As a vegetarian teetering on the edge of veganism, I eat a lot of nuts and seeds.

And as the summer turns to fall, I tend to throw almonds into my oatmeal, sunflower seeds into my soy yogurt, and, after carving pumpkins for Halloween (and roasting the seeds), pumpkins seeds straight into my mouth.

But I need to branch out, so I’ve been exploring other seeds, such as flax and sesame.

And it turns out I should have been embracing them all along, as both are helpful for what, specifically, ails me.

Flax seeds are among the best plant sources of alpha-linolenic acid (which is an omega 3), have been known to ease inflammation, help hot flashes and keep cholesterol levels healthy. (For the record, I would be hoping for help with hot flashes!) They are best used ground up and then mixed into yogurt, smoothies, soups and hot cereals.

Sesame seeds also offer heart healthy phytosterols, are good sources of calcium and may even halt certain types of cancer cells (all of which packs a three-fer punch for me!). I plan to sprinkle them liberally on vegetables and salads, at least to start.

So what’s your favorite seed, and how do you use it?

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If you enjoy tasty cooked pumpkin seeds there are a couple of basic procedures you can easily utilize. Let’s take a look at easy ways to roast them in the oven as well as cooking them in the microwave. When you are looking for a snack, cooked pumpkin seeds are a good choice.

In the Oven

After you have acquired your pumpkin seeds you need some cooking spray, some olive oil or you can use butter if you desire. Some people choose to add some salt, onion powder, garlic powder, seasoned salt as well as other types of seasonings for cooking pumpkin seeds. Before you cook the seeds rinse them thoroughly and take off the pulp with your fingers. Drain them good and then spread them on some quality paper towels and allow them to dry out overnight. It’s a good idea to place some foil on your baking sheet.

Toss the seeds with some olive oil or butter or spray them with a cooking spray. You can add some salt to the pumpkin seeds as well as other types of seasonings. Take your time while tossing the seeds in order to get a good coating on the seeds. For cooking pumpkin seeds it’s recommended to cook them in a 250 degrees Fahrenheit oven for approximately an hour and it’s a good idea to toss them about every 15 to 20 minutes. Typically they will have a golden brown color when they are done. After cooking pumpkin seeds, allow them to cool off before consuming them. Keep the seeds in an airtight container and enjoy them when you want a tasty snack.

Microwave

For two cups of pumpkin seeds use about two tablespoons of olive oil or butter and you might want to add some flavor to the pumpkin seeds by adding some salt, onion powder, garlic powder or other types of seasonings. As with any type of method for cooking pumpkin seeds, rinse them thoroughly and remove the pulp and let the pumpkin seeds dry on a paper towel overnight.

When you are ready for cooking pumpkin seeds, put the olive oil or the butter in a baking dish that is safe for microwaves. Heat the pan on high for about 30 seconds and then place the pumpkin seeds in the pan and toss them around to get a good coating on the seeds. While cooking pumpkin seeds in a microwave oven, cook them on high for seven to eight minutes and they should have a light golden appearance when they are done. After they have been cooked, add the salt or garlic powder or other seasonings. Cooking pumpkin seeds is easy to do and they make great snacks.

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Whether you’re looking for a great munchie option for family movie night or something to serve when folks come over to watch the next big game, you want something that is fun to eat and easy to make for a crowd.

Homemade Chex mix fills the bill - it’s quick to put together and always gets rave reviews. Original Chex Party Mix has been a part of celebrations for years. For a change of taste, try this sugar and spice variation, it is sure to be a welcome addition to any party.

Sugar ‘n Spice Snack

Prep time: 15 minutes
Start to finish: 2 hours, 5 minutes
Makes: 21 servings (1/2 cup each)

Ingredients:
2 cups Corn Chex cereal
2 cups Rice Chex cereal
2 cups Apple Cinnamon Cheerios cereal
3 cups dry-roasted peanuts
2 egg whites
2 tablespoons orange juice or water
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation directions:

1. Heat oven to 300 F. Spray with cooking spray or grease 15×10x1-inch pan.
2. In very large bowl, mix cereals, corn snacks and peanuts. In small bowl, beat egg whites, orange juice, sugar and cinnamon, using wire whisk or hand beater, until foamy. Pour over cereal mixture, stirring until evenly coated. Spread in pan.
3. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes, until light brown and crisp. Cook completely, about 1 hour. Store in airtight container.

Recipe tip: The baked-on egg white and sugar mixture creates a unique crispy coating on the cereals.

For great recipe ideas and party tips go to www.chex.com.

Courtesy of ARA Content

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