Busy People's Low-Carb Cookbook
Appetizers & Snacks | Soups & Salads | Entrées | Sides | Desserts | Beverages
Stuffed Cucumber Slices
Don't limit yourself to this clever idea with only this filling. Use any of the many other mouth-watering cream cheese spreads in the appetizer section of this book to stuff cucumbers with as well.. 

1

 large cucumber, washed, but do not peel

2

 ounces fat free cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon ranch salad dressing mix - dry 1 teaspoon dried chives or 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
1 (2.5) ounce package chipped beef - chopped very finely     

With long, sharp knife cut off ends of cucumber. Insert knife between meat of the cucumber and the seeds. Cut out the seeds and discard. If needed you can also use a long spoon to help remove the seeds. You may have to do this at both ends of the cucumber in order to reach the seeds in the middle. Set hollowed out cucumber aside.
In medium bowl with spatula, stir together cream cheese, ranch salad dressing mix, chives and chipped beef until well mixed.
Press cream cheese mixture into center of cucumber, filling it completely.
With very sharp knife, cut the stuffed cucumber into 1/2" thick slices.
Keep chilled until ready to serve.
Yield: 6 (3 slices per serving) servings
Calories: 66; Fat: 2g; Percentage Fat Calories: 25%; Cholesterol: 19mg; Carbohydrate: 4g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Protein: 8g; Sodium: 511mg; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat
 
Preparation time: 10 minutes or less
Menu idea: These crunch treats are super for a snack on a hot day with a refreshing Orange Slushy (only 10 carbohydrates) on page 203 in Busy People's Down Home Cooking Without the Down Home Fat Cookbook. I also like serving them as an appetizer for parties or as a creative vegetable side dish with dinner.
Watermelon Sorbet (soft serve)
I feel like I am at an expensive restaurant splurging when eating this.

3

 teaspoons lime juice

6

 firmly packed cups frozen watermelon*
1/2 cup Splenda granular 1 cup cold water

* Cut watermelon into chunks (beforehand) and freeze in Ziplock bags until ready to use. Frozen watermelon in and of itself is also a good healthy frozen novelty instead of popcicles.

In a blender, put the lime juice, frozen watermelon, Splenda, and water.
Cover and process on the highest speed for 1-2 minutes or until smooth.
Serve in dessert cups immediately. Garnish each dessert cup witha sprig of fresh mint if desired.
Yield: 5 (1/2-cup) servings
Calories: 65; Fat: 0g (0% fat); Cholesterol: 0mg; Carbohydrate: 16g; Dietary Fiber: 1g; Protein: 1g; Sodium: 2mg; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit
 
Preparation time: 5 minutes or less
Horseradish and Bacon Cheese Spread
The teenagers went crazy over this! They were all surprised after they'd gobbled it all up to find out it had horseradish in it.

1

 tablespoon horseradish

1

 tablespoon fat free whipped salad dressing
1 teaspoon ranch salad dressing mix - dry 1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 (8 ounce) fat free cream cheese - softened 1 tablespoon fat free sour cream
3 tablespoons 30% less fat real bacon bit pieces    

In medium sized bowl with spatula, mix horseradish, whipped salad dressing, ranch salad dressing mix, parsley, cream cheese, sour cream and bacon bits together until smooth, creamy, and well blended.
Keep chilled until ready to serve.
Yield: 8 (2 tablespoon) servings
Calories: 46; Fat: 1g; Percentage Fat Calories: 14%; Cholesterol: 9mg; Carbohydrate: 3g; Dietary Fiber: 0g; Protein: 5g; Sodium: 275mg; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 very lean meat
 
Preparation time: 5 minutes or less
Menu idea: For an appetizer or snack, it's terrific stuffed in celery or in cherry tomatoes or on low-carb crackers. For a great snack or lunch, spread on 1/2 of a low-carb bagel or on low-carb, high-fiber toast and have a Vanilla Steamer made with fat-free, low-carb milk for a beverage (found in the Busy People's Diabetic Cookbook).
Stuffed Celery Sticks
A terrific blend of crunchy and creamy textures united together.

4

 ounces of fat free cream cheese

1

 tablespoon honey Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh chives - optional (or 2 teaspoons dried chives) 1 tablespoon fat free whipped salad dressing mix
1/4 cup fat free shredded cheddar cheese 4 ounces finely diced ham*
8 long stalks of celery - cleaned    

* Note: To save time, buy it pre-diced.

In medium bowl, mix together cream cheese, mustard, chives (optional), and whipped salad dressing until smooth and creamy.
Stir in cheese and ham until well mixed.
Spread into long celery stalks
Cut stuffed celery stalks into 3-inch lengths.
Yield: As an appetizer: 8 (2 pieces of stuffed celery each) servings.
Calories: 51; Fat: 1g (19% fat); Cholesterol: 11mg; Carbohydrate: 3g; Dietary Fiber: 0g; Protein: 6g; Sodium: 360mg; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 very lean meat
Yield: As a light lunch: 4 (4 pieces of stuffed celery each) servings:
Calories: 101; Fat: 2g (19% fat); Cholesterol: 21mg; Carbohydrate: 6g; Dietary Fiber: 0g; Protein: 13g; Sodium: 721mg; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1-1/2 very lean meat.
 
Preparation time: 15 minutes or less
Menu idea: For a light lunch have a salad with your favorite low-carb dressing and four stuffed Celery Sticks along with Butter Rum Spiced Cider which only has 5 carbohydrates (from Busy People's Diabetic Cookbook) on the side.