Every holiday season, as family visitors arrive and depart, the relaxed hostess needs a few quick-fix ideas for quick, healthy and fun snacks. Here are a few of those from my very own recipe box. Gingerbread sandwiches are a great, simple project to assign to the younger set. The Fruity Sandwiches bring a little sunshine into a winter meal. Finally, the Tiny Tim Sandwich Rolls are fun to make, tasty to eat and a super item to pre-prepare, freeze and have ready to pop into the oven when visitors arrive! I hope that you enjoy them!


GINGERBREAD SANDWICHES
A great family project.

Gingerbread cookies with a cream cheese, pineapple bit and cinnamon filling. YUMMY!! Using a ½ block of softened cream cheese, add ¼ can of pineapple bits, drained. Then, add 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 2 tablespoons white sugar. Mix ingredients thoroughly into the cream cheese to create a delightful spread. Give it a taste test and adjust the sugars and cinnamon to your likes. These are great fun for children to assemble and they are a super treat with hot chocolate for your holiday visitors or carolers!!

FRUITY SANDWICHES
A healthy, flavorful dessert or snack.

1 can of pineapple crushed bits, drained
1 ½ cups seedless green and/or red grapes, washed and quartered
1 cup nonfat sour cream
1 lime - zest
2 limes - juice only
2 teaspoons rum extract (or the real thing!)
2 teaspoons honey (or substitute with 4 teaspoons sugar)

Combine sour cream, lime zest, lime juice, rum extract and honey. Blend well then, add pineapple bits and quartered grapes. This is great served on Hawaiian sweet bread or your favorite toasted pound cake, angel food slice or breakfast bread!


TINY TIM SANDWICH ROLLS
Need just a bit of knosh for tree decorators; the neighborhood children stopping by or as appetizers for a holiday gathering?

3 (6oz) cans of crabmeat or substitute with meat of your choice
1/3 cup sliced onion
½ cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip
6 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
¾ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon Tabasco, optional
1 loaf sandwich bread, thin-sliced
6 Tablespoons butter or margarine

Mix the above ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl. Blend until a well-balanced spread and adjust to taste.

Here’s the fun part. First, trim all of the crusts from the bread slices. Then, using a rolling pin, roll each slice until very thin. Spread 1 tablespoon of the mixture over the thinned out slice and roll up - like a jellyroll. Brush with butter. Bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit on a greased baking sheet set at about 1 inch apart for 12 minutes until lightly browned. Cool, then cut into bite-size portions and serve. You may want to arrange on a platter and offer dipping sauces such as salsa; cocktail sauce and/or tartar sauce.

May each of you enjoy a special, healthy and happy holiday season.