Snacks to make at home

January 21, 2004

Granola

2 cups oatmeal
3 tablespoons apple juice
3 tablespoons honey
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup raisins
3 tablespoons brown sugar
3 teaspoons canola or vegetable oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Put rolled oats in large mixing bowl. Mix the brown sugar, apple juice, oil, honey, salt, cinnamon and vanilla in a large saucepan. Stir well to dissolve sugar over medium heat for about four minutes. Do not boil. Add the brown sugar mixture to the oats; toss to evenly coat. Spread mixture on cookie sheet and bake in 250-degree oven for one hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.

Makes 3 cups.

Cheese Turks

1 cup cooked turkey, finely diced
1 cup chopped nuts
1 cup reduced-fat cheddar cheese, grated
2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup softened margarine

Combine turkey, cheese and margarine. Add remaining ingredients. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet in 250-degree oven for 20 minutes.

Makes 4 dozen

Fruit Dip

1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon unsweetened frozen orange juice concentrate
Ground cinnamon

Fresh fruit, including apples, peaches, oranges, bananas, strawberries and pears

Cut fruit into small pieces. Mix the orange juice and yogurt in small bowl. Sprinkle some cinnamon on top. Dip the fruit pieces in the mixture.

Mexican Snack Pizzas

4 whole-wheat English muffins
1/4 cup kidney beans, drained and chopped
1 tablespoon green pepper, chopped
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup shredded lettuce
1/4 cup tomato puree
1 tablespoon chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon oregano

Split muffins; toast lightly. Mix puree, beans, onions, green pepper and oregano. Spread on muffin halves. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil until cheese is bubbly (about one minute). Garnish with shredded lettuce.

Yogurt Pops

1 pint plain nonfat yogurt
2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Combine ingredients and mix well. Pour into 3-ounce paper cups. Freeze until almost firm, about one hour. Insert a wooden popsicle stick into each cup. Complete freezing.

Makes about 6 pops

-- Source: Lynn F. Little, family and consumer sciences educator with Maryland Cooperative Extension in Washington County

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