Mojito Makeover

In general, the Mojito is already a better choice when it comes to calories, but the talented folks at the trendy Chapel Hill restaurant Jujube show us how to serve up this Cuban drink with one smart substitution -- Splenda syrup instead of simple syrup. Make your own by dissolving 2 packets of Splenda into an ounce of water or purchase Da Vinci's Sugar Free Sweetener Syrup (available on amazon.com), and keep the bottle on hand for iced teas, coffees, and more.

2 ounces light rum
1 ounce Splenda syrup, Da Vinci's Sugar Free Sweetener Syrup
1 ounce lime juice
7 mint leaves
Splash of club soda

In a shaker, muddle mint leaves and a lime wedge. Add ice and other ingredients and shake. Pour into tall glass and top with soda.

Calories: 140

Blended Raspberry Cocktail

Let ice be your ally this summer. By blending drinks with fruity flavors you ultimately consume fewer calories, says Giancoli. Another sip tip: Using tall glasses (10 ounces and above) means you'll refill -- and fill up on calories -- less often.

1/2 cup ice or several ice cubes
8 ounces Minute Maid Light Raspberry Passion
1 1/2 ounces vodka


Combine ingredients in a blender. Garnish with several fresh raspberries.

Calories: 115

Bean Dip

2-3 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic {minced}
1/2 onion chopped fine
2 cans black beans {drain & rinse}
1 can corn {drain}
1 8 oz package cream cheese
1 bottle bronco bob's roasted raspberry chipotle sauce {@ Target by the bbq sauces}
1 small can green chilies
1 small can sliced olives

Mix butter, garlic, and onion together. Spread on bottom of deep 9x13 dish. Layer with black beans, corn, cream cheese, 1/2 the chipotle sauce, green chillies, olives, cheese, and then the rest of the sauce.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Serve hot with tortilla chips.

Use any leftovers in soft tacos or burritos the next day!

Fruit Dip

ingredients:

2 pkgs cream cheese softened.
-if you need to soften the cream cheese, put it in a microwave safe dish, and pop it in for 30 seconds. it will be perfectly soft.

1 cup brown sugar
1 small package white chocolate pudding mix
16 ounces vanilla yogurt

Mix all four ingredients together till smooth with no lumps. Refrigerate until time to serve.

Serve with fruit, best choice - strawberries & fuji apples.
To keep your apples from turning brown, dip them quickly in lemon juice.

Strawberry Cream Freeze

1 pkg (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup cold milk
1 pkg (3.4 oz ) JELL-O Vanilla flavored instant pudding
1 1/2 cups thawed Cool Whip
20 Nilla Wafers, coarsely broken
3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced, divided
1/2 cup strawberry ice cream topping
1 Oreo Pie Crust (6 oz)

Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in milk. Add dry pudding mix; beat 2 min.

Stir in cool whip, wafers and 1 cup berries. Swirl in ice cream topping.

Spread into crust. Freeze 6 hours or until firm. Remove dessert from freezer 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with remaining berries.

Makes 8 servings.

Salsa Dip

1 pkg (8 oz) Cream cheese, softened
1 cup Taco Bell Thick 'N Chunky Salsa

Mix cream cheese and salsa until well blended.
Serve with cut-up fresh vegetables or tortilla chips.

Makes 2 cups or 16 servings, 2 Tbsp each.

Ham Swiss Rolls

mayonnaise
12 thick slices deli ham (black forest)
12 slices Swiss cheese
1/2 c. melted butter
1 1/2 Tbsp. mustard
1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 Tbsp. poppy seeds

Slice rolls in half so they open. Spread mayo on top and bottom of the inside of each roll. Assemble rolls with ½ slice of cheese and ½ slice of ham. Place all of these in a baking pan or stone. Mix together the melted butter, mustard, Worcestershire sauce and poppy seeds with a whisk. Brush this mixture all over the tops of the rolls and cover with tin foil.

Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes until heated through.