Category Archives: Snacks

Green Apple and Pear Pops

June 27, 2010 admin Leave a comment

What a refreshing snack on a hot summer day ! Pops of any kind make a great dessert or snack and these are no exception 🙂

12 servings (6 oz. pops)
103 calories per serving

2 granny smith apples, peeled and diced
2 c pear juice
½ t ground cardamom
1 ripe pear, peeled and diced
1 c applesauce

Mix apples, pear juice and cardamom and simmer on low heat 10 minutes to soften the apples. Add the pears and simmer another 5 minutes. Remove from heat and add the applesauce. Fill the molds and insert the sticks and freeze at least 8 hours.

For fun, place a green maraschino cherry at the bottom of each pop before filling with the other mix.

Dessert, Kid Friendly, Snacks, Summer

Sun Tea Pops

June 23, 2010 admin Leave a comment

What a great ice pop ! Sweet and flavorful and so refreshing. Pops make a great snack or dessert.

6 servings (8 oz. pops)
44 calories per serving

1 c Splenda
2 peaches cut into wedges (skins still on)
1 lime, peeled and sliced
1 lemon, peeled, seeded and sliced
6 mint leaves
8 tea bags – orange pekoe black tea (this is just your standard Lipton, etc. tea bag)
2 c water
2 c cold water

Bring water to simmer in a sauce pan and dissolve Splenda – when all dissolved remove from heat and stir in 2 c cold water and then let sit 10 minutes. Pour sugar water into a glass bowl and add peaches, lemons, limes and mint then add the tea bags, cover and place out in the sun for 3-5 hours to get a nice sun brewed tea. Remove tea bags and divide mint and peaches into molds then pour in the tea (discard the lemon and lime), insert sticks and freeze 6 hours.

Breakfast, Kid Friendly, Lunch, Snacks

Bacon and Cheese Muffin

June 21, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This is basically an eggless version of a great breakfast sandwich. This is so satisfying when you need something bacony and cheesy !

1 serving
245 calories per serving

1 light whole wheat muffin (100 calories)
6 sprays I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray
2 slices fat free Kraft singles
3 slices turkey bacon

Cook the bacon according to package instructions. Toast the muffin and when done, immediately spray each half with butter spray and place the cheese slices on so they get melty. Top with the cooked bacon and eat open faced or make a sandwich.

Appetizers, Lunch, Mexican, Snacks

Nacho Pizzas

June 15, 2010 admin 1 Comment

Just made this one again after a few months – – it is still just as delicious 🙂

Appetizer, lunch, snack – no matter how you serve them, these are a crowd pleaser. I used a nice spicy salsa so that these had a little punch to them and they are definitely on my list of things to make again SOON 🙂 If there is an ingredient you don’t like, just leave it off the ‘pizza’ – it won’t hurt a thing !

5 servings (2 pizzas each)
270 calories per serving

1 can refrigerated biscuit dough
3 T black bean dip
1/3 c thick salsa (or petite cut diced canned tomatoes)
2 T canned chopped green chilies
2 scallions, chopped
2 T sliced black olives
¾ c shredded low fat cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll out each biscuit into a 5 inch circle and place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Top with bean dip, salsa, chilies, onions and olives. Sprinkle with cheese and bake 12-15 minutes or until crust is brown and cheese is melted.

Snacks

Parmesan Pretzels and Popcorn

June 10, 2010 admin Leave a comment

The flavor here was subtle, but definitely enough to make it a nice change up from eating just plain pretzels or popcorn. I like it best when it was fresh out of the oven and still warm 🙂

6 servings
170 calories per serving

2 T grated parmesan cheese
½ t basil flakes
½ t parsley flakes
3 c mini pretzel twists
3 c air popped popcorn
Pam

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine spices and mix well. Mix pretzels and popcorn and spread in an ungreased 15×10 baking sheet. Spray mix with Pam (pretty heavily) and sprinkle with cheese mix. Do not stir and bake 6 minutes or until hot.

Dinner, Italian, Sides, Snacks

Parmesan Crisps

June 10, 2010 admin Leave a comment

These are a GREAT addition to salads, as a side to Italian flavored dishes, etc. 2 ingredients + quick fry method = savory side in next to no time !

10 servings
56 calories per serving (1 serving = 4 crisps)

1 c grated parmesan cheese
1 t flour

Combine cheese and flour. Heat a non stick skillet to medium high heat. Spoon a thin layer of cheese into a 1 inch circle in hot pan. Repeat with as many as will fit in the skillet without touching. When they begin to sizzle and bottom is golden, flip over and cook until the next side is golden. Work in batches and finish up all the cheese and flour. This will go very quickly.

Appetizers, Italian, Snacks

White Bean and Garlic Dip

May 29, 2010 admin 1 Comment

This is great served with sliced up veggies or pita chips. It has a nice mellow flavor and makes a great snack or appetizer.

8 – ¼ c servings
71 calories per serving

10 cloves garlic
1 19 oz. can cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
2 T low fat sour cream
2 T lemon juice
2 t sesame oil
½ t ground coriander
¼ t salt
¼ c chopped parsley
1 t paprika

In a small pot of boiling water cook the garlic for 3 minutes. Drain and reserve 2 T of the cooking liquid. Peel the garlic and in a food processor mix the garlic, reserved cooking liquid and beans and mix until you have a smooth puree. Add the sour cream, lemon juice, oil, coriander and salt and process to blend. Serve sprinkled with parsley and paprika.

Appetizers, Italian, Sides, Snacks

Pesto Stuffed Mushrooms

May 28, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Another installment of stuffed mushrooms ! The pesto flavor really comes through and makes these a success story. Much easier than chopping stems and cooking sausage…these come together very quickly and are a great appetizer, snack, or side dish.

12 servings
50 calories per serving (1 serving = 2 mushrooms)

24 baby portobello mushrooms
1/3 c part skim ricotta cheese
3 T pesto (available in the refrigerator section of your local market)
2 t whole wheat flour
2 T grated romano or parmesan cheese
1 T breadcrumbs
Pam

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with Pam. Remove the stems from the mushrooms and place the mushroom caps on the baking sheet with the stem side facing up. Mix the ricotta, pesto and flour. Spoon the mix evenly into the mushroom caps and press down. Combine the parmesan and breadcrumbs and sprinkle on top of the mushrooms. Press down lightly. Bake 15-20 minutes or until browned.

Breakfast, Snacks

Bananas with Yogurt and Honey

May 22, 2010 admin Leave a comment

Cooking the bananas first brings out all the sweetness – so when you add in the tangy Greek yogurt, the 2 offset each other and you get a wonderful tasting breakfast or snack. The honey and nuts make a perfect topping.

4 servings
240 calories per serving

2 ripe bananas, peeled
2 ¼ c plain Greek yogurt
2 T honey
2 T chopped almonds or walnuts

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Wrap the bananas in foil and bake 20 minutes then cool completely. Place banana in a bowl and mash with a fork. Add yogurt and gently fold then spoon into cups and sprinkle with nuts and drizzle with honey.

Kid Friendly, Snacks

Caramel Popcorn

May 13, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This has a subtle sweetness that builds with each bite rather than a thick, in your face coating of sweet on the popcorn. It’s a great alternative to kettle corn and at only 90 calories per serving, eat up !

6 servings
90 calories per serving

6 c popped popcorn
2 T margarine
2 T honey

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spread popcorn in a large pan. Melt margarine and honey and pour over the popcorn and bake 10 minutes stirring often. Let cool then store in an airtight container.