Heathly appetizers don't have to be dull or plain. Try zesty potato skins or spicy hummus that will make you hum.

Zesty Potato Skins

INGREDIENTS

8 medium baking potatoes, baked and cool

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup cottage cheese, undrained (8 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon grated lime rind
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon dried chives
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
Vegetable oil spray

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 450 Degrees.

Cut each potato in half. Scoop out the center, leaving about 1/4 inch of potato on the inside of each skin. Cut skins into quarters. Lightly spray inside and outside of skins with vegetable oil spray. Save rest of potato for lunch or dinner.

Combine garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, and pepper in a small bowl and sprinkle mixture* evenly on insides of potatoes. Place skins, skin side down, on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until lightly browned.

Combine remaining ingredients in a blender or food processor. Process until smooth.

Spoon about 1 teaspoon of the cottage cheese mixture on top of each potato skin.

Serves 8.

* I have old flea market salt shaker that I use for this kind of thing. Just put mixture in shaker then sprinkle over potatoes.



Hummus is healthy, delicious and filling.

INGREDIENTS

Hummus

19-ounce can chick-peas, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (about 3 medium lemons)
1/4 cup tahini*
1/4 cup water
2 cloves garlic or 1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, or to taste
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

In a blender or food processor, combine chick-peas, lemon juice, tahini, water, garlic, oil, cumin, salt, cayenne, and pepper. Process, scraping sides occasionally, until mixture is a smooth paste. If mixture is too thick, add more water, a few drops at a time. Stir in parsley.

Serve in Pita bread or pita triangles.

Hint
*Stuff hummus in celery stalks or in scooped out plum tomatoes.

Makes about 8 servings.

Hint
*Tahini: You can find tahini, a sesame seed paste, in health food stores and some supermarkets. If you prefer, you can make your own by blending 1/2 cup sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon water, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and a few drops of vegetable oil.