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
- 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
- Arrange oven racks to the upper and lower thirds of the oven. Preheat oven to 375 F.
- Arrange the bread in single layer on 2 large sheet pans. Spray tops of bread lightly with olive oil spray. Sprinkle with sea salt.
- 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
- Arrange oven racks to lower and upper thirds of the oven. Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In a small bowl, mix together seeds.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together egg white, chili powder and sea salt.
- Brush tops of tortillas with egg white mixture then sprinkle evenly with seeds.
- 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).
- 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
- Combine all ingredients except basil in food processor.
- Pulse until smooth.
- Transfer to serving bowl.
- Stir in basil and season with sea salt & fresh cracked pepper to taste.
- 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
- Stir together the cream cheese, sour cream, lemon juice & Worcestershire.
- Fold in the red bell, scallions, parsley, clams and chopped bacon.
- Season to taste with sea salt & cracked pepper.
- Garnish with reserved red bell and scallions.
- 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?