Some Quarky Crostini

Quark is a traditional German fresh cheese with the look and consistency of yogurt. Its flavor is mild and on the tangy side. Try substituting quark for yogurt in some of your favorite recipes to lower the calories, carbohydrates and sugar.

Compared with nonfat yogurt, quark has 70 calories per half cup while yogurt can have as many as 130 calories. It is also considerably lower in carbohydrates and sugar. A half-cup has 4 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of sugar, while nonfat yogurt has about 17 grams of carbohydrates and 17 grams of sugar.

Add some grated horseradish to quark for a little zest. This mixture, while good on crostini, would also be good spooned over baked potatoes.

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Horseradish Cream Crostini

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 15 minutes * Vegetarian

1 cup quark

2 teaspoons grated fresh horseradish

1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

32 thin slices toasted French bread

Snipped chives

32 thin slices radish

Stir together the quark, horseradish, lemon juice and salt in a small bowl.

Spread the quark mixture on the toasted bread slices and garnish each with a sprinkle of fresh chives and a radish slice.

32 crostini. Each crostini: 36 calories; 109 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 0 fat; 0 saturated fat; 6 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 0.41 gram fiber.

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Quark is available in well-stocked grocery stores and health food stores.