Ingredients

Curry Yogurt Dip:

• 1 cup yogurt
  Yogurt is high in protein, which slows digestion and calms the flow of glucose into the blood stream. In addition, according to a study published in Natural News, fermented foods such as yogurt reduce glucose because they convert lactose sugars directly into lactic acid without the glucose-insulin cycle.
• 2 onion(s) green, minced
  Onions and their close cousins--garlic, chives, scallions, shallots and leeks--are valuable allies in the fight against diabetes because they help lower blood sugar levels, increase sensitivity to insulin, and prevent diabetic complications such as heart disease and stroke. Packed with phytonutrients, they are a good source of beneficial vitamin C, contain no fat and are loaded with dietary fiber.
• 2 cloves garlic minced
  A review of garlic studies in a 2007 issue of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research noted the role of garlic as both an insulin secretagogue and as an insulin sensitizer. Overall the research suggests that garlic has antioxidative, antiinflammatory, and antiglycative properties that contribute to its role in preventing diabetes progression and the development of diabetes-related complications.
• 1/2-1 tablespoon curry powder
  Turmeric is one of the main ingredients in curry spice. The curcumin in turmeric also helps reduce insulin resistance, which in turn lowers excess glucose levels in the bloodstream. Curcumin is a powerful antioxidant, important for combating the damage free radicals cause to blood vessels over time. Curcumin also helps prevent cholesterol from being oxidized in the body, which is important because oxidized cholesterol damages blood vessels and builds up plaques, leading to diabetic complications such as heart disease and stroke. An Indian study found that those who ate curcumin regularly were able to drop their levels of oxidized cholesterol by 33% and their total cholesterol by 11%. At the same time, HDL (good) cholesterol increased by 29%. Curcumin also helps heal wounds, which are of concern for people with diabetes.
• 1 teaspoon coriander
• 1/2-1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  In a 2009 study of capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, Australian scientists discovered in a chili meal/bland meal comparison that the chili diet led to a reduction in post-prandial insulin levels and glucose levels in the participants’ blood two hours after the meals. The capsaicin had assisted the insulin to metabolize the blood sugar, making it available as glycogen to tissues and organs.
• 1/2 grapefruit(s) juice of

Salsa:

• 3 medium tomato(s) cut in half
• 1 medium onion(s) cut into quarters
  Onions and their close cousins--garlic, chives, scallions, shallots and leeks--are valuable allies in the fight against diabetes because they help lower blood sugar levels, increase sensitivity to insulin, and prevent diabetic complications such as heart disease and stroke. Packed with phytonutrients, they are a good source of beneficial vitamin C, contain no fat and are loaded with dietary fiber.
• 1 jalapeno(s) seeded and cut in half
• 4 cloves garlic
  A review of garlic studies in a 2007 issue of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research noted the role of garlic as both an insulin secretagogue and as an insulin sensitizer. Overall the research suggests that garlic has antioxidative, antiinflammatory, and antiglycative properties that contribute to its role in preventing diabetes progression and the development of diabetes-related complications.
• 1/2 cup cilantro

Fritters:

• 1 can beans garbanzo, drained and rinsed
• 1 can lentil(s) brown, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup onion(s) minced
  Onions and their close cousins--garlic, chives, scallions, shallots and leeks--are valuable allies in the fight against diabetes because they help lower blood sugar levels, increase sensitivity to insulin, and prevent diabetic complications such as heart disease and stroke. Packed with phytonutrients, they are a good source of beneficial vitamin C, contain no fat and are loaded with dietary fiber.
• 3 cloves garlic minced
  A review of garlic studies in a 2007 issue of Molecular Nutrition and Food Research noted the role of garlic as both an insulin secretagogue and as an insulin sensitizer. Overall the research suggests that garlic has antioxidative, antiinflammatory, and antiglycative properties that contribute to its role in preventing diabetes progression and the development of diabetes-related complications.
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 egg(s) omega-3
• 1/2-3/4 cup whole grain flour
  Whole grains help control blood sugar. How quickly a carbohydrate is broken down into glucose depends on its fiber content. Since fiber slows the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, eating foods rich in fiber helps control and stabilize glucose levels. Whole grains are packed with fiber, making them ideal for controlling blood sugar. A UCLA study in which obese men were allowed to eat as much food as they wanted as long as most of it came from a high-fiber fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and who walked up to an hour daily, were able to reduce their blood sugar levels by 7%, as well lower their cholesterol by an average of 20% and ease their blood pressure.
• 3 tablespoons olive oil pure
  Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat that helps control blood sugar. Diabetics are often told to eat a low-fat/low-carb diet to help prevent heart damage and avoid severe swings in glucose levels. But a study published in the journal of the German Diabetes Association found that glucose levels were lower in people who ate monounsaturated fats than those who avoided all fats.

Optional:

• 1/4 cup sour cream for piping

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Mix all the ingredients for the yogurt dip and set aside.

Place all of the salsa ingredients except for the cilantro on a baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes.

While the salsa is cooking mash the beans and lentils in a big bowl with a fork, a potato masher or your hands.  They should be fairly smooth but still have some texture.

Stir in the onion, garlic, cumin and egg.

Add ½ cup of flour and stir.  The mixture should be like moist dough. Add additional flour if needed.

In a large sauté pan heat the olive oil on medium high heat.

Form the bean mixture into football shaped fritters (see tips and notes) and sauté in the olive oil until crispy on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.

Add the cilantro and the other salsa ingredients to a blender. Blend until smooth.

If desired place the sour cream in a Ziploc bag and cut off the tiniest piece of one corner to make a pastry bag.  Pipe the sour cream onto the fritters in the shape of football laces.

TIPS AND NOTES:

To make “quenelles” or football shaped fritters use 2 spoons.  Hold one spoon in each hand facing each other so the tips are parallel. With a small amount of batter in one spoon scrape the edge with the other gathering the batter into that spoon and rounding it a curving motion.  Repeat the process back to the other spoon to smooth the edges and round the middle more while the tips will narrow.  Keep repeating until you have the desired look.  You can go back and forth from spoon to spoon as many times as you need to get the hang of it.