Summer party fun without the fuss

Summer is almost over, but with Labor Day upon us there are still some great parties to be had! Only problem is, you’re beat! With all the summer grilling and partying, we know your exhausted. So we've put together some of our simpler summer snack recipes to make it through your last summer hurrah.

Creamed Crab & Veggie Dip

Ingredients:

2 oz. part-skim ricotta cheese
1 Tbsp. low-fat mayonnaise
4 oz. skim milk
2 cups fresh chopped artichoke hearts
3 green onions, chopped
1/4 red pepper, chopped
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup fresh raw spinach
1 oz. shredded reduced-fat cheese (recommend Monterrey Jack or Mozzarella)
4 oz. fresh crabmeat
1/4 tsp. hot sauce
Nonfat cooking spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (180 degrees Celsius).

Spray casserole dish with nonfat cooking spray.

In small bowl, combine ricotta, mayonnaise, and skim milk. Stir well and set aside.

Spray medium skillet with nonfat cooking spray. Add artichokes, onion, pepper, garlic powder, and garlic. Sauté 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Add spinach, hot sauce, vegetable mixture, and crabmeat to cheese mixture.

Stir in 3/4 oz. shredded cheese and place in a casserole dish.

Bake 15 minutes, stir mixture well and then top with remaining 1/4 oz. of cheese.

Bake 10 to 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly.

Serve over roasted veggies or as a dip for crackers and fresh veggies.



Balsamic Grilled Bruschetta

Ingredients:

10 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced

2 to 3 Tbsp. fresh basil, chopped

2 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese, shredded

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

1/2 tsp. lite salt

1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper

1 loaf French bread, cut into 12 slices

In a bowl, toss together tomatoes, basil, garlic, cheese, oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper.

Cover and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours, to allow flavors to meld.

Meanwhile, grill bread until lightly browned.

Divide tomato mixture evenly among sliced bread before serving. If desired, garnish with extra basil and an extra drizzle of balsamic vinegar.

For more delicious summer dishes to squeeze in before white goes out of style, check out the L A Lite Cookbook.