TOMATO SAUCE AND DIABETES RECIPES

Steps:

• To prepare sauce: Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Combine tomatoes, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 teaspoon basil and 1 teaspoon oregano in a large bowl. Arrange the seasoned tomato halves, cut-side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the center of the oven until the tomatoes are very soft, 2 hours. Let cool 15 minutes. Transfer the tomatoes to a work surface and coarsely chop.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion, garlic, the remaining 1 teaspoon basil and 1/4 teaspoon oregano; cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the roasted tomatoes, water and tomato paste, stirring until the tomato paste is incorporated. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in salt and pepper.
• To prepare lasagna: Meanwhile, combine ricotta, 3/4 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, salt, oregano and pepper in a bowl.
• Increase oven temperature to 350 degrees . Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Spread 2 cups of the tomato sauce in the prepared baking dish. Top with 3 lasagna noodles. Top the noodles with half the spinach. Dollop half of the ricotta mixture over the spinach, then spread 1 cup of tomato sauce over the ricotta. Repeat the layers once more, pressing down on the filling as you layer; the pan will be very full. Place the remaining 3 noodles on top and spread with the remaining tomato sauce. Sprinkle with the remaining 3/4 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan. Cover with foil that has been coated with cooking spray.
• Bake the lasagna for 50 minutes. Uncover and bake until the cheese browns slightly, about 10 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Steps:

• Heat a glug of oil in a large, deep heavy-based frying pan. Add the onions and cook gently for 6-8 minutes until translucent. Turn up the heat, add the garlic and cumin and cook for 2-3 minutes until the onions start to brown. Transfer half to a large bowl.
• Add the tomato purée and chilli paste to the onions in the pan and cook for 2 minutes, then pour in the tomatoes and beef stock. Bring to the boil, then turn down to a simmer while you make the meatballs.
• Add the beef mince, eggs, milk and lots of salt and pepper to the onions in the bowl and use your hands to combine the ingredients thoroughly. Shape into 20-22 even-size balls.
• Heat a large frying pan with a glug of oil over a medium-high heat. Add the meatballs and fry, in batches, for 3-4 minutes until browned, then transfer to the sauce and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the meatballs are cooked and the sauce is thick. Use half the meatballs/sauce for 4 people and serve with rice/pasta, sprinkled with grated parmesan.