Appetizers & Such

At this time of year I start thinking about bridal showers, Mother's Day brunches, and all those fun things. In my group of friends, this is also the time of year for Partylite, Pampered Chef, and Tastefully Simple parties. Because of that I'm posting some of Joy's many appetizer recipes. Thanks Joy!

Fiesta Roll-Ups:
1 cup Fiesta shredded cheese
5 T Mild Fiesta Chi-Chi’s Salsa
8 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
1 pck La Banderita Low Carb Soft Taco’s (In Mexican Isle by salsa at Wal-Mart)

Mix the cheeses and salsa until well combined. Spread thinly onto approximately 7 wraps. Slice into 1” thick pieces. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
If you cut the ends off of each wrap, you should be able to get 8 pieces per wrap. There is a little less than 1 carb per piece. If you want you can add green chili’s or chicken for extra flavor.

Reuben Roll-Ups:
8 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
2 oz Corned Beef (Carl Budding)
¼ cup Thousand Island Dressing (Great Value-6 carb for 2 T)
¾ cup Swiss cheese shredded
¼ cup Mozzarella cheese shredded
1 pck La Banderita Low Carb Soft Taco’s
Sprinkle some caraway seeds into the mix for the rye bread flavor

Mix the cheeses, dressing and beef until well combined. Spread thinly onto approximately 7 wraps. Slice into 1” thick pieces. Refrigerate until ready to serve. If you cut the ends off of each wrap, you should be able to get 8 pieces per wrap. There is around 2 carbs per piece.

Hot Cheese Dip:
2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
2 cups Mayonnaise
4 oz. Chopped green chilies, drained
Pepperoni (Hormel)
½ cup sliced black olives

In an ungreased shallow baking dish, combine the first 4 ingredients. Top with a layer of pepperoni slices and the olives. Bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Serve with veggies or crackers. There is about 24 carbs in the entire cheese mixture. We figured there would be about 1 carb per tablespoon.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie:
1 pkg. Sugar Free Jell-O Chocolate Fudge Instant Pudding (1.4 oz)
2 cups Unsweetened Almond Milk (available at Kroger, or you could use unsweetened Soy Milk available at Wal-Mart)
8 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
1 cup Simply Jiff Peanut Butter
½ cont. frozen whipped topping, thawed. (4 oz)

Prepare pudding mix with milk according to package directions. In large bowl beat cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth. Beat pudding mixture into peanut butter mixture on low speed until just combined. Fold the whipped topping into the pudding mixture. Spoon into a prepared crust. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour. Keep covered in the refrigerator.
I think that a ½ cup serving of this would be 12 carbs, but you would have to add everything up to make sure.

No Flour Peanut Butter Cookies:
½ Cup Sugar 96g 360 calories
½ Cup Splenda 12g
½ Cup Crunchy PB 28g 760 calories
½ Cup Simply Jiff 24g 760 calories
1 Egg 1g 70 calories
1 tsp. Soda 0 0
Mix all ingredients until well blended. Roll into balls the size of walnuts. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet 2 inches apart. Flatten with a fork. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-11 minutes.
Yields 28 cookies
5.75g each 70 calories each
After baking a hershey kiss can be added to the top of each cookie. (8g each 93 calories)