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Christmas Delicacies for People with Diabetes

Who says Christmas is only for people who are allowed to relish sweets and other delicacies? The spirit of Christmas is universal and so are the people who celebrate it. The joy and warmth of being together go beyond nationality, race, or health conditions like diabetes. Here are some of the most delicious recipes for Christmas that can be used for people who are dealing with insulin resistance.

But before these recipes are used it is advised to consult a dietitian or a nutritionist as the natural sugars in the ingredients may require portion control as per the condition of the person.

Apple Christmas Cake 

Ingredients

1. 1 1⁄2 cups sultanas
2. 1⁄2 cup raisins
3. 2 tablespoons brandy
4. 1tablespoon water
5. 1cup sieved pumpkin puree 
6. 2 eggs, beaten
7. 1⁄2 cup apple juice concentrate
8. 1⁄2 cup skim milk 
9. 1teaspoon ground cinnamon
10. 1cup self-rising flour
11. 1cup wholemeal self-rising flour
12. 1⁄2 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

Method

1. Soak the sultanas, raisins, brandy, in water overnight
2. Mix sieved pumpkin, eggs, apple concentrate, and milk.
3. Next, add the fruit, nuts, and spices, to the flour and soda bicarbonate. Mix the leftover bran in the sieve to the flour mixture and mix well. 
4. Spoon into a lightly greased 20cm cake tin.
5. Bake for 10 minutes at 200C, then lower the heat and bake again at 180C till the mixture is cooked and turns brown (approx. 1-1/4 hours).
6. The apple concentrate gives sweetness to this cake.

Zesty Christmas pudding

Ingredients

1. 25g sultanas
2. 25g currants
3. 25g raisins
4. 10g mixed peel
5. 1 tbsp mixed spice
6. 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
7. ½ tsp ground cloves
8. 1 tsp ground ginger
9. ½ tsp oil
10. 20g glace cherries, chopped (leave some whole cherries to top up the cake)
11. 10g almonds
12. 1 small banana
13. 1 grated apple
14. 1 grated carrot
15. 50g fine oatmeal
16. 30g wholemeal flour
17. ½ tsp baking powder
18. 1 orange grated zest
19. 1 lemon grated zest
20. 10g sunflower seeds
21. 10g pumpkin seeds

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C
2. Mix the dried fruits and spices and add boiling water. Cover the bowl and let them soak for 10 minutes.
3. Brush oil in a pudding basin. Place the whole cherries and whole almonds on the bottom.
4. In a separate bowl, mash the banana and add the grated apple, carrot, oatmeal, flour, baking powder, zest, and seeds.
5. Add the fruits, spices, and water they were soaking in, and mix everything. 
6. Spoon into the pudding basin.
7. Cover with greaseproof paper and foil, and wrap tightly over the basin.
8. Place the basin in a oven tray with water and bake for 1 hour.
9. Remove the water and bake for sometime. Take the tray out from the oven, keep it allow it to cool and serve.

Balance Your Meals With These Dishes

Quinoa with vegetables

Ingredients

1. 0.25 cup quinoa uncooked
2. 2 cups water
3. 0.50 tsp salt
4. 0.50 cup raw green cups
5. 1 tomato
6. 0.50 cup raw onions
7. 1  cinnamon stick
8. 2 cloves
9. 1 Bay leaf
10. 1 tsp cumin seeds
11. 0.50 tsp coriander powder
12. 1 tsp red chilli powder
13. 1 tbsp oil
14. 0.25 cup raw moong dal

Method

1. Wash the quinoa and moong dal separately and rinse thoroughly and soak for 15 minutes minutes.
2. Pressure cook the quinoa, moong dal till 3 whistles.
3. Heat oil in a vessel and add cumin seeds, cinnamon, cloves and bay leaf. Saute for sometime and add chopped onions. Saute further till the onions soften.
4. Add turmeric powder and chopped tomatoes, coriander powder and red chilli powder.
5. Add chopped tomato,peas, salt and cook.
6. In the end, add cooked quinoa and moong dal mixture and mix well. Garnish with chopped coriander leaves.

Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cabbage

Ingredients

1. ½ large head of red or green cabbage
2. 6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
3. 4 medium cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
4. 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
5. 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
6. 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
7. ½ teaspoon salt
8. ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Method

Preheat oven to 425°F. Cut cabbage into small wedges (about 1 inch wide).

Add the Parmesan cheese, garlic, oil, vinegar, soy sauce, and salt in a bowl and mix well. Place the cabbage wedges on a tray. Brush the cabbage with the mixture and roast the cabbage. Flip and roast the other side. Garnish with crushed red pepper and/or Parmesan.