RecipesGreat Recipes for a Brunch That is Suitable for Entertaining Diabetics and Others
If you are planning a brunch and expecting diabetics to join you, following are some recipes that will insure you meet the needs of the diabetics in the group.÷ These recipes are also suitable for dieters and others.÷ This is not necessarily a complete brunch menu, but adding these recipes to your list will ensure that the diabetics have plenty to eat without worrying about their diets.
MINI CHEESE STUFFED TOMATOES
1 pint cherry tomatoes
8-oz cream cheese, softened
4 green onions, finely chopped
1 tsp garlic powder
paprika for garnish
Wash tomatoes and drain.÷ Pat dry with a paper towel.÷ Using a small spoon or knife, cut a thin layer off the top of each tomato and scoop out the seeds.÷ In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, onions and garlic powder.÷ Mix to combine.÷ Fill the insides of the tomatoes with the cheese mixture.÷ Sprinkle with paprika for garnish.
BROCCOLI BITES
1 16-oz bag frozen broccoli pieces
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup mild shredded cheese
2 cups Pepperidge Farm stuffing
4 eggs
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 cup melted butter
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/4 tsp thyme
Thaw broccoli slightly then break into pieces.÷ Beat butter, eggs, and stuffing together with wooden spoon.÷ Add remaining ingredients.÷ Form into appetizer-size balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.
BACON TOMATO TARTLETS
12-oz can refrigerated flaky biscuits
6 slices bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled
1 medium tomato, seeded and diced
3/4 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 tbsp fresh chopped basil
3/4 tsp garlic salt
1 tbsp fresh thyme
3/4 tsp chopped fresh oregano
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.÷ Split each biscuit into 3 layers.÷ Spray mini muffin pans lightly with non-stick cooking spray.÷ Press biscuit rounds into the tins.÷ Make only 24, not using the entire can of biscuits.÷ In a medium mixing bowl, mix the remaining ingredients together.÷ Fill each of the unbaked biscuit cups with the mixture.÷ Bake for 10 to 14 minutes or until slightly golden around the edges.
NOTE:÷ Can be made ahead and frozen for later use.÷ Bake, remove from pan, cool completely and freeze.÷ Reheat from frozen state for 10-14 minutes at 350 degrees on a cookie baking sheet.
OATMEAL-BLUEBERRY MUFFINS
1 cup + 2 tbsps flour
6 ounces uncooked regular oats
1 tbsp baking powder
2 tbsp Equal Sugar-Lite
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup skim milk
1 egg or 1/4 cup egg substitute
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup fresh blueberries
Vegetable cooking spray
1 tsp ground cinnamon
In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, oats, baking powder, Equal and salt.÷ Make a well in the center of the mixture.
In a small mixing bowl, combine milk, egg and oil.÷ Add to the well of the dry ingredients.÷ Stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.÷ Gently fold the blueberries into the mixture.÷ Spray 12 muffin cups with vegetable oil spray.÷ Fill each cup 2/3 full of the batter.÷ Sprinkle cinnamon over the tops of the batter.÷ Bake at 425 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned.
FRENCH TOAST STRATA
1/3 cup granulated sugar substitute (I use Splenda)
1 cup egg substitute
2/3 cup skim milk
3/4 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp maple-flavored extract
8 slices cinnamon-raisin bread
2 cups apples, peeled, cored, sliced thin
1/4 cup low-fat cream cheese
1 tbsp granulated sugar substitute (for this I use Equal Sugar-Lite)
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
÷ Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with non-stick cooking spray
In a medium mixing bowl, blend together 1/3 cup granulated sugar substitute, egg substitute, milk and extracts.÷ Tear bread into small pieces and toss into egg mixture.÷ Add apples.÷ Coat the bread evenly with mixture and pour into prepared pan.÷ Cut cream cheese into 8 pieces and place strategically over the top of mixture.÷ Blend cinnamon with 1 tablespoon of sugar substitute and sprinkle over the strata.÷ Covere and refrigerate overnight.÷
Next morning preheat oven to 350 degrees.÷ Remove strata from fridge and bake 40-50 minutes or until lightly browned and set.÷ Serve immediately while hot.
Carbs 20g, Protein 7 g in each 1/8 of strata serving
FRUIT AND NUT BREAD
1/2 cup fresh blueberries
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup light olive oil
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1 1/2 cups flour
2/3 cup Splenda
1/4 tsp salt (optional, according to diet)
1/2 cup egg substitute
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.÷ Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of the flour over blueberries.÷ Sift rest of the flour with Splenda, baking powder and salt.÷ Stir in oats.÷ Blend egg substitute, olive oil and banana together.÷ Combine dry ingredient mixture with banana mixture.÷ Stir in nuts.÷ Fold in blueberries.÷ Pour into a loaf pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray.÷ Bake one hour.÷ Cool ten minutes then remove from pan.÷ Allow to cool before slicing.
PUMPKIN SPICE SPREAD
1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup Splenda
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp maple flavoring
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 small carton frozen whipped topping, thawed
In a large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, pumpkin, Splenda, spices and flavorings.÷ Mix together well.÷ Fold in whipped topping.÷ Refrigerate until serving time.÷ Serve with graham crackers or gingerbread.
STRAWBERRY SPREAD
1 qt fresh strawberries
3/4 cup cold water, divided
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp cinnamon
3 tbsp cornstarch
1 cup Equal Sugar-Lite
Wash, hull, finely coarsely chop berries.÷ Combine in a small dutch oven or other heavy saucepan, strawberries, 1/2 cup water, lemon juice and cinnamon.÷ Bring mixture to a boil, stirring well.÷ Dissolve cornstarch in the remaining cold water and add to the boiling mixture.÷ Reduce the heat and simmer a couple of minutes or until mixture thickens, stirring occasionally.÷ Remove from the heat and cool.÷ Stir in Equal after mixture has cooled down.÷
NOTE:÷ This is good spread on toast, bagels,÷ or used÷ anyway you might use jelly or jams.÷
BROCCOLI, POTATO AND BACON QUICHE
1 bag (19 oz) frozen roasted potatoes with broccoli and cheese sauce
1 deep-dish pastry shell
4 eggs OR 1 cup egg substitute
2/3 cup lite whipping cream
7 slices bacon, cooked, drained, crumbled
1 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
1 cup finely shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp parsley flakes
1 tsp finely chopped fresh chives
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.÷ ÷ Microwave vegetables as directed on package. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and whipping cream together with a wire whisk until well blended.÷ Stir in cooked vegetables along with the other ingredients except chives.÷ Pour into pastry shell and spread evenly.÷ Sprinkle chives over top.÷ Bake 30-40 minutes or until edge of filling is light golden brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean.÷ Let stand 5 minutes before cutting.
Note:÷ This recipe is adapted from a Pillsbury Bake-Off winning recipe.
MINI HAM & CHEESE FRITTATAS
1/4 lb cubed fully cooked lean ham
1 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups egg substitute (or 6 eggs)
4 egg whites
3 tbsp minced chives
2 tbsp skim milk
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.÷ Coat 8 muffins cups with nonstick cooking spray.
Divide ham evenly among the 8 muffin cups.÷ Top ham with cheese.÷ In a large mixing bowl beat eggs or egg substitute with egg whites.÷ Beat in the chives, milk, salt and pepper.÷ Pour this mixture over the cheese in muffin cups.÷ Each cup should be about 3/4 full.÷ Bake 22-25 minutes or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean.÷ Carefully run a knife around edges to loosen.÷ Remove from pan and serve warm.
÷ BAKED OMELET ROLL
6 eggs or 1 1/2 cups egg substitute
1 cup low-fat milk
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup shredded low-fat cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.÷ Spray a 9x13-inch baking pan with non-stick cooking spray. Place eggs and milk in blender.÷ Add flour, salt and pepper.÷ Cover and process until smooth.÷ Pour into prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes or÷ until eggs are set.÷ Sprinkle with cheese.÷ Roll up÷ omelet in pan starting with a short side.÷ Place seam down on a warm serving platter.÷ ÷ Cut into slices.÷ Garnish plate with some fresh parsley or cilantro.÷
Enjoy!