Endive Scoops, Grains Galore Crackers & Sea Salt Baguette Crisps

I 'm a huge believer in snacking.  It saves me from afternoon slumps and unhealthy food cravings, keeping me fueled from early morning workout til my head hits the pillow at night.  Knowing I have something yummy to look forward to between meals means I never feel deprived and I find I eat a lot less when I'm allowed to eat whenever I'm hungry or even when I just feeling like munching something crunchy, sweet or salty.  These snack time chips, dips and dippers are a few of my favorites:

Endive Scoopers

Sea Salt Baguette Toasts

Grains Galore Crackers

Artichoke Hummus

Clams Casino Dip

They're great for entertaining too!

Endive Scoopers Recipe

• 5 endive spears

1. Remove the leaves from each endive spear. Arrange on a platter to use as calorie free scoopers for your favorite dips!  Their firm leaves hold up brilliantly.

Sea Salt Baguette Crisps Recipe

• 1 whole wheat baguette sliced into 1/4" slices
• 1 tsp sea salt

1. Arrange oven racks to the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Preheat oven to 375 F. 
2. Arrange the bread in single layer on 2 large sheet pans. Spray tops of bread lightly with olive oil spray. Sprinkle with sea salt.
3. Bake about 12 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

Grains Galore Crackers Recipe (Makes 72 Crackers)

• 4 Tbsp sesame seeds
  
• 3 Tbsp flax seeds
• 2 Tbsp chia seeds
• 1 large egg white
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 6 10" whole-grain or flour tortillas 

1. Arrange oven racks to lower and upper thirds of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 F.
2. In a small bowl, mix together seeds. 
3. In a separate small bowl, whisk together egg white, chili powder and sea salt. 
4. Brush tops of tortillas with egg white mixture then sprinkle evenly with seeds. 
5. Cut each tortilla into 12 triangles. Arrange chips, seed side up, in single layer on a two large sheet pans (make sure not to crowd pan so that they fit into a single layer).
6. Bake until golden and crisp, aproximately 15 minutes. Cool on wire racks. Repeat with remaining chips.

(Crisps & Cracker Recipes "Tested & Approved" from Prevention Magazine Jan 2012)

Artichoke Hummus

Artichoke Hummus Recipe (Makes about 2 cups)

• 1 can (14 oz) artichoke hearts, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 2 Tbsp tahini
• 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil + extra for finishing
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp hot paprika
• 1 c chopped fresh basil
• sea salt
• fresh cracked pepper

1. Combine all ingredients except basil in food processor.
2. Pulse until smooth. 
3. Transfer to serving bowl. 
4. Stir in basil and season with sea salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste. 
5. Drizzle top with a touch of the EVOO for finishing.

Clams Casino Dip Recipe (Makes about 2 cups)

• 8 oz 1/3 less-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 c reduced-fat sour cream
  
• 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 c finely chopped red bell pepper (reserve a few for garnish)
• 3 scallions, thinly sliced (reserve a few for garnish)
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped parsley
• 2 cans (6.5 oz each) whole clams, rinsed, drained and chopped
• 2 slices bacon, cooked until crisp then chopped
• sea salt 
• fresh cracked pepper

1. Stir together the cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice & Worcestershire. 
2. Fold in the red bell, scallions, parsley, clams and chopped bacon.
3. Season to taste with sea salt & cracked pepper.
4. Garnish with reserved red bell and scallions.
5. Chill until ready to serve. 

(Dips "Tested and Improved" from Prevention Magazine Jan 2012)

Clams Casino Dip -that's it all the way in the background!

Question of the Day:

What is your favorite snack?

Do you have a go-to entertaining snack?