I was in the kitchen again.....

I recently received a copy of a cookbook from the American Diabetes Association.  It is The Healthy Carb Diabetes Cookbook.   The cookbook is by Chef Jennifer Bucko, MCFE and Lara Rondinelli, DS, LDN,CDE.

As you may be able to see, I have found many recipes that I am willing to try from this cookbook.  See all the red flags post it thingies sticking out of the top?  Each of those mark a recipe that I would like to try and make.

This is NOT a fancy cookbook.  There are no pictures of the food on the inside.  In fact, the inside of this cookbook is all in black and white.  See how the cover picture looks blurry?  For once, it is not my lack of ability in taking the picture.  That is the way the cover looks.

So we will not judge this cookbook by its cover.

I have made two recipes from this cook book so far.  I was much more successful with them than I was with the kale chips!

Spinach Tortellini with Salad

Serves 4

Serving size: 1 cup

Prep time: 30 minutes

1  9-oz. pkg whole-wheat cheese tortellini, uncooked

Cooking spray

9 oz. frozen, chopped spinach, thawed and drained

2 tbsp trans fat free margarine

2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped

2 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped 

1/2 cup pasta water.  

1.  Cook tortellini according to package directions, omitting salt.  drain and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water.

2.  Coat a medium saute pan with cooking spray.  Add spinach to pan and heat over medium-high heat for approximately 5 minutes.  remove spinach from pan.

3.  Combine margarine, Parmesan cheese, basil and oregano, and add to pan over low heat.  Melt slowly and stir.

4.  Place tortellini in the saute pan with the melted butter and herbs add the spinach and the reserved pasta water; toss to combine.  Cook for about 30 seconds.

They suggest a small side salad of mixed greens, tomato slices, cucumber, and fat free Italian dressing.  

Calories: 285, Total fat: 11g. Saturate fat: 3.4 g, Trans fat 0 g., Cholestrol 40 mg, Sodium 575 mg., Total Carbohydrat 35 g., Dietry Fiber 8 g., Sugars 6 g., Protein 14 g.

NOW, how I would change this recipe.

Vegetarians need to not read this

  

To me, the most surprising thing was that Silent Sam and I completely agreed on what was missing from this recipe.  We agreed that adding some turkey kielbasa or turkey Italian sausage would go GREAT with this recipe.  This is rather unusual that we would come up with the same solution. I have not tried it yet but I will.  Oh, and if you are turning up your nose at the turkey sausage part, I suggest that you try it before you mock it.  I was SURPRISED by it.  While you will never ever get me to try turkey bacon again. (can you feel me shuddering?) I like turkey in various sausage products.  

Vegetarians come back to reading

Also, being the not very good cook that I am, I used dried spices instead of fresh.  I am sure that the fresh spices would improve the flavor.  

All in all though, a good addition to the recipe box.  It is easy to make - a pretty necessary ingredient for me!  

This week we are going to try a "hearty" vegetable beef ragout.  We'll see how I can do with this....

If you try this recipe, let me know what you think.  I am interested to see how it turns out for you.

Thanks for reading!