Category Archives: Snacks

Lemon Marinated Antipasto

Great as an appetizer, a snack, a lunch side – and this antipasto does not skimp on the ingredients…olives, sausage, cheese, peppers, oh my ! This is very lemony – if you prefer, you can substitute vinegar for the lemon.

Lemon Marinated Antipasto
Lemon Marinated Antipasto

12 servings
220 calories per serving

1 lb. spicy turkey sausage
1 T oil
½ c oil
2 t grated lemon zest
½ c lemon juice
2 T chopped basil
½ t oregano flakes
1 t parsley flakes
½ t basil flakes
2 cloves garlic, minced
12 oz. roasted red peppers, drained and cut into small strips
12 oz. mozzarella cheese cut into cubes
1 c pitted kalamata olives

Cook sausage in 1 T oil until done. When cool, cut into slices. Whisk oil, lemon juice and spices with garlic. Layer sausage, pepper strips, cheese and olives in 2 quart size jars and pour over the dressing. Cover and chill 1-2 days. Try to remember to shake the jars a bit each time you open the frig those 1-2 days – that way the lemony marinade coats all the bits of goodness. Let stand at room temp 30 minutes before serving.

(you don’t need the jars – you can do this in a bowl or even a zip loc bag !)

Cocoa Popcorn

This is barely sweet – much more of a cocoa flavor than a sweet flavor and yet it definitely satisfied my sweet tooth. This is a great sweet snack for in front of the TV.

Cocoa Popcorn
Cocoa Popcorn

6 servings
94 calories per serving

6 c popped popcorn
1 T margarine
2 T light corn syrup
1 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ T skim milk
1/8 t salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place popcorn in a large baking pan and warm in the oven. In a small pan melt margarine, then add syrup, cocoa, milk and salt and stir until well mixed. Pour over popcorn and stir to coat all pieces.

Fruit and Yogurt Pops

Take one hot and sunny day, add 6 frozen fruit and yogurt pops, and you end up with a perfect way to spend the summer 🙂

Fruit and Yogurt Pops
Fruit and Yogurt Pops

6 servings
98 calories per serving

1 ½ c strawberry slices
¼ c sugar
1 ½ c blueberries
1 ¼ c low fat plain yogurt

Puree strawberries in food processor with 1 T sugar. Whisk yogurt and 2 T sugar. Puree blueberries in food processor with 1 T sugar. Make layers of fruit and yogurt in your ice pop mold, insert sticks and freeze at least 3 hours.

Lo Cal Ranch Dip

This dip would be equally as good used as a salad dressing (even though it is nice and thick). But as a dip for vegetables, it makes the perfect healthy snack.

Lo Cal Ranch Dip
Lo Cal Ranch Dip

2 cups
87 calories per serving (1 serving=3 T)

1 c light mayonnaise
2 T lemon juice
2 T chopped parsley
2 T chopped green onion
1 packet Equal
1 T dry ranch salad dressing mix
1 T Dijon mustard
1 ½ t minced garlic
¼ t salt
¾ c buttermilk

Combine mayo, juice, parsley, onion, Equal, mustard, garlic, ranch mix and salt and whisk well. Then whisk in buttermilk and cover and refrigerate 2 hours. Serve with veggies.

Ginger Pops

What a crisp and refreshing pop ! And when you are done, your mouth tastes like you just ate a bunch of ginger snap cookies. These are definitely on my list of recipes to make again 🙂

Ginger Pops
Ginger Pops

4 servings
52 calories per serving

½ c lemon lime seltzer
1/2 inch ginger
Juice of one lime
Juice of one lemon
3 T honey
1 cup ice

Place all in a blender and mix well. Spoon into popsicle molds and freeze at least 4 hours.

White Chocolate Trail Mix

Sweet yet salty – a great snack that tastes indulgent but is not !

White Chocolate Trail Mix
White Chocolate Trail Mix

24 servings
80 calories per serving

10 c popped popcorn
1 c mini marshmallows
½ c dry roasted peanuts
½ c dried cranberries
6 squares Baker’s white chocolate, melted

Combine all ingredients except chocolate and toss. Add chocolate and mix well. Spread onto a baking sheet and refrigerate 10 minutes or until coating is firm.

Provolone and Peppers

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This is a great side and also a great quick appetizer. The melted cheese and pesto make such a nice accompaniment to the sweet red pepper.

Provolone and Peppers
Provolone and Peppers

8 servings
65 calories per serving

2 small red bell peppers
1 T oil
2 T basil pesto
2 oz. provolone cheese in 8 slices

Quarter peppers and remove seeds. Brush outsides with oil. Fill insides with pesto and cheese. Heat grill. Grill peppers 5-7 minutes or until cheese is softened. You can also broil these for a few minutes if you do not have a grill.

Chicken and Black Bean Quesadillas

This is so savory and flavorful…and filling ! You can also cut these into smaller servings and make as a snack or appetizer.

Chicken and Black Bean Quesadillas
Chicken and Black Bean Quesadillas

4 servings
348 calories per serving

2 c shredded cooked chicken breast (Perdue Shortcuts work great here!)
2/3 c salsa verde
15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
4 80 calorie tortilla wraps
1 c shredded low fat Mexican four cheese blend
Pam
Extra salsa verde for dipping
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix chicken, 1/3 c salsa, salt and pepper. If chicken is cold, you may want to heat it a couple minutes in the microwave – this way the quesadilla comes to heat quicker. Combine beans with the rest of the salsa and mash slightly to break up some of the beans. Spread 1/3 bean mix over half a tortilla and then top with ½ of the chicken mix and ¼ c cheese. Fold in half and spray the outsides of the tortillas with Pam. Heat a skillet and cook each quesadilla a couple of minutes each side. Cut into wedges and serve.

Ham and Cheddar Loaf

This is a great lunch, or when cut into smaller portions, appetizer or lunch. It is very similar to a Stromboli that you would find in most of your local pizzerias. You can easily change this up and use turkey pepperoni or smoked turkey for the meat, shredded mozzarella or some ricotta for the cheese – it’s very versatile and a definite family favorite.

Ham and Cheddar Loaf
Ham and Cheddar Loaf

6 servings
346 calories per serving

1 lb. prepared pizza dough, thawed
9 oz. deli shaved smoked ham or Canadian bacon
1 c low fat shredded cheddar cheese
¼ c Miracle Whip
¼ c Egg Beaters
1 T grated parmesan cheese
Pam

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Flatten dough on a floured surface and roll out into a 12×8 rectangle then put ham on it leaving a ½ inch border then mix cheese with Miracle Whip and spread that over the ham. Fold lengthwise into thirds (fold over twice) and pinch the seams to seal it then place on a baking sheet sprayed with Pam. Cut a few slits in the top to let out steam, brush with the Egg Beaters and sprinkle with parmesan then bake 35 minutes or until golden. Let sit 10 minutes before serving.

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