.

Remove the chicken from the 'fridge and insert lemon, thyme sprigs and garlic clove into cavity. Allow chicken to sit at room temperature 1 hour.

Meanwhile, heat oven to 400 degrees. Bake chicken 45 minutes or until juices run clear.

Yield: 4 servings

Per serving: 597 calories, 45 g protein, 2 g carbs, (1 g fiber)

 Photo courtesy AARP