Healthy Recipe for Diabetes - Marinated Grilled Vegetables

Grilled vegetables and three different marinades.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup chopped fresh coriander (cilantro)
1/4 cup white or red wine vinegar
1/3 cup olive or vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime zest
3 tablespoons lime juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper sauce
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 pounds eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, sweet peppers, or portobello mushrooms or a combination, prepared for grilling

Directions:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together all ingredients except vegetables.

2. Place grill-ready vegetables (except mushrooms) in a self-sealing plastic bag and pour in marinade. Seal and turn to coat vegetables. Refrigerate, turning occasionally, up to 4 hours. Add mushrooms for the last 2 hours.

3. Remove vegetables from the bag and reserve the marinade.

4. Preheat the grill. Oil grill to prevent sticking. Place vegetables directly over medium to medium-hot coals -- about 5 inches from the heat -- and grill in the order and according to the times listed on Zesty Grilled Vegetables, turning and brushing occasionally with marinade.

Serves 4, about 1 cup marinade.



Variations:

Basil-Thyme Grilled Vegetables
Prepare as directed above, using the following marinade: 1/3 cup olive oil or vegetable oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons each chopped fresh basil and thyme or 2 teaspoons crumbled dried basil or thyme, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Makes about 1 cup marinade.

Asian Grilled Vegetables
Prepare as directed above, substituting the following basting sauce for marinade: 1 finely minced large shallot, 4 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 1/2 teaspoons dark sesame oil, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 minced clove garlic, 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sugar, and 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper sauce. Do not marinate. Instead, baste just before grilling and once when turning halfway through cooking. If using mushrooms, leave caps whole. Makes about 1/4 cup basting sauce.

Nutrition Facts (Per tablespoon marinade:)
Calories 41;
total fat 4 g;
saturated fat 1 g;
protein 0 g;
carbohydrate 1 g;
fiber 0 g;
sodium 100 mg;
cholesterol 0 mg