Cheese Ball with Attitude

There is nothing "cheesy" about this non-traditional version of the traditional appetizer or snack except the abundance of cheese and other goodness inside. Serve with crackers of your choice (preferably those which are a bit more sturdy). Great with a glass of vino, a stein of brew or your favorite beverage. Simply delicious.

                                                             

Cheese Ball

Totally tasty yummy deliciousness

Ingredients:

Cheese Ball

• 1 pkg of Neufchatel cheese
• 3/4 pkg shredded medium or sharp cheddar cheese (about 1 1/2 c or so)
• 1/4 diced medium sweet onion (approx. 1/4 c)
• 1/4 c grated Parmesan or Parmesan/Romano cheese
• 1 tsp red pepper flakes or a dash of Tabasco Sauce (if desired)
• 1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce (if desired)

Topping

• 1/2 small single serving pkg of cheddar cheese Sunchips, crushed
• 1/4 c dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 c finely chopped pecans

I prefer Neufchatel to Cream Cheese because of the lower calorie count and the fact that it's softer and easier to work with, requiring no softening.

1. Mix all cheeses and onion (and pepper flakes and Worcestershire sauce, if desired), first with a wooden spoon to smush it together and then with your hands (yes, it will be messy). 
2. Quickly shape into 2 smooth round balls of roughly the same size. Let sit while preparing the topping.
3. In a pie plate (or dish with sides), mix topping ingredients together. 
4. Roll the cheese balls in the topping to cover completely. 
5. Wrap in cling wrap or place in a Ziploc bag and store in the fridge until serving time. If possible, let flavors blend by not serving for at least 4 hours or overnight. Keeps well for up to a week, if refrigerated in Ziploc bag.

SO much tastier than the supermarket variety, and just think -  you made it all by yourself!

Alternative Snacks for Healthy Eating

Well, folks, the self-guided weight watching is going well, at 9 1/2 lbs lost in 5 weeks. My friends and co-workers are asking me my "secret," but it's not a secret: it's a lifestyle. When I went to Weight Watchers many, many years ago, that's what our Instructor tried to drill  into our heads. It took all this time for it, like the Velveteen Rabbit, to become "real" to me.

What does it mean? Checking labels, checking calorie counts, choosing the lightest and healthiest foods: more fruit, more veggies, less bread, less sodium, less meat and measuring my portions. It means choosing a good low-fat or no-sugar "ice cream" instead of the calorie-laden creamery products.

I don't aim to be skinny, not at my age, but I plan to make sure Mike and I are as healthy as our bodies allow us to be. That's what it's all about, isn't it? So here are a few suggestions for healthier eating that seems to be working in our household. You may even find a few things you have never tried and really enjoy:

Life's the berries!

• Frozen blueberries, with skim milk poured over the top: This makes a sweet treat that's pretty hard to beat. I would have added "in the heat," but that would just be wrong, given my lack of rapping skills. Try it, you may like it! It turns the skim milk into a frozen concoction that's so delicious. One of my all-time favorite snacks, any time of year. If you want, you can put a wee bit of sugar or honey on top, but I find the combo sweet enough.
• Plain yogurt mixed with cut-up fruit and a bit of granola or finely chopped nuts sprinkled on top is another of my all-time favorites. It's sweet enough and the granola/nuts gives it that bit of satisfying chew. Any fruit can be used but berries and peaches are my favorite. Some folks like bananas (if you're not watching your potassium intake). If you want to make a fruit salad, just pour a bit of plain yogurt on top. If you prefer, you can make it into a parfait. A bit fancier but pretty much the same thing. Drizzling a bit of honey on it makes it sweet. Just watch the sugar in canned fruit if you prefer that to raw.
• Smoothies: Another favorite in our home. The blender is our friend. Berries, yogurt and sugar-free juice blended with ice and a wee bit of honey; bananas and strawberries, yogurt, skim milk or juice blended with ice and a touch of honey; pineapples and bananas or mango for a "tropical" taste; the combinations are endless!
• Use skim milk instead of "Fat-free" or 2%. You really can't taste much of a difference on your cereal, but you sure can on your waistline! And be careful of which creamers you select and how much you use in each cup of coffee.
• Cut down on the soda and enjoy unsweetened fruit juice mixed with club soda. Totally fizzy and totally yummy! (tell kids that it's "fizzy fruit juice.") Don't overdo the "diet sodas" - the aspartame in them isn't healthy if you consume it in excess. They can also cause you to bloat and be uncomfortable. Choose mineral water or club soda or products such as Crystal Lite (in moderation) or other 0 calorie clear drinks instead. Remember: lite doesn't necessarily mean calorie free! Check labels!
• Forego the chips and buttered popcorn and look for alternatives! I love apple chips (sweet and crispy, at 140 calories for a third of a small bag). I make my own oven "chips" using cooking spray instead of oil, with less sodium because I am careful of how much salt I put on top. If you have red potatoes, you can scrub them and leave on the peels for some fiber in your diet. If you want popcorn, you can shake on a topping and some folks even spray a bit of cooking spray on the popcorn first so the topping sticks - an alternative to butter or margarine. I prefer measuring just a bit of butter, melting it, and drizzling it on top. Whipped butter seems to go farther than margarine and is recommended in Weight Watcher recipes.
• Instead of chocolate, choose another sweet treat. Peanut butter and a bit of honey on a graham cracker; peanut butter popcorn balls (recipe in archives); half a slice of bread with crunchy peanut butter and a tsp of preserves; canned or fresh fruit; sugar-free ice cream IN A CONE so you don't eat so much at one time. There are so many other choices than the obvious. If you really want chocolate, try just a drizzle of chocolate topping or syrup on your dessert or popcorn. It satisfies that craving.
• Make your own trail mix. Raisins, dried cranberries, nuts, Cheerios or Chex, chocolate or carob chips, mini marshmallows or other stuff you have around the house is a tasty treat. Measure out half a cup and enjoy! Just be sure you don't overdo dry fruit or chocolate chips: they are pretty high in calorie. And nuts are quite fatty, so go heavier on the cereal than the other ingredients. Children and adults alike enjoy this treat.
• 'Smores: Feel like a s'more or 2? 1 Tbsp of chocolate syrup is only 50 calories. Try that with your marshmallow instead of a square of chocolate. And let's face it, if it's something you really want, having one or 2 s'mores won't break your weight loss streak if you don't let it! 4 graham crackers are only 120 calories and 2 large marshmallow are only 45 calories. Yes, the chocolate adds to the calories, but no one said we were perfect! Not your healthiest snack around, but they sure can be tasty around the campfire :) 
• Fries: Count your fries! 10 oven-baked fries at home are only 100 calories. One small order of McDonald's fries is 230 calories. A sweet potato baked in your oven and served with salt has just 105 calories; sweet potato fries prepared in the oven at home are much healthier than those at fast food places. Why? The grease! 
• Don't eat too many sandwiches. An open-face whole wheat slice of bread "sandwich" of meat and thin-cut real cheese broiled til the cheese bubbles is just as satisfying as all the extras. Spread the bread with a bit of mustard for flavor before broiling and serve with a dill pickle and salad. Or try a pita bread pocket stuffed with veggies, sprouts and a light spreading of hummus inside instead of high-sodium deli meats. The sad thing is that commercial bread is one of the highest products for sodium in your diet! )the things you learn in the stalls at work!)
• Be creative in making salads, but limit the dressing! You can get just as much flavor out of less dressing than having your greens floating in a pool. Vinaigrette is excellent, especially when home-made (see my recipe in the archives for a good traditional Russian Vinaigrette dressing). Control your own fat intake for your health. If you go to a buffet, as we often do, you can simply pour on your own dressing using twice the vinegar to oil ratio from the cruets they have there. Sprinkle a half pack of sugar on top if you want that sweet taste. You don't need to add salt.

Here's a good source to find out calorie counts, if you are in the mood to get healthy and stay that way. Just remember that as a rule, fresh and frozen beat out canned or commercial, and don't hesitate to measure and count your way to success. Good luck!

Peanut Butter Popcorn Balls (a Weight Watchers Favorite)

Here is another recipe from the original full exchange Weight Watchers recipe vault that features two of my weaknesses: peanut butter and popcorn! These balls are easy to make and satisfy that treat craving for 4 people. You can make mini treats or full-size. These are obviously a bevy of minis, or whatever that would be called. Have a relatively guilt-free treat on me on your next movie night!

Peanut Butter-Popcorn Balls (serves 4)

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp each granulated sugar and light corn syrup
• 1/4 tbsp white vinegar
• 2 tbsp chunky peanut butter (room temperature)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 c prepared plain popcorn

Preparation

1. In a small, non-stick saucepan combine sugar, syrup and vinegar. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes. Add peanut butter and vanilla and stir to combine.
2. Place popcorn in flameproof boil and set over LOWEST possible heat (optional - the recipe calls for it, but I don't really see the point. Use the microwave on "low" if you like, instead). Add peanut butter mixture and toss until popcorn is evenly coated. Moisten hands with cold water (or see note below); shape into large or small balls. Let cool before serving.

Note: The cold water hand trick worked! AND I added a couple of squirts of chocolate syrup because we had a chocolate craving <shhh>

Each serving provides 1/2 Protein exchange; 1/2 Bread Exchange; 1/2 Fat Exchange; 60 calories Optional exchange. Per serving: 136 calories; 3 g protein; 4 g fat; 21 g carbohydrates; 58 mg sodium; 0 mg cholesterol.

Roly-Poly PB-Chocolate Balls

I don't know about you, but summer sometimes makes me feel like a little kid again. With that comes the craving for ... peanut butter! I've found several snacks, Weight Watchers or not, that feature this ingredient, so in the interest of summer, here is the first of the Peanut Butter Treats, fresh from the Betty Crocker kitchens. As always, just beware of peanut allergies:


Roly-Poly PB Chocolate Balls (Yields 24 candies)

From our friends at Betty Crocker

Ingredients:

• 1 c milk chocolate chops
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 c creamy or crunchy peanut butter 
• 1/2 c powdered sugar
• 1/2 c light corn syrup
• 2 c Cheerios

Preparation:

1. Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. In 1-quart saucepan, heat chocolate chips and water over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool.
2. In med. bowl, stir together peanut butter, powdered sugar and corn syrup until well-blended. Stir in cereal until evenly coated.
3. Lightly spray hands with cooking spray. For each candy, roll 1 tbsp of mixture into 1 1/2 inch ball; place on cookie sheet and press slightly so bottoms of balls are flat.
4. Spoon about 1 tsp cooled chocolate onto each ball. Refrigerate about 30 minutes, or until firm. Store in covered container in the refrigerator.

Hint: Spray the spoon with cooking spray to keep the peanut butter from sticking when scooping it out of the bowl.

Nutrition Information:

1 Serving (1 Ball)

• Calories 150
• (Calories from Fat 70),

• Total Fat 8g
• (Saturated Fat 2 1/2g,
• Trans Fat 0g),
• Cholesterol 0mg;
• Sodium 70mg;
• Total Carbohydrate 16g
• (Dietary Fiber 2g,
• Sugars 10g),
• Protein 3g;

Percent Daily Value*:

• Vitamin A 0 %;
• Vitamin C 0 %;
• Calcium 2 %;
• Iron 4 %;

Exchanges:

• 1 Starch;
• 0 Fruit;
• 0 Other Carbohydrate;
• 0 Skim Milk;
• 0 Low-Fat Milk;
• 0 Milk;
• 0 Vegetable;
• 0 Very Lean Meat;
• 0 Lean Meat;
• 0 High-Fat Meat;
• 1 1/2 Fat;

Carbohydrate Choices:

• 1;

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Dog Bones for Dogs AND Kids

Here is a snack that does double duty - you can feed them to your children and to your pup! Easy to make and great to give as gifts to any dog-lover.


Knick Knack Paddy Whack Give the Dog a Bone....?

Ingredients                          <courtesy of FreeFoto.com>

• 1/2 c peanut butter
• 1/2 c dry milk
• 1 tbsp honey
•  1 c finely crushed graham cracker crumbs

Directions

1. Mix in bowl 1/2 c peanut butter and 1/2 c dry milk
2. Add 1 tbsp honey and mix very well
3. Divide dough into 6 pieces
4. Mold each piece into the shape of a dog bone
5. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on both sides (or roll the bone in the crumbs)

Let Junior and Fido enjoy!

Fruit Salsa

This is one of the easiest salsas I have found, and my cooking classes went mad for it. You can use any variety of fruit, as long as you use the lemon juice to keep the fruit from browning. The photo is from tasteofhome.com. They have some excellent salsa (and other) recipes there too!

Fruit Salsa

Use any of the following fruits in combination and simply drizzle with a mixture of honey and lemon or lime juice. Always wash, peel and slice or cup fruit into small chunks before tossing with the honey and juice, otherwise the peel can distort the flavor and make it bitter to the taste. Allow to sit (covered) in fridge for approximately one hour or more to blend flavors. Colorful, healthy and delicious! Serve with cinnamon chips or cinnamon toast.


Fruit Combinations

1. Kiwis, peeled cut in small chunks; strawberries, washed and sliced lengthwise; apples, peeled and cored then sliced into thin pieces, canned crushed pineapples
2. Sliced mandarin oranges,strawberries, chopped seedless green or red grapes, apples
3. Oranges, grapefruit, kiwi and apples, peeled and cut into small chunks
4. Oranges (peeled and cut into small chunks), firm bananas (peeled and cut into thin disks), strawberries (washed and sliced lengthwise) and washed blueberries
5. Strawberries, blueberries, grapefruit and apples (as above for preparation)
6. Kiwis (peeled and chopped), strawberries (washed and chopped) and cucumbers (peeled and chopped)
7. Canned crushed pineapple, strawberries, kiwi and raspberries
8. Canned or fresh peaches, blueberries, strawberries or raspberries and canned pineapples
9. Canned peaches (chopped), strawberries, blueberries, sliced blackberries (in season), canned pineapples 
10. Your choice of favorite fruits. Just remember, if you use one "mushy" fruit such as bananas or canned crushed pineapple, balance it with firm fruit such as apples, pears, strawberries or blueberries for texture.

Apple Cartwheels & Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

Here's the combination that made one of the biggest "splashes" in my kids' cooking class. The children enjoyed the adapted recipe (I won't use peanut butter with children because of nut allergy threats) and said it was "the best thing ever." 


Apple Cartwheels

1. Wash and core Granny Smith or Red and Golden Delicious apples (an apple corer is a wonderful thing)
2. Mix together: chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, honey, cream cheese and raisins or craisins
3. Pile the filling into the holes in the apples, letting it pop out the top a bit
4. Turn apple onto its side and (adults) cut into thick slices 
5. Alternate apples on a plate or platter for children to enjoy (and they will!)

Cinnamon Tortilla Chips

1. Cut small flour tortillas into 8 slices per tortilla
2. Brush with melted butter and liberally sprinkle on a mixture of cinnamon and sugar
3. Heat in 350 degree oven until bubbly - about 5-10 minutes. Watch carefully for scorching

Remove and serve with Apple Cartwheels or Fruit Salsa. Yum!

Waldorf Salad

Here is a dish that I considered Canadian until I discovered it's roots at the Waldorf Astoria! Still, it's a Canadian favorite and one that's easy to make and delicious to enjoy!

Some folks use cool whip or yogurt, but I prefer the original recipe. I would suggest adding about 1-2 tbsp of sugar to the dressing for that hint of sweetness. Seedless red grapes or dried cranberries may also be halved and added for color and texture.


Waldorf Salad

Dressing:
2 cups mayonnaise
1 tablespoon cider vinegar (optional, but gives it a bit of "zing.")
2-1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
Dash of salt

Salad:
4 diced apples (Granny Smith, Gala or Red Delicious)
3 stalks celery, diced
1 cup chopped walnuts
Whisk to blend dressing ingredients and set aside. Chop all salad ingredients evenly. Mix dressing with salad ingredients. Chill until ready to serve.

Serves about 6