Stuffed Celery Bites

For the easiest preparation, spread the cream cheese mixture in the celery first, then slice.

Recipe Ingredients:

Nonstick cooking spray
2 tablespoons pine nuts
1 clove garlic, minced
8 stalks celery
1 (8-ounce) tub cream cheese with dried tomato or cream cheese (regular, lowfat or fat-free)
1/4 cup (1-ounce) shredded Italian cheese blend
2 tablespoons dry-roasted shelled sunflower seeds
Celery leaves (optional)

Cooking Directions:

1. Lightly coat a skillet with cooking spray. Add pine nuts and garlic. Cook over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until nuts are golden brown, stirring frequently. Set aside.
2. Remove tops and wide base from celery. Using a vegetable peeler, remove two thin strips from the rounded side of the celery, creating a flat surface.
3. In a small bowl combine the cream cheese and shredded Italian cheese. Spread or spoon cheese mixture into celery. Cut each filled stalk of celery into 2-inch pieces. Sprinkle half the pieces with the pine nut mixture and half with the sunflower seeds. If desired, stuff celery up to 4 hours before serving; cover, chill, cut, and add nuts and seeds just before serving. If desired, garnish with celery leaves.

Makes 8 servings.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/8 of recipe): calories: 132, total fat: 13g, saturated fat: 7g, cholesterol: 31mg, sodium: 152mg, carbohydrate: 3g, fiber: 1g, protein: 4g, vitamin A: 7%, vitamin C: 5%, calcium: 6%, iron: 3%

Recipe and photograph provided by Better Homes and Gardens - BHG.com a member of the Home and Family Network for the best of cooking, gardening, decorating and more. © 2003 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved.