Chips

Since I posted Salsa and Guacamole recipes, I thought it'd be fitting to post chip recipes.

Healthier chips CAN be quick and easy.  You CAN have yummy healthy, salty snacks.  Does anyone else smile just thinking about that?

Anyway, on with the main attraction.

Jen's Baked Tortilla Chips
Tortillas, any flavor that you like
Canola oil or regular Pam
Seasonings, to taste

Fire up broiler.  While it's heating up, cut tortillas into 4ths or 8ths, depending on size.  Lay tortilla triangles on cookie sheet.  Spray with Pam (or oil from mister); if this is not an option, brush a tiny bit of oil on each triangle.  Sprinkle with seasonings.  Flip and repeat.  Put in the oven for a few minutes (1 - 5, depending on oven) until edges are a little brown.  Flip and repeat.  Let cool and then enjoy.

I know a woman who makes a similar recipe.  Her tips:
1. Stack the tortillas and cut them in a stack
2. Place a cooling rack on your backing sheet and lay the tortilla triangles on top of that.  Preheat oven to 350 or so and bake until chips are slightly brown (usually 5 - 10 minutes).  No flipping required.

I like to use flour or corn tortillas with garlic salt or Cajun seasonings.  This basic recipe works to make Pita Chips from pita bread, as well.  (If baking, up temp to 400 degrees).

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In case you are interested in other recipes, I did a quick search for chip ideas.  I have not tried to recipe below, but probably will soon.  Happy Snacking!

Baked Kale Chips: 3 ingredients, 5-10 minutes total time, and Kale is a powerhouse food.  Substitute Parmesan cheese for seasoned salt for a fun twist!  Also, from my own experience with leafy veggies, lowering the temp to 250 and baking longer, say 15 - 20 minutes, will help prevent burning and crumbling.

Microwave Potato Chips: I am so trying this!  Potatoes area great food, just leave the peel on for extra nutrients.You may need a mandolin, cheese slicer, or something like that to get thin slices.  Also, a microwave bacon griddle might speed up the process. I wonder if this can be done with Sweet Potatoes....

Baked Potato Chips: Okay...I lied earlier.  I've made these. I just use whatever potatoes, oil, and seasonings I have on hand.  This basic recipe even works on sweet potatoes.  Also can be adapted to make fries.  One extra tip I have is to boil the potatoes until just soft.  This makes them easier to cut if you aren't using a slicer of some sort and lessens baking time. 

Veggie chips: Includes kale...but also shows that carrots and parsnips can be made chip-like, too.  This idea work for zucchini, radishes, and other veggies. Also, don't forget that fresh, crunchy veggies like bell pepper, carrots, and celery can also taste great in dips!

Easy (baked) Taquitos

Taquitos

1 ( 10 - 12 oz) Can Chicken
1/3 cup of Salsa
shredded cheese
Taco seasoning, optional
1 package 6-8 inch tortillas, corn or flour
1 microwave safe pie plate
Cookie Sheet
SaranWrap

So you made Mexican Pie, it was great (you'd know that if you tried it), but you're now stuck with an open packet of tortillas. Taquitos/Flautas are an easy and quick way to use up the rest of your salsa, tortillas, and cheese.

First, mix can of chicken with salsa. Make sure to shred the chicken as you mix it. Put this in the fridge to sit for 10-15 minutes.

The last five minutes of your wait, preheat your oven to 375 degree. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray. Put tortillas between two damp paper towels and microwave for one minute, or until tortillas are warm and pliable.

When chicken/salsa combo is ready, take out of fridge and drain well. Then add a good handful of cheese and 1/4 tsp (or more) of Taco Seasoning. To be honest, I used more like a tablespoon of taco seasoning, but I like stuff spicy. Mix well.

Put a good spoonful or two of filling mixture on the edge of tortilla. Roll tortilla into a tube and place seam side down on sprayed cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

When all tortillas are rolled, spray tops lightly with cooking spray. Bake 15 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

Serve with enchilada sauce, sour cream, or salsa.

Will make 6-8 taquitos, depending on size of tortilla and how generous you are with filling.

Variations
--The fun part.

• Hate canned chicken? Use shredded pork or fry up some hamburger meat instead. Cooking is all about you. Make it vegetarian with bell pepper, onion, and beans, if you want!
  
• Serve with black beans, pinto beans, ranch-style beans, or fat-free beans and Fiesta Rice (see recipes)
  
• For a spicy pie, use a can of Rotel tomatoes in addition to salsa. The easiest way to spread Rotel tomotes is to mix them in with the meat.
  
• Use prepared cresent rolls or bisquick mix instead of tortillas.
  
• Try nacho cheese inside the pie instead of shredded cheese. (Think Cheesy Beef and Bean burrito!)
• Make low fat by using low-fat cheese and smaller tortillas (or carb-smart tortillas).
  

This is probably going to become the NEW favorite for quick Mexican food in my house! It's not as fast as Tortilla pie, but it's so yummy.

Got your own Mexican? Talk to me!

Healthy, Quick, and Easy Snacking!

It's been awhile, I know. I cook the same things a lot, so I didn't want to repeat myself.

However, recently, I've discovered a few new products that I absolutely love that are pretty healthy and cost effect.

Del Monte® Fruit Chillers
A smooth, individually packaged sorbet that is a great healthy great. Made with real fruit, it's fat-free and has 3/4 servings of fruit per cup. One package contains 4 individual cups, sells for about $2.15. You pick these up in the canned fruit aisle and freeze overnight. Currently comes in four flavors: artic strawberry, polar raspberry, glacial mango, and frosty peach. I've tried Polar Raspberry and it reminded me of fruit roll-ups!

Kraft Bagelfuls
Four individually wrapped, cream cheese filled bagel "sticks." These are a great alternative to a full size bagel. Keep in the freezer and pop in the microwave before eating OR keep in the fridge and eat on the go, toast, or microwave. Toasting gets the bagel part all crispy but leaves the cream cheese inside nice and chilled! Comes in multiple flavors: Regular cream cheese, Strawberry, Cinnamon, Whole Grain, and Chive. I've tried Cinnamon and Regular (only 200 calories per bagel). Whole Grain only has 180 calories per bagel. These are currently selling for less than $2 a box!

Walmart fresh fruit cups
I'm horrible because I can't remember the name brand, but Walmart is currently carrying individual fresh fruit cups. For about $2, you can pick up a single serving of pre-cleaned, fresh pineapple chunks, pineapple and mango chunks, green and red apple slices with caramel dipping sauce, or strawberries with chocolate dipping sauce. I still like to pick up larger selections of pineapple, mango, etc...but these apples and strawberries with dipping sauce are GREAT! The sauces are amazing. Every now and then you find a soggy apple in the cup or a strawberry with a bruise, but overall they have great quality control. Makes healthy snacking quick and easy!
Walmart also carries fruit trays and boxes for 2, 4, or "more." While I love picking up my own apples, peaches, and apricots, I don't know what to do with melons or pineapple. These trays are great because the fruit is already cleaned and cut slightly larger than bite size. No pre-order needed with a caterer or deli...these are always handy in the fridge section of the produce aisle.

With options like these becoming the norm, there is no reason to down an entire bag of potato chips! Caramel or chocolate dipping sauce!!! Pre-cut, hassle-free fruit selections!!! SORBET!

What are your quick and easy snacking tips? Feel free to share below!