Herbs, tomatoes & cheese: 2 simple recipes you've got to try

The wonderful aroma and flavour from herbs, whether fresh or dried, stands out in these two recipes.

• Preparation time: 10 minutes.
• Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 100 g (3 1⁄2 oz) light cream cheese
• 2 scallions, thinly sliced
• 125 ml (1⁄2 c) parsley, finely chopped
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) chopped dill
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) chopped tarragon
• 4 bagels
• 1⁄2 small cucumber, thinly sliced
• 3 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced

Instructions:

1. Combine cream cheese, scallion, parsley, dill and tarragon in a bowl. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
2. Slice bagels in half horizontally. Spread cheese mixture on bagel bases. Layer on cucumber, tomato and onion slices and cover with tops of bagels. Serve immediately.

• Fresh parsley makes a healthy contribution of vitamin C.

Each bagel contains:

• 280 calories
• 11 g protein
• 7 g fat (including 3 g saturated fat)
• 15 mg cholesterol
• 50 g carbohydrates
• 9 g fibre
• 290 mg sodium

• For a milder herb flavour, reduce the parsley to 30 grams (two tablespoons).
• Alternatively, for a peppery flavour, finely chop a handful of watercress, tough stalks removed, in place of the parsley.

• Preparation time: 10 minutes.
• Cooking time: 3 minutes.
• Serves 4.

Ingredients:

• 1 small roasted red pepper, seeded and coarsely chopped
• 1 ml (1⁄4 tsp) crushed fennel seeds or dried oregano
• 1 ml (1⁄4 tsp) salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 50 ml (1⁄4 c) light mozzarella cheese, coarsely grated
• 30 ml (2 tbsp) Swiss cheese, coarsely grated
• 2 whole-wheat pita breads
• 40 ml (8 tsp) bottled tomato sauce or pizza sauce
• 1⁄2 small red onion, thinly sliced

Instructions:

1. Preheat broiler. Combine pepper, fennel seeds or oregano, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Combine the mozzarella and Swiss cheese in another bowl.
2. Separate each pita bread into two flat rounds. Place rounds, insides facing up, on baking tray. Broil 10 centimetres (four inches) from heat until golden brown around edges, about one minute.
3. Spread 10 millilitres (two teaspoons) sauce up to the edges of each pita round. Spoon 30 millilitres (two tablespoons) pepper mixture over the top. Sprinkle evenly with cheese; top with onion.
4. Grill until cheese is melted and pizzas are hot, about two minutes.

• Eating peppers can help reduce the risk of stroke because they're rich in vitamin C.

Each serving contains:

• 137 calories
• 7 g protein
• 4 g fat (including 2 g saturated fat)
• 7 mg cholesterol
• 22 g carbohydrates
• 3 g fibre
• 475 mg sodium

Ready in under 15 minutes, these delicious recipes are perfect as a light meal or quick snack. Try them today with these simple recipes!