Snacks/Misc

I saw my first really good, crisp pickling cucumbers at the market this weekend so I bought some and rushed home to make my 3-hour refrigerator pickles. It only takes about five minutes to put this easy recipe together and they really are ready in 3 hours! Crisp, tangy, and super easy. If you want fast dill pickles,  click here for my recipe. – Jenny Jones

I found a good way to add walnuts to my daily routine, keeping with the Mediterranean way of healthy eating. I made some super easy glazed walnuts to keep on hand and pop a few on my daily salads. Here’s how to make them:

1. Dissolve 1/4 cup water + 1/4 cup sugar in a saucepan.
2. Add 1/2 cup walnuts, stir and simmer for 5 – 8 minutes until syrup is gone.
3. Cool nuts in a single layer on a dinner plate.

If they’re too sticky, you can dry them out in the oven. (I toasted the nuts first but you don’t have to) And p.s. You’ll be tempted to have these for dessert!! – Jenny Jones

Here are some other ideas (besides my awesome nachos!) for some healthy Super Bowl snacks:

1. Instead of those high fat sour cream dips, try guacamole. My easy recipe is 1 avocado, 1/4 cup each diced jalapeno pepper & onion, 1 tsp. lime juice, salt & pepper. Avocadoes provide heart-healthy fat and lutein to protect your eyes.

2. Another super healthy dip is  bean dip. Beans have protein, fiber & calcium plus you can spice them up like crazy. I make a black bean dip by sauteeing onion, garlic, jalapeno & red pepper. Then add drained canned black beans, reduced fat jack cheese, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, cumin, salt & pepper, and fresh cilantro. Puree.

3. Instead of chicken wings, try crispy baked chicken fingers. Pound chicken breast flat and slice into strips. Dip into seasoned flour, then egg whites, then seasoned bread crumbs. (whatever seasonings you like) Bake on a greased pan at 450 for 15 minutes, turning once. Egg whites make them super crispy!

4. Can nachos actually be healthy meals? My recipe is healthy enough to have for dinner!

Have fun on Super Bowl Sunday! 🙂

Do you spend Superbowl Sundays on the couch eating unhealthy snacks, watching guys in better shape than you play football? Is your fridge the only place you’ll ever see a 6-pack? Then try what I think are the best healthiest nachos ever.

They are low fat and I use so many healthy ingredients, you can have these nachos for dinner. They take a little work but you won’t feel like an over-stuffed football by the second half… you won’t need a time out to take a nap… your waist band won’t snap from too many chicken wings… the sofa springs won’t be audible every time you sit down… you won’t need double coverage to hide your stomach… your stomach won’t hurt from having one turnover too many… your friends won’t be scrambling to get your heart started again… your trip to the bathroom won’t be third-and-long… I think I will cut back on these really bad jokes… but make sure you roll out my nachos… they are the bomb. – Jenny Jones

Click here for the recipe.

Click here for the video.

I tried making granola bars a few years ago and they were, let’s just say… a little crisp. It took some effort to actually bite into them but there was no way to determine if the extreme crunch was the bar or one of my teeth. So I gave up, but only for a while because I am not a quitter. I challenged myself to make a healthy, crunchy, chewy granola bar that wouldn’t double as a tire iron. I did it. It took a few tries but I finally came up with this easy recipe and you can customize it a bunch of different ways with different nuts, dried fruit, even chocolate chips. I use the mini chocolate chips but Denis always wants the big ones. Maybe when the garage gets cleaned out…

Click here for the recipe and video.

As promised, here is the recipe for my Sweet 3-Hour Pickles.

I know I said the dill pickles were my favorite but now I think I like these better. They really are ready to eat in three hours but you can keep them a lot longer than that.

I’ve always loved pickles and sauerkraut and now I know they are good for you… As long as you don’t put them on a bacon burger!

Click here for the recipe.

Can you believe you can make pickles in three hours? Delicious, crisp dill pickles? Hello! Three hours. That’s why they’re so crisp! A few of you asked for my pickle recipe so here it is. I tried a few more versions over the weekend and I like this one the best.

I also have a recipe for sweet pickles which I will post this week but the dill pickles are my favorite.  Click here for the recipe.

I’ll be doing what everybody else is doing this weekend – barbeque!

It’s going to be 100 degrees on Sunday so cooking indoors?… not a good idea.

I’m sharing my recipe for this 4th of July weekend and it’s really, really easy. Basically everything in one pot & cook it.

I usually make baby back ribs but my homemade sauce is great on chicken, too.  I cook my ribs for 2 1/2 to 3 hours and they fall off the bone.

Have a great 4th of July weekend, everybody. Enjoy my recipe, and some fireworks too.

The only fireworks we will see is after I cook all day and Denis says, “You know we could have gone out and got ribs.”

“What did you just say?!?”

He defends himself by saying he doesn’t want me to work too hard (at something I love!)… He just doesn’t know any better. But I still love him. Happy 4th! And Happy Canada Day!

Click here for the recipe.

I can’t even describe the difference between homemade and store-bought tortillas. Can we compare a Rolex to a Timex?

A BMW to a skateboard?

Anthony Weiner to a cocktail frank?

I don’t think so.

Here’s my recipe for the best homemade tortillas you’ve ever had.
They are so worth the effort. Try them this weekend!

Click here for the recipe and video.

My caramel corn is so good… Everybody will want some.
You’ll be hiding it in your closet!
It’s easy to make.
It’s super crispy & just sweet enough.
Nothing compares!
Make it. Do it. Eat it…Just not all at once!

Click here for the recipe and video.