Celebrate the holidays with budget snacks.
During the Christmas season, time is often tight and so is the budget after buying presents, holiday foods, decorations, wrapping paper and cards. Slow down the hectic pace with a few snacks that are healthy and won't drain your wallet.
Pepped Up Popcorn
Popcorn is a favorite snack of many but it can be boring. Pep it up with herbs and spices. Make the popcorn and drizzle it with 1/4 cup of melted butter. While the popcorn is still hot, toss it with paprika and dried green herbs for a red and green holiday look. Add in dried chili flakes and cumin for some heat and a touch of the Southwest. Make Italian flavored popcorn by adding in grated Parmesan cheese, dried basil and garlic salt.
If you have a sweet tooth, make caramel corn. Melt 1/2 cup of white sugar and 1/4 cup of water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir as little as possible; swirl the pan instead. When the mixture becomes a deep golden brown, remove it from the heat and immediately pour it over the popcorn, which has been spread on a cookie sheet. Add in red and green mini candies. Toss well and serve. These snacks make good gifts when packaged in cellophane bags or in a decorative container.
Green and Red Veggie Tray
Think of Christmas and you often think of red and green. Vegetables are inexpensive and so is a homemade roasted red pepper dip. Roast the peppers yourself to save more money. Slice red vegetables, such as radishes, endive leaves, Radicchio, beets--yes, you can eat them raw if sliced thinly--and boiled red potatoes. Green vegetables are abundant. Try lightly blanched snow peas, string beans and asparagus. Add in cucumbers, celery and jicama. Surround the vegetables with a circle of bite-sized pieces of broccoli and then a circle of cauliflower. Make the dip by putting the peppers in a blender with a cup of sour cream. (Or for a healthier choice use 1/2 cup of cottage cheese and 1/2 cup of nonfat plain yogurt.) Add salt and pepper to taste.
Homemade Crackers and Spread
Whole wheat crisp crackers spread with savory cream cheese and herbs served with a cup of hot tomato soup is a welcome respite from the cold weather. Crackers cost several dollars a box at the grocers but pennies when made at home. The recipe is simple: combine 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour with 1/2 cup of white flour, 1 tsp. of baking powder, 4 tbsp. of butter and 4 tbsp. of milk. Roll out the dough 1/8-inch thick and cut it into tall triangles to look like Christmas trees. Sprinkle them with dried parsley. Bake them on a cookie sheet sprayed with oil at 375 degrees for seven to eight minutes until golden brown.
Combine a package of soften cream cheese with four grated red radishes, 1/2 cucumber with the skin on, 1/4 cup of chopped scallions and 1 tbsp. of dried parsley. Add salt and pepper to taste. Keep the spread in the refrigerator and the crackers in an airtight container.
Tags: cookie sheet, cream cheese, dried parsley, golden brown, pepper taste, salt pepper