Healthy Snacks
by Claire Criscuolo, RN

Cinnamon Baked Tortilla Chips
Quick Bean Dip
Baked Farmer Cheese

Cinnamon Baked Tortilla Chips, by Claire Criscuolo, RN

Makes 36 chips

3 8" trans fat free wheat tortillas
2 Tablespoons raw sugar, Sugar in the Raw or other
1 Teaspoon cinnamon
trans fat free canola with butter flavor spray

Center the racks in your oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the tortillas into quarters, then each quarter into thirds, so you'll have 36 triangles. Set into a medium sized bowl and toss using your hands, to separate the triangles. In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon. Whisk together to blend. Spray the tortilla chips with 4, 3 second sprays, stopping in between each spray to toss the tortillas to coat evenly, using your hands or two wooden spoons. Sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon mixture evenly over the tortillas and toss well to coat evenly. Spray two cookie sheets with canola spray or line them with parchment paper. Arrange the tortillas, single layer onto the prepared cookie sheets. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, until barely crisp. Remove from the oven. The tortillas will get crisp in about 2 minutes. Cool to room temperature, then carefully transfer to a basket or bowl and cover with a kitchen towel or napkin for up to a week.

Quick Bean Dip, by Claire Criscuolo, RN

Edamame are sweet, little baby soy beans and are loaded with protein, fiber, and phytochemicals which make them a wonderful addition to your diet. Find bags of shelled Edamame in the frozen foods section of health foods stores and in most supermarkets. Makes about 2 cups

1 Small clove garlic, peeled
1 15 ounce can Cannellini or Great Northern Beans, drained, about 1 3/4 cups
1 Teaspoon toasted walnut oil or other nut oil or extra virgin olive oil
½ Cup organic Edamame (blanched baby soybeans) or green peas, defrosted if frozen
sea salt to taste

Place the garlic clove in a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Cover and process for a few seconds to mince. Add the remaining ingredients. Cover and process for 35-45 seconds until well blended. Taste for seasonings.

Baked Farmer Cheese, by Claire Criscuolo, RN

Makes about 1 and 1/3 cups

1 7.5 ounce package Farmer Cheese
2 Packed Tablespoons, brown sugar
1/8 Teaspoon cinnamon
3 Tablespoons dried raisins and cherries or cranberries or a combination of the three
3 Tablespoons chopped hazelnuts or pecans
2/8 Teaspoons grated orange zest
3 Tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice, from about ½ orange

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Combine the ingredients into a medium bowl. Using a wooden spoon, beat to combine. Spray a 2-4 cup, oven-proof baking dish with canola oil spray. Spoon the cheese mixture into the prepared baking dish, using a rubber spatula to scrape the bowl and then to spread the top smooth. Bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes until bubbling and golden brown. Serve hot from the oven while it is soft, or allow to cool to room temperature and it will become firm enough to cut into small wedges.