Taste of Home - Healthy Lunch Box Ideas 2009

SUPER SALADS & SIDES

creamy fruit dip

Asso

YIELD: about 3-1/2 cups.

Once you taste this delightful lower-fat dip, fresh fruit slices won’t seem complete without it. My family enjoys this recipe just as much as when I prepared it with full-fat ingredients. —JUDI TH REED, KINGSFORD, MICHIGAN

1 package ( 8 ounces) fat-free

cream cheese

/4 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup ( 8 ounces) reduced-fat sour

cream

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon extract

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 cup cold 2% milk

1 package ( 3. 4 ounces) instant
vanilla pudding mix
rted fresh fruit

• In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Beat in the sour cream, extracts and cinnamon until smooth. Add milk; mix well. Add pudding mix; beat on low speed for 2 minutes. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Serve with fruit.

tropical fruit salad

•

YIELD: 6 servings.

I needed a speedy salad for a lunch recently.

I used what I had and everyone loved it!

—TERI LINDQUIS T, GURNEE, ILLINOIS

2 cans (15-1/4 ounces each) mixed tropical fruit, drained

1 can ( 11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained

1 medium banana, sliced

1 cup miniature marshmallows

2 cartons ( 6 ounces each) vanilla yogurt

/4 cup flaked coconut

1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted

In a large salad bowl, combine the tropical fruit, oranges, banana and marshmallows. Add yogurt; toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with coconut and almonds. Refrigerate until serving.

NUTRITION FAC TS: 3/4 cup equals 290 calories, 6 g fat ( 3 g saturated fat), 6 mg cholesterol, 56 mg sodium, 59 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 5 g protein.

tip

NUTRITION FACTS: 1/4 cup equals 118 calories, 2 g fat ( 2 g saturated fat), 8 mg cholesterol, 211 mg sodium, 21 g carbohydrate, trace fiber, 4 g protein.