Diabetic Taste Bud Ticklers

Cucumber-Radish Relish

Ingredients:

• 2 medium cucumbers, peeled and seeded, then cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 8 large red radishes, cleaned and grated
• 1/3 cup (55 g) minced red onion
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 tablespoons (45 ml) fresh lime juice
• 1/8 teaspoon (0.6 ml) cayenne pepper

Method:

1. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients.
2. Chill until ready to serve.

Per Serving:

1. 17 calories (0 g from fat)
2. 1 g protein
3. 0 total fat (0 saturated at)
4. 4 g carbohydrates
5. 1 g dietary fiber
6. 0 cholesterol
7. 4 mg sodium

Diabetic exchanges: Free. Makes 6 servings.

Grilled Salmon with Papaya-Kiwi Relish

Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ pounds (600 g) salmon fillets, cut about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick
• Refrigerated butter-flavored cooking spray
• 110-ounce (300 g) papaya, seeded, peeled and diced
• 1 2-ounce ( 60 g) kiwi, peeled, chopped
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeño Chile pepper, seeded and minced
• 3 tablespoons (12 g) chopped fresh mint

Method:

1. Preheat broiler or grill.
2. In a bowl, combine the papaya, kiwi, scallions, garlic, Chile, and mint. Set aside at room temperature until ready to serve.
3. Lightly coat fillets with cooking spray and broil or grill about 4 minutes per side, turning once, until cooked through.
4. Place salmon on serving plates. Top each piece with 2 tablespoons relish.

Per Serving:

1. 236 calories (36% calories from fat)
2. 29 g protein
3. 9 g total fat (1.4 g saturated fat)
4. 8 g carbohydrate
5. 2 g dietary fiber
6. 80 mg cholesterol
7. 68 mg sodium

Diabetic Exchanges: 4 lean protein, 1/2 carbohydrate (fruit)

Low-Sugar Cranberry-Apple Relish

Ingredients:

• 1 12-ounce (360 g) bag fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over
• 3 tablespoons (36 g) sugar
• 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) spoonable sugar substitute
• ¼ teaspoon (1.75 ml) ground cinnamon
• 2 medium Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and cut up
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) fresh lemon juice

Method:

1. In a food processor fitted with a knife blade, pulse cranberries with sugar, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) sugar substitute, and cinnamon until coarsely chopped.
2. Add apples and continue to pulse until mixture is finely chopped. Stir in lemon juice. Taste, adding additional sugar substitute, if needed.
3. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve cold.

Per 1/4-cup (60 ml) Serving:

1. 39 calories (0 calories from fat)
2. 0 protein
3. 0 total fat (0 saturated fat)
4. 10 g carbohydrates
5. 2 g dietary fiber
6. 0 cholesterol
7. 0 sodium

Diabetic exchanges: 1/2 carbohydrate (fruit)