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 !

Nacho Pizzas

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.

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

White Bean and Garlic Dip

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.

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.

Bananas with Yogurt and Honey

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.

Pop Chips are these amazingly good chips that are popped (much like popcorn) rather than fried or baked. They are low cal, healthy and delicious and I am so hooked ! And there is nothing like a good onion dip – people always want my recipe for this one and can’t believe it is so simple. (It’s great with chips, pretzels, cut up bell pepper strips, celery)

Pop Chips and Dip

1 serving
170 calories per serving

1 100 calorie bag of Pop Chips
6 T low fat sour cream
2 t dry onion soup mix

For dip mix 3 T low fat sour cream with 2 t dry onion soup mix.

Pop Chips – an awesome snack coming in at only 100 calories for a nice portion bag.

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.

Cottage Cheese Dip

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.

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.

Homemade Flat Breads

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.

These are very filling and make a great snack, appetizer or even a side to a low cal fish dish. You can always dress them up with more ‘stuff’ and just each one to keep the calorie count down – they are very filling, so one should do as a side. Tye adding some cooked crumbled turkey bacon, or some extra low fat cheddar cheese…maybe even some caramelized onions !

Potato Skins

4 servings
262 calories per serving

4 large potatoes (8 oz. each)
2 t oil
¼ c parmesan cheese
½ c skim milk
3 T low fat cream cheese
¾ t salt
¼ t pepper
3 T low fat sour cream
3 T sliced scallions

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Wash the potatoes and prick them with a fork. Microwave on high 10 minutes, then turn and microwave another 5 minutes. Let cook a bit and then slice in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the flash keep the skins intact. Place the skins on a cookie sheet and brush with the oil and sprinkle with 2 t of the parmesan cheese. Bake 10 minutes or until golden. Meantime mix the rest of the parmesan with the potato, milk, cream cheese, salt and pepper. When skins are toasty, fill with the potato mix and bake another 7-9 minutes or until hot throughout. Dollop with sour cream and sprinkle with scallion just before serving.

Don’t let the fact that there is not a lot of cheese in these dissuade you – these are so very good and the fragrance of them under your nose while you are biting in makes them all the more better. Great as an appetizer or a snack or a side, these cheesy bread puffs are awesome !

Cheesy Spirals

8 servings
70 calories per serving

4 oz. can of low fat crescent rolls
¼ c chopped green onions
1/8 t garlic powder
¼ c shredded low fat cheddar cheese

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Remove dough from can but do not unroll it. Cut into 8 slices and place slices on an ungreased cookie sheet and place all the ingredients on top of the rolls and press down lightly. Bake 10-13 minutes or until golden brown.

These are INCREDIBLY good – each piece in and of itself is good, and all put together, it makes an awesome appetizer, lunch or snack ! The balsamic dressing on the eggplant and zucchini make this very special and I recommend you don’t skip that step.

Open Face Eggplant Melt

4 servings
260 calories per serving

1/2 lb. eggplant cut into 8 slices
1 medium zucchini sliced lengthwise into 8 long slices
1/3 c low fat balsamic vinegar dressing
4 ¾ inch thick slices of Italian bread
3 T low fat mayo
½ t basil flakes
Pepper to taste
1 tomato cut into 8 slices
3 slices part skim ricotta each cut into 4 strips
Pam

Spray a cookie sheet with Pam and preheat broiler. Place eggplant and zucchini slices on sheet and brush with half of the dressing then broil 5 minutes, turn, brush with the rest of the dressing, and broil another 5-7 minutes. Place bread slices on a cookie sheet and broil 1-2 minutes to lightly toast. Combine mayo, basil and pepper and spread on bread. Top each piece of bread with 2 eggplant slices, 2 zucchini slices, 2 tomato slices and 3 strips of cheese and broil 1-2 minutes. If the bread you use is not large enough to support 2 pieces of eggplant, zucchini and tomato, cut it down to 1 and lay the cheese across lengthwise rather than crosswise.

A simple dish with a simple combination of flavors that can be paired with anything. And at only 18 calories per serving, it is insanely low in calories. I always wondered if celery really was a negative calorie food..hmmmm???

Celery Parsley Salad

4 servings
18 calories per serving

4 celery stalks sliced thin
¼ c packed parsley leaves
1 ½ t sherry vinegar
1 t oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all in a bowl and mix well.