Steel Cut Oatmeal in Crockpot

The time it takes to make steel-cut oatmeal is prohibitive in my morning schedule.

A friend shared this recipe with me to make life easier, healthy and delicious.  This is the only kind of oatmeal that I can eat without BG levels going high.

I make a big batch using 8 cups of water and 2 cups of oatmeal. You may cut that in half though. I add raisins to taste also (just a few) . I put it in the crock pot on "high" for 3 to 3 1/2 hours. (see below)  Actually, I put the crock pot on a timer so it is ready when I get up in the morning. I then refrigerate the leftovers in single servings and use that the rest of the week by microwaving it.

Adding fruit, nuts or spices to your liking gives great taste and variety.

You may cook it on "low" for 6 to 7 hours of you prefer.

Minestrone Soup

This is an easy and delicious version of Minestrone Soup.  Great for fall and winter meals.

Frozen zucchini, carrots, broccoli, and beans are sometimes called an "Italian Blend," and can be found in your supermarket's frozen section. Small pasta shapes (dreamfield's whole wheat or your favorite brand).

Serves 4 to 6

         6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

         1 (15.5-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

         1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes

         2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for serving

         2 onions, chopped fine

         4 garlic cloves, minced

         1/2 cup pasta, dry (see above)

         1 (16-ounce) bag frozen vegetables (see above)

         1/4 cup minced fresh basil leaves (while fresh is best, I have used dry)

         Table salt and ground black pepper to taste

Bring broth, beans, and tomatoes to boil in large saucepan.  Heat oil in soup pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add onions  cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook  about 30 seconds. Stir in broth / tomato mixture and pasta and simmer until pasta is tender, about  10 minutes.

Stir in vegetables and basil and cook until heated through, about 4 minutes. (vegetables will be al dente) Season with salt and pepper. 

Serve with additional olive oil for drizzling. Top with some freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

What is a chickpea? Chickpeas are also called garbanzo beans. 

The chickpea was originally cultivated on the lands bordering Mesopotamia and the eastern Mediterranean.  Canned chickpeas are  usually the convenient choice. 

Nutrition - Chickpeas as well as other legumes are high in fiber. Soluble fiber acts as a scrub brush, cleaning the digestive system. This type of fiber also decreases serum glucose and cholesterol and decreases insulin requirements for people with diabetes.

Ingredients:
1 Can (15oz) Chickpeas, rinsed & drained (also called garbonzo beans)
1/2 small red onion-quartered and very thinly sliced
1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 roasted pepper, chopped
3 plumb tomatoes, chopped
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3 Tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Toss to mix and allow to stand
at room temperature for 10 minutes for flavors to marry. This serves 8.
leftovers are good too.

No Muss or Fuss Omelet

Easy, Easy Omelet for One or Many

This is a quick and easy clean up breakfast, brunch or even dinner.                                               

For breakfast with guests: Assemble your ingredients like a salad bar; if you have several people, and let each person build their own omelet. 

Take a small sandwich size Ziploc freezer bag, using a water-proof marking pen; write each diner's name on a bag. 

Break two eggs into bag. (Substitute 1/2 cup Egg Beaters, if you desire).Squish the bag with your hands to mix the yolk and white together. 

Arrange ingredients on the counter and let each person choose the ingredients for their own bag. Use whatever you like,some suggestions: Lean ham or Canadian Bacon, crumbled crisp bacon,green pepper, mushrooms, onion, artichoke hearts, tomato, low fat cheddar cheese,feta cheese.

After adding the above, press excess air out and seal. Put the bags into a large pot of boiling water, uncovered, for exactly 13 minutes. Remove from water with tongs. Unzip bag and slide the omelet out onto a plate.

 ** DO NOT use more than two eggs per bag and increase the size of your pot according to number of bags. You can do up to 10 bags in a large soup kettle, use a 2 or 3 quart saucepan for 2 or 3 bags. When ready to eat, serve with  such toppings as sour cream, salsa or Tabasco. 

Let your imagination be your guide! 

Serve with fresh fruit on the side or a two slices of turkey bacon and voila!