Strawberry Bites

You can make these sweet or savory – keep an open mind!

Ingredients

½ cup heavy cream

¼ cup bulk sugar substitute

½ tsp vanilla extract

4 oz. light cream cheese, softened

12 large strawberries

Directions

1. Wash and dry strawberries.
2. With a sharp knife, slice down through the point of each berry about ¾ way to the crown. Place each berry leafy top down on a plate.
3. With an electric beater, whip cream until frothy.  Add sugar substitute and vanilla and whip on high until soft peaks form.
4. Add softened cream cheese and whip for a few seconds.  Do not overbeat or cream will break down. Place the mixture into a pastry bag.
5. Slightly spread the folds of the strawberry and insert the tip of the pastry bag to pipe a dollop of cream mixture into the center. Garnish with mint leaf or orange peel.

Variation: Instead of ¼ cup sugar substitute, use 1 Tablespoon sugar substitute and add a Tablespoon fresh chopped basil with a dash of freshly cracked pepper.

Makes 12 servings

Nutrition Facts:

Calories 50

Total Fat 4g

Total Carbohydrates 2g

Dietary Fiber 0g

Protein 1g