Who else is obsessed with hummus? I usually settle for store-bought hummus but I wanted to experiment with different flavors & create a homemade version. So easy & so healthy for you!
Time: 10 mins
Ingredients:
- 1 can chickpeas
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon chili paste (I used Sambal Oelek from the Asian aisle!)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon tahini sauce
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
- Juice of half a lemon
Recipe:
- Open the can of chickpeas & rinse them in a strainer.
- Put all ingredients except the olive oil into a food processor (careful when juicing the lemon to not let seeds into the mix!)
- Pulse until smooth.
- Drizzle 1 tablespoon of the olive oil into the food processor then pulse for another 15 seconds.
- Scoop the hummus into a serving dish & drizzle with the remaining olive oil.
Pressed for time and guests are on their way? Have no fear! Here's a crispy, fresh appetizer or snack that will take less than 10 minutes to make! I fancied it up by shaping it into a flower for a bright spring look.
Because of their fresh crunch, endives are a great substitute for crackers and are much healthier. I used a purple endive for my "spring flower" creation and paired it with brie, green apple, almond slices, honey and cracked black pepper - the combination of flavors is intense & delicious!
Time: Less than 10 mins
Ingredients:
- 1 green apple
- 1 endive (green or purple, your choice)
- About 2 tablespoons honey
- 1-2 tablespoons almond slices (tip: buy these pre-sliced)
- 1-2 slices of brie
- Cracked black pepper (optional)
Recipe:
- Wash the endive and pull the leaves off one by one so you can fill them. Make sure any excess water is wiped off with a paper towel. I formed mine into a flower shape for a fun, spring look!
- Cut the apple into small slices and place them into the endive leaves.
- Cut the brie into smaller pieces and add them either on top of or next to the apple pieces.
- Sprinkle the almond slices, drizzle the honey, and crack the black pepper over the entire dish.
- Serve as an appetizer or healthy snack - enjoy!
Want the taste of seasoned mashed potatoes without all that starch? Try my Rosemary Cauliflower Mash! It's easy & a healthier side dish for your Christmas Eve dinner.
ime: 20 mins
Ingredients:
- 1 head of cauliflower
- 1.5 tablespoons butter
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
- 1 pot of boiling water (3 cups, salted)
Recipe:
- Cut the head of cauliflower off the stem, place it in the boiling water until soft (about 10 mins)
- Strain the cauliflower & place it in a food processor. Add all other ingredients.
- Pulse for 1-2 mins or until the cauliflower is the consistency of mashed potatoes.
- Serve hot & enjoy!
Tip: double or triple this recipe to serve at a dinner party!
Guiltless bliss! These take only 15 mins to make & are wayyyy healthier than eating real fudge. They're also gluten-free & vegan!
Time: 15 mins
Ingredients:
- 1 ten oz container (or 1.5 cups) pitted dates
- 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
- 2 teaspoons flax seed flakes
- 2 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon pistachio crumbs (pounded pistachios)
- 2 additional tablespoons of pistachio crumbs for rolling the bars in
Recipe:
- In a food processor, combine all ingredients & pulse until a fine mixture forms. Add more coconut oil if the mixture is too dry (it should look moist, but not wet).
- Using your fingers, form small rectangular bars with about 1 spoonful of the mixture for each (see image below).
- Put the remaining pistachio crumbs in a small sandwich bag. Add the bars one at a time to the bag & shake it so the pistachio crumbs cover each bar.
- That's it! You can refrigerate these if you want them cold, or just serve them as-is!
