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Peppermint Pretzel Crisps


Although we don’t have a Trader Joe’s in Kansas (don’t you pity me?), I found out through a blog I happened to scroll through one day (I do not remember which one it was), that they sell a product (and I don’t even remember the name) that is basically pretzel crisps coated in white chocolate and sprinkled with pepperminty-looking things.  (Pepperminty is a word because I say so.)

Well, just because we don’t have a Trader Joe’s doesn’t mean I can’t have make them myself, right?  I mean, all I need are three ingredients:

Easy peasy, and this is one of the very few holiday treats that you can enjoy nearly guiltlessly.  That is, unless you eat the entire batch.  I calculated the calories and it’s 104 for every three crisps.  That is about the equivalent of an ounce of fudge, but it much more satisfying because the serving is larger and it takes a while to eat since it’s crunchy.

The best part?  They don’t taste diet-friendly.  They aren’t imposters masquerading as the real thing like fat-free half-and-half (this is an oxymoron if I ever heard one!) or sugar free syrup (gag me!).  They are the real deal, salty & sweet with a hit of peppermint. They rock my socks.

Do your poor friends on diets a favor and give these as gifts in lieu of that tub of fudge.  Believe me, we have plenty holiday temptations to avoid without your help!

Peppermint Pretzel Crisps

Printable recipe
Printable recipe with picture

4 squares vanilla almond bark candy coating
1 (7.2 0z) bag original pretzel crisps
1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips

Melt the almond bark according to package directions.  Using a small silicone spatula, spread the top of a pretzel crisp with almond bark, lay on a sheet of waxed paper, and immediately sprinkle with peppermint baking chips; repeat with the remaining pretzel crisps.  Once almond bark has set, package in an airtight container or in cellophane gift bags or tins.

*If you are unfamiliar with the Peppermint Crunch Baking Chips, read this post to find out more.

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Going Down

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This is totally non-food related, but I just wanted to let everyone know that I’ve started a new blog to journal my weight loss progress (so far I’ve lost 5 pounds and gained it back–all in a month–so I need help!) and anyone interested can find it here: http://iamgoingdown.wordpress.com

Dare I publish this?  Dare I? (Cue hyperventilation.)  Everyone will see my before picture!  Nooooooooooo!  But I think that will give me accountability to know others are reading so….I’m going to hit publish and try not to delete it.

Shrimp Tacos

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This is a wonderfully light summer meal that has the feel of gourmet without the fuss.

Shrimp Tacos with Spicy Corn on the Cob
Printable recipe

Salsa
1 1/2 cups seeded, chopped tomato
1 cups seeded, chopped cucumber
1/3 cup thinly sliced scallions
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp salt

Filling
8 oz green beans, trimmed
1 tsp fajita seasoning, divided
1 lb medium to large shrimp, peeled & deveined
1 tbsp olive oil

8 6-inch corn tortillas

Corn
4 corn on the cob in the husk
few spritzes of fat-free butter spray
few dashes ancho chile pepper

Directions
1. Combine salsa ingredients & set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large skillet on medium-high.  Toss rinsed green beans with 1/2 tsp of the fajita seasoning in a bowl and add to the skillet.  Cook, stirring occasionally, for five minutes.
3.  Meanwhile, toss the shrimp with the remaining 1/2 tsp seasoning  and put the corn on the cob in the microwave with the husks still.  Cook them on high for eight minutes.
4. Add to the shrimp to the skillet after the green beans have cooked for 5 minutes and cook another five minutes or until the shrimp are no longer opaque.
5. Shuck the corn, leaving the husk on the end to use as a handle.  Spray with butter & sprinkle with a light dusting of ancho chile pepper (adjust to suit your heat preference).
6. Heat the tortillas: Wrap the stack in a fairly damp paper towel and microwave on high for 80 seconds (a good rule of thumb when heating tortillas in the microwave is 10 seconds per tortilla).
7.  Assemble the tacos: Divide shrimp-and-bean-mixture between warm tortillas and serve with salsa & an ear of corn on the side.

Serves 4


For those of you without a kitchen scale, this is what 8 ounces of green beans (and me with a hormonal lip zit) looks like.

Raw Swimps


Happy Swimps

I hate cucumbers so I didn’t expect to like this salsa, but it blew me away!  I couldn’t believe something so simple could be so good.  I plan to use it in many a dish to come!

Recipe source: Adapted from Ladies’ Home Journal May 09

Linked with Life in the Slow Lane for BSI: Salsa.

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