I recently found out that I have pre-diabetes, meaning I need to lose weight and control my glucose levels.  If I can do this, then I can reverse it and it won’t proceed on to full blow diabetes.  Therefore, I have searched for recipes that will keep me interested in healthier foods while still getting that yummy flavor.  I have to keep track of the carbs (starches & sugars) that I take in and eat more veggies!  I have included 3 recipes that I hope to try in the near future.

Autumn Chopped Salad

Photo Courtesy of Richard Swearinger, BHG Food Editor Extraordinaire

Ingredients:

• 6-8 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 2 medium pears, chopped (my thoughts **apples**)
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 8 slices thick-cut bacon, crisp-cooked and crumbled (my thoughts **turkey bacon**)
• 4-6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
• Poppy seed Salad Dressing (70%)
• Balsamic Vinaigrette (30%)

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix the poppy seed salad dressing (70%) and balsamic vinaigrette (30%).
2. In a salad bowl, combine the lettuce, pears, cranberries, pecans, bacon and feta cheese.
3. Drizzle the mixed dressing on to salad.

Avocado Salsa

Avocado Salsa – by Chef in Training

Ingredients:

• 3 avocados
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 3 Roma tomatoes
• 1/8 cup fresh cilantro
• 1 tbsp. lime juice
• 1/4 tsp. garlic salt
• 1/8 tsp. pepper

Instructions:

1. Dice and chop avocados, red onions, roma tomatoes and cilantro.
2. Combine the above ingredients in a medium bowl
3. Add lime juice, pepper and garlic salt
4. Toss and lightly stir to combine flavors

Buffalo Chicken Rolls

Buffalo Chicken Rolls – Can you stay for dinner?

Ingredients:

• 1 pkg. egg roll wrappers
• chicken, cooked and shredded
• hot wing sauce
• blue cheese, crumbled
• shredded broccoli slaw or cabbage

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400.
2. Lay the egg roll wrappers on a clean work surface
3. In a small bowl, stir chicken and hot sauce until well coated, depending on preference.
4. Crumble the blue cheese
5. Place about 1 tbsp of slaw on the bottom right corner of wrapper
6. Place about 2 tbsp of shredded spicy chicken on top of the slaw.
7. Place 1 tbsp of blue cheese crumbles on top of chicken.
8. Repeat with the rest of the wrappers.
9. Roll the wrappers by folding bottom right corner over the filling (top point is in center of food)
10. Fold bottom left corner over and toward upper right corner.  Fold the upper right corner down toward bottom left corner (should look like envelope).
11. Roll over once, wet finger in water, gently press on open top left corner of wrapper.  Bring that corner down and press it to seal.
12. Repeat this with the rest of the wrappers.
13. Coat a wire rack with nonstick cooking spray and set on top of cookie sheet.
14. Cook for 12-15 minutes at 400 degrees, or until crisp and light golden brown.

Recipes & images found at the following websites:

1. Autumn Chopped Salad – Espresso & Cream
2. Avocado Salsa – Chef in Training
3. Buffalo Chicken Rolls – Can you stay for DINNER?