BAKED PARMESAN PORK CHOPS

This recipe was given to me by a friend. She credits it to Janet's Appalachian Kitchen. I have made a minor adjustment to make it diabetic-friendly.

Parmesan Baked Pork Chops 

4 boneless pork chops
1 T. olive oil
1 C. parmesan cheese
1 C. Italian bread crumbs (use whole-grain bread crumbs and mix in Italian seasoning)
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. garlic powder
Nonstick olive oil cooking spray

On a plate combine the last 4 ingredients. Rub the pork chops with olive oil and then dip (coat) each one in the cheese mixture. Press the mixture over the pork chops to make sure they are well covered in it. Line a pan with tin foil and spray with cooking spray. Place the pork chops on the pan and bake at 350 degrees for 40-45 minutes.

HEALTHY CARROT AND OAT MUFFINS

Please note: This recipe contains a small amount of honey per muffin. You know your blood sugar so you make the decision whether or not to eat these. They should be fine for most diabetics.

3/4 cup white whole-wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 tbsp wheat germ
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup grated carrots
1/2 cup raisins, optional
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 cup low-fat or fat-free milk
1/4 cup olive or coconut oil
1/4 cup honey
1 1/2 cups dry oats

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spice, wheat germ, salt, carrots, and raisins- if using; set aside.

In another bowl, combine the egg, milk, oil, honey and oats; stir well and let stand 3 minutes.

Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the oat mixture to the well and stir just until all is moistened.

Spoon mixture into the prepared muffin pans, filling each 3/4 full.

Bake muffins at 400 degrees for 18 to 20 minuts. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.

Note: File Photo

BAKED GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN BREASTS

This is a recipe I saw on Luna recipes (they thanked kitchme) and tweeked to make it diabetic-friendly. If you follow my blogs you know I won't eat it but I know all you chicken-eaters out there will like it. (As will my family!)

2 tbsp olive oil
1 to 2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup dry whole-grain bread crumbs
2⁄3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp dried basil
1⁄4 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning the chicken
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast, halves
lightly salt, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.

2. In a shallow dish, blend olive oil and garlic. In a separate shallow dish, mix bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, basil, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Season each chicken breast with salt and black pepper, dip it in the oil mixture, and then in the bread crumb mixture. Arrange coated chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish and top with any remaining bread crumb mixture.

3. Bake for 30 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.

   

HOT BACON AND ONION PASTA SALAD

1 lb whole-grain rotini
1 large onion
1 garlic clove
1 lb bacon
1/2 cup vinegar
1/2 cup Splenda granulated
1/2 cup prepared mustard

Cook rotini as directed on the package; drain well.

While rotini cooks fry the bacon crisp and drain on paper towels. Reserve enough of the bacon drippings to saute the onion and garlic together in the pan.  When the onions are transparent, reduce the heat under the skillet and add the vinegar, mustard, and Splenda; stir to mix well. Remove from heat.

Crumble the drained bacon into the skillet mixture.

In a heatproof bowl, toss the pasta with the cooked dressing mixture.

Serve this dish warm.

Sorry, no photo.

AMBROSIA PUDDING

I have been posting several dessert recipes lately. I want diabetics to realize that as we approach the upcoming holidays they, too, can enjoy a tasty dessert. If you are invited to a dinner or party, always offer to bring a dessert. By doing that you will know there is a dessert you can enjoy. The desserts on this blog are so tasty no one will even know they are diabetic desserts unless you tell them! As a word of caution, though, let me remind you not to overindulge. Portion control is the key to your success!

1 pkg (4 serving size) sugar-free instant lemon-flavored pudding mix
2 cups cold fat-free milk
1/2 tsp grated orange peel
1/2 cup diced fresh orange sections
2/3 cup unsweetened flaked coconut

Prepare pudding mix with the milk as directed on the package.  Fold in the orange peel and orange sections plus the coconut.

Pour into a serving dish or into 6 individual dessert dishes and chill.

Yield: 6 servings.

Note: File Photo

BUTTERMILK PIE

Remember that diabetics have to watch their portions. Only 1 slice a day, no cheating.

1 9-inch sugar-free unbaked pie shell
3 large eggs
1 1/4 cups Splenda Granulated
3 tbsp white whole-wheat flour
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 cup fat-free or low-fat buttermilk
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a large mixer bowl, beat the eggs; add the Splenda, flour, nutmeg and cinnamon and mix well.  Beat in the buttermilk, butter, and vanilla; pour into the pastry shell.

Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees then reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees and bake another 35 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.

Cool before cutting.

Garnish with some fresh fruit, if desired.

Leftovers should be refrigerated.

BEEF ENCHILADAS

Don't get carried away here, watch your portion size. This recipe should be okay for most diabetics occasionally.

Note: This recipe is one I got from the Brown Eyed Baker but it was adapted from America's Best Test Kitchens 2008. I have changes to make it more diabetic-friendly.

3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 teaspoon Splenda Granulated
1 teaspoon salt
1¼ pounds boneless chuck steaks, trimmed of fat
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 yellow onions, finely chopped
1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
½ cup water
4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese, shredded, divided
4 ounces low-fat sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup chopped canned pickled jalapeños
12 (6-inch) corn tortillas

1. In a small bowl, stir together the garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander, sugar and salt.

2. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sprinkle the meat with salt and cook until browned on both sides, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the meat to a plate.

3. Reduce the heat to medium, add the onions to the pot and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic mixture and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the tomato sauce and water and bring to a boil. Return the meat and any accumulated juices to the pot, cover, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until the meat is tender and can be broken apart easily, about 1½ hours.

4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

5. Strain the beef mixture over a medium bowl. Transfer the meat and any other solids to a separate medium bowl and break the beef into small pieces. Mix together with half of the shredded cheeses, the cilantro and the jalapeños.

6. Spread ¾ cup of the sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Microwave the tortillas according to package directions to soften. Spread about ⅓ cup of the beef mixture down the center of each tortilla, roll up tightly, and place in the baking dish seam-side down. Pour the remaining sauce evenly over the enchiladas and spread to ensure that all of the ends are covered in sauce.

7. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over top of the enchiladas, cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake until the cheese browns slightly, 5 to 10 minutes. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Make-Ahead: The beef filling and sauce can be prepared through step #5 and refrigerated in separate containers for up to 2 days. Prepare the rest of the recipe as directed, increasing the covered baking time by 5 minutes.

(Recipe adapted from The Best of America's Test Kitchen 2008)

FRUIT COCKTAIL CAKE

1 3/4 cups white whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup garbanzo bean flour*
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups Splenda Granular
1/2 cup Splenda baking blend**
2 tsp baking soda
1 can (15-oz) no sugar added fruit cocktail
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking pan; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flours, salt, cinnamon, both Splendas and the baking soda. When combined, add the fruit cocktail with juice and eggs. Mix together well.

Pour batter into the prepared baking pan and bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes.

Before cake is finished baking, make the following topping:

1 cup fat-free evaporated milk
1 cup Splenda granulated
7 tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut, optional

Combine the topping ingredients in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Boil mixture 5 minutes. Pour topping over the hot cake.

*May use additional white whole wheat flour if you don't have garbanzo bean flour.

**If you cannot have any sugar, use additional Splenda Granulated.

Note: As with all desserts, do not go overboard in one sitting! Diabetics must always eat in moderation.

ROASTED GREEN BEANS WITH MUSHROOMS, BALSAMIC, AND PARMESAN

I got this recipe from a facebook friend's post. Haven't tried it yet but certainly intend to.
Ingredients:

8 oz. mushrooms, sliced in 1/2 inch slices (I used brown crimini mushrooms, but any mushrooms will work)
1 lb. fresh green beans, preferably thin French style beans
1 1/2 T olive oil
1 T balsamic vinegar
salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
2 T finely grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:
Preheat oven to 450F/230C. Wash mushrooms and let drain (or spin dry in salad spinner, which is what I did.) While mushrooms are drying, trim ends of beans and cut beans in half so you have bite-sized pieces. (An easy way to trim them is to gather a small handful of beans, stand them up on cutting board, holding loosely so they will fall down and have ends ends aligned, then trim. Repeat with other end.) Cut mushrooms into slices 1/2 inch thick.

Put cut beans and mushrooms into a Ziploc bag or plastic bowl. Whisk together olive oil and balsamic vinegar and pour over, then squeeze bag or stir so all the beans and mushrooms are lightly coated with the mixture. Arrange on large cookie sheet, spreading them out well so beans and mushrooms are not crowded. Roast 20-30 minutes, starting to check for doneness after 20 minutes. Cook until beans are tender-crisp, mushrooms are cooked, and all liquid on the pan from mushrooms has evaporated. Season beans to taste with salt and fresh ground pepper, then sprinkle with finely grated Parmesan. Serve hot.

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE ALICE SPRINGS CHICKEN

For those of you who enjoy the Alice Springs Chicken from Outback Steakhouse, here is a recipe from a friend. Since I don't eat chicken I can't vouch for this but I hear it is an almost exact replica of Outback's. I have added notes to make this even more diabetic friendly. I also suggest diabetics cut the cheese back to 1 or 1 1/2 cups.

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
Lowry's Seasoning Salt  (Diabetics should apply any salt lightly.)
6 bacon slices
1/4 cup regular mustard
1/3 cup honey
2 Tbsp. Mayonnaise
2 teaspoons dried onion flakes
1 cup sliced fresh mushroom
2 cup shredded Colby/Jack cheese (Diabetics should use low-fat cheese)

First, Sprinkle and rub the chicken breasts with seasoning salt. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

While the chicken is in the refrigerator, cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside. ***Do not discard grease.***

Saute chicken in the bacon grease for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until browned. Place chicken in a 9" × 13" casserole dish or pan.

To make the Honey Mustard: In a small bowl, mix the mustard, honey, mayonnaise and dried onion flakes.
Spread some of the Honey Mustard over each piece of chicken, then layer with mushrooms, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheese.

Bake in a 350° oven for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and chicken is done.
Serve with the left over Honey Mustard Sauce that you made.