Diabetic Recipes: Main Entrees

Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and dumplings is one of the great comfort foods. It can be used as a soup, appetizer, or main entrée. Add vegetables to the recipe to add more nutrition and bulk to the meal.

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb chicken pieces

1 1/2 cups water

1/3 cup chopped celery

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tbsp vegetable shortening

1/2 cup skim milk

Directions

Remove skin from chicken pieces. Place chicken pieces in a large saucepan. Add water, celery, onion, and salt. Simmer, covered, 1 hour or until meat is tender. While simmering, prepare dumplings by combining flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Cut in shortening. Add milk until dough is stiff. Prepare a lightly floured surface and roll dough out to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut dough into 1-inch strips or squares. Remove chicken from bone and return chicken to chicken stock. Bring chicken and stock to a boil; add rolled dumplings. Cover and boil gently 8 to 10 minutes.

Serving and Nutrition Information

Makes 6 servings.

Diabetic exchanges per ¾ cup serving: 2 Medium Fat Meat, 1 Starch.

Stuffed Burgers

For a great new twist on an old favorite, try stuffing your hamburger with one of the fillings listed below. This recipe is great if you’re looking for a starch-free meal. However, most people do like to use a hamburger bun. A great low-carb way to enjoy the bun is to buy “light” hamburger rolls. Regular buns are worth two starch exchanges, but the light buns are worth only one, and they have more fiber.

Ingredients

1 1/2 lb lean ground sirloin

2 Tbsp ice water

1 tsp fresh ground pepper and salt to taste

Ideas for filling (all 1 Tbsp):

Salsa

Parmesan cheese

Chili sauce

Minced jalapeño peppers

Bleu cheese

Teriyaki sauce

Marinara sauce

Minced sautéed mushrooms

Hoisin sauce

Minced smoked ham

Minced roasted red pepper

Feta cheese

Directions

In a bowl, mix the ground sirloin with the water, pepper, and salt; form into 12 small patties. Place 1 tablespoon of desired filling in the center of each of six patties. Place a second patty on top of each patty with filling and seal the edges to secure the filling inside. Grill, bake or fry with nonstick cooking spray until patties are browned.

Serving and Nutrition Information

Makes 6 servings

Diabetic exchanges per serving: 4 Very Lean Meat, 1/2 Fat

Angel Hair Pasta with Tomato Seafood Cream Sauce

Many diabetics shy away from pasta because of the high carbohydrate content. But there is no reason pasta can’t be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. This recipe includes scallops, but any lean meat can be used.

Ingredients

2 tsp olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup tomatoes, cooked, seeded, finely diced

1 ½ cups evaporated skim milk

1 tsp marjoram

Fresh ground pepper, to taste

¾ lb sea scallops

4 ¼ cups cooked angel hair pasta

Directions

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium high heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add the tomato and sauté for 2 minutes. Add the evaporated milk and stir constantly over medium heat until thickened. Add the marjoram and pepper. Add the scallops and cook for 2 minutes until the scallops turn opaque. Pour the scallops and sauce over the angel hair pasta and serve.

Serving and Nutrition Information

Makes 6 servings.

Diabetic exchanges: 2 Starches, ½ Milk, ½ Vegetable, ½ Fat, 1 Very Lean Meat

Adapted from: Diabetic Meals in 30 Minutes or Less by the American Diabetes Association

• Fruits and Vegetables that Lower Blood Pressure
• Diet for a Pear Shape
• Summer Snacks
• Fast Food Statistics
• Healthy Food Myths Quiz

• The Lemonade Diet
• Weight Watchers Points Calculators
• 1200 Calorie Menus
• Weight Watchers Points
• Weight Watchers Restaurant Points

• The Diabetic Exchange System
• Diabetic Cake Mix Recipes
• Diabetic Recipes: Salads
• Diabetic Recipes: Desserts
• Diabetic Recipes: Appetizers