Kristen's Recipes

1 package (9 ounces) refrigerated cheese tortellini

40 pimiento-stuffed olives

40 large pitted ripe olives

3/4 C. Italian salad dressing

40 thin slices pepperoni

20 thin slices hard salami, halved

small fresh Mozzarella Balls

Cherry Tomatoes

Fresh parsley sprigs, optional

 

Cook tortellini according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the tortellini, olives and salad dressing. Seal bag and turn to coat; refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight. Drain and discard marinade. For each appetizer, thread a stuffed olive, folded pepperoni slice, tortellini, mozzarella ball, cherry tomato, folded salami piece, ripe olive and parsley sprig if desired on a toothpick

 

1/2 C. dried cranberries

1/4 C. water

2 T. sugar

1 T. finely chopped fresh ginger

3/4 C. mango chutney

Soft cheese or cream cheese

Apple slices

Toasted baguette slices or crackers

 

Combine dried cranberries, water, sugar, and ginger in a small saucepan. Bring to boiling. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 15 minutes. Snip any large pieces of mango chutney. Stir chutney into cranberry mixture. Cover and chill at least 2 hours. Serve cranberry chutney with soft cheese or cream cheese, apple slices, and crackers, or with toasted baguette slices. Makes about 1-1/3 C. chutney (twenty-one 1-T. servings). Make-Ahead Tip: Refrigerate chutney, covered, up to 2 days.

30 wonton wrappers

Nonstick spray coating

2 T. olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. dried basil, crushed

1/4 C. grated Parmesan or Romano cheese

 

Use a sharp knife to cut wonton wrappers diagonally in half to form 60 triangles. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick coating. Arrange one-third of the triangles in a single layer on prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl stir together the olive oil, garlic, and basil. Brush the wonton triangles lightly with some of the oil mixture; sprinkle with some of the Parmesan or Romano cheese. Bake in a 350 degree F oven about 8 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack. Repeat with the remaining wonton triangles, oil mixture, and Parmesan or Romano cheese

3 heads of Belgian Endive (or try Escarole)

1 T. finely chopped lemongrass

3 T. champagne (or sweet white wine)

1 stick unsalted butter, cold

1/4 lb. smoked salmon

2 T. olive oil

Sea salt, to taste

 

Preheat your grill over low heat. If your grill has multiple zones, set the front zone to medium high and leave the back zone off. You can also make this recipe in the oven, but you’ll miss all the sunshine flavor. Slice each head on endive lengthwise and coat all sides with olive oil. Lightly salt both sides of the endive. Place the endive, round side down, on the cool area of your grill and close the lid. Grill, turning once, for 15 minutes per side. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, add the lemongrass and sweat it for 1-2 minutes over medium heat. Add the champagne or wine and boil for another 1-2 minutes or until the liquid has reduced to a syrupy consistency. Remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for 1-2 minutes. Working 1 tsp. at a time, add the cold butter while constantly whisking. The butter should not melt right away and at no point should it start to bubble. Wait until each tsp. of butter is completely absorbed until you add the next one. If the butter stops melting in to the sauce, put the pan over low heat for just a moment. Just don’t stop whisking! Once the butter is completely added, your sauce is done. Crumble some of the smoked salmon over the cut side of the endive and top with a small amount of the beurre blanc. Season with a sprinkling of sea salt, to taste.

8 cherry tomatoes, stems removed

Salt

2 1/2 dry-pack sun-dried tomato halves

3 T. part-skim ricotta cheese

1/4 T. grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 T. snipped fresh chives

1/2 clove garlic, minced

Pinch of ground black pepper

1/2 T. minced fresh basil

 

Cut a thin slice from the top of each cherry tomato. Carefully scoop out the seeds and flesh, leaving the shell intact. Lightly salt the insides of the tomatoes to draw out excess liquid. Invert on a rack to drain for 10 minutes. Rinse the tomatoes and set aside.  Meanwhile, place the sun-dried tomatoes in a small bowl. Cover with boiling water and set aside for 15 minutes, or until softened. Remove the tomatoes from the water. Finely chop the tomatoes and transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in the ricotta, Parmesan, chives, garlic, and pepper. Mix well.  Spoon the cheese mixture into a pastry bag fitted with a small star tip. Pipe the mixture into each cherry tomato. Sprinkle each with a small amount of the basil. Serve chilled or at room temperature.  The sun-dried tomato soaking liquid may be reserved to use in sauces, soups or other dishes where a rich tomato flavor is desired. Freeze the liquid in an airtight container until ready to use.

 

Herbed Ricotta Snow Peas : Replace the cherry tomatoes with 8 snow peas. Remove the strings and ends from the snow peas. In a medium saucepan, bring a small amount of water to a boil. Add the snow peas and cook for 2 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.

 

Yield: 2 servings

Calories: 86

Fat: 2.5g

Fiber: 2.1g

1/4 C. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. minced fresh rosemary
1/4 tsp. salt
1 garlic clove, minced
1 C. sun-dried tomato halves, packed without oil (about 2 1/2 oz.)
2 (13.8-oz.) cans refrigerated pizza crust dough
1 C. thinly sliced fresh basil leaves
1/2 C. (2 oz.) grated fresh Romano cheese
2 T. chopped fresh rosemary

Combine first 4 ingredients; let stand for 1 hour.Cover sun-dried tomatoes with boiling water in a bowl; let stand 30 minutes or until soft. Drain and chop. Preheat oven to 425°. Working with one can of dough at a time, unroll dough onto a lightly floured surface; pat into a 15 x 10-inch rectangle. Brush about 1 T. oil mixture over dough. Sprinkle half of sun-dried tomatoes, 1/2 C. basil, 1/4 C. cheese, and 1 T. chopped rosemary evenly over dough. Starting at long edge, roll up jelly-roll fashion. Cut into 12 (1-inch) slices; place 2 inches apart on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Flatten each pinwheel with hand. Brush tops with about 1 T. oil mixture. Repeat procedure with remaining can of dough, oil mixture, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, cheese, and rosemary. Bake at 425° for 12 minutes or until golden.

Yield: 24 pinwheels
Serving size: 1 pinwheel

Calories: 122
Fat: 1.4g
Fiber: .8g

1 T. olive oil
1 tsp. dried oregano
4 oz. block nonfat cream cheese, softened
1/3 C. chopped pimento-stuffed green olives
1 (11-oz.) can refrigerated soft breadstick dough
Vegetable cooking spray

Preheat oven to 400°. Combine first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl; beat at medium speed of a mixer until smooth. Stir in olives. Unroll breadstick dough (do not separate the dough into breadsticks). Spread cheese mixture evenly over dough. Beginning at one short side, roll up dough tightly, jelly-roll fashion, and pinch the seam to seal (do not seal ends of roll). Cut the dough along perforations into 8 slices. Place the slices, cut side up, into muffin C. coated with cooking spray. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes.

Yield: 8 rolls
Serving size: 1 roll

Calories: 143
Fat: 4.7g
Fiber: 1.2g

22 dry roasted unsalted almonds
1 tablespoon dark chocolate chips
2 tablespoons raisins

Toss all together and go. Eat instead of an energy bar.

Calories: 217
Fat: 16g
Fiber: 3.9g

2 slices of roast turkey or turkey bologna (2 ounces)
2 tablespoons fat free cream cheese with chives (or garden vegetable flavor)

Place meat slices on flat surface. Spread thinly with cream cheese mixture. Roll tightly. Cover and refrigerate until use.

Yield 2 servings
Calories: 83
Fat: 5g
Fiber: 0g

6 six-inch whole grain pita breads
Olive oil cooking spray
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder, onion powder, or seasoning such as Mrs. Dash

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. With a sharp knife, cut each pita bread in half, then each half into 4 triangles. Carefully separate each triangle into 2 pieces. There should be 16 small triangles per pita bread. Arrange triangles in a single layer on two baking sheets. Lightly coat triangles with cooking spray. Sprinkle with seasoning powder. Gentle toss and rearrange to cover baking sheet Bake for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and using a metal spatula, gently turn pitas over and continue to bake until crisp and golden brown, about 8 minutes longer. Chips will get crispy as they cool. Store in airtight containers or self-sealing plastic bags.

Yield: 12 eight- triangle servings
Calories: 96
Fat: 1g
Fiber: 2.6g

2 pitas, sliced in half to make 4 round pieces
4 T. olive oil
1 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1 12-oz. jar roasted red peppers, drained and cut into strips
4 slices lemon
1 clove garlic, sliced
1 C. grated provolone

Heat broiler to high. Arrange the pitas on a baking sheet, cut-side up. Brush with 2 T. of the oil, then sprinkle with the paprika, oregano, and 1/4 tsp. of the salt. Place under broiler to crisp, about 2 minutes; set aside. Heat the remaining 2 T. of oil in a skillet. Add the peppers, lemon, garlic, and the remaining salt. Saute until the peppers are hot and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Spread the peppers evenly over the pita halves and sprinkle with the provolone. Return to broiler and cook until the provolone is melted, about 3 minutes. Cut into strips, if desired.

Tip: Almost any prepared vegetable from the deli counter can make a delicious substitute for the peppers. Try cured olives or marinated artichoke hearts or mushrooms.

Yield: 4 servings
Calories: 377
Fat: 21.5g
Fiber: 1g

2 large eggs, or 1/2 C. egg substitute
6 T. whole-wheat flour
1 10oz package frozen, chopped spinach, thawed
2 C. low-fat cottage cheese
2 C. reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 pinch nutmeg
3 T. wheat germ

In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the flour until the mixture is smooth. Add the spinach, cheeses, cayenne and nutmeg, and mix the ingredients well. Pour mixture into a nonstick coated 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Sprinkle the top with wheat germ and bake at 350 degrees F. for about 45 minutes. Let stand for about 10 minutes and then cut into 1-1/2-inch squares for serving.

Yield: 18
Serving Size: 2 squares

Calories: 66
Fat: 2g
Fiber: 1g

7 thin slices whole-grain bread
1/3 C. reduced-fat or nonfat sour cream
1 Tbsp horseradish
4 oz smoked salmon slices, cut into 20 1-inch strips
Freshly ground black pepper
Fresh dill sprigs

Using a 2-inch fluted round or other shaped pastry cutter, cut bread slices into 20 rounds. In small bowl, combine sour cream and horseradish. Top each bread round with about 1 tsp of mixture. Fold salmon slices atop cream; garnish with a sprinkle of pepper and a dill sprig. Serve at room temperature.

Yield: 20
Calories: 35
Fat: 1g
Fiber: 1.5g

1/2 lemon

1 C. pitted kalamata olives (about 5 oz.)

1 tsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary

1 small clove garlic, minced, sprinkled with 1/4 tsp. kosher salt, and mashed to a paste

1 to 2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 recipe Toast Points

1/2 roasted red pepper (from a jar), thinly sliced

 

Finely zest the lemon half. Put the zest, olives, rosemary, and garlic in a food processor. Add the olive oil through the feed tube, pulsing the machine until you get a thick, uniform paste. Transfer to a bowl and stir in a squeeze of lemon juice (about 1 tsp.). Season with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice to taste. To assemble, spread the tapenade on the toasts, slice each toast into four even triangles, top each with a slice of red pepper, and serve.

1/4 pound deli sliced Swiss cheese, finely chopped

6 slices Canadian bacon, finely chopped

3 T. snipped or chopped chives

A few grinds black pepper

8 eggs, or 1 pint egg beaters

2 T. melted butter

 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Mix together the chopped cheese, Canadian bacon, and chives and season with a few grinds of pepper. In a bowl, beat the eggs. Brush the muffin tins with melted butter. Using a tsp., fill the 24 mini-muffin C. halfway with the cheese mixture. Using a ladle, fill the C. to just below the edge with the beaten eggs. Bake until golden, about 12 minutes. Remove and let cool to handle, then arrange the egg bites on a plate and serve.

1 lb fresh sushi-grade fresh ahi tuna

1/4 C. tamari

1 tsp. wasabi paste

3 T. sesame seeds

2 daikon radishes, thinly sliced into 16 pieces

2 scallions, thinly sliced on an angle

 

Slice tuna into 16 1/4 inch thick rectangular pieces. Mix tamari and wasabi together. Pass tuna slices through mixture and dot both sides with sesame seeds. Place each piece on the sliced daikon and top with scallion.

1/2 European seedless cucumber

1 round soft cheese with garlic and herbs, 6 ounces (recommended: Boursin)

2 slices, deli cut, Mandrange French ham or boiled ham

 

Cut cumbers into thin rounds. Spread some cheese on sliced cucumbers. Cut ham into 1 1/2-inch wide strips. Wrap ham around cucumbers and cheese.

1 C. whole blanched almonds

1 C. hazelnuts

2 T. butter

1 T. hot sauce, eyeball it

1 T. grill seasoning (recommended: Montreal Steak Seasoning by McCormick)

1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

2 C. smoked almonds (recommended: Diamond Smokehouse Almonds)

1 tsp. poppy seeds

1 T. sesame seeds

 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place blanched almonds and hazelnuts on a cookie sheet and roast 7 to 8 minutes; your nose will know when they’re done.  Melt butter in small skillet with hot sauce, grill seasoning, and cumin. Remove from heat. Remove toasted nuts from oven and drizzle with butter and spices. Add smoked nuts and seeds to the cookie sheet and toss Everything Nuts to combine. Transfer nuts to a serving dish. Serve warm.

1/4 lb. deli Ham, sliced 1/4” thick, finely diced

1 Celery Rib, finely chopped

2 Spoonfuls Green Olives, finely chopped

2 T. chopped Parsley

2 T. Mayonnaise

1 T. Yellow Mustard

1 large Dill Pickle, finely chopped

1/4 small Red Onion, finely chopped

Salt and Pepper

1 English Cucumber

 

Combine all ingredients except cucumber in a small bowl; reserve. Cut cucumber into 1 1/2” thick disks. With melon baller, scoop out a little bit from the center of each slice to create a C.. Fill each with a heaping T. of the ham salad and serve cold.