Guacamole and more

So very excited to share these great and easy ways to make your own corn chips, guacamole and cheese dip.  I recently made these recipes when I was hosting a group of ladies to have a chicken tender making party.  I wanted to share some sneaky snacks with them while we made a ton of chicken tenders for our families.  The snacks met with great reviews from all my friends as well as myself and my son. 

It is not hard to make your own corn chips for dipping or snacking.  Not only are you missing out on all the calories, fat and preservatives of packaged tortilla chips, you are providing a good source of calcium, iron and fiber.  Basically, you just brush a corn tortilla with olive oil on the front and back and then cut into wedges with a pizza cutter.  Place on a large cookie sheet or bar pan and sprinkle with salt.  Bake for about 8-10 on each side.  For more specific recipe instructions click here.

Then, I needed something to dip my chips in.  Salsa is a given and already pretty healthy as is (as long as you keep an eye on the sodium).  Then, I found a recipe in my Sneaky Chef cookbook for guacamole.  I have to be honest it sounded kind of bland.  So, I combined the Sneaky Chef's recipe with one from another cookbook and came up with this concoction.  Not only do you get the health benefits of avocado, there is no mayonnaise.  Quickly the recipe contains:  one avocado, 1/4 c. green puree, 1/4 c. salsa, dash of lime juice, clove of garlic and pinch of salt.  Click here for printable guacamole recipe.  Isn't it pretty?

Finally, I made a cheese dip for dipping as well.  I know that you are thinking that there is nothing healthy about cheese dip, but again the Sneaky Chef came through for me.  By using low fat American cheese which melts really well, orange puree and a little milk this dip is creamy and very tasty.  It would also be really good drizzled over veggies if your kids needs some camoflage for their veggies.  Unfortunately, I forgot to get a picture of the cheese dip.  I guess it is time to make more.  Click here for entire recipe.

The added benefit is that you are making these snacks and avoiding the processing that comes in the conveniently packaged varieties.

Random side note, a mama bird made a nest in the wreath on my front door.  Which has resulted in one hilarious attempt of me shooing her out of my house with a broom and several hilarious startlings of my husband when he opens the front door (he was not amused).  Last week I took the wreath off the door and discovered that she had laid four eggs in the wreath which have now hatched into fuzzy little balls of baby birds.  So, if you stop by my house beware of the birds as I guess they have now made themselves a part of the family.

Enjoy the snacks and let me know if you have any healthy treats for your family that you would like to share.