Healthy Appetizers?? (or as I call them, appeteasers)

Well, this weekend I have three family get togethers (one is an all day thing) and there will be large quantities of food at all of them. I am usually able to control my eating pretty well when meals are served, my weakness is appetizers. I always think that I can eat just a few, then 20 later, I feel like I need to unbutton my pants.

I am determined not to slip up too much (I've lost over 30 pounds in the last six months, there's no going back, but being realistic, I know I can't resist all the yummy goodies). So, I am going to make some healthy (er) snacks to bring and share. I am having a bit of trouble coming up with ideas! Most "healthy" appetizers aren't all that healthy, unless you just want chopped veggies and fruit (which can get a bit dull). Another problem is that people just don't like healthy food, how can it complete against fatty, salty, sugary goodness?

Event #1 is a backyard BBQ birthday party, I have decided to attempt to make jalapeno poppers. Deep frying is definately out and so is breading, these just add to many calories. Bacon is out, just too fatty and salty. Since I can't cut out all the goodness, the cheese will stay, just in smaller quantities.

Refried Jalapeno Poppers:

Ingredients:

398g mL can of low fat refried black beans (I accidently bought the black bean kind)

2 tbsp herb & garlic cream cheese

1 tbsp cumin

1 tbsp garlic powder

1/4 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
jalapeno peppers (fresh - I used 12 but there was leftover filling, I think you could easily use 15)

Steps:

1. Wash and cut the peppers in half and remove the inner stem and seeds.

2. Soak peppers in cold water (to get rid of some of the acid that makes them spicy - I was making these for people who can't handle the heat)

3. Mix together ingredients in a bowl.

4. Spoon mixture into jalepeno half and arrange on a pan or in a casserole dish.

4b. Mine looked terrible so I grated a little bit of extra cheese to sprinkle on top, they still didn't look that good.

5. Bake in 350F oven for 20 min or until peppers are soft. These can be eaten cold or reheated.

The verdict:

These were actually pretty good, my husband gave them the stamp of approval and a couple of people asked me how to make them. They do look ugly though.