Rum Balls

These are a tasty addition to a holiday party.

Rum Balls
2 c. semi sweet chocolate chips, divided
2 TB raspberry rum
1/2 c. finely chopped pecans

Line cookie sheet with parchment paper. Melt 1 1/4 cups chocolate chips in microwave; be careful not to burn. When melted add rum and continue stirring until well combined; mixture will become thick. Refrigerate until cool then drop mixture by teaspoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Shape into balls. Melt remaining chocolate and dip the balls into the melted chocolate then roll in the pecans. (coconut can also be used.)
Yield: 45 balls. Per ball= 58 Calories; 4g Fat (55.1% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 7g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 1mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 1 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

These are a nice little cheesecake, perfectly spiced.

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes
16 gingersnap cookies
8 oz light cream cheese
1 c. canned pumpkin
1/2 C. Splenda
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1 egg white

Preheat oven to 325*. Place one gingersnap in each muffin cup or muffin paper in muffin cup. Combine cream cheese, pumpkin, Splenda, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla, egg and egg white. Pour into muffin cups. Bake 25 to 30 minutes. Refrigerate if not serving right away.

Yield: 16 cheesecakes. Per cheesecake= 73 Calories; 4g Fat (43.0% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 8g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 20mg Cholesterol; 133mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Mini clubs

These are great for holiday gatherings or football parties.

Mini Clubs
1 tomato, chopped
4 slices OSCAR MAYER Center Cut Bacon, cooked, drained and crumbled
1/4 cup Fat Free MIRACLE WHIP Dressing
1 pkg. (12 oz.) dinner rolls (12 rolls), split
3 KRAFT Deli Fresh Sharp Cheddar Cheese Slices, each cut into 4 pieces
1 pkg. (9 oz.) OSCAR MAYER Deli Fresh Shaved Oven Roasted Turkey Breast
6 lettuce leaves, torn in half

Combine tomato, bacon and Miracle Whip. Fill rolls with cheese, turkey, lettuce and tomato mixture.
Yield: 12 mini clubs. Per mini club= 157 Calories; 6g Fat (33.8% calories from fat); 10g Protein; 16g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 18mg Cholesterol; 573mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 Grain(Starch); 1 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 1 Fat.

Caramel Nut Candy

This is a delicious (!) gift to give to neighbors, co-workers, whoever.

Caramel Nut Candy

28 caramels
1 TB light margarine
2 TB skim milk
1 c. Splenda
1 cup salted peanuts
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1 c. flaked coconut

Place caramels, margarine and milk in a 2-qt. microwave-safe dish. Microwave, uncovered, on medium for 2 minutes; stir. Microwave 1-3 minutes more, stirring every minute, until smooth. Stir in Splenda until smooth. Add peanuts. Gently fold in marshmallows. Sprinkle the coconut in a 10-in. x 5-in. strip onto two sheets of waxed paper; spoon caramel mixture down the center of coconut. Using the waxed paper, coat caramel with coconut and roll into two 10-in. logs. Discard waxed paper. Wrap logs in plastic wrap and chill for 4 hours. Remove plastic wrap. Cut logs into 1/2-in. slices. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Yield: 48 pieces. Per piece= 50 Calories; 3g Fat (44.3% calories from fat); 1g Protein; 6g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; trace Cholesterol; 21mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Fruit; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 1/2 Fat; 1/2 Other Carbohydrates.

Banana Cream Cake

This was good, but it would have been great if I hadn't over-baked the cake. :( So, don't do that. :)

Banana Cream Cake
18.25 oz white cake mix
2 egg whites
1 c. water
3 bananas, divided
1 c. skim milk
1.35 oz vanilla pudding, ff sf
8 oz Cool Whip Lite, thawed

Preheat oven to 350*. Spray 13x9 pan with cooking spray and set aside. In medium bowl, combine cake mix, egg whites, water and 1 banana; blend well. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 30 minutes. While cake is baking, combine milk and pudding mix. Fold in Cool Whip. After cake cools, slice remaining 2 bananas and place over top of cake. Top with pudding mixture. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Yield: 15 servings. Per serving= 217 Calories; 6g Fat (24.5% calories from fat); 3g Protein; 38g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; trace Cholesterol; 264mg Sodium. Exchanges: 0 Lean Meat; 1/2 Fruit; 0 Non-Fat Milk; 1 Fat; 2 Other Carbohydrates.

Hot Mamas

I got this recipe from the WW Recipe Review Board Christmas Recipe Swap. Janene Shaw sent it to me. I altered her recipe as I was afraid all of the cheese would be too many points. I think I'll double it to 2 cups next time so that's what I'm putting in this recipe.
I used a bunch of pickled "tame" peppers. The heat is just in the background. REALLY good!

Hot Mamas
4 oz pickled jalapenos
2 c. cheese, reduced fat Mexican blend
2 eggs
12 oz evaporated skim milk
1/2 c. flour

Preheat oven to 350^. Spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Place jalapenos in pan and top with cheese. In medium bowl, combine eggs, milk and flour. Pour over cheese. Bake 45 minutes and cut into squares.
Yield: 12 squares. Per square= 111 Calories; 5g Fat (41.8% calories from fat); 8g Protein; 8g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 46mg Cholesterol; 317mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 1/2 Non-Fat Milk; 0 Fat.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
-- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

SW Chicken Taco

This is a good and easy dish. I served it with tortillas but you could eat it as it is too.

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN TACO
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
¼ c. diced onion
10 oz can diced tomatoes & green chilies
11 oz can corn, drained
¼ c. diced roasted green chilies
15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 TB taco seasoning

Spray 3 quart slow cooker with non-stick spray. Place chicken in bottom of slow cooker. Add onion and sprinkle with taco seasoning. Top with corn, green chilies and black beans. Cook on LOW for 6 hours, or until the chicken is done.
Yield: 5 servings. Per serving= 274 Calories; 8g Fat (25.7% calories from fat); 30g Protein; 25g Carbohydrate; 6g Dietary Fiber; 97mg Cholesterol; 857mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1 1/2 Grain(Starch); 1/2 Lean Meat; 1/2 Vegetable; 0 Other Carbohydrates.