GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH MINT VINAIGRETTE

2 eggplants (1lb each), cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 lemon

2 tbsp white wine vinegar

1/4 cup finely chopped shallots

1 tbsp finely chopped fresh mint, plus small leaves for garnish

Small square feta cheese, for shaving

Lay eggplant slices in a single layer on 2 baking sheets and sprinkle both sides with kosher salt. Set aside about 30 minutes, or until moisture beads on top of eggplant.

Prepare grill for medium-high heat. Rinse eggplant to remove excess salt and pat dry. Brush slices with 3 tablespoons of olive oil, coating both sides. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Working in batches, grill eggplant about 5 minutes per side, or until char marks form and eggplant is very tender. Transfer to platter as you finish each batch.

Meanwhile, grate zest of lemon into a small bowl. Halve lemon and squeeze 2 tablespoons of juice into the bowl. Whisk in vinegar, shallots, chopped mint and remaining 5 tablespoons oil. Season vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon vinaigrette over grilled eggplant and sprinkle with mint leaves. Using vegetable peeler, shave thin slices of feta over eggplant. Sprinkle with pepper and serve.

Yield: 4 servings Per serving: 372 calories, Fat 31g (6g sat), 286 sodium, 23g carbs, 10g fiber, 6g protein Diabetic Exchanges: 3 vegetable, 1/2 milk, 2 fat

recipe and photo Saturday Evening Post 2025

CHURRO ALMONDS

1/4 cup Stevia (not liquid)

3 tbsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cayenne

1/4 cup water

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spray paper with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

In a medium-size mixing bowl, stir together the stevia, cinnamon, salt, and cayenne.

In a separate medium-size mixing bowl, whisk together water and vanilla; stir in almonds.

Transfer the wet almonds to the dry mixture and stir until well coated.

Spread out on the prepared baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container.

Yield: Serves 8

recipe and photo from Kroger a few years ago

GRILLED WEDGE SALAD

1 medium to large head iceberg lettuce

olive oil

Fresh ground pepper

Blue Cheese Dressing

Chopped cherry tomatoes

chopped cooked bacon

crumbled blue cheese

Cut lettuce into 4 wedges and brush the cut sides with olive oil. Sprinkle with pepper.

Grill wedges over medium-high heat until they are grill marked, 1 to 2 minutes per cut side.

Place on serving platter and top with the dressing, tomatoes, bacon and the crumbled blue cheese.

Yield 4 servings

Food Network recipe idea and picture

 

GINGER & LIME VINAIGRETTE

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

3 tbsp fresh lime juice

2 tbsp canola or extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger

Dash of salt

Dash of freshly ground black pepper

Stir all ingredients together in a bowl, using a whisk. Serve over lettuce or pasta salad.

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APPLE GROWERS DIABETIC APPLE CRISP

6 large Granny Smith apples
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
1/4 cup Splenda or Stevia granular

TOPPING:
1/2 cup cold butter
1/4 cup + 1 tbsp Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
1/2 cup white whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup raw oats
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
dash of salt, optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9 X 9-inch baking pan or dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.

Peel, core and slice apples; toss with the lemon juice. Stir in the cornstarch and Splenda granular. Place apple mixture in the baking dish spreading out evenly.

To make topping, mix together the Splenda Brown Sugar blend, flour, cinnamon, and salt, if using. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in the butter until the mixture is about the size of small peas. Add the oats and work the dough with your hands until it starts to clump together. Sprinkle topping over the apples. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes.

Yield: 9 servings (Remember, diabetics only have 1 serving per day.

 

SCALLOPS AND GREENS SALAD

Scallops are a great seafood choice for diabetic as they have a high protein content.

1 pkg (12-oz frozen scallops, cooked and chilled

6 cups mixed salad greens

4-oz shredded Mozzarella cheese

3 hard-boiled eggs, sliced

1/3 cup chopped celery

1/3 cup low or no sugar vinaigrette/Italian salad dressing of your choice

Lemon slices, optional

In a large bowl toss together all ingredients. except salad dressing. Chill for at least an hour.

Before serving, drizzle with the salad dressing. Garnish with lemon slices, if using.

file photo for reference only

CHEESE ROLLS

1 lb mild Cheddar cheese (warm until pliable)

1 8-oz block cream cheese, softened

Dash of minced garlic

1 cup pecans, chopped fine

Mix the two cheeses together with the garlic. Shape mixture into 2 small rolls and roll in the pecans. Chill. To serve, slice and serve with an assortment of whole-grain crackers.

file photo for reference

DIABETIC'S LEMON CHEESECAKE

Receiving a diagnosis of diabetes usually means a change in lifestyle and diet. If you are like me--I have a terrible sweet tooth!--I had this mental image of all things sweet and good disappearing from my diet. Imagine my surprise to discover this is not true. In fact, doctors and nutritionists recommend eating fresh fruit. And there are many ways to make delicious diabetic desserts. As with all foods, we diabetics have to watch our portions and even more so with sweets. Do not make this cheesecake and eat it all before bedtime! But incorporated into a healthy diet, you should be able to enjoy it. With its sugar-free ingredients and fresh fruits,if desired,  it is healthy and tasty! Make this to share with others so you aren't tempted to enjoy too much of it!

1 1/4 graham cracker crumbs*
1/4 cup Splenda or Stevia granular or equivilent of your favorite sweetener
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 pkg (3-oz) sugar-free lemon gelatin mix
2/3 cup boiling water
2 bars (8-oz each) light cream cheese
6-oz. lite/firm silken tofu
grated rind of 1 lemon
juice of 1 lemon
1 cup sugar-free frozen whipped topping, thawed
Fresh fruit of your choice, optional

In a small mixing bowl combine the graham cracker crumbs, Splenda, and melted butter until mixed together well. Using the back of a large spoon, press the mixture on the bottom and up the sides of an 8-inch springform pan. Chill the crust for about ten minutes.

In a blender container mix the lemon gelatin mix and the hot water; slowly add in the cream cheese and the tofu. Continue to mix until smooth. Pour the mixture into a large mixing bowl and add the lemon rind, lemon juice and the thawed topping. Pour into the prepared pan, smoothing the top. Chill for 4 hours or more. Before serving garnish with more whipped topping and fresh fruit/fruits of your choice, if desired.

*If you cannot use crumbs made from graham crackers, make your crumbs from sugar-free butter cookies or sugar-free vanilla wafers.

Serves 12.

file photo for reference

DIABETIC-FRIENDLY FROSTING

1 (1.4 oz.) pkg. sugar-free instant pudding mix

1 3/4 cups milk

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese

1 (8 oz.) container sugar-free frozen whipped topping, thawed

Combine pudding mix and milk in a medium bowl; mix well and let stand until thickened. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add pudding and mix well. Finally, fold in whipped topping.

Change your icing flavors by changing pudding flavors.

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SCRAMBLED TURKEY NACHOS

1/3 cup refrigerated fully cooked crumbled turkey sausage

Nonstick cooking spray

1/3 cup refrigerated egg whites

2-oz no-salt-added blue corn tortilla chips

1/4 cup reduced-fat shredded sharp cheddar cheese

8 cherry tomatoes, quartered

Snipped fresh cilantro, optional

Heat sausage in the mircrowave according to package directions and keep warm.

Coat a medium nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Heat skillet over medium-high heat. Add egg whites and cook for 1 minutes or until egg whites are set, stirring often.

To assemble, arrange chips on two individual luncheon plates. Top evenly with the warm eggs, turkey and cheese. Microwave for 20 to 30 seconds or until cheese just melts. Top with the tomatoes and the cilantro, if using.

Yield: 2 servings Per serving:243 calories, 12g fat (3g sat), 22g carbs, 15g protein

 

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