Have you tried Bitchin’ Sauce yet or even heard of it? If not, you are in for a treat!! This bold vegan dip made with almonds, tastes tangy, garlicky and punchy. Best of all, it’s vibrant personality means no one will suspect it’s vegan!!! Even your veggie resistant friends will dig in. And, you can serve it in place of hummus (for those rare folks who shy away from this delicacy). So, it’s the perfect (vegan, gluten-free) Superbowl dip.
I love kale!!! I always keep two bunches in the fridge at ALL times (you’d think it was a fire extinguisher!!) Kale gets a bad rap because it can taste bitter and tough which is result of not being massaged to perfection. Once you know how to massage kale to tender glory – you will LOVE it. Aside from being a super-food, kale holds up to strong conditions (unlike other greens). For example, add it to soup, and it stays vibrant and green rather than turning into a sad sap, wilty mess the next day. Even dressed up kale salads hold their perk in the fridge. Turns out kale does well in the oven too. Have you tried kale chips? I mean who ever thought to roast leafy greens???
I don’t like eggplant. I admit it!!! It’s one of the only vegetables I struggle with. Eggplant can taste bitter, greasy, or cause digestive problems. Oddly enough, I’ve ALWAYS loved Baba Ganoush , a hummus-like Middle Eastern dip made with………eggplant.
Eggplant works perfectly in this dip, lending a smoky flavor and creamy texture. It’s neither bitter nor greasy and it’s easier to make than traditional chickpea hummus. Having reduced my intake of beans (to nearly nothing), this healthy Baba Ganoush dip has become my FAVORITE bean-free hummus alternative.
Have you ever tasted Muhammara? Even heard of it? If not…you’re not alone! I learned about Muhammara on a trip I took to Turkey several years ago. Istanbul is a fun and dynamic city with tons of history, culture, beauty, and personality. The people are warm and engaging and the food is some of the best I’ve ever tasted.
I LOVE guacamole (who doesn’t?) and the best news is that avocados are one of highest fiber fruits you can eat. Compare 10 grams of fiber in an avocado with a mere 4 grams of fiber in an apple. Remember what they say about an apple a day??? Well why not an avocado a day? Eating more avocados is a great way to increase your fiber intake and this guac with carrots snack is easy to make, healthy to eat, and deliciously fun to snack on……
Before going vegan, I was vegetarian for many years and LIVED on cheese and crackers. It’s one of my favorite snacks in the world, but I found myself addicted to cheese. At parties I would hover over the cheese plate instead of socializing. I was hooked! Unfortunately, crackers are highly processed and cheese is dairy so, rather than deny myself something I love, I set out to make a healthier version.
I found a tempting recipe for grain-free, low sugar, gluten-free healthy crackers that would pair well with a zippy vegan cashew “cheez” spread.
I knew when I stood at the counter and polished off an entire bowl of this incredible smoky salsa, that I wanted to share this recipe on the blog. My friend Alexia, whipped together this tongue craving salsa in 5 minutes as I sipped delicious wine and watched her cook (she always serves the best wine and champagne). I kept the conversation flowing as I watched her toss a few ingredients into a mini-chop food processor, zip, zip, zip and emptied the contents into a bowl which she placed on the counter in front of me. After inhaling the entire bowl of salsa and the chips that went with it, I begged for the recipe.
This salsa combines the sweet taste of fresh tomatoes with the deep smoky flavor of chipotle peppers (the ones in adobo sauce – how cute is that word??). A touch of white vinegar adds a tangy brightness that makes this salsa highly addictive (fair warning).
Picture yourself sitting at a primitive wooden table with your toes in the warm Mexican sand dipping tasty chips into this deliciously addictive roasted tomato salsa while sipping an icy cold Pacifico served with a fresh wedge of lime. The aqua blue ocean stretches out before you and festive Mariachi music plays on a small radio. Ahhhhh Mexico….a return to the simple pleasures.
I love this Roasted Red Pepper Hummus. It’s got a velvety smooth texture that melts in your mouth. The roasted red peppers in this tasty recipe not only create a super creamy texture (without any added oil) but they add a deep, warming flavor that is enhanced with a pinch of cayenne. The result is a healthy, delicious dip with toasted pita, carrots, snap peas, cucumber, celery, or grainy crackers.
Hummus is a healthy dip but store-bought hummus can be deceiving and less healthy than you think. This post shows you how to make amazing hummus at home and what to avoid when buying it at the store.
