Posts Tagged ‘Ground Allspice’

Diabetic Friendly Muffin Recipes Perfect for Fall

Sunday, January 18th, 2009
Grandma Linda asked:


Muffins are always good and we enjoy them year round.  Whether as a snack, a breakfast staple, lunchbox item, the list could go on and on, muffins are a staple.  Following are some recipes that are diabetic friendly and are enjoyable during any season.  They are, however, perfect for fall when their ingredients are in abundance.  Apple Allspice Muffins are a great way to enjoy the abundance of apples at farmer’s markets and in the grocery stores in the fall.  Oatmeal and Pumpkin muffins are a healthy alternative anytime, but again, they are perfect to take advantage of the beautiful pumpkins in the fall.  Whenever you have them, they are sure to become favorites.

APPLE-ALLSPICE MUFFINS

1/4 cup + 2 tbsp unsalted butter, divided

1/4 cup + 2 tbsp Splenda brown sugar blend, divided

1 egg

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, divided

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp ground allspice

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup fat-free milk

1 cup peeled, finely chopped apple

Non-stick vegetable oil spray

1/2 tsp ground allspice

In a medium mixing bowl, cream 1/4 cup butter; gradually add 1/4 cup + 1 tsp of the Splenda brown sugar blend, beating at medium speed of electric mixer until mixture is light and fluffy.  Add egg and mix well.

Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, baking powder, 1/2 tsp ground allspice, and salt.  Add to the creamed mixture alternating with milk.  Stir just until moistened.  Gently stir in chopped apple.  Spray 12 muffin cups with vegetable oil spray.  Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds fulls.

Combine remaining Splenda blend, flour, and allspice in a small mixing bowl.  Cut in the remaining two tablespoons of butter, using a pastry blender or two knives, until mixture resembles coarse meal.  Sprinkle mixture evenly over the tops of the muffin batter.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

OATMEAL & PUMPKIN MUFFINS

Note:  Eating 1 of these nutritional muffins will provide 1 of your 3 recommended daily servings of whole grains.  Whole grains and fiber are important to the diabetics diet.

2 cups + 2 tbsp old-fashioned oats

3/4 cup whole-wheat flour

1/2 cup Equal Sugar-Lite

2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground cloves

1 cup canned pumpkin

3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk

1/2 cup egg substitute

2 tbsp canola oil

Preheat oven to 375 degrees & lightly coat 12 muffin cups with non-stick cooking spray or paper muffin cups and set aside.

Place 2 cups of the oats in a food processor; cover and process until fine.  Transfer to a large mixing bowl and stir in flour, Equal, pie spice, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cloves.  Make a well in the center of the mixture and set aside.

Using a wire whisk, whisk together pumpkin, buttermilk, egg substitute and oil in a medium mixing bowl.  Add mixture all at once into the well of the flour mixture.  Stir just until moistened as you want the batter to be thick and lumpy.  Spoon into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 2/3s full.  Sprinkle the remaining oats on the tops of muffin batter.  Bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Cool in muffin cups on a wire rack for 5 minutes before removing from cups.

Note:  I adapted this recipe from a recipe in the Smart Spot magazine.

Enjoy!

 



Melvin

Kitchen Pantry - a Cook’s Secret Weapon

Tuesday, September 9th, 2008
Manbeer Singh asked:


Doing any job is easier when you have the right tools on hand. One of a cook’s best tools — and secret weapons — is having a well-stocked kitchen pantry.

Cooking is much simpler if you know that you’ve already got what you need on hand, and aren’t going to have to run to the corner market every time you want to fix a meal.

Having a well-stocked pantry is also the secret weapon especially when unexpected guests drop by.

You’ll be able to make every guest feel special and welcome because, whether it is appetizers for four or dinner for ten, you can handle it with style and panache. In fact, your reputation — and your sanity — will be assured, because with these things in your pantry, you can put together beautiful and tasty food that is beautifully presented in just minutes, simply and easily.

Here is a list of basic ingredients that should be in any well-stocked pantry. (One great way to stock your pantry is to buy one or two things on the list each time you go shopping, rather than trying to get it all at once. If you watch the sales and take advantage of seasonal buys, you’ll be able to save money as well!).

Remember to rotate everything in your pantry on a regular basis, and adjust the items on this list to suit your family’s likes and dislikes.

Herbs, Spices, Extracts and Sauces:

- Salt (Sea and Iodized)

- Pepper (Whole Peppercorns, Black, White and Red)

- Nutmeg (Ground and Fresh)

- Cinnamon (Ground and Sticks)

- Pumpkin Pie Spice (Ground)

- Allspice (Ground)

- Cardamom (Whole and Ground)

- Ginger (Whole and Ground)

- Curry (Ground)

- Garlic (Fresh and Ground for Emergencies)

- Mustard (Ground)

- Bay Leaves (Dried)

- Rosemary (Fresh and Bottled)

- Thyme (Fresh and Bottled)

- Sage (Fresh and Dried)

- Sweet Basil (Fresh and Dried)

- Parsley (Fresh and Dried for Emergencies)

- Cumin (Ground)

- Oregano (Dried)

- Onions (Flakes for Emergencies)

- Vanilla Extract

- Maple Extract

- Almond Extract

- Lemon Extract

- Orange Extract

- Soy Sauce

- Cooking Wine or Cooking Sherry

- Rice Wine Vinegar

- Sesame Oil

- Balsamic Vinegar

- Red Wine Vinegar

- Citrus Vinegar

- Teriyaki Sauce

- Barbecue Sauce

- Sweet and Sour Sauce

- Tabasco or Other Hot Sauce

- Chili Sauce

- Steak Sauce

- Packages of Salad Dressing Mix

- Packages of Dried Onion Soup Mix (Or Other Flavors)

- Soup for Sauces (Cream of Chicken, Mushroom, Celery and Cheese)

For Baking:

- All Purpose Flour

- Self-Rising Flour

- Whole Wheat Flour

- Pancake Mix

- Yeast

- Sugar

- Confectioner’s Sugar

- Brown Sugar

- Sugar Cubes

- Molasses

- Baking Powder

- Baking Soda

- Yeast

- Cornstarch

- Honey

- Cocoa Powder

- Unsweetened or Semi-Sweet Chocolate

- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

- Butterscotch, Caramel and other flavored “chips”

- Nuts (Walnuts, Pecans, Almonds, Hazelnuts and Cashews)

- Marshmallow Cream

- Vegetable Shortening (Regular and Butter-Flavored)

- Sunflower Oil

- Maraschino Cherries

For Appetizers or Adding “Something Special” to Meals:

- Peanuts in the Shell

- Salted Peanuts

- Mixed Nuts

- Extra Virgin Olive Oil

- A Variety of Crackers

- Black and Green Olives

- Canned Mushrooms

- Palm Tree Hearts

- Bottled Asparagus

- Sun-dried Tomatoes

- Bottled Salsa

- A Variety of Chips and Dips

- Cheeses (Traditionally, 3 to 5 are served, from hard to soft, mild to strong. Find flavors that mix well together, and serve cheeses from different animals and different countries)

For Everyday Meals:

- Bullion Cubes and Powders (Chicken, Beef and Vegetable)

- White Rice

- Long Grain and Wild Rice

- Brown Rice

- A Variety of Pastas

- Barley

- Bread Crumbs

- Croutons

- Tomato Sauce

- Tomato Paste

- A Variety of Canned Tomatoes

- A Variety of Canned Beans (Black, Red, Kidney and Garbanzo)

- Dried Beans (Pinto, Chili and Kidney)

- Canned Tuna, Chicken, Crab and Clams

For Desserts:

- Canned Pineapple (Chunks and Slices)

- A Variety of Canned Fruits

- A Variety of Jams or Jellies

- A Variety of Cake Mixes, Brownies and Frostings

- A Variety of Packaged Puddings

- All the fixings for Ice Cream Sundaes or Banana Splits

- Applesauce

In the Refrigerator:

- Milk

- Eggs (Or Egg Substitutes)

- Cream (A staple for many Mediterranean Dishes)

- Butter or Margarine

- Yellow Mustard

- Brown Mustard

- Dijon Mustard

- Ketchup

- Mayonnaise or Salad Dressing

- Cheeses (Cheddar, Swiss, Feta, Parmesan and Jack)

- Cottage Cheese

- Sour Cream

- Green Onions

- Tomatoes

- Cilantro

- Salad Fixings

In the Freezer:

- Whole Chicken

- Steaks

- Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

- Beef or Pork Roast

- Stew Meat

- Hamburger

- Pork Chops

- Pieces of yellow, red and green peppers (Chop up any leftovers each time you use them and throw them into a bag in the freezer. They will add color and flavor to bland dishes)

- Frozen Bread Dough (Make your own or store bought)

- Frozen Rolls (Make your own or store bought)

- Frozen Pizza Dough (Make your own or store bought)

- Frozen Baguette

- Broccoli

- Spinach

With these ingredients in your kitchen, the only thing you’ll have to worry about when it’s time to cook is which recipe you want to try!



Ricardo