Budget Friendly Seafood Meal That’s Also Perfect For Diabetics, Too!

If these current economic times have caused you to cut back on your grocery budget, try this inexpensive meal of Salmon Hash, Tomato Cucumber Salad, and Easy Chocolate Cherry Dessert.  This meal is quick, inexpensive, and taste good too.  All of these recipes are diabetic friendly but if you don’t have a diabetic in your family or among your group of friends, you can easily change the dessert to a regular one by using regular items in place of the sugar-free items listed.  However, the no-sugar-added cherry pie filling and the 1/2 the sugar cake mix are really better for anyone.

SALMON HASH

1 can (15 1/2-oz) can red salmon, drained

2 cups finely chopped, peeled potatoes

2 tbsp butter

3 green onions, finely chopped

1/8 tsp pepper

Remove and discard skin and bones from salmon; flake salmon with a fork and set aside.  Saute potatoes in margarine in a large skillet 15 minutes or until tender.  Remove from skillet and set aside.  Add green onions to skillet and saute 2 to 3 minutes.  Stir in pepper.  Add the potatoes and salmon.  Cook over medium heat, without stirring, until thoroughly heated.

TOMATO CUCUMBER SALAD

3 medium tomatoes, sliced

1 small cucumber, thinly sliced

1 green onion, chopped

3 tbsp Italian salad dressing

1 tbsp vinegar

1 tsp chopped fresh basil OR 1/4 tsp dried basil

1/4 tsp salt, optional

dash of freshly ground black pepper

dash of garlic salt

In a serving dish, layer half the tomatoes, all the cucumber, and remaining tomatoes.  Sprinkle with onion.  Combine the remaining ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake well.  Pour over salad.  Cover and chill for at least a half hour or until serving time.

Yield 4 servings.

EASY CHOCOLATE CHERRY DESSERT

1 can no-sugar-added cherry pie filling

1/2 box 1/2 the sugar chocolate cake mix

1 stick butter

1/4 cup slivered almonds

Spray an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.  Pour the pie filling into the sprayed pan.  Sprinkle the cake mix over the pie filling.  (Seal remaining half of mix in a ziptop bag and save for another use or to make this recipe again later.)  Dot cake mix with the butter and sprinkle the slivered almonds over the top.  Bake at 375 degrees for about 40 minutes or until cake is done.

Yield: 9 pieces