There seems to be endless food temptations during the holiday season when you have diabetes. Learn how to make a few healthy dishes that are sure to please you and everyone else at the party. Consider these 4 delicious holiday season recipes, from appetizer to dessert for your upcoming gatherings and events.
An awesome appetizer prepares everyone for the main course. Avoid those salty snacks and fattening appetizers. Try these yummy stuffed mushrooms and make an extra serving for all the people who are sure to love them.
Stuffed Mushrooms with Beef and Blue Cheese
Ingredients:
- 72 small button mushrooms
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup crumbled blue cheese
- ½ cup whole wheat bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons minced chives
- ¼ teaspoon dried garlic
- ½ teaspoon dried minced onions
- ¼ teaspoon rosemary
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350F. Remove the stems from the mushrooms. Season the mushroom caps with salt. Mince the stems to make 1 cup then discard the remainder. Mix the minced stems, ground beef, bread crumbs, blue cheese, chives and spices together. Spoon the mixture into the mushrooms. Put the stuffed mushrooms in a broiler pan on the oven rack. Bake for 25 minutes until fully cooked.
Once people are done noshing on the appetizer it is time to serve the main course. Turkey is a familiar favorite from Thanksgiving through the New Year. Consider this simple yet healthy and tasty turkey recipe.
Classic Roasted Herb Turkey
Ingredients:
- 1 – 12 pound fresh turkey (or a thawed frozen one of the same weight)
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, divided
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives, divided
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh sage
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon dried garlic
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
- Nonfat cooking spray
- 2 ¾ cups sodium-free chicken broth, divided
- ¼ cup dry sherry
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon rosemary
- 12 average size potatoes
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350F. Remove the neck and giblets from the turkey and discard. Rinse the turkey with cold water then pat dry. Loosen the skin from the drumsticks and breast. Sprinkle salt and garlic into the emptied cavity.
2. Mix 2 teaspoons of chives, 1 teaspoon of parsley and 1 teaspoon of thyme in a bowl and rub the mixture under the loosened skin and inside the cavity. Tie the ends of the legs with a cord and lift the wing tips up and over the back. Coat a broker pan with cooking spray and put the turkey in the pan. Put a meat thermometer into the chunky area of the thigh and bake for approximately 3 hours at 350F until the thermometer reaches 180 degrees. After 2 hours, place the 12 potatoes on a baking sheet to cook until the turkey is done.
3. Once the turkey is cooked, take it out of the oven and cover it loosely with foil. Let it stand for 15 minutes prior to carving.
4. Remove the drippings from the pan and strain off the fat. Put the drippings in a saucepan then stir in 2 ½ cups of chicken broth and sherry. Boil the mixture then reduce the heat and simmer for 8 minutes. Combine the flour and ¼ cup of broth in a bowl and whisk together. Stir into the sherry mix and boil, constantly stirring. Add 1 teaspoon of chives, 1 teaspoon of thyme and 1 teaspoon of rosemary. Serve with the turkey and baked potatoes.
A scintillating side dish is the ultimate accompaniment to your main course. Consider this healthy choice with veggies and cheese.
Cheesy Baked Veggie Mix
Ingredients:
- 4 16-ounce packages thawed frozen carrots, broccoli and cauliflower
- 2 12-ounce cans evaporated fat-free milk
- ½ cup chopped onions
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon dried garlic
- ⅓ teaspoon black pepper
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 1 ½ cup reduced-fat sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 8-ounce package reduced fat cream cheese
- 1 ⅓ cup soft whole wheat bread crumbs
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350F. Coat a 4-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Place the thawed veggies in the dish. In a large saucepan, whisk together the evaporated milk, flour, pepper, garlic and onion. Cook and stir over medium heat until bubbly and thick then remove from heat. Add cream cheese and cheddar cheese and whisk until smooth. Pour the cheese over the veggies and toss to coat them with sauce. Sprinkle the bread crumbs over the veggies and cheese then coat them lightly with cooking spray. Bake for 45 minutes until the crumbs get lightly browned. Let the vegetables stand for about 10 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with parsley before you serve.
The appetizers, main course and side dishes are all cooked at the same temperature. With proper preparation and timing, everything can be cooked and ready to serve within about 3 ½ hours. Bake the dessert separately and let it cook before serving. These diabetic-friendly gingerbread cupcakes are a festive way to top off a tasty holiday meal. Add a tray of sugar-free desserts from your local market so there are plenty of choices for your guests. You can enjoy all of these foods as long as you watch your portion size.
Diabetic-Friendly Festive Gingerbread Cupcakes
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cup white flour
- 1 ½ cup whole wheat flour
- 2 ½ teaspoons ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsweetened natural applesauce
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ⅔ cup brown sugar substitute
- ½ cup water
- 2 eggs (or 2 eggs substitute)
Directions:
Preheat the over to 350F. Spray muffin trays with cooking spray or line each muffin cup with festive cupcake paper. Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl using a wire whisk. Mix applesauce, brown sugar substitute, buttermilk, egg substitute and water in a large bowl. Stir the wet mixture into the dry ingredients until completely blended. Spoon into the muffin tin then bake for 25-30 minutes. If you want to serve them warm, add them to the preheated oven after your meal is cooked. They will be cooked and slightly cooled by the time you are all ready for dessert. Top them off with plastic novelties for the holiday season.
This mouthwatering meal is diabetes-friendly and flavorful enough to serve between 6 to 8 guests. They will never know this meal is made for people with diabetes unless you tell them. You could start a whole new trend of healthy eating for the New Year!
Enjoy.
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