Cooking with Marlene Koch

Chili's Style Grilled Beef Fajitas

Chili's Style Grilled Beef Fajitas
Categorized as: Dinner, Meat
 
Makes servings.

Ingredients:

¼ cup lime juice
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
3 garlic cloves, minced and divided
2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
½ teaspoon liquid smoke
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
¼ teaspoon chili powder
1½ pounds flank steak or skirt steak
1 large onion, sliced
3 medium green or assorted bell peppers, cut into ½-inch slices
2 tablespoons sweet vermouth (optional)
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup salsa
Warm high fiber reduced carb tortillas (like Mission Carb Balance)

Directions:

1. Whisk together the lime juice, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, soy sauce, liquid smoke, cumin, cayenne and chili powder. Place the steak in a large bowl, pour the marinade on top and cover. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight.
2. Heat the grill to medium high. Grill the steak for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until cooked through (or 150°F with a meat thermometer).
3. While the steak is cooking, heat the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium high. Add the remaining garlic and sauté for 1 to 2 minutes, until slightly softened. Add the onion and peppers and continue cooking for 6 to 8 minutes, or until crisp tender.
4. Add 2 tablespoons water, salt and the sweet vermouth (if desired). Continue cooking until the onions and peppers are soft and slightly caramelized.
5. Tuck meat into tortillas with onions and peppers and serve with salsa.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

Calories 230
Carbohydrate 8g (Sugars 4g)
Total Fat 9g (Sat Fat 4.5g)
Protein 26g
Fiber 2g
Cholesterol 75mg
Sodium 380mg

Food Exchanges: 3½ Lean Meat, 1 Vegetable
Carbohydrate Choices: ½
Weight Watchers Point Comparison: 5

Chicken Caesar Wrap

Chicken Caesar Wrap
Categorized as: Meat, Sandwiches
 
Makes servings.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons low-fat plain yogurt
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1½ teaspoon minced garlic
½ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
6 cups romaine lettuce
2 cups shredded cooked skinless chicken breast
4 9-inch reduced-carbohydrate high fiber tortillas (like Mission Carb Balance)
4 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, yogurt, Parmesan cheese, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic. Add black pepper to taste and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, toss together the romaine and chicken. Pour the dressing on top and toss together.
3. To assemble the wraps, heat 1 tortilla in the microwave for 15 seconds to soften. Spoon about 3/4 cup of the chicken salad mixture onto the middle of the wrap. Top with 1 teaspoon Parmesan cheese. Fold the bottom 1 1/2-inches of the wrap upward to cover filling and then fold in sides. Place a toothpick if desired in the center of the wrap to hold it shut. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

Calories 330
Carbohydrate 22g (Sugars 2g)
Total Fat 14g (Sat Fat 3g)
Protein 36g
Fiber 13g
Cholesterol 70mg
Sodium 490mg

Food Exchanges: 3 Lean Meat, 1 Starch, 2 Fat
Carbohydrate Choices: 1
Weight Watcher Point Comparison: 5

Additional comments:

Substituting a reduced-fat, high fiber tortilla and a healthy chicken Caesar mix makes this healthy Chicken Caesar Wrap pop with taste instead of fat, calories and carbs, while offering
more belly filling protein and fiber. Feel free to halve the recipe or to use your favorite reduced-fat Caesar dressing.

Two Minute Turkey Wrap

Two Minute Turkey Wrap
Categorized as: Appetizers, Meat
 
Makes servings.

Ingredients:

1 (8-inch) flour tortilla (use flavored tortilla if desired)
1 teaspoon horseradish sauce (not pure horseradish)
3 ounces deli-sliced turkey breast
1 slice (⅔ ounce) fat-free American cheese
¼ cup alfalfa sprouts

Directions:

1. Spread tortilla lightly with horseradish sauce. Lay turkey over tortilla. Place cheese in center of tortilla over turkey, then top with sprouts. Fold in about an inch on the top and bottom of the tortilla, then roll up tortilla from left to right. Serve immediately or wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for future use.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

Calories: 297
Carbohydrate: 27g
Protein: 36g
Fat: 5g
Saturated fat: 1g
Sodium: 414mg
Fiber: 1g

Exchanges per serving: 1 starch, 4 very lean meat, 1 fat
Carbohydrate choices: 2

Chicken Cacciatore over Pasta

Chicken Cacciatore over Pasta
Categorized as: Dinner, Meat, Pasta
 
Makes servings.

Ingredients:

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup chopped green bell pepper
1 (16 oz.) can chopped tomatoes, drained
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated
1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
⅓ cup sliced ripe olives
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
3 cups hot cooked noodles (or any favorite pasta) , rinsed and drained

Directions:

1. Slice chicken breasts into 32 pieces.
2. Spray a large skillet with olive oil flavored cooking spray. Saute chicken, onion, and green pepper for 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in drained tomatoes and tomato sauce.
3. Add SPLENDA® Granulated Sweetener, Italian seasoning, olives, and black pepper. Mix well to combine. Lower heat and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. For each serving, place ½ cup pasta on a plate and spoon ⅔ cup sauce over top.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

Calories: 210
Calories from Fat: 40
Total Fat: 4g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 65mg
Sodium: 460mg
Total Carbs: 22g
Dietary Fiber: 3g
Sugars: 5g
Protein: 21g

Exchanges per Serving: ½ Cup Pasta, ½ Starch, 1 Vegetable, 2 Lean Meats

Additional comments:

Recipe courtesy of Splenda, Inc. Splenda® is a no-calorie sweetener made from sugar that is suitable for diabetics.

Chicken, Broccoli & Rice Bake

Chicken, Broccoli & Rice Bake
Categorized as: Dinner, Meat, Pasta, Vegetables
 
Makes servings.

Ingredients:

Cooking spray
1 package (10 ounces) frozen, chopped broccoli, thawed
1 cup cooked white rice (warm slightly if using leftover rice)
2 cups (about 8 ounces) diced cooked chicken breast
1 can (10 ¾ ounces) Campbell's Healthy Request cream of chicken soup
¼ cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
¼ cup skim milk
⅛ teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon dill
½ teaspoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon fine, dry bread crumbs
Paprika

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Coat an 8" x 8" pan with cooking spray. Layer broccoli in bottom of pan. Top evenly with rice and then chicken.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together soup, mayonnaise, milk, curry powder, dill, and lemon juice; mix well. Pour evenly over chicken.
4. Sprinkle top of casserole with bread crumbs and paprika. Spray cooking spray over bread crumbs (to help them crisp during baking).
5. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

Calories: 244
Carbohydrate: 20g
Protein: 23g
Fat: 8g
Saturated fat: 2g
Sodium: 382mg
Fiber: 2g

Exchanges per serving: 1 starch, 1 vegetable, 2 ½ lean meat
Carbohydrate choices: 1 ½

Additional comments:

This recipe freezes well. It can be doubled to make a 9" x 13" casserole.

Dijon Chicken Cutlets

Dijon Chicken Cutlets
Categorized as: Dinner, Meat
 
Makes servings.

Ingredients:

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
½ cup dry white wine
¼ cup water
2 tablespoons Dijon-style mustard
½ teaspoon dried dill weed
¼ teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
⅓ cups chopped fresh parsley

Directions:

1. Place chicken breasts between sheets of plastic wrap or waxed paper, and pound with a kitchen mallet or rolling pin until they are evenly about ¼-inch thick.
2. Heat butter and oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet; brown chicken pieces about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer chicken to a platter; keep warm and set aside.
3. Saute garlic for 15 seconds in skillet drippings; add the wine, water, mustard, dill weed, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil and reduce volume by ½, stirring up the browned bits at the bottom of the skillet.
4. Pour sauce over chicken cutlets. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

Calories 223
Fat 9g
Cholesterol 2mg
Sodium 235mg
Protein 27g

Food Exchanges: 4 Lean Meat, 1 Vegetable

Fruity Ham Slices

Fruity Ham Slices
Categorized as: Dinner, Fruit, Meat
 
Makes servings.

Ingredients:

1 pound low-sodium extra lean ham slices (8 slices)
2 bananas
½ cup crushed pineapple in juice
1 cup unsweetened pineapple juice
2 teaspoons cornstarch
½ teaspoon cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon ground cloves

Directions:

1. Place ham slices in a baking dish.
2. Peel bananas and cut into quarters, first cutting lengthwise.
3. Place ¼ banana and 1 tablespoon crushed pineapple on each ham slice.
4. To make the sauce, pour pineapple juice in a saucepan. Add cornstarch, cinnamon, and cloves.
5. Cook over medium heat until juice is clear and slightly thickened. Pour sauce over top of ham.
6. Bake 20 minutes at 350°F.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

Calories: 142
Carbohydrate: 15g
Protein: 12g
Fat: 3g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 30g
Fiber: 2g
Sodium: 550mg
Potassium: 339mg
Calcium: 14mg

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 2 very-lean meat

Gingered Chicken with Vegetables

Gingered Chicken with Vegetables
Categorized as: Dinner, Meat, Vegetables
 
Makes servings.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided use
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
1 cup red bell pepper strips**
1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
16 fresh pea pods, cut in half crosswise
½ cup sliced water chestnuts
¼ cup sliced green onions
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root
1 large clove garlic, crushed
⅔ cup reduced-fat, reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons Equal® Spoonful*
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
4 teaspoons cornstarch
2 teaspoons dark sesame oil
Salt and pepper to taste (optional)
Hot cooked rice (optional)

* May substitute 3 packets Equal sweetener

Directions:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir fry chicken until no longer pink. Remove chicken from skillet.
2. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in skillet. Add red peppers, mushrooms, pea pods, water chestnuts, green onion, ginger and garlic. Stir fry mixture 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables are crisp tender.
3. Meanwhile, combine chicken broth, Equal®, soy sauce, cornstarch and sesame oil until smooth. Stir into skillet mixture. Cook over medium heat until thick and clear. Stir in chicken; heat through. Season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Serve over hot cooked rice, if desired.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

Calories 263
Protein 29g
Carbohydrate 11g
Fat 11g
Cholesterol 66mg
Sodium 411mg

Food Exchanges: 4 lean meat, 2 vegetable

Additional comments:

Variation: You may substitute 1 (16-ounce) package frozen Oriental-Style Vegetables, cooked and drained, for the fresh vegetables listed above. Stir fry chicken, ginger root and garlic in all of the vegetable oil about 10 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Combine chicken broth, Equal®, soy sauce, cornstarch and sesame oil until smooth. Stir into chicken mixture. Cook over medium heat until thick and clear. Stir in cooked vegetables until heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired. Serve over hot cooked rice, if desired.

Recipe provided courtesy of Merisant Corporation ® and the NutraSweet Company, makers of Equal®.

Oven Fried Chicken

Oven Fried Chicken
Categorized as: Dinner, Meat
 
Makes servings.

Ingredients:

3 lbs. whole fryer chicken, cut-up
1 c. skim milk
1 tsp. thyme
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. parsley flakes
1 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. salt
⅛ tsp. red pepper flakes
1 c. flour

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F.
2. Skin chicken and place in the milk.
3. Place all the seasonings in the flour and mix.
4. Dredge chicken parts in flour, making sure all pieces are well coated and place on pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. After placing chicken on pan, spray top of chicken with non-stick cooking spray.
5. Place in oven for 45 minutes until juices run clear.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

Calories 344
Calories from Fat 76
Total fat 8g
Saturated fat 2g
Cholesterol 98mg
Sodium 706mg
Total Carbohydrate 27g
Dietary Fiber 1g
Sugars 3g
Protein 37g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 ½ starch, 4 lean meat, 5 ½ fat

Skillet Chicken Paella

Skillet Chicken Paella
Categorized as: Dinner, Meat, Vegetables
 
Makes servings.

Ingredients:

1 ¼ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch strips
1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 ¼ cups fat-free chicken broth
1 cup uncooked long grain rice
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
⅛ teaspoon ground saffron or turmeric
1 (14 ½-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1 medium sweet red pepper, cut into thin strips
¾ cup frozen peas

Directions:

1. In a 10-inch skillet heat oil over medium-high heat and cook chicken strips, in two batches, for 2 to 3 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove chicken from skillet. Set aside.
2. Add onion and garlic to skillet; cook until onion has softened but not browned.
3. Add broth, uncooked rice, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper and saffron or turmeric. Bring to boiling. Reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes.
4. Coarsely chop stewed tomatoes and add with their juice to the pan. Add sweet red pepper and frozen peas. Cover and simmer about 5 minutes more or until rice is tender.
5. Stir in cooked chicken. Cook and stir about 1 minute more or until heated through.

Nutritional Info (per serving):

Calories 297
Fat 6g
Cholesterol 50mg
Protein 24g
Carbohydrate 36g
Fiber 2g
Sodium 642mg

Additional comments:

To lower sodium content, use low-sodium chicken broth, no salt added tomatoes and lite-salt.

CooksRecipes.com Source: Better Homes and Gardens Magazine September 1992 issue.

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