Pesto Cheese Twists, Quick Cheese Nachos

In a small mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, brown sugar, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt; stir to combine and completely break up any lumps in the brown sugar..

In a 1-cup glass measure combine the egg, milk and melted cooled butter.. Add the liquid ingredients, the grated Parmesan and the chives all at once to the dry ingredients.. Stir until just moistened.. Fill the prepared muffin cups with the batter..

Bake in the preheated 400ºF oven for about 20 minutes, until lightly browned.. Remove from pan and serve warm..

For plain corn muffins, follow the recipe, omitting the Parmesan and chives..

Nutritional information per muffin (made with 2% milk):

Calories 166 (36% from fat) • carb. 22g • pro. 5g • fat 7g • sat. fat 4g

• chol. 50g • sod. 259g • calc. 86mg • fiber 1g

wheel, cut the sheet in half crosswise, then cut each piece into eight strips, 6 x ½ inches each.. Twist each strip 3 to 4 times; pinch ends to seal.. Place on a tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes..

Ten minutes before baking, place the rack in position B; preheat the toaster oven to 425ºF.. Line the broiler pan (without drip tray) with a sheet of parchment paper..

Arrange 8 puff pastry twists evenly on the parchment-lined pan.. Bake for 11 to 13 minutes at 425º F until puffed and crispy.. Remove from the pan with tongs or a spatula and place on a rack to cool.. Arrange the second batch on the same pan and repeat.. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature..

Nutritional information per twist:

Calories 84 (51% from fat) • carb. 9g • pro. 2g • fat 5g • sat. fat 1g

• chol. 0 mg • sod. 66mg • calc. 8mg • fiber 0g

Pesto Cheese Twists

Serve these an appetizer, or with soup in place of crackers..

Makes sixteen 5-inch twists

1sheet puff pastry, thawed at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes

1 tablespoon prepared pesto

1tablespoon grated Parmesan or Asiago

1egg white, beaten until foamy

On a lightly floured surface, roll the thawed puff pastry until it measures 10 x 12 inches; use a pastry wheel to cut the puff pastry in half crosswise.. Combine the pesto, grated cheese and half the beaten egg white (discard the remaining egg white).. Spread the pesto mixture over one of the half-sheets using an offset spatula; top with the second half-sheet.. Use a rolling pin to lightly roll together.. With the pastry

Quick Cheese Nachos

Homemade nachos make a great quick snack or appetizer.. Serve with sour cream, guacamole and your favorite salsa..

Makes 2 servings

15full-sized baked tortilla chips (about 2¼ ounces) ²⁄3 cup refried beans

¼ cup jalapeño pepper slices, drained ¼ cup chopped scallions

¼ cup sliced black olives, drained

1cup shredded extra-sharp Cheddar (can use lowfat)

Place rack in position A and preheat on broil setting.. Arrange chips in 11x7-inch baking pan that has been lined with foil.. Distribute the remaining ingredients over the chips, as evenly as possible in the order