Start the Party!

Good Health Lifestyles Recipes

In this busy season of entertaining friends and family, time is of the essence! Nothing starts the conversation like a delicious-looking finger food to be enjoyed either as an appetizer or an engaging light meal. Enjoy these easy, quick, and scrumptious additions to your holiday festivities.


GREEK LAYER HUMMUS DIP
Serves 12

PREP TIME: 10 Minutes
Take hummus to another level with this versatile dip inspired by the best of the Greek Isles.

Ingredients

  • 14 oz prepared hummus
  • 1 ½ cups crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 cup chopped Kalamata olives
  • 1 cup chopped fresh tomato, cherry
  • ¼ cup chopped green onions

Directions

  1. Spread hummus in 8 x 8 inch dish.
  2. Evenly sprinkle with feta cheese.
  3. Top with Kalamata olives, cherry tomatoes, and onions.
  4. Can be made the night before and refrigerated until ready to serve.
  5. Serve with favorite crackers, chips, or fresh vegetables.

Per serving: Calories 151.5; Total Fat 12.7 g; Carbs 5.3 g; Protein 5.5 g; Sodium 557.5 mg; Sugars 1.5 g


SWEET POTATO ROUNDS WITH GOAT CHEESE AND WALNUTS
Serves 8

PREP TIME: 20 Minutes  |  COOK TIME: 20 Minutes
A new twist on a seasonal staple! With a sweet potato base, the flavors come together for an amazing appetizer.

Ingredients

  • 2 large sweet potatoes sliced into ¼-inch-thick rounds
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt or to taste
  • 2 tablespoons grapeseed or olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 5 oz goat cheese
  • ½ cup walnuts
  • ½ cup dried cranberries
  • Fresh basil leaves

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
  2. In a small bowl, combine sea salt and olive oil.
  3. Dip each sweet potato round in sea salt and olive oil mixture to coat. Place on baking pan ¼-inch apart.
  4. Bake sweet potato rounds for 8 to 10 minutes on each side until golden.
  5. In a small bowl combine balsamic vinegar and honey.
  6. From oven, transfer cooked sweet potato rounds to a serving tray and top with goat cheese, walnuts, and cranberries. Drizzle with balsamic and honey mixture.
  7. Garnish with basil.
  8. Serve.

Per serving: Calories 205.1; Total Fat 13.1 g; Carbs 20.6 g; Protein 4.9 g; Sodium 165.4 mg; Sugars 9.4 g


LOX AND CREAM CHEESE CUCUMBER BITES
Serves 8

PREP TIME: 20 Minutes
Say goodbye to the bagel and hello to healthy cucumbers for this holiday favorite.

Ingredients

  • 2 English cucumbers, cut into 1″ rounds
  • 1 lb lox, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon horseradish
  • Capers

Directions

  1. Arrange cucumbers on a platter. Place in the refrigerator while preparing the cream cheese mixture.
  2. In a bowl, combine cream cheese, dill, and horseradish. Mix until well combined.
  3. Spread 1 teaspoon of cream cheese on each cucumber slice, top with piece of lox.
  4. Garnish with caper.
  5. Serve or store in the refrigerator until needed.

Per serving: Calories 171.8; Total Fat 12.3 g; Carbs 3.0 g; Protein 12.5 g; Sodium 1,288.7 mg; Sugars 1.8 g


SHRIMP CEVICHE
Serves 8

PREP TIME: 20 Minutes
A bit of spice added to a healthy fat with some goodness of the sea makes a tasty combo!

Ingredients

  • ½ cup chopped red onion
  • 3 limes, juice of (more if desired)
  • 1 lb jumbo shrimp, cooked, peeled & diced
  • ¾ cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 medium avocado, diced

Directions

  1. In a small bowl combine red onion and lime juice. Let them marinate at least 5 minutes.
  2. In a large bowl combine chopped shrimp & cilantro. Stir in red onion and lime juice.
  3. Add avocado and gently toss.
  4. Can be made the night before and refrigerated until ready to serve.
  5. Serve with favorite tortilla chips.

Per serving: Calories 107.4; Total Fat 3.7 g; Carbs 6.8 g; Protein 12.6 g; Sodium 132.9 mg; Sugars 0.6 g


CROCKPOT SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE DIP
Serves 8

PREP TIME: 20 Minutes | COOK TIME: 2 Hours
The crockpot always saves the day, and that’s true with this party favorite—a dip no one can resist.

Ingredients

  • 28 oz artichoke hearts
  • 2 cloves garlic, crushed
  • 15 oz spinach, chopped
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • ½ cup feta cheese
  • ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 8 oz sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

Directions

  1. Place all ingredients in crockpot. Stir to combine.
  2. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours. Occasionally stirring to mix.
  3. Serve with favorite vegetables, bread, or crackers.

Per serving: Calories 337.2; Total Fat 28.1 g; Carbs 13.3 g; Protein 11.9 g; Sodium 504.8 mg; Sugars 0.9 g


JALAPENO POPPER WONTON CUPS
Serves 12

PREP TIME: 10 Minutes | COOK TIME: 20 Minutes
Wonton moves up to WOW with a kick—sure to light up the party!

Ingredients

  • 24 wonton wrappers or butter lettuce leaves
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 12 oz bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 4oz cans diced jalapenos, drained

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Spray mini muffin pan with cooking spray.
  3. Place one wonton wrapper in each muffin cup, forming a cup shape; bake 6 minutes or until lightly browned.
  4. Remove from oven and cool slightly.
  5. In large mixing bowl, mix remaining ingredients.
  6. Spoon filling into wonton cups.
  7. Bake for an additional 8 to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted.
  8. Serve.

Per serving: Calories 276.3; Total Fat 20.5 g; Carbs 11.1 g; Protein 10.8 g; Sodium 682.9 mg; Sugars 0.7 g

 

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