Healthy snacks! One of my downfalls is snacking between meals, and not snacking on anything healthy. Now, I’m not a nutritionist but I did take a health class (Isn’t that how those commercials go? “I’m not a doctor, but...”) I’m guessing that these are healthy because they involve fruits and vegetables and not Oreos, Cheetos, and Pop-tarts.
Some of these snacks are sweet, others are savory. Choose what you like and toss what you don’t. Yes, I’m giving you permission to not like anything I put in this column.
I’d love to hear from you! Share your favorite snacks, healthy or otherwise, on the Haskell News Facebook Page or go to www.eatingtraditions.blogspot.com
Roasted Olives (adapted from Racheal Ray magazine)
I have really come to love olives in the last few years. Everyone touts olive oil for being good for you, my money is on olives too!
2 c. mixed olives with pits
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper, or omit if you don’t like spicy food
1/4 c. olive oil
1 tsp. your favorite herb, such as thyme, rosemary, or parsley
1/2 lemon, zested and juiced
Combine all ingredients in 2 qt. baking dish and bake at 400 for 20 minutes. Serve the olives warm or at room temperature.
Honey-Curry Dip (from a health magazine)
The fact that this one is from a health magazine means it’s health, right?
1 c. plain yogurt
1 1/2 tbsp. honey
1 1/2 tsp. curry powder
Mix yogurt with honey and curry powder. Serve with carrots and celery.
Fruit With Balsamic Syrup Drizzle
I’m not sure where I found this recipe but I have noticed versions of it everywhere. This balsamic reduction can be used with fruit as I suggest here, but it is also delicious with chicken of pork, or on top of vegetables.
Can you call this a recipe if it only has one ingredient?
2/3 c. balsamic vinegar
Pour vinegar into a small sauce pot and cook over medium heat. Continue cooking until the vinegar has reduced by half and is thick and syrupy. Serve on top of strawberries.
Bananas With Chocolate-Honey Sauce
Who doesn’t like bananas an chocolate!? Or bananas and peanut butter? Or you could go completely unhealthy or the Fat Elvis route with a banana-peanut-butter-honey-bacon sandwich. I’m pretty sure it’s what killed him.
1/2 c. semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
1 1/2 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. unsalted butter
Salt
Walnuts, pecans, or almonds, chopped
3 small bananas, cut into bite sized pieces
In a bowl, heat the chocolate chips, honey, butter, and salt for 20 seconds in a microwave. Continue to heat the chocolate in 20 second intervals until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Serve banana pieces topped with chocolate sauce and nuts.
