Wholegrain Party Recipes: Easy and Delicious

Football season has arrived and you know you want some lip smacking snacks to munch on while watching the game. But, maybe you have been trying to eat healthier these days so for your next house party, or game get together, why not try some wholegrain recipes. Wholegrains are loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. The benefits of eating wholegrains include reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and stroke. Instead of serving your friends more pizza and hot wings why not try these wholegrain recipes. I know you will enjoy them just as much as my family does. Here are three of my favorites. Not only are these recipes healthy and delicious they are also easy to prepare and serve.

Game Time Munch

2 Cups Multigrain or Team Cheerios

1 Cup dried cranberries or raisins

1 Cup tiny cheese crackers such as Goldfish or Cheese Nips

1 Cup M & M's

1 Cup butterscotch chips

1 Cup peanuts or cashews

Mix together well and serve in large bowl. Store in large zip lock food storage bag.

Tex Mex Pepper Jacks

3 Cups wholegrain brown cooked rice, cooled

1 Cup pepper jack cheese, shredded

4 eggs

1 16 oz jar medium or hot chunky Pace salsa

½ Cup sour cream

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

¾ Cup crushed corn or tortilla chips

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

Mix the cheese and rice together in bowl and set aside

In another bowl beat the eggs and stir in salsa, sour cream, salt and pepper then add to rice and cheese mixture. Mix together well.

Spray mini muffin tin with cooking spray or lightly brush with oil. Spoon in rice mixture. About 1 ½ teaspoons in each cup filling to just below rim. Sprinkle crushed chips over tops and press gently with back of spoon. Bake about 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve with extra sour cream and salsa.

Cranberry Chocolate Chip Cookies

¾ Cups softened margarine

¾ Cups brown sugar, packed

2 egg yolks

1 ½ Cups whole grain wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

¼ teaspoon salt

1 Cup bittersweet chocolate chips

½ Cup dried cranberries

In a large bowl mix margarine and brown sugar until well combined. Stir in egg yolks and mix until smooth. Mix in flour until dough becomes stiff. Fold in chocolate chips and cranberries. Form into thick log and refrigerate at least one hour or overnight. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone liners and cut log into ¼ inch cookies. Place cookies one inch apart on cookie sheets and bake for about 12 minutes or until firm and browned. Allow to cool completely before storing in air tight container.

After tasting these whole grain treats your friends and family will think differently about eating healthy.