Category Archives: Appetizers

Quiche with Rice Crust

September 3, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This is an excellent quiche – no one would ever know you never even opened the oven ! The Swiss cheese is just perfect with the spinach and mushrooms. And the crust is so much more flavorful than a regular crust. You’ll definitely make this one again and again.

8 servings
116 calories per serving

1 ½ c cooked brown rice
1 c shredded low fat swiss cheese
¾ c Egg Beaters
¼ t curry powder
10 oz. package of frozen spinach, thawed and pressed dry in a colander
¾ c evaporated skim milk
½ c sliced mushrooms
2 T chopped shallots
¼ t garlic powder
¼ t onion powder
¼ t salt
1/8 t pepper

Combine rice, ½ c cheese, ¼ c Egg Beaters and curry and press into the bottom of a 9” glass pie plate. Microwave 4 minutes or until firm. Combine spinach, milk, mushrooms, onion, spices, ½ c cheese and ½ c Egg Beaters and mix well then pour into the crust and microwave on 50% power 20 minutes (rotate it every 5 minutes or so if your microwave does not have a turntable) or until a knife inserted comes out clean.

Appetizers, Italian, Sides, Snacks

Provolone and Peppers

July 21, 2010 admin Leave a comment

[FA_Lite id=”9343″]

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.

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.

Appetizers, Chicken, Lunch, Mexican, Snacks

Chicken and Black Bean Quesadillas

July 17, 2010 admin Leave a comment

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

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.

Appetizers, Italian, Lunch

Mushroom Boboli

July 12, 2010 admin Leave a comment

There is just something about goat cheese pizzas that are so good – I think goat cheese is just meant to be eaten warm 🙂 You can increase the serving size and make this a lunch instead of an appetizer !

6 servings
135 calories per serving

10 inch boboli (whole wheat)
2 c sliced mushrooms (a mix of several varieties makes a nice presentation)
1 T oil
1 /4 t salt
¼ t pepper
2 T balsamic vinegar
½ c crumbled low fat goat cheese
1 T fresh herbs

Cook mushrooms in oil until tender then sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with vinegar. Cook until vinegar is all evaporated.

Preheat broiler and cook pizza crust 3 minutes then remove and spread with mushrooms and sprinkle with cheese and continue cooking another 6 minutes or until all heated through. Sprinkle with herbs and serve.

Appetizers, Lunch, Pork, Snacks

Ham and Cheddar Loaf

July 9, 2010 admin Leave a comment

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.

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.

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.

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.

Appetizers, Snacks

Cottage Cheese Dip

April 24, 2010 admin Leave a comment

This is a nice change up to serving cottage cheese with fruit – instead add a little cheese, dill and onion powder and you have a nice savory dip for crackers, veggies or pita chips.

½ c
75 calories per serving (1 serving = 2 T)

½ c low fat cottage cheese
2 T shredded cheddar cheese
¼ t dillweed
1/8 t salt
¼ t onion powder

Mash the cottage cheese with a fork and add cheddar and spices. Stir well and serve with veggies or crackers.

Appetizers, Sides, Snacks

Homemade Flatbreads

April 23, 2010 admin 4 Comments

I make these so often that I just had to repost – – this last time I used olive oil and simply sprinkled with sea salt and they were just divine !

These flatbreads are so versatile. They make a great side, or a great snack or even a great appetizer. Try different spice combinations – olive oil and parmesan cheese, or olive oil and cayenne pepper and garlic powder for a zesty taste treat. To make a sweet version, sprinkle with a mixture of Splenda brown sugar and cinnamon.

4 servings
80 calories per serving
1 serving = 3 flat breads

1 1/2 t kosher salt
1 t poppy seeds
1 t sesame seeds
1 1/2 t sesame oil (you can sub olive oil)
1 1/2 t water
12 wonton wrappers

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lay wontons flat without overlapping on a cookie tray. Mix oil and water and brush over wontons. Sprinkle with salt and seeds. Bake 5 minutes or until crisp.