Starters & Snacks

There are many, many ways to serve up healthy vegetables but perhaps none as easy or versatile as a classic salad. Here’s how to transform a few simple ingredients into a memorable salad that will easily fill more than Half Your Plate with homemade goodness!

This is a delicious condiment to add to your grilling or snacking repertoire. Like any great salsa it’s packed with big, bright, balanced taste that easily complements other ingredients. What a great way to fill Half Your Plate with zesty flavours!

Rhubarb chutney is a tasty condiment side-kick for whatever hits your grill this season. Meat, fish or fowl – even grilled veggie burgers – get a big bright boost from this balanced classic. Rhubarb’s sour tang is mellowed with sweetness, fragrant spices and spicy heat in this make-ahead topping. You can perk up more than Half Your Plate with this fragrant chutney!

Hummus is most often made with dried legumes like chickpeas but it’s just as delicious whipped up with fresh, green peas. Especially when it’s brightened with lots of spicy flavour balanced with cool mint. And what better dipper for dipping such dip than a crispy pita chip? What a great way to fill Half Your Plate with fruits and vegetables!

These deliciously addictive granola bars come with a fruity punch of powerful raspberries. They’re just the sort of treat to pack into your kids lunch. They’ll love the flavour and you’ll love knowing that made them yourself! Best of all? You wont believe how easy these are to make! #HalfYourPlate

Cherries pack a powerful nutritional punch that always delivers big bold flavour. Mulling them with warm spices and red wine adds lots of aromatic personality too. Mulled cherries are excellent over ice cream, in shortcake or anchoring a simple parfait. Adding the protein power of true yogurt and crunchy granola to any fruit really kick-starts your day. Especially with a flourish of real creamsicle flavour: pure orange and vanilla working their old-school magic in guilt-free yogurt! #HalfYourPlate

Hummus is perhaps the world’s greatest dip. It’s unparalleled for addictive avor, smooth texture, nutritional value and the all-important functionality factor. With a batch of hummus ready, you can really release your creative juices. Try it on your favorite crackers, flatbreads or chips. Then top with smoked salmon, various charcuterie, even just plain sprinkled with green onions or giant dill sprigs.

This is a delicious way to fill Half Your Plate during grilling season with a unique technique and fun group of flavours. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to grill watermelon and how well these tantalizing tastes complement each other.

Spice up your snack life with this seedy, snappy brittle. Once you master the art and craft of making a homemade brittle, the possibilities are endless. Substitute other spices, stir in your favourite nuts or seeds, you can even you chopped up pretzels or cookies!

Making caramel is easy, but it does benefit from keeping a close eye. The sugar syrup might not look like it's doing much for a while but as soon as it starts changing colour, stay close to the stove. It can go from light yellow, to dark brown, to a smoking black mess in a matter of moments. It's also extremely hot, so exercise caution and keep it away from young fingers until it has completely cooled.

Hummus sounds exotic but it’s really just a simple puree of chickpeas. It’s also a nutritious dish and so easy to make. If you can puree chickpeas, you’ve got the basics and you’re ready to add some zesty twists and whip up your own signature dip!

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Popcorn is the perfect snack. It’s whole-grain healthy, addictively tasty and easy to experiment with. It’s traditional to toss it with lots of melted butter, but you’ll find that olive oil works just as welland it’s a lot better for you.