Red Pepper Lentil Dip
February 5, 2012 - Written by Diana
Here’s a really fast and I think pretty healthy dip. Unlike sour cream dips, legume dips fill you up faster so you’ll eat a little less of the not so good stuff. My suggestion is to start with the bean dip with veggies to leave a little less room for those fattening things. You can revisit last years dip suggestions to see healthier alternatives for your gatherings.
Lentils – are a type of legume, and are very high in proteins. They cook relatively quickly and when mashed are similar to chickpeas used for hummus. You can substitute lentils for chickpeas in your hummus, or use it instead of refried beans in your bean dip. The red lentils have more of a mild flavor and aren’t as high in protein as the dark green, but I used them because I thought they would go well with the red peppers. Use this dip for crackers, raw veggies, pita or just chips. Serve warm or cold and to keep from drying out you can pour a thin layer of oil over top …
Taste of Home’s 2010 Quick, Cheap and Easy Superbowl Recipes
February 2, 2010 - Written by Diana
Taste of Home put out a second edition of the Taste of Home Cookbook. The new cookbook from Taste of Home, the # 1 cooking magazine in the country, is stuffed full of quick game day chow that won’t break the bank! Using everyday ingredients the Taste of Home cookbook 2nd edition has quick and scrumptious treats that will tackle your guests’ hungry tummies. It takes less than a half an hour to whip up these mouth watering munchies such as Hot Bean Dip, Easy Meatballs, Barbeque Wings, Tomato Pizza Bread, and a yummy Five Minute Beer Dip to get the crowd going. Without emptying your wallet or being stuck in the kitchen you’ll have a feast for champions!
Hot Bean Dip Prep/Total Time: 15 Min Cost $.40 per serving
Ingredients: 1 lb ground beef ¼ cup chopped onion 1 can (16 ounces) refried beans 1-1/4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese ½ cup taco …
Holiday Gift Guide: Global Gardens Gourmet Club
November 22, 2008 - Written by Diana
Did you ever get to review something, or taste a food or look at pr materials and all you can think is WOW! That’s how I feel about the Global Gardens Gourmet Club. This would be such a great gift for a foodie, gourmet chef, or just someone who likes to experiment and try new things in their cooking. Deb, take note, this is what I want my husband to get me for Christmas. Send him this link. When you subscribe to the Global Gardens Gourmet Club you get a bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, an in-season Champagne Fruit Vinegar and two additional items. Every shipment is guaranteed to be worth 50.00 or more, but only costs 39.00 per shipment. There are 4 shipments during the year, February, May, August and November. Join the Olive Revolution!!
The Holiday 2008 shipment includes: California Estate Mission Varietal Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Fig Infused Balsamic Vinegar, Roasted Garlic Spread and Finishing Glaze.
The photo was from the late summer shipment that consisted of the California Estate Ascolano Varietal …
Focaccia Sticks Giveaway
November 21, 2008 - Written by Diana
Focaccia Sticks are new to the marketplace put out by New York Style, the same people who came up with Bagel Crisps. They take Focaccia slice it into strips, bake it again and then they are seasoned with herbs and spices. My favorite is the Rosemary and Sea Salt, which surprised me. I was sure my favorite would be the Quattro Formaggio. They were very good, but the Rosemary and Sea Salt were really good. My College Girl walked off with the Roasted Garlic and Herbs, but it didn’t last long. She loved them too.
Quattro Formaggio is a four cheese seasoning blend (WHEY, PARMESAN, CHEDDAR, ROMANO, BLUE CHEESE), the Rosemary and Sea Salt is slightly salty with a nice rosemary flavor. My daughter said the Roasted Garlic & Herb had a nice garlicy taste. I guess they all tasted how you would expect which isn’t a bad thing actually. The taste isn’t overpowering though, which is why it goes great with dips.
These would go great with Hummus (hear that Deb) , Pace’s 4 Cheese Queso or Buff’s Queso. Pear slices and goat cheese, or Fig Chevre(I saw that recently). It would be good with salads, or great to dip in tomato soup or dipped in melted brie. Lots and lots of choices.
New York Style has offered to send 1 bag of Focaccia Sticks to 3 winners.
The Rules:
- In the comment tell us which Focaccia sounds like it would be your favorite and what would you pair it with. Soups, cheeses, dips, etc. Be as specific as you can. Recipes aren’t necessary though, but maybe what kind of cheese or dip do you enjoy.
- US residents only
- Contest ends November 25th at midnight est.
- Wish Everyone a Happy Thanksgiving (Or just a nice day off – if you don’t celebrate)
Tomatillos to Salsa Verde
September 29, 2008 - Written by DianaMy husband loves to grow Tomatillos. Tomatillos are a tart sour tomato (or tomato-like). We’ve planted seeds in the ground or in pots to grow our plants every year. It’s not a plant we can find in a store or nursery, so I decided to try them one time and we’ve done it every year since. Usually we just add them to our salsa’s when we make them, but this year I decided to make Salsa Verde or Green Salsa. This salsa is more of a fresh salsa. Since tomatillos are sour on their own, I didn’t add any vinegar and while it is delicious, I’m not sure of storing it long term. So this is a fresh made salsa to be used up. 
Tomatillos grow on plants and they hang down covered in a papery husk (my husband says they’re lanterns). The tomatillos are in the plant picture, but it’s like a where’s waldo you need to look closely to see them.
Father’s Day Hummus
June 17, 2008 - Written by DianaMy daughter had to work and didn’t have time or money to buy her father a gift for Father’s day. So I suggested that she make one of his favorite treats and then let him eat it. Usually she likes all the same things he does and then they both work on it. That means that neither is thrilled when the other finishes it off. She made him a big bowl of hummus, and some pita chips, and then let him have the whole thing as his father’s day gift. He loved it and is still loving it, since my daughter let him have it all. Since the first time we tried making our own hummus, we’ve never gone back to store bought. Hummus is so cheap and easy to make – once you get the tahini and delicious.
