Nutty Quesadillas, Golden Trail Snack Bars, Sweet 'n Savory Nuts and Microwave Peanut Brittle

(Family Features) - What's your game plan for this year's college and professional basketball post-season? Why not "go nuts" while cheering your favorite teams to victory? After all, nuts can be part of a healthy diet.

In fact, nuts provide a variety of vitamins and minerals. For example, peanuts are a good source of vitamin E, niacin, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, plus they provide seven grams of protein per one-ounce serving. Studies show that when one ounce of nuts is substituted for foods high in saturated fat* - and eaten as part of a healthy diet that is calorie-balanced for weight maintenance - they can help lower blood cholesterol levels.

The bottom line? Nuts are delicious and nutritious, so they can be a terrific snack or a great addition to your favorite mealtime recipes.

With the wide variety of Planters Nuts available, it's easy to add nuts to a diet, and what better time to start than during basketball season? So, consider these delicious recipes as you prepare your menu for the big game. They offer an array of great snack options from which you and your guests can choose. For more recipes and nutritional information about nuts, please visit www.planters.com or www.kraftfoods.com.

*Peanuts contain 14 grams of fat per one-ounce serving, including two (2) grams of saturated fat.

Nutty Quesadillas
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes

4 flour tortillas
1 cup shredded, reduced-fat (2% milk) cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Planters Dry Roasted Unsalted Peanuts, chopped
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies, drained

TOP each tortilla with 1/4 cup cheese, 2 tablespoons peanuts and 1/4 of the chilies; fold in half.

HEAT 12-inch nonstick skillet on medium heat. Spray pan with no stick cooking spray.

ADD 1 quesadilla; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until bottom is golden brown. Turn over; cook an additional 3 minutes or until second side is golden brown. Remove from skillet. Keep warm. Repeat with remaining quesadillas, spraying pan with additional cooking spray as needed.

CUT each quesadilla into quarters. Serve with salsa. Makes 16 servings, 1 wedge each.

GREAT SUBSTITUTE: Prepare as directed, using shredded, reduced-fat colby and Monterey Jack cheese.

Nutrition Information per Serving:
70 calories, 4g total fat, 1.5g saturated fat, less than 5mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate, 4g protein, 10%DV vitamin C.

Golden Trail Snack Bars
Prep: 15 minutes
3 tablespoons butter or margarine

30 marshmallows
5 cups sweetened puffed wheat cereal
1 package (6 ounces) Planters Nuts, Seeds & Raisins Trail Mix

MELT butter and marshmallows in large heavy saucepan on low heat, stirring constantly.

ADD cereal and trail mix; toss until evenly coated.

PRESS cereal mixture into greased 13x9-inch pan. Cool. Cut into 24 bars. Makes 24 servings.

USE YOUR MICROWAVE: Place butter in large microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH 45 seconds or until melted. Add marshmallows; toss to coat. Microwave 1 minute 30 seconds or until marshmallows are completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring after 45 seconds. Continue as directed.

Nutrition Information per Serving:
110 calories, 4g total fat, 1.5g saturated fat, less than 5mg cholesterol, 40mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate, 2g protein.

Sweet 'n Savory Nuts
Prep: 5 minutes
Bake: 15 minutes

1 can (10 ounces) Planters Mixed Nuts
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary leaves
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon butter, melted

TOSS nuts and seasonings in large bowl. Add combined honey and butter; mix lightly.

SPREAD on baking sheet.

BAKE at 300°F for 15 minutes, stirring after 8 minutes. Cool on wire rack. Makes 10 servings (about 3 tablespoons each).

MAKE-AHEAD: Store this great party snack in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Information per Serving:
190 calories, 16g total fat, 3g saturated fat, less than 5mg cholesterol, 125mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate, 6g protein.

Microwave Peanut Brittle
Prep: 5 minutes
Microwave: 11 minutes

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1-1/2 cups Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts
1 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda

MICROWAVE sugar and corn syrup in large microwavable bowl on

HIGH 5 minutes, stirring after 3 minutes. Stir in peanuts. Microwave an additional 3 to 5 minutes or until golden brown.

ADD butter and vanilla; stir until butter is completely melted. Microwave 1 minute. Stir in baking soda. (Mixture will foam.)

SPREAD mixture on baking sheet. Cool completely. Break into pieces. Makes 1 pound or 11 (1/3-cup) servings.

GREAT SUBSTITUTE: Substitute 1-1/2 cups Planters Sesame Nut Mix or any Planters Nuts for peanuts.

Nutrition Information per Serving:
240 calories, 11g total fat, 2g saturated fat, less than 5mg cholesterol, 220mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate, 5g protein.

SOURCE: Planters® Nuts