Better Homes and Gardens has a new book out filled with lots of easy recipes for anyone facing a diabetes diagnosis or one who cooks for a diabetic.
The Ultimate Diabetes Cookbook ($19.95, softcover, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt) has more than 400 recipes, including a whole section on meals for two, and chapters on salads, soups, sandwiches, desserts and family dinner entrees.
The recipes are easy to make and use affordable ingredients that can be found in most grocery stores. Each recipe contains complete nutritional information and diabetic exchanges.
The dishes make use of powerful flavors from fresh herbs and spices, instead of relying on fat and salt for flavor.
Try out this recipe for catfish, which can be made just as easily with sole or tilapia.
CHILE-LIME CATFISH
WITH CORN SAUTÉ
4 fresh or frozen skinless catfish, sole or tilapia fillets, 4 to 5 oz. each
1 tbsp. lime juice
1 tsp. ground ancho chile pepper or chili powder
½ tsp. salt
2 tsp. canola oil
2⅔ cups frozen gold and white whole kernel corn, thawed
½ cup finely chopped red onion
2 tsp. finely chopped seeded fresh jalapeño chile pepper
2 cloves garlic
1 tbsp. snipped fresh cilantro
Lime wedges, optional
Thaw fish, if frozen. Rinse fish; pat dry with paper towels. In a small bowl stir together lime juice, ancho chile pepper and salt. Brush mixture evenly over both sides of each fish fillet. Measure thickness of fish.
In a large nonstick skillet heat 1 teaspoon of the oil over medium-high heat. Add fish fillets to hot oil; cook for 4 to 6 minutes per ½-inch thickness, or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork, turning once halfway through cooking. Remove from skillet. Cover to keep warm.
In the same skillet cook corn, onion, jalapeño and garlic in remaining 1 teaspoon oil, about 2 minutes or until vegetables are heated through and just starting to soften, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in cilantro.
To serve, divide corn mixture among four serving plates. Top with fish. If desired, serve with lime wedges.
Makes 4 servings.
Exchanges: 1.5 starch, 2.5 lean meat, 1 fat.
Lisa Abraham can be reached at 330-996-3737 or at labraham@thebeaconjournal.com. Find me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter @akronfoodie or visit my blog at www.ohio.com/blogs/lisa.