Hasty Tasty Low Carb Snacks & Appetizers Low Carb Recipes The Whole Family Will Love By Claudia Jayson Hasty Tasty Low Carb Snacks & Appetizers Low Carb Recipes The Whole Family Will Love All rights reserved No duplication without the express written permission of the author Other Books by Claudia Jayson Hasty Tasty Low Carb Recipes Series "Hasty Tasty Low Carb Dinners - Low Carb Recipes for People On-The-Go" Through the many ups and downs of dieting in my adult years, I learned the health benefit as well as the weight benefit of a low carb diet Since much has been written about the value of reducing carbohydrates in ones diet, I will simply say that this collection of low carb recipes is presented to the people who have already discovered this life-changing reality My challenge has always been one of time My busy schedule prevented me from preparing low carb meals on a regular basis so it became imperative that I find a collection of recipes that could be made ahead or in a very short time When I made healthy snacks and meals that could be kept on hand, I was less likely to grab the unhealthy and fat producing snacks so easily obtained It was also necessary for me to provide snacks and meals that would be accepted and enjoyed by my family Since they turn away from the natural "health food" type foods I enjoy, my search results demanded low carb recipes for low carb snacks and healthy snacks that were tasty as well as easy to prepare Searching the internet and cookbooks for recipes that met this requirement robbed me of the time that was in such short supply It occurred to me that many of you had this same challenge This book is meant to assist you in your continued commitment to living a low carb diet, eating healthy snacks, preparing very delicious and tasty low carb recipes that could be made easily and quickly yet result in dishes that the whole family would love Some of my favorites are the Sausage Jalapenos, South Sea Island Chicken Bites, Kabobs Antipasto, and the Crustless Cheese Quiches With all this in mind, please enjoy these recipes as well as the other cookbooks I have published for you Get skinny Stay skinny Claudia Jayson Shish-Ka-Bob Antipasto Style These are very easy to prepare and I love the vegetables and cheese I choose vegetables my family favors PREP TIME: 15 MIN YIELD: SERVINGS INGREDIENTS: cup fresh baby spinach % cup fresh cherry tomatoes (8 tomatoes) pitted kalamata olives oz fat free mozzarella cheese, cut into Vz inch cubes cup canned artichoke hearts, drained, rinsed and quartered oz canned palm hearts, cut into pieces, crosswise, rinsed and drained oz turkey pepperoni, slices tablespoons balsamic vinegar teaspoons extra virgin olive oil teaspoon dried basil, crushed Vz teaspoon ground oregano DIRECTIONS: Onto each skewer, thread each of spinach leaf, grape tomato, olive, cheese cube, artichoke quarter, heart of palm piece, and pepperoni slice Arrange on a platter and set aside In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, oil, basil and oregano Spoon over the skewers evenly and serve NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: 54 calories g carbohydrates 2.6 g total fat 03 g saturated fat 2.2 g unsaturated fat 3.6 g protein 191 mg sodium Speedy Beef & Asparagus Roll-Ups These are delicious and bite size Easy to grab in a hurry or take with me while on the go A serving size actuaJJy satisfies me for a Junch PREP TIME: HRS TO CHILL YIELD: 48 SERVINGS INGREDIENTS: tablespoons sour cream teaspoon horseradish tablespoons heavy whipping cream I,4 teaspoon lemon peel I,4 teaspoon salt Pinch black pepper flour tortillas, 1/2", warmed asparagus spears, cooked, drained I,4 pound sliced roast beef, or other deli meat DIRECTIONS: Whip cream until soft peaks are formed Fold in sour cream, gently Fold in horseradish, lemon peel, salt and pepper Place teaspoons of cream mixture onto each tortilla Top each with slice roast beef Spread remaining cream mixture evenly over each Place asparagus spear on each tortilla and roll up Cover with plastic wrap Chill for at least hours Cut into Vz inch pieces NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: 34 calories 4.2 g carbohydrates 1.4 g total fat g saturated fat g unsaturated fat 1.3 g protein 81 mg sodium Delicious Mushroom & Bacon Mini Tarts Bite sized These are a perfect treat for a cocktail party My guests love them and I always get many compliments PREP TIME: 15 MIN COOK TIME: 25 MIN YIELD: 12 SERVINGS INGREDIENTS: tablespoon shallots, minced teaspoons olive oil garlic clove, minced tablespoon red or white wine Vz cup mushrooms, finely chopped Vz teaspoon fresh thyme, minced tablespoon parsley, chopped I,4 teaspoon salt I,4 teaspoon pepper I,4 cup milk egg I,4 cup Swiss cheese, shredded tablespoons cream cheese, softened 2/3 cup pesto, prepared 1,4 teaspoon pepper Vz cup dried cranberries DIRECTIONS: In a small saucepan, bring water to boil with salt and pepper Reduce heat to a gentle boil Slowly add cornmeal Cook and stir for 15-20 minutes or until polenta is thickened and pulls away from the sides of the pan It will be very thick Pour into 15" X 10" X 1" pan Let stand until firm, about 30 minutes Cut polenta with a cookie cutter In a large bowl, combine chicken, pesto and pepper Put tablespoon mixture over each polenta round Sprinkle with cranberries NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: 81 calories g total fat g saturated fat g unsaturated fat g carbohydrate g protein 146 mg sodium Sausage Jalapeno Grill These tasty forkfuls of ambrosia are truly a culinary gift to our barbecue events It's difficult to eat only two PREP TIME: MIN YIELD: 12 SERVINGS INGREDIENTS: % pounds bulk pork sausage 12 strips bacon 24 fresh jalapeno peppers DIRECTIONS: Wash peppers and remove stems Cut a slit along one side of each pepper Remove seeds, rinse and dry peppers In a skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink Drain Stuff peppers with the sausage Wrap Vz slice bacon around each and secure with a toothpick Grill peppers, uncovered over medium heat About 15 minutes until bacon crisp Note: The oils from the hot peppers can burn the skin Wear disposable plastic gloves and avoid rubbing your eyes NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: (2 peppers) 192 calories 18 g fat g saturated fat 11 g unsaturated fat g carbohydrate g protein 282 mg sodium Morning Meatballs These meatballs can be made ahead and perfect for any meal or snack Once a week I prepare a batch of these to keep in the fridge to easily be re-heated I even take them in a plastic bag on-the-go to eat cold They also freeze well PREP TIME: 10 MIN COOK TIME: 20 MIN YIELD: 15 SERVINGS INGREDIENTS: pound lean ground beef (can substitute turkey sausage) large eggs 32 oz pork sausage (can substitute turkey sausage) tablespoons onion, minced Vz pound shredded cheese, shredded DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees In a bowl, combine all ingredients Pepper to taste Mix thoroughly Roll into Vz inch balls or patties Place onto a baking sheet Bake 18-20 minutes NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: 313 calories 25 g fat 0.41 g carbohydrate 20 g protein Faux Potato Skins These not have the same crunchiness as a real potato skin but they taste so good that I don't even feel that I am missing out on the real thing PREP TIME: 10 MIN BAKE TIME: 30 MIN INGREDIENTS: egg cups cauliflower puree (cook cauliflower, then puree) cup cheddar cheese, shredded slices bacon, cooked and chopped 1,4 cup sour cream tablespoons green onions, minced DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 375 degrees In bowl mix puree and egg Mix well Put tablespoons mash into greased muffin tin cups Spread up the sides to about Vz inch thick (If too thin, won't come out of tin.) Bake 30 minutes until dry and firm Take out of muffin tins using butter knife Release gently Place on greased cookie sheet Fill cups with cheese and bacon Bake another minutes until cheese is melted Garnish with sour cream and green onions NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: 115 calories o g saturated fat g carbohydrates grams protein Filet Mignon Morsels These decadent bite-sized appetizers are great for picnics, parties, and special treats for the family They are easy and quick to grill I absolutely LOVE these! PREP TIME: 15 MIN GRILL TIME: MIN YIELD: 20 BITES INGREDIENTS: filet mignon steaks (6 oz each) bottle Italian dressing (16 oz.) I,4 cup jalapeno pepper, minced package cream cheese (8 oz) 20 sliced bacon, thinly sliced DIRECTIONS: Cut the steaks into Vz inch wide strips Pound the strips to about half their original thickness Put steak into a bowl Pour the Italian dressing over the meat Marinate for at least hours In bowl, combine cream cheese and jalapeno pepper Set aside Preheat outdoor grill to high heat Remove the meat from the marinade Spread teaspoon of the cream cheese onto each strip Fold the meat around the cream cheese to form a ball Wrap each ball with a slice of bacon Secure bacon with water-soaked toothpicks Grease grill Cook about minutes per side NUTRITIONAL FACTS PER SERVING: 393 calories 32 g total fat o carbs Grease grill lightly Oven Baked Cheese Chips These wonderful little chips are a great substitute for the potato chips I long for from time to time I also drape them over the bottom of my miniature muffin tins when still wann to form cups which can be filled with anything from dips to salad INGREDIENTS: cup grated hard cheese such as hard Parmesan Different cheeses have different results For example, hard cheese such as Parmesan, Romano, and Asagio will make a crisp "shell" Cheddar results in a chewier though still firm Soft cheese such as mozzarella will not work DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees You can mix any seasoning you desire with the cheese such as garlic, cayenne or various herbs Pile 1-4 tablespoons of cheese on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper oiled on both sides Flatten the tops so they are an even pile Allow inches between mounds Bake 5-6 minutes until light golden brown Edges will darken fast, so watch carefully Hazelnut Biscotti Sometimes my coffee just has to be accompanied by a s weet treat These mouth-watering biscotti hit the spot at those times PREP TIME: 10 MIN BAKE TIME: 30 MIN INGREDIENTS: tablespoon olive oil egg, lightly beaten % cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup hazelnuts, toasted, skinned, and coarsely chopped 1,4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed tablespoons granulated sugar Vz teaspoon baking powder 1,4 teaspoon salt Vz teaspoon cinnamon DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray In a small bowl, combine olive oil and egg until well blended In a large bowl, combine hazelnuts, flour, sugars, cinnamon, baking powder and salt Stir in the egg-oil mixture to form dough, kneading by hand as needed Form into a x X Vz inch log Place on cookie sheet Bake for 20 minutes Remove from oven and place on wire rack Cool slightly, about 20 minutes Return to oven and bake an additional 10 minutes Slice diagonally into Vz inch-thick slices Reduce oven temperature to 330 degrees Bake, cut side down, an additional 15 minutes Cool completely on wire rack NUTRITION FACTS PER SERVING: 83 calories g total fat g saturated fat g unsaturated fat g carbohydrate 38 mg sodium Pepperoni Chips Not only are these crispy little chips a satisfying snack alone, they are great in place of crackers for dipping PREP TIME: MIN COOK TIME: 15 MIN YIELD: SERVINGS INGREDIENTS: ounces pepperoni, thinly sliced DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 425 degrees Lay pepperoni slices in a single layer on a baking sheet Bake for to 10 minutes Remove the pan from oven and soak up excess grease with paper towel Return the pan to the oven and bake an additional to minutes, until very crispy Table of Contents Shish-Ka-Bob Antipasto Style Speedy Beef & Asparagus Roll-Ups Delicious Mushroom & Bacon Mini Tarts Delectable Stuffed Shrimp & Bacon No-Cook Easy Party Kabobs Delightful Buttery Cheese Stix Low Carb Nutty Delights South Sea Island Chicken Bites Winning Stuffed Mushrooms Quick and Easy Egg Foo Yung Pancakes Bread Satisfaction Kick Butt Crab Wraps Crustless Cheese Quiches Sensational Salmon Cakes Vz oz canned salmon, drained Deviled Eggs - The Low Carb Standby Whisper of the Sea Deviled Eggs Double Devil Deviled Eggs Bold and Memorable Horseradish Deviled Eggs Taste of the East Curried Deviled Eggs Southwest EI Rancho Deviled Eggs Party Crackers Italiano Unforgettable Garden Shrimp Rye & Cheese Bites Tantalizing Thai Shrimp Polenta Chicken Rounds Sausage Jalapeno Grill Morning Meatballs Faux Potato Skins Filet Mignon Morsels Oven Baked Cheese Chips Hazelnut Biscotti Pepperoni Chips .. .Hasty Tasty Low Carb Snacks & Appetizers Low Carb Recipes The Whole Family Will Love By Claudia Jayson Hasty Tasty Low Carb Snacks & Appetizers Low Carb Recipes The Whole Family Will Love. .. duplication without the express written permission of the author Other Books by Claudia Jayson Hasty Tasty Low Carb Recipes Series "Hasty Tasty Low Carb Dinners - Low Carb Recipes for People On -The- Go"... demanded low carb recipes for low carb snacks and healthy snacks that were tasty as well as easy to prepare Searching the internet and cookbooks for recipes that met this requirement robbed me of the