Heart Healthy Snack

February is American Heart Month which makes it is a good time to reflect on our family's diet. Many families eat healthy meals but nibble on unhealthy snacks. It is easier to eat healthy snacks if they are convenient so some preparation in advance may be required.

Here is a great heart healthy recipe from the Mayo Clinic for fruit salsa and sweet chips that is sure to be a family favorite.

Ingredients

For tortilla crisps:

  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
  • 8 whole wheat tortillas

For fruit salsa

  • 3 cups diced fresh fruit, such as apples, oranges, kiwi, strawberries, grapes or other fresh fruit
  • 2 tablespoons orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey or agave nectar
  • 2 tablespoons sugar-free jam, any flavor

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 F.
  2. Cut each tortilla into 10 wedges. Lay pieces on two baking sheets. Make sure they aren't overlapping. Spray the tortilla pieces with cooking spray.
  3. In a small bowl, combine sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over the tortilla wedges.
  4. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the pieces are crisp. Place on a cooling rack and let cool.
  5. Cut the fruit into cubes. Gently mix the fruit together in a mixing bowl. In another bowl, whisk together jam, honey and orange juice. Pour this over the diced fruit. Mix gently.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours.

Serve as a dip or topping for the cinnamon tortilla chips.

Visit the Mayo Clinic's website for more heart healthy recipes at http://www.mayoclinic.com