Diabetic Recipe of the Week: Italian Meatball Sliders

Makes: 12
Serving Size: 1 slider
Ingredients
Sauce
1 tsp. olive oil
1/4 cup diced onion
1 medium garlic clove, minced
1 6-ounce can no-salt-added tomato paste
1 8-ounce cans no-salt-added tomato sauce
1 tsp. dried basil, crumbled
1 tsp. dried oregano, crumbled
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
Cooking spray
Meatballs
1 lb. extra-lean ground beef
1/4 cup panko (Japanese-style bread crumbs)
1/4 cup diced onion
1 Tbsp. minced pine nuts
1 Tbsp. dried parsley, crumbled
1 Tbsp. fat-free milk
2 medium garlic cloves, minced
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1 large egg, lightly beaten with a fork
12 whole-wheat slider or dinner rolls (lowest sodium available)
12 fresh basil leaves
Preparation
1. In a medium skillet, heat the oil over medium-high high, swirling to coat the bottom. Cook 1/4 cup onion for about 3 minutes, or until soft, stirring frequently. Stir in the garlic. Cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Stir in the tomato paste. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly and scraping the bottom of the skillet. Stir in the tomato sauce, basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the broiler. Lightly spray the broiler pain and rack with cooking spray.
3. In a medium bowl, using your hands or a spoon, gently combine the meatball ingredients except the egg. Don't overwork the mixture or it will become too compact and the meatballs will be heavy. Gently work in the egg. Shape into 12 1/2-inch balls (about 1 1/2 teaspoons each). Transfer to the broiler rack.
4. Broil the meatballs about 4 inches from the heat for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the tops are browned. Turn over. Broil for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the meatballs are browned on the outside and no longer pink in the center. Drain on paper towels.
5. Stir the meatballs into the sauce.
6. Just before serving, split open the rolls and toast them. Place 1 basil leaf on the bottom half of each roll. Top with 1 meatball and 2 tablespoons of sauce. Put the tops of the rolls on the sliders.
This recipe is from The Go Red for Women Cookbook, published 2013 by the American Heart Association.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Glastonbury or Middletown office to make an appointment.
Ayman M. Latif, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Doctor in CT
Podiatrist in Glastonbury and Middletown, CT
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