TIPical Mary Ellen host Mary Ellen Pinkham shares ideas for some great homemade snacks that friends and family will eat right up.
- At snack-time, mix together a dry salad-dressing herb packet with cottage cheese and use it as a veggie dip.
- Spice up boring pretzels by putting a full bag of pretzels in a plastic bag, pour in a third cup of oil and add your favorite packet of salad dressing. Shake them all together until the pretzels are coated.
- Make easy microwave caramel corn by mixing one cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup white syrup, one stick margarine and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook on high for five to six minutes. Once the mixture is melted, add 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda and mix with four quarts of popped popcorn in a brown paper bag. Cook on high for one minute, shake, and cook for one more minute on high, then serve.
- Another idea is to take an apple and cut it in half. Cut out the core and fill it with peanut butter. Add raisins or other small dried fruits. Reassemble the apple. Children will be delighted with this healthy snack.
- Freeze leftover pancakes for future snacking needs. Spread peanut butter and jelly or honey on thawed pancakes, then roll them up.
- A bagel topped with hummus--a natural Middle East spread--makes a great snack. To make hummus, mash together one can of garbanzo beans (or chickpeas) with a clove of garlic, then just add olive oil and lemon to taste.
- Make mini-cheesecakes by spreading cream cheese on top of vanilla wafers and top with a little bit of jam.
- Take a couple of old bagels and cut into thin slices. Lay them out on a nonstick cookie sheet, spray with cooking spray, and place them in the oven at 300 degrees for 20 minutes or until they are brown on the edges.
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