Snacks

Veggie Shooters

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These are so cute and good for you as well. Plus it was a good way for me to use up some homemade Ranch dressing–which made a ton, or a half gallon at least.  Really, it filled a half gallon pitcher.  You can get that recipe HERE.  Tasty.  I could not really tell you a source for the shooters as I have had them in several different venues–our blog launch party (made by Julie), at an ice cream social (yes, we needed the contrast.  Opposition in all things, right?) and most recently at an Arts Council board meeting (made by me).  See how versatile these are?  And I had enough left over (because I forgot where to turn on the way to the host’s home and almost everyone had “helped their plate” by the time I got there) to serve to some of the Young Women at church after a yoga class!  Awesome.  Love to get more bang for my buck.  Who doesn’t these days?

Ingredients:
Celery, cut into 3-4 inch sticks
Baby Carrots, cut in half, lengthwise
Ranch Dressing
1.  You will need to purchase plastic “shot” glasses.  I got mine locally at Party City . These glasses are so versatile and come in several colors but you will want to use clear.
2.  Squirt about a tablespoon of Ranch dressing into the bottom of each glass.  Next, stand the celery and carrots into the dressing.  I used 5 celery sticks and the two carrot halves, but play with it and see what you like. It’s also really good with zucchini, yellow squash, red or green bell peppers, etc.
3. Serve these in a fun way or just on a tray.  I used my chips/salsa basket.  Looks really festive, don’t you think?

S’mores Treats

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I remember coming home from school to these. I LOVE S’mores and these are perfect for an after-school snack without getting all smokey.

Ingredients:
2/3 Cup Corn Syrup (I use white)
1 (12 oz) package Chocolate Chips (your favorite–I used Semi-Sweet)
1 tsp Vanilla
6 – 8 Cups Golden Grahams Cereal (I use closer to 6 Cups because I like them well coated)
3 Cups Mini Marshmallows

1. In a Large mixing bowl, pour your Graham Cereal and Mallows in. You don’t need to mix them yet.
2. In a Medium saucepan, bring just to a boil (not quite!) corn syrup. Remove from heat and immediately add the chocolate chips. Stir until smooth.
3. Add vanilla and stir until smooth, again.
4. Pour over the mallows and graham cereal. Stir until will incorporated. The chocolate may seem a bit thick, but persevere! Also, don’t worry if the mallows melt a little. That’s the best part!
5. Press into a greased 9×13 pan and cut into squares when cool.

Source: My mama, Karri H.

Sweet and Salty Roasted Chick Peas

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Cheap, easy and addictive!

Ingredients:

  • 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon or your spice(s) of choice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

  1. Place chickpeas on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  2. Bake at 450 F for 30 minutes. (You didn’t miss anything here.  You don’t oil or season them until after they are done.  In fact, for an extra healthy treat, try them when they get out of the oven before even adding the oil.  They are enjoyable all on their own.)
  3. Transfer chickpeas to a bowl and mix thoroughly with the rest of the ingredients.
  4. Enjoy hot, or bring to room temperature and store in an air-tight container.  Like popped corn, the chickpeas are never as good the next day.  However, they are still quite enjoyable 3-4 days after making them.  

Source:  Cupcake Project

This entry was posted in Snacks.

Mango Salsa

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Fresh homemade salsa in the summer? YES, PLEASE! How can you resist those veggies?? (fruit…if we are technical.)

Oh. My. Goodness.

Ingredients:
8-10 Medium sized garden tomatoes
1 Red Onion
3 Mangos*
0 – 3 Jalapeno peppers
Fresh Cilantro, chopped, to taste
1 Tbsp Salt (or to taste)

1. Chop your tomatoes and onion up. Mix them in a Large bowl.
2. Dice your mangos and add them to the mixture. Here is a great video on how to dice a mango. We learned the checkerboard method when we lived in the Caribbean.

 

3. Deseed (or not) your Jalapenos and dice them up. I used three Medium sized jalapenos, got every seed out of each one, and our salsa wasn’t hot at all. But if you’ve ever experienced jalapenos–you can’t bank on them. 🙂 I use surgical gloves to deseed and I don’t take the gloves off until I’m finished handling the pepper, because only an idiot would cut up jalapenos, wash her hands and then harmlessly scratch an itch by her eye, right? The burning sensation is harmless. (Oy! Can you hear the sarcasm drip??)
4. Using scissors, cut the leaves of fresh cilantro and add them to the mix. We really love cilantro so we put in quite a bit–maybe 1/3 of a bunch.
5. Stir in the salt to taste and serve with your favorite chips!

HAPPY SUMMER!

Source: An Original from watching many people make many different types of salsa.

 

~Kara

Banana Pops

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When I was a kid my mom used to make a version of these as an occasional treat for me.  I make them now with just a couple of slight changes, but they are still just as tasty.

Ingredients:
bananas
creamy peanut butter
Nutella
wheat germ
popsicle sticks

1.  Peel bananas, then slice in the middle to make 2 equal sections.  Carefully insert a popsicle stick into the cut end of each banana half.  Place on cookie sheet lined with wax paper and place in freezer for 30 minutes.
2.  While bananas are freezing, melt peanut butter for about 15-20 seconds in a microwave-safe bowl.  Add Nutella and stir well to combine; set aside.  Pour wheat germ onto a small plate and set aside.
3.  Remove bananas from freezer.  “Frost” each banana with the PB/Nutella mixture.  Roll the frosted banana gently in the wheat germ and place back on wax paper.  Repeat with each banana pop.  Return pops to freezer until ready to serve.
4.  Remove from freezer for 10-15 minutes before eating (to allow bananas to soften a bit).

Notes:

  • Amounts:  I end up using about 1 Tbsp. peanut butter, 1/2 Tbsp. Nutella, and 1/2 Tbsp. wheat germ per banana pop.
  • You can use just peanut butter or just Nutella.  You could also try different nut butters like almond or cashew.
  • You can roll the frosted banana in nuts, coconut, sprinkles, anything you want.
  • It may not necessarily be a “lite” recipe, but it’s better for you than an ice cream binge!
Source:  adapted from my mom

Kale Chips

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Move over potato chips…….kale chips are here to stay!  Kale is a super food!  So, why not make it part of your regular diet?  I made these the other day and got kudos from all age groups.  Give it a try yourself.

Sorry about the picture.  I have too many white dishes I guess.

Ingredients:

kale (about a salad spinner’s worth or a grocery produce bag stuffed lightly)
2 t. olive oil
kosher salt

Directions:

1.  Tear the leaves off the thick stems into bite size pieces.  Spread out on cookie sheets.
2.  Drizzle with oil.  Sprinkle on desired amount of salt.
3.  Bake at 375 for about 15 minutes, until edges are brown and kale is crispy when moved in pan.

Source:  Kath Eats Real Food

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Banana Sour Cream Muffins

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These muffins have become an oft-requested breakfast item at my house.  And they’re a great way to use up over-ripe bananas.  This recipe doubles well, and you can freeze the muffins for future breakfasts or snacks.  Just thaw them out the night before.

Ingredients:
1 stick butter, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tsp. baking soda
2 large bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups flour (white, wheat, or combo)

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line muffin pan with liners or spray with cooking spray.
2.  Cream butter, sugar, and eggs until fluffy and well combined.  Beat in sour cream, bananas, vanilla, salt, and baking soda until smooth.
3.  Stir in flour, mixing only until blended.
4.  Fill muffin cups 2/3 full (I find a large cookie scoop is perfect for this).  Bake for 20-25 minutes or until tops spring back when lightly touched.  Turn out immediately to cool on racks.

Makes about 18 muffins

Source:  The Hows and Whys of the Year Supply by Melissa Coombs