lighter snacks Archives - 2 Sisters 2 Cities

Lighter Jalapeno Poppers

Have I ever mentioned that I love jalapeño poppers? I absolutely love this jalapeño popper stuffed chicken recipe and make it all the time. My love for jalapeño poppers started with the frozen ones you get at the grocery store. I have an older post with a link to my favorite recipe for jalapeño poppers, but I realized the other day when I was trying to get the recipe that the link was broken. I guess it’s the perfect time for my recipe redo! I even spiffed up the recipe with the addition of turkey bacon… Mmmmm.

I find the hardest part about this recipe is taking the seeds and ribs out of the jalapeño. I have been burned by jalapeños before so I am very cautious when working with them now. Other than that, the filling and baking is real easy and make a great appetizer! They come out crisp on the outside and gooey and delicious on the inside. I didn’t make a dip to go with them this time because I don’t think they need anything. But if you insist on having a dip, chop up some scallions, mix it with some light sour cream, and add a little salt and pepper to taste. Dip away! Not only are these lighter jalapeño poppers healthier then the store-bought kind, they put them to shame in the taste department.

Gooey Jalapeño Poppers

Recipe Redo- Lighter Jalapeño Poppers

Author: 2 Sisters 2 Cities

Recipe type: Appetizer

Ingredients

6 jalapeños, halved, seeds and ribs removed
½ cup reduced fat shredded cheddar
4 oz. reduced fat cream cheese, at room temperature
4 scallions, finely chopped
2 pieces crisp cooked turkey bacon, crumbled
½ cup whole wheat flour
1 cup panko bread crumbs
3 egg whites

Instructions

Preheat broiler to high. Place a wire rack on a foil covered baking sheet. Place jalapeños, opening side down on wire rack. Broil for 2 minute until they begin to char. Let cool as you put together filling
Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
In a medium bowl, mix together cheddar, cream cheese, scallions, and turkey bacon. Fill cooled jalapeños with filling.
Place egg whites in a bowl and whisk until foamy. In two separate bowls add bread crumbs and whole wheat flour.
Dip jalapeños in whole wheat flour and shake off excess flour. Then dip jalapeño in egg whites and then panko crumbs. Place opening side up on wire rack. Be careful not to lose filling. Repeat for all 12 halves.
Bake for 20 minutes and then let cool a few minutes before serving.

Jalapeño Popper

Source– Adapted from Rocco DiSpirito’s Now Eat This! 150 of America’s Favorite Comfort Foods
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Caramel Corn, Lightened Up

I love caramel corn because it is ultimately the perfect salty sweet crunchy treat. As I have said before, I have been trying to watch what I eat (hey, I never said I was good at it.) Carmel corn isn’t the healthiest treat with the sugar and butter in it, but air popped popcorn isn’t a bad snack with all that good fiber. So, since the unhealthy part of caramel corn is the caramel I came up with the perfect recipe for caramel corn for those of you who are calorie conscious.

I took my favorite caramel corn recipe I shared with you last year and I halved the recipe for the caramel and kept the amount of popcorn the same. If you don’t have an air popper and love popcorn, you should totally get one. I found mine at Target for $20 and have totally gotten my money back with how many times I use it. With this light caramel corn recipe, your popcorn will have a lot less caramel on it, but you still get the amazing caramel flavor. I pretty much make this recipe every weekend for watching movies, new TV series, or when I am just zoned out on my couch watching my computer screen. I made some last night to eat while watching the Oscars today. You should probably too, because like the fabulous stars you are watching, you will feel more fabulous with this lightened up caramel corn. Yeah… there was some shameless marketing for my recipe:).

Lighter Version of Caramel Corn

Light Caramel Corn

Author: 2 Sisters 2 Cities

Serves: 6

Ingredients

¼ cup of unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
½ cup of light brown sugar, packed
2 tbsp. light corn syrup
1 tsp. kosher salt
⅛ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. vanilla extract
12 cups of popped popcorn,placed in extra large bowl

Instructions

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and then spray with cooking spray.
Place butter in medium pot over medium heat to melt. Add in brown sugar and corn syrup and stir until sugar dissolves.
Bring to a boil, then turn heat down to low and allow sugar syrup to simmer for 4-5 minutes without stirring.
After, stir the mixture and continue to simmer for 5-6 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. The caramel mixture will start to become a deep golden color.
At this point turn off heat and stir in salt, baking soda and vanilla extract.
Once the caramel is all mixed together, pour over large bowl of popcorn. Stir the caramel into the popcorn, trying to get all the popcorn mixed in. You will need to work quickly because caramel with start to dry. (Also note that as you bake it you will be able to spread the caramel out more.)
Spread the popcorn out on the lined baking sheet and place in the oven.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, stirring every five minutes. The finished popcorn will have a deep amber color and the caramel will looks a bit like sugar crystals. I usually go the entire 20 minutes because every five minutes I use a rubber spatula to break up and stir the caramel so each piece of popcorn has a little caramel on it.
Let the caramel corn cool and store in an airtight container.

Light Caramel Corn

Side Note: Last night I made my caramel corn with mushroom popcorn which you can find on Amazon. It pops up really huge and is perfect for caramel corn. I also use the regular kernels that you find at the grocery store sometimes so whatever it easiest for you… both delicious!

Need more ideas of what to make for watching the Oscars tonight?

How about this award-winning line up…

California Salsa with tortilla chips- you can whip this up really fast and be back to the red carpet gawking with a yummy snack

soft pretzels with jalapeño dipping sauce

M’s Soft Homemade Pretzels with Jalapeno Dipping Sauce looks to good, if you start now you will be enjoying these well before all the star finish getting their make-up done.

Baked Potato Dip with veggies, chips, and pretzels

Baked Potato Dip if so easy to make and you can have a variety of dippers to pick from.
White Trash Party Mix

White Trash Party Mix is always a crowd pleaser and oh so easy to make. Don’t let the name fool you, you can still be classy and eat it during the Oscars Winking smile .
popcorn_with_extra_virgin_olive_oil_and_kosher_salt

Need more popcorn recipes? Check of M’s post about all her favorite popcorn recipes.

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