Bring in the New Year with Flavor

Whether you’re hosting a New Year’s Eve party for friends or for family, let us help you with the appetizers. Our expert Nutrition Services team has the perfect recipes to help you bring in the New Year with flavor. Give your friends and family that head start on their New Year’s resolutions to lead a healthier life without sacrificing flavor.

1. Nothing says party like Fiesta Hummus. This traditional Mediterranean dip uses jalapeños, cilantro, and lime juice to give it a Latin flavor!

2. Sugar, spice and everything nice. Take-a-Break Snack Mix adds natural sweetness by using dried cranberries and blueberries.

3. Spice up your…popcorn? That’s right! You can give your popcorn a new twist by gently adding in some spices. Check out how chili and garlic powder can transform your next batch of popcorn.

Fiesta Hummus

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Serves: 6

Serving Size: 1/4 cup

Ingredients

• 1 can garbanzo beans
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Dash of cayenne pepper
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/2 cup plain yogurt
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 jalapeno
• 2 tablespoons cilantro

Preparation

• Drain and rinse garbanzo beans.
• Peel and finely chop garlic and jalapeno.
• Add all ingredients to a blender or food processor, and blend until smooth.
• Chill at least one hour before serving.
• Serve with crackers, tortilla chips, pita bread or fresh vegetables.

Cooking and Serving Tips

• For a smokier flavor, try roasting the jalapeno first by broiling it in the oven until the skin blisters and chars. Cool it in a bowl of ice water, then peel the skin off.
• Any number of ingredients can be added to hummus to give it a different flavor. Other popular additions are roasted red peppers, roasted garlic, olives and artichokes.
• If you don’t have a blender or food processor, you can smash everything together with a potato masher.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 120

Total Fat: 3 g

Saturated Fat: 0 g

Cholesterol: 0 mg

Sodium: 2330 mg

Carbohydrates: 18 g

Dietary Fiber:  3 g

Protein: 5 g

Take-a-Break Snack Mix

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 10

Serving Size: 1/2 cup

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons water
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 cups whole-grain oat cereal with yogurt-flavored coating
• 2 cups whole-grain wheat and bran flakes with raisins
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup dried blueberries

Preparation

• Lightly spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Set aside.
• In a nonstick skillet, toast the almonds over medium heat stirring frequently. Remove from heat when lightly golden brown.
• Add brown sugar, water, cinnamon and nutmeg to the pan. Return to heat and cook until the liquid has evaporated and the almonds are coated with the mixture, stirring constantly, about 1-2 minutes.
• Transfer to the baking sheet and let cool completely.
• Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir together the cereals and dried fruits.
• Once cooled, add almonds to the cereal mixture, stirring to combine. Store in an airtight container for up to seven days.

Cooking and Serving Tips

• Control portion sizes by placing servings in individual bags or small containers.
• Use any combination of whole-grain cereal and dried fruit and nuts.
• Experiment with the family’s favorites.

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 139

Total Fat: 2g

Saturated Fat: 0.5g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 124mg

Carbohydrates: 28g

Dietary Fiber:  4g

Protein: 2g

Chili Popcorn

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Serves: 4

Serving Size: 1 cup

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon oil
• 1/4 cup popcorn kernels
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 dash garlic powder

Preparation

• Coat the bottom of a large saucepan with oil. Add popcorn kernels and shake pan to evenly distribute kernels and coat with oil. The pan should be big enough that the kernels can spread out in a single layer.
• Turn heat to medium and slide the pan back and forth to move the kernels around. After about 3-5 minutes, the first kernel will pop. At this point, put the lid on the pan.
• Continue to slide the pan back and forth while the kernels are popping. When popping slows down or stops, remove pan from heat.  Move popped corn to a large bowl.
• Melt butter in the microwave or a small saucepan on the stove. Drizzle over popcorn while shaking the bowl to evenly coat. Repeat with chili powder and garlic powder.

Cooking and Serving Tips

• Sprinkle with lime juice for chili-lime flavored popcorn.
• Experiment with other flavor combinations like salt and pepper, parmesan and garlic, Cajun, etc.
• Try something sweet by sprinkling with sugar and cinnamon, or drizzling with melted chocolate. Try adding nuts, pretzel bits or candies.
• Watch your portions! It is easy to over eat popcorn. Serve one cup portions in separate bowls rather than serving from one large bowl.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 60

Total Fat: 3.5g

Saturated Fat: 0.5g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 35mg

Carbohydrates: 7g

Dietary Fiber:  1g

Protein: 1g

If you are interested in other healthy recipes, consider signing up for one of our Cooking Matters courses. Each class teaches you how to eat healthy on a budget.

In addition, you can sign up for one of our Kitchen Garden Cooking School workshops where you’ll learn how to grow and cook with fresh produce. Visit our Eventbrite page to sign up.