Casual Appetizers and Easy Snacks for the Healthy Eater by Simply Playful Fare - HTML preview

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Appetizers

Chicken Quesadillas

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups shredded chicken

4 green onions

8 tortillas

2 cups cheddar cheese

1/4 cup peanut butter

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 tablespoon sweet chili sauce

1/4 cup water

1. In a microwave safe bowl, combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, sweet chili sauce, and water. Stir, and microwave for 30 second increments until well combined.

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2. Place a tortilla on a microwave safe plate. Add 1/8 cup cheddar cheese to the tortilla. Layer with 1/4 of the chicken and green onions. Add another 1/8 cup of cheddar cheese, and top with a tortilla.

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3. Microwave for 30 seconds. Turn the quesadilla over and microwave for another 30 seconds.

4. Cut into 4 slices, and serve with 1/4 of the peanut sauce.

 

Grilled Buffalo Wings

Ingredients

4 Pints of water (1 room temperature and 3 ice water)

cup Brown Sugar

½ cup minus 1 tablespoon Salt

1 tablespoon chili powder

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 tablespoons cayenne sauce (like Franks)

1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

4 pounds Chicken Wings

¼ cup Franks Red Hot Sauce

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1. Bring one pint of water, brown sugar, salt, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne sauce, and rice wine vinegar to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes.

2. Add the mixture to a large pot, then add 3 pints of ice water to cool the brine quickly.

3. Add the wings to the cool brine. Allow the wings to sit in the brine for 2 to 6 hours.

4. Once brined, remove the wings and pat dry with paper towels. Add them to a bowl with a tiny bit of olive oil. This will keep the wings from sticking to your grill.5.  Turn on your on medium to medium-high heat, and spray with non-stick spray. Keep an eye on the wings to avoid any flare-ups on your grill. Grill for about 15 minutes, or until the wings are done.

6. Combine the melted butter and hot sauce in a large bowl. Mix well to combine.

7.  Remove your wings from the grill and add them to the sauce. Toss to coat well.

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Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Ingredients:

1 1/4lb ground chicken or turkey

1/3 cup blue cheese

2 celery stocks

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

1/4 cup bread crumbs

1 egg

2 cups Franks wing sauce

Makes about 16 meatballs

1. Dump all of the ingredients, except the Franks Wing Sauce, into a mixing bowl and mix together by hand.

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2. Roll into about 1 inch meatballs and place on a generously greased baking sheet lined with foil.

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3. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20-30 minutes or until meatballs are cooked. The turkey will release extra fat and juices, so dont worry if it looks like everything melted out of the meatballs.

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4. Place meatballs in a crock pot set on warm, and add Franks Wing Sauce. Mix to coat.

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Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients:

NOTE: This will make about twice the filling needed, so either store the leftover filling in the fridge and use within a week or double the mushrooms to use it all. The filling can also be used in other dishes, such as omelets or quiches.

24 oz White (or brown) mushrooms

2 celery stalks

1 lb Turkey sausage

1/2 onion

1 1/2 teaspoon fresh chopped rosemary

1 1/2 teaspoon fresh chopped thyme

1/2 teaspoon fresh chopped sage

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon fresh garlic

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

1. Brown the turkey sausage with 1 tablespoon olive oil on medium high heat until cooked. Strain grease, if any, and set aside to cool.

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2. Remove the stems from the mushrooms and align the mushroom caps on a large cookie sheet.

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3. Finely chop the celery, onion, and mushroom stems and place in a medium sized bowl.

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4. Chop the rosemary, thyme, sage, and garlic (if not using jarred garlic), and add to the bowl. Add salt and pepper.

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5. Add the mushroom-spice mix to a large pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook until the vegetables are done.  Allow to cool.

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6. Add the sausage to the vegetable mixture, and mix well.

7. Once the mixture is completely cool, add the Parmesan <