These peanut butter and chocolate biscotti pieces are bit time- and energy-intensive, but at a five-dozen yield, they are certainly worth the effort.

We had a couple posts this week on the snack and energy bars you can buy at the market lately. Continuing on the theme, I wanted to give props to Dana for this homemade recipe. Made with oatmeal, peanut butter, brown rice cereal and dried fruits, these bars are versatile -- mix it up with your favorite fruits or nut butter variations.

Want something more exciting than bottled beer for your game-day bash? If your friends are Bloody Mary fans, this Mexican cocktail might be a winner. Lime and hot sauce liven up the flavor without adding calories.

Chutney is a simmered-down or pureed combo of fruit (or veggies), spices and herbs. Instead of deep frying or drowning your fish, pork or meat in heavy sauces, opt for a tangy bite of chutney instead.

Enjoy a refreshingly cool (and super healthy) soup this summer. Traditional gazpacho is a pureed mixture of fresh tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, onions, celery and cucumbers but don’t be afraid to get creative. Shake things up—blend a batch of watermelon, red pepper or white grape gazpacho instead.

Dig in to these delicious frozen treats that are reminiscent of Italian ices. Granita’s are harder in texture than sorbets and contain less sugar. To make a granita, cook up a simple sugar (combo of sugar and water) and add flavors such as coffee, mint, juice and wine along with fruit. Once the mixture has begun to freeze (it takes about 3 hours), scrape the ice crystals every so often as they start to form. Once frozen, scoop and serve.

Roasting chestnuts over the fire is a popular pastime for this time of year, but that's not the only way to enjoy these sweet nuts. How about a creamy soup?

With a coconut milk marinade and a sweet-and-spicy dipping sauce, this chicken Sate is perfect for any party.

Mix up your fish taco experience by using different kinds of firm fish and topping with homemade salsa.

Whether for a kid’s birthday party or having friends over to watch the game, dips are an easy to make crowd pleaser. Don’t let gobs of calories and fat weigh down your festivities – try our more figure-friendly picks.