by susanb181

Persimmon and Endive Salad

After lots of rich food, cocktails and wines over the holiday rush, parties and family celebrations, I welcome a crisp salad using fresh winter ingredients,  including the sweet taste of Fuyu persimmons, which are abundant during this season. As you probably know, there are two kinds of this golden orange fruit; the Fuyu, which can be eaten raw, like an apple, and the Hayachi, usually used in cooking, as it must be allowed to ripen until soft and mushy, otherwise it is very astringent. See the link below for an overview of persimmons.

For this salad I use the Fuyu and endive, which slightly bitter taste combines well with the sweetness of the persimmon. Add fresh crunchy romaine, some arugula, with a savory, tart dressing based on olive and walnut oil, and you have a salad that is refreshing for a jaded holiday palette and simply delicious.

http://localfoods.about.com/od/persimmons/tp/persimmons.htm

Persimmon and Endive Salad

INGREDIENTS (serves 3-4)

  • 1 romaine lettuce, torn into bite- size pieces
  • 1 cup arugula
  • 1 Fuyu persimmon, sliced into thin slices
  • 1-2 endives, (depending on size), sliced
  • Dressing:
  • 1/3 cup Olive oil
  • 1/4 cup Walnut or other nut oil
  • 2-3 Tbsp. Lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1-2 Tbsp. Red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • Garnish:
  • 1/3 cup sliced almonds
  • Herbs de Provence
  • Salt free seasoning/pepper to taste

TO DO:

1. Add romaine and arugula in a large salad bowl.

2. Wisk dressing ingredients in a separate bowl or container.

3. Dress and toss the salad greens before adding other ingredients on top, (a technique so that the toppings stay on top–from Rick’s daughter who worked as a catering assistant).

4. Add sliced endive and persimmons on top of dressed greens.

5. Sprinkle with sliced almonds, Herb de Provence and seasonings.

Enjoy!

www.type2delicious.com

healthy-slow-cooker-greek-lamb-shanks
by susanb181

Update on Greek Lamb Shanks

We just made the Greek lamb shanks again, and realize that the cooking time in the slow cooker on “high” needs to be 6 hrs, not 4 as I originally had in my post. Sorry!

Also you can cook this recipe in a Dutch Oven for 2 1/2 hours with great results.

Thanks for your forbearance. (<*

 

by susanb181

Roast Broccoli

Fresh broccoli mixed with olive oil and spices

Roasted and delicious!

I’m a broccoli fan, but confess I’ve always just steamed it; didn’t think of any other preparation, til now.

We recently had steamed broccoli and received extra in our biweekly farm produce shipment. I was looking for something different than our regular version, and thought, since we love roast cauliflower why not try to roast broccoli?

After checking a few internet sources (to see if this is a crazy idea) I found several recipes which I combined and added to–so thought; here goes!

Rick’s comment; “Why have broccoli any other way?”

(Side note: we read the eulogy Steve Jobs’ sister delivered which mentioned a meal Jobs and his wife served of steamed broccoli with fresh herbs; simple and good. But I must say that roasting adds another level of flavor.)

INGREDIENTS ( serves 2-3)

  • 1 large bunch broccoli
  • 2-3 Tbsps. Olive oil
  • 4-5 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1-2 Tbsp. Lemon juice, plus 1 tsp. grated Lemon rind
  • No-salt seasoning (Trader Joe’s has a good one; 21 Seasoning Salute) and 1-2 tsps. thyme (or other herb of your choice); I suggest using only one herb to savor the single flavor.

TO DO

1. Preheat oven to 400.

2. Peel all rind from broccoli. (I insist on really peeling it thoroughly–having had unpeeled broccoli–dealing with the tough skin ruins this vegetable experience for me.)

3. Break into flowerets and slice the stalk into 1/2 ” rounds.

4. Mix broccoli pieces with olive oil, lemon, garlic, herb and seasonings.

5. Rub oil on a baking sheet – put pieces face down; make sure each piece is separate on the pan.

6. Bake for 15 minutes – turn pieces over and bake another 10-15 minutes until tender and brown on both sides.

Enjoy!

www.type2delicious.com

by susanb181

My Mom’s Turkey Soup

Chopping celery

My Mom’s Turkey Soup

My mother was a very busy pediatrician who rarely had time to cook; (my grandma lived with us and did most of that. We were very grateful as she was a superb cook.)

Thanksgiving, however, unless there were medical emergencies, was a lovely relaxed time in our house. Mom took advantage of this break to use the turkey carcass to make a delicious turkey soup chock full of vegetables, garlic, wine and chunks of turkey from the carcass. It’s also easy to make and I’ve never had any better!

I made it without noodles, but you could add whole wheat or other whole grain noodles of your choice, as now there is a good selection of these.

INGREDIENTS 

  • 1 turkey carcass, split into halves (or smaller pieces, depending on your pot)
  • 3-4 large carrots, sliced in 1/2 ” rounds
  • 1 cup celery, chopped; using “Cook’s Illustrated” magazine’s technique: wash the celery to the point that you’re using, then instead of tearing off the stalks, cut from the whole (see photo). I’ve found it much more convenient and easy.
  • 1 large onion chopped into 1/2″ pieces
  • 3-4 cloves of garlic- chopped fine. We love garlic; use as many to your taste.
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • Turkey, chicken or vegetable broth to cover the carcass (approx. 1 quart). I use a combination of turkey broth I make from the giblets and a commercial low sodium chicken stock.
  • 1-2 Tbsp. Olive oil
  • Herbs; your choice, but make one a bay leaf.
  • No-salt seasoning (Trader Joe’s has a good one; 21 Seasoning Salute)

TO DO

1. Heat a large sauce pan, add olive oil. Sauté onions on medium heat until transparent ( approx. 5-7 min.)

2. Remove the onions, add and sauté carrots and celery in the pan. After about 7 minutes add garlic and continue for approx. 2-3 minutes, making sure garlic doesn’t burn.

3. Put the carcass in a large Dutch oven or stock pot, add the vegetables and cover to the top of the carcass with broth.

4. Add wine, bay leaf and other seasoning.

5. Bring to a boil and then turn down to low to simmer for 45 min. to 1 hour, until vegetables are tender and meat falls off the bones; or longer, depending on your timing.

6. Remove the carcass from the pot and strip off the meat- chop and return meat to the soup.

7. Serve with good whole grain toast or noodles.

Enjoy!

www.type2delicious.com

by susanb181

Baked Delicata Squash

Delicata Squash – pretty before baking

Baked Delicata Squash- adult candy!

One of the easiest and most delicious low carb side dishes; and it’s easy to prepare as well.

INGREDIENTS 

  • 2-3 Delicata Squash
  • Olive oil
  • Herbs; your choice
  • No-salt seasoning (Trader Joe’s has a good one; 21 Seasoning Salute)

TO DO

1. Preheat oven to 400.

2. Split the squash lengthwise and scoop out the seeds and pulp.

3. Rub the insides with olive oil and herbs and seasonings.

4. Slice the half squashes into 1/2 inch “moons” – see the photo above.

5. Rub oil on a baking sheet – put slices pulp face down; make sure each piece is separate on the pan.

6. Bake for 20 minutes – turn pieces over and bake another 25 minutes until soft and brown on both sides.

Enjoy!

www.type2delicious.com

by susanb181

The Low Carb Cocktails II

Three Ships in the Harbor- a new low carb rum cocktail

The classic Penguin Shaker plus limes and lemon

Low Carb Cocktails II

What good are cocktail yummies without cocktails? As promised, here’s the next low carb recipe, a Rick original rum cocktail; “Three Ships in the Harbor”–(unofficially “Three Sheets to the Wind”).

If you’re in a tropical mood this one is for you!

Dear readers, please submit your own low carb cocktail recipes (hopefully in the next week), of classics, such as the Cosmopolitan, or Manhattan, or your original creations.

Add your recipes to the “comments” at the bottom of this blog post. Depending when I get your recipes, I’ll publish as many as possible in subsequent posts.

I’m excited to receive your cocktails! We’ll have a tasting–will let you know the results.

INGREDIENTS – Three Ships in the Harbor- cocktail for 2

  • 1 oz. each of 3 rums– a light or white (which doesn’t mean less potent, but light in color), a medium (we like El Dorado or Zaya), and a dark (we suggest Pyrat).
  • Juice of 2 or 3 limes (depending on your citrus preferences- I like 3); juice of 1/2 lemon
  • *1 tsp Falernum
  • 1/2 tsp. for each cocktail; your choice of Grand Marnier, Cointreau or Triple Sec, to float
  • Ice cubes and chipped ice for shaking
  • 2 lime slices for garnish

TO DO:

1. Fill two rocks’ glasses, (or double rocks’ glasses), with ice cubes (we use extra large cubes–one per glass-you can order these special ice trays on-line)

2. in a shaker, shake all ingredients except for the “float” liqueur and garnish.

3. Pour evenly over ice cubes into two rocks glasses

4. Float your choice of liqueur, or float 1/2 tsp. of dark rum instead. Garnish with lime slices.

Zou!  (Cheers! In Vietnam)

Of course, check with your doctor if you’re concerned that drinking cocktails, even low carb, aren’t good for your condition.

*https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falernum

www.type2delicious.com

by susanb181

The Low Carb Cocktails

New Old Fashioned–low carb version of the classic

RICK SERVING THE NEW OLD FASHIONED

Low Carb Cocktails 

Summer is a great time to enjoy a cocktail with friends out on the patio (or wherever you have some area to celebrate good weather). Since many cocktails are full of sugar or some type of sweetener they’ve often been off limits for carb-conscious folks, especially those with diabetes. I’m sharing low carb versions of favorite cocktails, including a version of the classic Old Fashioned that we call the New Old Fashioned, and an original rum cocktail, “Three Ships in the Harbor,” (unofficially “Three Sheets to the Wind”). In this post I feature the New Old Fashioned; the rum cocktail will follow. Note: please check with your physician or dietician to make sure that alcohol is allowed in your diet plan.

Now I’m asking you, dear, readers, to submit your own low carb cocktail recipes (hopefully in the next week), of classics, such as the Cosmopolitan, or Manhattan, or your original creations.

Add your recipes to the “comments” at the bottom of this blog post. Depending when I get your recipes, I’ll publish as many as possible in subsequent posts.

I’m excited to receive your cocktails! We’ll have a tasting–will let you know the results.

INGREDIENTS – the New Old Fashioned

  • 2 shots (1 1/2 oz. each) your favorite Blended Whiskey or Bourbon
  • Bitters- 2-4 dashes or more, depending on your taste; we try different kinds- Angostura is a standard but we also found a brand, (actually at Crate and Barrel), called “Hella Bitters” with citrus and others; plus got some cardomon plum bitters in LA – place was a bitters’ supermarket!
  • 1 tsp water (optional)
  • 2 Large orange wedges–we use at least 1/4 orange per drink. This also helps to add fiber to the drink as we eat the orange too.
  • Ice cubes

TO DO:

1. Fill two rocks’ glasses, (or double rocks’ glasses), with ice cubes (we use extra large cubes–one per glass-you can order these special ice trays on-line)

2. Lightly squeeze the Orange wedge in each glass. (You also have to eat the Orange; no fair just using the juice. I usually squeeze most of the juice in first to mellow out the bitters and then eat the Orange after I finish the cocktail.)

3. Add a shot of Whiskey per glass (water if you like)

4. Add the bitters to taste- try different kinds; Rick is the bitters king and uses at least 4 dashes; I like less.

Salud!

Of course, check with your doctor if you’re concerned that drinking cocktails, even low carb, aren’t good for your condition.

www.type2delicious.com

by susanb181

Yummy Cocktail Spread

A variety of h’ors d’oeuvres to treat our guests

I’ve been asked to repost this snack recipe– and am doing so before I share the Lentil Veggie Soup recipe. It’s a good alternative instead of potato chips and dip for your favorite sports or movie night get together and/or for a dinner party to go with the low carb cocktails on the Happy Hour section.

This time I’ll share something a little different; not exactly a cooking recipe but suggestions when you’re planning a good time with friends and want ideas for easy to put together, delicious low carb snacks and h’ors d’oeuvres.

We enjoy entertaining and especially sharing a variety of what Rick calls “horse ovaries” to delight our guests. We include fresh hummus and a selection of veggie spears as well as goat and cow milk cheeses. This time we had goat Brie, a white goat Gouda and a cow milk aged Dutch Gouda served with fresh figs and whole grain crackers. Also a variety of olives, pickled peppers and mushrooms and cannoli beans. Plus, one of my favs, smoked oysters. It was fun to put together and a great spread!

The chips are sweet potato tortilla chips from Trader Joe’s- 17 grams of carbs in 9 chips; so that’s ok for Rick for one serving; (he’d then skip carbs if we eat dinner after this). Each person’s carb allotment, of course, depends on the individual medical situation. Ask your doctor about it if you’re concerned.

Cocktail Spread

INGREDIENTS (serves 4-6)

  • Fresh hummus (we buy it at a local Greek restaurant-or use your favorite brand-Trader Joe’s, my favorite, has many good choices)
  • 1Tbsp Olive oil- to dribble on top of the hummus if you like; then sprinkle with smoked paprika or a bit of cayenne
  • smoked oysters ( I prefer the large ones)
  • Cheeses- I suggest three- goat Gouda blanc, goat Brie, and an aged cow milk Gouda (Trader Joe’s is a great source of well-priced excellent cheese- of course, if you have a good local cheese shop go for it!)
  • Fresh figs (sliced in rounds as accents to the cheese plate)
  • Zucchini’s, carrots, red and yellow peppers, yellow squash; cut in spears to dip in the hummus
  • Assorted olives, pickled mushrooms, peppers, Cannoli beans; we buy these at a local market or use any olives and pickled foods you prefer (or not). Caution: they can be high in sodium if high blood pressure is an issue. Rick eats these but in small quantities.
  • Whole grain crackers
  • Sweet potato tortilla chips ( TJ’s again)

TO DO:

1. Arrange all on your coolest platters and serving dishes

2. Serve with wine or low carb cocktails — check out the Happy Hour section: https://type2delicious.com/happy-hour/

That’s it! So simple and delicious- a feast for the eyes and…!

Enjoy! www.type2delicious.com

by susanb181

Spinach, Mushroom and Fresh Tomato Omelette

Omelette ready to be enjoyed!

Fresh-eggs-spinach-mushrooms-tomatoes-delicious-omelelette

Fresh eggs, spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes make a delicious omelelette

Brunch is one of our favorite meals. On almost every Sunday we relax in the morning, Rick works in the garden and I cook a brunch for both of us. Omelettes are a treat I often make, with a variety of ingredients.

Now that it’s summer and our tomatoes are ripe, I try to include them every time. We also are lucky to have a source of fresh eggs from friends with chickens- the yolks are so golden orange they make a beautiful sight, and taste really different, rich and flavorful.

I always add at least two vegetables to the mix. This omelette has spinach, mushrooms, onions and tomatoes from our garden.

Often we also have chicken sausages, and whole wheat toast (Rick has one slice, and usually I do too); with goat cheese (me) and Almond Butter (Rick) for a satisfying low carb meal. And yes, I have to have my coffee!

Fresh Vegetable Omelette 

INGREDIENTS (serves 2-3)

  • 4-6 eggs, depending on size (we get whatever size our friends’ chickens lay!), lightly beaten
  • 1 cup fresh spinach, washed, and stems removed (I use baby spinach if possible so I don’t bother chopping.)
  • 1/3 large or 1/2 medium onion, chopped
  • Tomatoes, chopped into 1/2″ pieces; I use 1 cup as I love them!
  • 1/2 to 2/3 cup mushrooms- chopped or sliced; your choice (I used fresh Shitake mushrooms this time, but also Cremini, and others that are fresh in the farmer’s market near us.)
  • 2 Tbsp. Butter, 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • Tarragon, savory and/or Herbs de Provence; salt free seasonings and pepper to taste

TO DO:

1. Melt 1Tbsp. of butter in a medium frying pan, on medium heat. Add the Tbsp. of oil, and when hot, the onions (they should sizzle). Saute until transparent, about 5 minutes.

2. Add the tomatoes, and saute til soft, another 4-5 minutes. (most of the skins will come off – remove some from the pan at this point if you wish)

3.  Rinse the spinach and add to the pan, stirring quickly for 1-2 minutes.

4. Add the remaining butter. Turn the heat to med low or low. Add the beaten eggs and, with a flexible spatula, go under and around the edges of the mixture, until the bottom is firm, about 5-6 Minutes. Fold the omelette over, so that the middle cooks to your liking.

5. Season to taste.

6. Serve with whole grain toast, sausages, etc.– your choice! And, of course, good, fresh, strong coffee!

Enjoy!

www.type2delicious.com

by susanb181

Easy Tomato Salad and Greek Salad 2

Back to Greece for a Greek Salad update-plus a salad with the first tomatoes from our garden-I wait all year for this–tomatoes from the garden can’t be equalled! And of course, low carb and easy to prepare. With such delicious fresh ingredients simple preparation is the best.

diabetes-friendly-Fresh-Tomato-Salad

Simple, delicious, fresh tomato salad

healthy-greek-tomato-salad

Special Greek Salad I made a version of the special Greek Salad I enjoyed in the one (only) high end restaurant. The feta is soaked in olive oil and covered in toasted sesame seeds plus plump capers were added – a delicious variation. Rick loved it! ( see my blog post on “Superb Greek Salad” for more details.)

Fresh Tomato Salad

INGREDIENTS (serves 2-3)

  • 2-3 ripe, fresh sliced tomatoes (depending on size),  per serving
  • Walnut or other nut oil ( I also use Hazelnut oil from Trader Joe’s) or good Greek olive oil
  • Fresh chives cut and sprinkled on top (chives are easy to grow in pots)
  • Fresh ground black pepper and salt-free seasoning if you like

TO DO:

1. Slice tomatoes, put on serving plates

2. Drizzle with oil ( about 2 Tbsp per serving)

3. Sprinkle chopped chives on top

4. Grind pepper, add seasoning if you like

That’s it! So simple and delicious!

Enjoy! www.type2delicious.com