Holiday Cheese Ball

admin — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:12:07 +0000

With its colorful flecks of green onion and pimiento, this cheese ball is great as a Christmas or New Year’s appetizer. It can be made with fat-free cheeses without sacrificing the zesty Italian taste.
Ingredients

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1 jar (2 ounces) diced pimientos, drained
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
Toasted French bread slices, assorted crackers and/or fresh vegetables

Directions
In a small mixing bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Shape into a ball and roll in walnuts. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Serve with toasted French bread slices, crackers and/or vegetables.

Makes 1 cheese ball.

Healthy Eggnog

admin — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 22:29:37 +0000

When it comes to holiday-time calories, nothing adds to your bottom line as much as this rich punch. But only a scrooge would give up eggnog altogether, so check out our slimmed-down nog at one-fourth the saturated fat and half the cholesterol. We replaced whole milk with low-fat (and skipped the heavy cream), but kept the silky texture and decadent flavor by simmering the milk and sugar with cornstarch and by using more egg whites and fewer yolks.
Ingredients

3 large eggs
3 large egg whites
5 1/2 cup(s) low-fat milk
1/2 cup(s) sugar
2 Tbsp(s) cornstarch
Salt
2 Tbsp(s) vanilla
1/2 teaspoon(s) (plus additional for sprinkling) ground nutmeg
1/3 cup(s) dark Jamaican rum (optional)

Directions
In bowl, with whisk, beat eggs and egg whites until blended; set aside. In heavy 4-quart saucepan, with heat-safe spatula, mix 4 cups milk with sugar, cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cook on medium-high until mixture boils and thickens slightly, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute.

Remove saucepan from heat.

Gradually whisk 1/2 cup simmering milk mixture into eggs; pour egg mixture back into milk in saucepan, whisking constantly, to make custard.

Pour custard into large bowl; stir in vanilla, nutmeg, rum, if using, and remaining 1 1/2 cups milk. Cover and refrigerate until well chilled, at least 6 hours or up to 2 days. Sprinkle eggnog with nutmeg to serve.

Makes about 6 1/2 cups.

Sizzlin Chef » holiday

Holiday Cheese Ball

Healthy Eggnog