Monthly Archives: March 2012

Spinach-Pesto Dip

A friend of mine came to visit a couple weekends ago and when I was at the grocery store buying food for the week, I realized I didn’t have anything to offer her to snack on other than veggies or chicken. I remembered a page in the latest Real Simple magazine about different dips to make with Greek yogurt and the next thing I know, I was scouring the check-out lanes for the latest issue to look up the ingredients. This Spinach-Pesto Dip appealed to me since I’m not only a big spinach fan but I would eat pesto on top of just about anything if it wasn’t so fattening. I wasn’t thrilled about buying store-bought pesto with it’s inch-thick layer of olive oil sitting at the top of the jar but I didn’t want to have to buy all of the ingredients to make my own. I ended up dumping most of that olive oil once I opened the jar before stirring the pesto and I didn’t miss any of the extra oil. This was such a simple dip to make what with it only having three ingredients and it’s a pleasant change from the regular old spinach dip. This made for a perfect last minute appetizer to have with wine when my guests came over. I served it with carrots and pretzel chips (is anyone else as addicted to these things as I am?!) but this dip will taste great with any of your favorite veggies or chips.

The ingredients:

Cook the frozen spinach as per the package instructions. Once the spinach is cool enough, press or squeeze out as much excess water as you can.

In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt and pesto.

Add in the spinach and stir until incorporated.

Serve with your favorite vegetables or chips.

Additions: None

Omissions: None

Substitutions: None

Overall Rating: Like It

Source: Real Simple Magazine

Chipotle-Garlic Edamame

The first time I ate edamame was about five years ago at a cute sushi place in the middle of Mandalay Bay Casino in Las Vegas. I’m not much of a sushi person so when my friends would pony up to the counter for what could easily become our only meal of the day, I typically would get a bowl of white sticky rice with soy sauce. After seeing how my friends would devour the edamame, I tried it. And now I think it’s just as addicting as potato chips yet so much better for you! If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that I don’t mind my mouth being on fire after eating a meal on occasion. This Chipotle-Garlic Edamame is hot, spicy, and completely addictive. Normally I eat edamame with a little sea salt or soy sauce so this addition of chipotle and garlic is wonderfully different. Minced chipotle peppers and garlic are cooked in a little olive oil with cumin, giving the oil an immensely smoky flavor which coats the edamame. Be prepared to lick your fingers with these and keep a drink of something cold nearby!

The ingredients:

Prepare the edamame according to package directions (either in the microwave or in boiling water). Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large pan with the minced chipotle pepper, garlic and ground cumin.

Add cooked edamame to the pan and cook until the garlic has softened and the pods are coated.

Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper before serving.

Additions: None

Omissions: None

Substitutions: None

Overall Rating: Love It

Source: Food and Wine Magazine

Spicy Black Beans

Black beans are by far my favorite bean even though I swear the only beans I ate as a kid were baked beans and the occasional kidney bean in chili.  When I was a vegetarian, I experimented with all kinds of beans and found myself using black beans in place of meat in plenty of recipes.  The great thing about black beans is that they are low in fat and full of fiber so a little bit of them will go a long way in keeping you fuller longer. 

I’ve been on a pretty strict diet for the past month and black beans, which are considered a good carbohydrate, make for a great snack when you are watching your weight.  Even thought I love black beans, I don’t really like the idea of just eating them by the spoonful.  So, I found this recipe for Spicy Black Beans, an easy black bean salad/side dish with simple flavors like jalapeño, red pepper, cilantro and lime.  Don’t let the “spicy” in the title scare you – the jalapeño is mild without giving it too much of a kick.  For another flavor burst or extra heat, consider adding in spices like cumin or cayenne pepper with the black beans.  This dish can be eaten warm, room temperature, or cold and makes for a nice side to any meat entree or as a light meal in itself.

The ingredients:

Heat the canola oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.  Add the red pepper and jalapeño and cook for 4 minutes until softened.

Add in the lime juice, salt and black beans and cook for 3 minutes until the beans are warmed through.

Top with fresh cilantro before serving.

Additions:  None

Omissions:  None

Substitutions:  None

Overall Rating:  Love It

Source:  Cooking Light Magazine

1 … 3 4 5
Blog at WordPress.com.