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Healthy Spinach Dip and Gluten-Free Cracker Recipes

Impress Even Yourself With These Homemade Flaxseed Crackers

It's football season, but that's no reason to load up on high-calorie tailgating fare. Almost anyone will appreciate having a low-calorie option that is high in nutrients and tasty, as well. Enter this low-calorie spinach dip. Much like other healthy spinach dips, this recipe uses nonfat Greek yogurt, but the surprise is the addition of fresh, chopped watercress. High in vitamins A and C, eating watercress can also repair DNA damage, which may protect your body from free radicals and lower your cancer risk. Once you've made this dip, it's time to eat up; each serving (about four ounces) is only 64 calories. I served the dip with a batch of gluten-free flaxseed crackers, which are high in heart-healthy omega 3s and fiber and easy to make instead of buy.

Spinach and Watercress Dip With Flaxseed Crackers

From Martha Stewart and Wheat Belly Cookbook by William Davis

Healthy Spinach Dip and Gluten-Free Cracker Recipes

Ingredients

  1. For the crackers:
    2 cups ground flaxseeds
    3 tablespoons whole flaxseeds or sesame seeds
    1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
    1 teaspoon onion powder
    1/2 teaspoon sea salt
    1 large egg
    2 tablespoons extra-light olive oil or coconut oil, melted
    1/2 cup water
    1 teaspoon coarse sea salt or spices mix such as garlic, cumin, and chili
  1. For the dip:
    1 pound spinach, tough stems discarded
    1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
    1/2 cup finely chopped onion
    1 1/2 cups Greek yogurt
    1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest
    2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
    1 bunch watercress, coarsely chopped, plus small sprigs for garnish
    Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

For the crackers:

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
  2. In a large bowl, combine ground flaxseeds, whole flaxseeds or sesame seeds, parmesan cheese, onion powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, oil, and water. Pour into the flaxseed mixture, and mix thoroughly.
  4. Cover two baking sheets with parchment paper. Spoon half of the mixture onto each parchment, shape each into a loose ball, and cover each with another sheet of parchment paper. Using a rolling paper, flatten to 1/8-inch thickness.
  5. Remove the top layer of parchment paper, sprinkle with coarse sea salt or desired spices, and bake for 25 minutes, or until the center is firm. Cool for at least 30 minutes. Break by hand or cut with a pizza cutter into crackers of desired size.

For the dip:

  1. Wash spinach; drain, but do not dry. Transfer to a large stockpot. Cover, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until wilted, about five minutes. Transfer to a clean kitchen towel, and squeeze out excess liquid. Let cool slightly; coarsely chop. Set aside.
  2. Heat oil in a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and translucent, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a plate, and let cool slightly.
  3. Whisk together yogurt and lemon zest, and juice in a medium bowl. Stir in spinach, onion, and watercress; season with salt and pepper. Garnish with watercress sprigs, if desired.

Calories per cracker:

Calories per serving of dip:

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Leta Shy
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