Monday, May 9, 2011

Two Diabetic Recipes for the Fruit of the Week - Cherry

Cherry Pie and Whipped Topping-Diabetic

PREBAKED SINGLE PIE CRUST
1 tb CORNSTARCH
2 cn 16 OZ UNSWEETNED RED CHERRYS
1/4 ts ALMOND FLAVORING
1 c LIQUID FROM THE CHERRIES
1 c SUGAR SUBSTITUTE
1/2 c INSTANT DRY MILK
2 tb SUGAR
1/2 c COLD WATER
1/4 c DRY SUGAR SUBSTITUTE (OPT)
2 tb LEMON JUICE
1/2 ts VANILLA

1. Pie: Drain cherries well, reserving 1 cup liquid. Set cherries aside and combine 1 cup liquid and cornstarch. Cook and stir over moderate heat until thickened and transparent and the starchy taste is gone. 2. Remove from heat and add sugar substitute, almond flavoring and cherries. Taste and add more sweetener, if desired. Cool to room temperature.

3. Spread filling evenly in crust. Let set at least 15 minutes. Topping: Combine dry milk and water and refrigerate for 30 minutes.Beat at high speed for 4 minutes. Add lemon juice to whipped milk and beat at high speed for 4 minutes. Stir in the sugar and sugar substitute while it is being beaten. Add vanilla to whipped topping and refrigerate until use. From "The New Diabetic Cookbook" by Mabel Cavaiani,R.D.

http://www.easy-diabetic-recipes.com/diabetic-cherry-pie.html





Duck Breast with Cinnamon-Cherry Sauce

Ingredients:

1 pound fresh cherries, pitted and halved

2 cinnamon sticks

2 cups water

2 duck breasts

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation:

To make the cinnamon-cherry sauce, combine the cherries, cinnamon sticks and water in a medium-sized saucepan.  Bring to a simmer and reduce the heat to medium-low.  Simmer until the cherries begin to break down and form a sauce, about 40 minutes. Add additional water, if needed. Remove cinnamon sticks.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Score the fat on the breasts by drawing a very sharp knife across the skin in a diagonal crisscross pattern, at least 4 or 5 lines in each direction. Be careful to cut only into the fat and not into the flesh. This helps render the fat quickly when the breasts are cooked.  Season flesh side with salt and pepper.

Heat a large oven-proof sauté pan over medium heat.  When hot, add the duck breasts, skin side down.  Slowly render the fat and brown the skin, pouring the fat out of the pan fairly frequently, about 15 minutes.  This will prevent the duck from tasting oily.  When the majority of the fat has cooked away and the skin is browned and crispy, turn the breasts over and quickly brown the flesh side.  Transfer sauté pan to the oven and roast for about 6 minutes, or until medium-rare.  Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.  Slice duck breasts width-wise into ½-inch thick slices.  Top with the warmed cherry sauce.

Serves: 2

Make ahead: The cinnamon-cherry sauce can be made up to one week in advance.  Cool completely and keep refrigerated until ready to use.  Reheat gently.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Apple Pork Chops w/ Asparagus and...

Today's Menu: Apple Pork Chops w/ Asparagus and Whole Grain Bread


Got this one off the Mrs. Dash web site, which is full of great healthy recipes. I added 2 tablespoons of Apple Juice to keep the Chops moist. Fried up in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Great recipe low calorie, low carb, and low sodium! The recipe is at the bottom of the post. As sides had Asparagus and Healthy Life Sliced Whole Grain Bread. Used fresh Asparagus and cut the stalks into three pieces. Lightly fried in Extra Virgin Olive Oil and I Can't Believe It's Not Butter and added sliced Almonds and Crumbled Turkey Bacon, too good! For dessert later Breyer's Carb Smart Ice Cream and Del Monte Sugarless Sliced Peaches. And most important "Happy Mother's Day Mom" and to all the Moms out there! 

*Camera unavailable and used stock photo from Mrs. Dash*

Apple Pork Chops


        * Serves:4
        * Serving Size:1 pork chop
        * Prep Time:5 min
        * Cooking Time:6 min - 9 min
        * Ready In:14 min

Ingredients

        * 3 Tbsp. Mrs. Dash® Original Blend
        * 4 4 oz. pork loin chops
        * 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, seeded and cut into 8 wedges
        * 2 Tbsp. olive oil

Directions

        * 1. Sprinkle apples and pork chops evenly with Mrs. Dash® Original Blend.
        * 2. Heat sauté pan to medium heat. Add 1 Tbsp. olive oil and cook the apples 3 minutes.
        * 3. Remove to a plate. Add remaining olive oil and brown pork chops on both sides.
        * 4. Return apples to pan on top of chops and cook 3 minutes turning once.

Nutrition Facts

Serv. Size 1 pork chop

Servings: 4
Amount/Serving    
Calories     251
Total Fat     13g
Trans Fat     0g
Sodium     48mg
Potassium     465mg
Total Carb.     10g
Protein     23g

BEST IN SMOKE - Starts Tonight!

Series Premiere: May 8th at 10pm ET/PT; subsequent airings at 9pm ET/PT - Food Network
Hailing from different cities across the country, six of the best barbecue
masters meet in New York City to face off for a $50,000 grand prize and the
right to claim the title Best in Smoke. Endurance and skill are the key
ingredients as contestants take on multiple challenges for vastly different
audiences, with limited resources. From barbecue desserts to single bite hors
d’oeuvres, no food is off limits. Contestants show off their personal style and
quick wit throughout the competition, but a final mad dash to three separate
venues around Manhattan and Brooklyn will determine which competitor will
win the ultimate prize.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Spaghetti and Meatballs

Dinner Tonight: Spaghetti and Meatballs


Now that's italian, well sort of in a way by name only. I used Dixie Carb Counters Skinni Spaghetti to cut back on the calories and carbs of normal pasta. The Skinni Spaghetti is only 143 calories and 14 carbs, only 3 net carbs! Huge savings on both calories and carbs. I also used Bella Vita Low Carb Pasta Sauce. Another huge saver on calories and carbs! The sauce contains only 70 calories and 6 carbs per serving! By using these 2 products I have cut my calories and carbs in half from using Whole Wheat Pasta and regular pasta Sauces. I added Honeysuckle White Turkey Meatballs and sliced Mushrooms to the sauce. Topped all with a bit of Shredded Parm Cheese

Friday, May 6, 2011

Ground Bison Sirloin Burger w/ Potato Straws

Dinner Tonight: Ground Bison Sirloin Burger w/ BBQ Potato Straws


Wasn't real hungry tonight so it a light and simple for dinner. i had a Ground Bison Sirloin Burger seasoned with McCormick Grinder Steakhouse seasoning on a Healthy Life Sandwich Bun along with a half a serving of Sensible Portions Sweet BBQ Potato Straws. There are 38 of the Potato Straws per serving so a half serving is plenty. these are starting to be our favorite snack around the house, 38 per serving and only 130 calories and only 15 carbs. Maybe a 100 calorie bag of Jolly Time Popcorn later.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Kitchen Ramblings...

Well while at my local Meijer earlier today I purchased my first panini Maker Grill. I had been wanting one for a while and they just happened to have them on sale. It's a Bella Cucina Artful Food Brand and can be laid flat to be used as a grill also. Tried it out for dinner earlier and made a Turkey and Swiss Panini. So I can finally add Panini Sandwiches to the dinner menus for home. I think the next kitchen toy will be a juicer, I'll keep you updated!

Turkey and Swiss Panini w/ Green Beans and ...

Dinner Tonight: Turkey and Swiss Panini w/ Green Beans and Potato Pancakes

Put the new Panini Grill into use right away! First time I ever owned one and love it. This will expand the menu choices. My first one I fixed on the grill was a sliced Turkey Breast with 2% Swiss Cheese on Healthy Life Whole Grain Bread. I purchased another Jennie - O Turkey Breast and had baked it earlier and then sliced it all up for sandwiches throughout the week. As sides had some Green Beans leftover from last night and 2 Potato Pancakes leftover from my Mom's dinner she had fixed yesterday. Not sure on dessert or a small snack for later.