Community Corner

Keep Your Heart Healthy With Creative Spring Snacks

This month we look at cream cheese cucumbers and stuffed cherry tomatoes.

Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month? In addition to sharing a couple of healthy and flavorful recipes, I thought I would share some favorite links for even more healthy, nutritional recipes.

Cream Cheese Cukes

Submitted by Lisa Wandres, artist and co-owner

1 (3-ounce) package of Neufchatel (reduced fat) cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed
1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic
2 cucumbers or zucchini
Smoked salmon (optional)

Thoroughly combine cream cheese with seasonings until well blended and smooth. Wash and slice cucumbers. Pipe or spoon cream cheese mixture onto cucumber slices. Place small slice of smoked salmon on top, if using. Garnish with fresh dill, if desired. Chill until serving time.

Feta Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

1 package cherry tomatoes (look for the largest you can find)
6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano (or 2 teaspoons dried oregano)
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Dash red pepper flakes

This a little fussy, but if you get good sized cherry tomatoes, it’s quick work. Slice cherry tomatoes in half; scoop or squeeze out the seeds. I use a tomato shark for this, but a serrated grapefruit spoon or serrated paring knife would also work. Turn the tomato halves upside down on a paper towel to drain.

Combine the next six ingredients. Fill each tomato half with some of the feta cheese mixture. Hint: line a serving tray with dried beans and nestle each filled tomato into the beans in order to keep them upright. Chill until serving time.

Comments:

Find out what's happening in Dexterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Twin sisters Diane and Denise Magoon mentioned that the cream cheese cucumbers were “fresh and crisp” and that the dill really enhanced the cucumbers. They also enjoyed the tomatoes and thought they provided a “nice little burst” of flavor.

Other recipes:

Find out what's happening in Dexterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Epicurious.com is visually pleasing, informative, has a healthy recipes section and you can browse by category. Readers make comments and rate recipes in case you’d like to hear what non-chefs have to say about specific recipes.
  • This site is part of the American Heart Association. In addition to recipes, there are links to healthy diet goals, healthy cooking, dining out, and cookbooks. The Heart-Smart Shopping section has a grocery list builder that helps you build a list of certified heart-healthy items. There are many additional links about weight and stress management, healthier kids and physical activity.
  • EatingWell.com: I love this site and use it regularly. The makeover section gives lots of ideas regarding how to slim down old favorite recipes. You can find a slideshow (ex: Quick and Healthy Appetizer Recipes and Menus), scan through the thumbnail version and then pick out some good looking and nutritional recipes.
  • BonAppetit.com: Under the recipes tab, you can sort by cuisine, course, occasion, season, and ingredient. Under the healthy tab, available sections include low fat, low calorie, or high fiber recipes as well a healthy snacks, healthy desserts, and surprising health foods section. I signed up for the weekly healthy recipe e-blast.

Finally, chocolate has been touted as a great healthy treat and many articles cite the fact that "the darker and more bitter the chocolate the better it is for you." That's all I need to know! See last month’s article for for a yummy recipe.

If you have a favorite website, please post it in the comment section. I’m always looking for new sources and ideas for recipes.

Next Month: Easter is just around the corner, but why stop there? In addition to favorite Easter recipes, we would love to taste test anything for these March food holidays: National Florida Tomato Month, National Garlic Month, and National Soy Foods Month. And all are good, healthy, nutritional foods! Let me know if you have a favorite Easter recipe and/or favorite healthy recipe.
Send recipes to akcooker@yahoo.com.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here