Ready for Happy Hour Friday? I sure am. This is such a fun project. Every Thursday night while I’m walking away on the treadmill, I start dreaming about what I might make for Friday’s happy hour. The recipes you’ll see on Fridays are from the previous week. I’m a week ahead of you, so you’ll have a few delicious treats to choose from.

This week we really need the break. Life is a bit insane. We sold our house, haven’t put an offer on the new house, so we are in limbo. I’m writing articles for two other websites, going to school and I work full time. BAH! (A term my daughter uses in emails to let me know something is crazy.)

Last Friday we had company, so the appetizer had to be something special, and it was. Tender endive, filled with creamy blue cheese, dried cranberries and toasted walnuts. Drizzle just a touch of balsamic dressing and you have a really colorful, delicious appetizer.

Endive with Walnuts and Blue Cheese

Take that same blue cheese mixture, put it in a lovely bowl on a platter with apple slices, and you’ll have a second dish.

Both are really deconstructions of a very popular spinach salad, usually served with fruit, dried cranberries and a raspberry vinaigrette. How simple is that?

Apples with Blue Cheese and Walnuts

I have to say I was surprised when I calculated the calories for these leafy little treats. The count is a bit high, but the ingredients are healthy and delicious, and since we make a meal out of our appetizers, I can live with a few extra calories.

Happy – Happy Hour Friday!

Tangy Blue Cheese Fruit and Nut Appetizers

Serves 8

16 large endive leaves
2 large apples, cored and sliced
½ cup walnut pieces, toasted
1 cup dried cranberries
¾ cup blue cheese , crumbled
2 tablespoons light balsamic vinaigrette

1. Toast walnuts in a dry skillet over medium heat for two minutes until fragrant. Set aside and cool.
2. Arrange apple slices on one platter, and endive leaves on other platter.
3. In a medium bowl combine cooled walnuts, dried cranberries and blue cheese.
4. Top endive leaves with 1 tablespoon cheese mix and a drop or two of balsamic dressing.

5. Put remaining cheese, nuts and blue cheese in a bowl to serve with apple slices.

What’s good for me in this dish?

Walnuts are very high in omega 3 fatty acids, manganese, copper and tryptophan. Omega 3 fatty acids contribute to a healthy heart. They are known to lower bad LDL cholesterol levels, and raise good HDL cholesterol levels. They also improve and control high blood pressure.

Apples are a great source of vitamin C and fiber. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant for a healthy heart. The flavonoids in apples also contribute to heart health. High in fiber, apples can help lower LDL cholesterol.

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 347
Total Fat: 10.39g
Cholesterol: 9mg
Sodium: 452mg
Total Carbs: 55.30g
Dietary Fiber: 33.88g
Sugars: 18.19g
Protein: 16.84g

Weight Watchers Points 7

Nutrition details obtained from whfoods.org, nutritiondata.com, about.com, and abouthomecooking.com.

Tangy Blue Cheese, Fruit and Nut Appetizers

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