Veggie Cups with Ranch Dip

Looking for the perfect-healthy snack? Then you must try this delicious Veggie Cups with Ranch Dip. Be creative and unique, cause eating healthy doesn't have to be boring! This recipe is perfect as a appetizer, celebrations, snacks and for the diet. Recipe serves for 8 people.

INGREDIENTS
1 1/2 cups plain yogurt or plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 garlic clove, minced
1 to 2 tbsp. finely chopped chives
1 tbsp. finely chopped dill
2 tbsp. finely chopped parsley
1 to 2 tsp. mustard powder
1 tbsp. liquid honey
1 to 2 tbsp. lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Veggie sticks, such as cucumber, carrots, celery, bell peppers, and/or skewered grape tomatoes, for serving

PREPARATION
For the Ranch Dip: Add yogurt, mayonnaise, garlic, chives, dill, parsley, mustard powder, honey, lemon juice, salt and pepper to a bowl. Whisk to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning. (Makes about 2 cups.)

Divide dip into 8 mini cups. Add veggie sticks to each cup and serve.













[recipe as seen in: cbc.ca]

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Chocolate Chunky Banana Bread

Tired of the old-traditional bread in the mornings? Try this delicious Chocolate Chunky Banana Bread! Fill with chunks of chocolate and chewy dates, this banana bread recipe will bright any morning! Recipe for breakfast and kids school snack.

Yield: 10 to 12 servings

Ingredients
Butter and flour, as needed for greasing the loaf pan
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
Pinch salt
Pinch nutmeg, freshly grated
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup regular granulated sugar
1 egg
1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas, (about 3 medium)
1 tsp. vanilla or almond extract
1/2 cup finely chopped dates
About 3/4 cup chopped dark chocolate

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Butter and flour an 8-inch x 4-inch loaf pan or line with parchment paper. Set aside.

3. Combine flour, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Set aside.

4. Cream butter and sugar with electric mixture until light and fluffy. Beat in egg until smooth and incorporated. Beat in mashed banana and vanilla until smooth. Stir in flour mixture, just until blended, it’s okay if some flour remains. Fold in dates and chocolate.

5. Scrape batter into prepared loaf pan. Bake until toothpick inserted in centre of bread, come out clean, about 1 hour. Let cool completely. Slice and serve.
















[recipe & photo credit belongs to: Chef Stefano Faita]

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Fudgy Brownie Bites

Chocolate lovers have never been more happy, know why? This Fudgy Brownie Bites will make anyone happy! perfect for kids, family and friends. Good for Sunday snacks, appetizers, dessert, or just for fun!

Ingredients

8 ounces (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chopped

2 cups sugar

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

4 ounces 70% cocoa chocolate bar, chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

3 large eggs, cold

3/4 cup cake flour

Directions

1. Butter a mini muffin pan (with 36 muffin cups); preheat an oven to 325°F with a rack in the bottom third of the oven.

2.  Place the butter in a large bowl over a pot of simmering water (bain marie). When it begins to melt, add the sugar, cocoa powder and chocolate bar. Stir occasionally until the butter and chocolate have completely melted and mixture is completely mixed together–it may still appear a bit grainy.

3. Remove the bowl from the bain marie and allow the temperature of the mixture to cool slightly.

4. Add the vanilla and stir. Then add each egg, one at a time, mixing well after each to completely incorporate it.

5. Add the cake flour and mix the flour in until it is completely dispersed. Continue to mix for another minute to ensure the mixture is smooth. The batter will be very thick.

6. Spoon the batter evenly into the mini-cupcake pan. Place in the preheated oven and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out covered in crumbs and a paste-like substance, but not a liquidy looking substance (it should stick to the toothpick and not run or fall off). Baked for 18 minutes.

7. Allow the brownies to cool to room temperature then place the pans in the freeze for 20 minutes–this will help the brownies come out of the pan easier. Remove from the freezer, run a knife along the outside of each brownie and pop the brownie bite out.

[recipe as seen in: chasingdelicious.com]

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Bacon-and-Escarole Grilled Cheese

Sandwiches are one of the best meals for lunch or dinner, best part? You can easy make a delicious sandwich from leftovers. For the Bacon-and-Escarole Grilled Cheese you only need six ingredients. Perfect for lunch, school, work or kids snacks.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients
12 slices bacon (12 ounces)
3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
8 slices sourdough bread

6 ounces sharp cheddar, sliced 

1/2 small head escarole, trimmed and torn into bite-size pieces

Directions

1. In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium-high until fat is rendered and bacon is crisp, about 7 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Pour off and reserve all but 1 tablespoon fat. In a small bowl, combine mustard and honey and spread on bread. Divide cheese and bacon among bread to make 4 sandwiches.

2. Place skillet over medium; in batches, add sandwiches and cook until bread is golden and crisp and cheese is melted, 6 to 8 minutes, flipping halfway through and adding more bacon fat as needed. Open sandwiches, add escarole, close, and serve immediately.

[recipe & photo courtesy of Martha Stewart]

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Salami and Cream Cheese Sandwich

Looking for a easy-yet delicious recipe for your work lunch, or kids snack time? Well i found the perfect (and super easy to make!) recipe that will help make you say "oh la la" in less than 30 minutes. Kids can help you make this recipe also!

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4 sandwiches

Ingredients
1 teaspoon grainy mustard
2 slices rye bread
2 ounces salami (about 6 slices), thinly sliced
1/2 small bunch arugula, trimmed and washed
1 tablespoon cream cheese

Directions

1. Spread mustard on one slice of bread; top with salami and arugula. Spread cream cheese on the other slice of bread; close sandwich. Serve, or refrigerate, wrapped tightly in wax paper or plastic, up to overnight. Cut in half.

[recipe & photo courtesy of: Martha Stewart]

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Toasted Coconut Shortbread

Have any ideas what to bake for this week? I have the perfect and easy recipe for you and the family, a delicious Toasted Coconut Shortbread! If you love coconut, you cannot miss this one - perfect serve with hot chocolate or milk.

Ingredients
1/2 cup (about 1.5 ounces) unsweetened shredded coconut*
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks or 6 ounces) unsalted butter, room temperature**
1/2 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon coarse kosher salt (Updated: for unsweetened coconut, the smaller amount; sweetened, the larger amount)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/3 cups all purpose flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Spread coconut on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until coconut is light golden, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes. Cool completely, then grind in a coffee grinder, food processor or blender until coarsely ground.

2. Using electric mixer, beat butter and sugar in large bowl until well blended. Mix in salt and vanilla. Beat in flour in 2 additions. Stir in toasted coconut. Gather dough together, flatten into a disc and wrap in plastic. Chill at least 1 hour. (Can be prepared 2 days ahead. Keep chilled. Soften slightly at room temperature before rolling out.)

3. Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out dough disk on lightly floured work surface to scant 1/4-inch thickness. Using 1 3/4- to 2-inch-diameter cookie cutters, cut dough into rounds. Transfer cookies to prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart. Gather dough scraps and reroll; cut out additional cookies.

4. Bake cookies until light golden, about 20 minutes. Cool on baking sheets 10 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks and cool completely. (Can be made ahead. Store airtight at room temperature up to 1 week.)

From the Chef:

* I couldn't find unsweetened, so I used sweetened and dialed back the sugar by 2 tablespoons.

** If you’re looking for an excuse to splurge on the good butter, shortbread is it. You will absolutely appreciate the extra flavor as it shows up in this cookie.

[recipe credit belongs to: Smittenkitchen.com]

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Summer Recipe: Frozen Peanut Butter Bites

photo / foodnetwork

Summer is here! and let's enjoy this beautiful season with everyone in the family, and for that let me share a must-try recipe: Frozen Peanut Butter Bites. This recipe is perfect for kids, family, easy-to make and super quick! Enjoy~

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Inactive time: 1 hour and 30 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 55 minutes

Ingredients
1 (18-ounce) jar creamy peanut butter
2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

Directions

1. Using an electric mixer or a whisk, beat the peanut butter and confectioners' sugar together until smooth and stiff. Beat in the vanilla extract. Shape the peanut butter mixture into 20 (1-inch) balls and place on a waxed paper-lined sheet tray. Place the tray in the freezer for 1 hour.

2. Add chopped chocolate to a small bowl set over gently simmering water. Stir to melt. Remove chocolate from heat. With 2 forks, carefully dip the chilled peanut butter balls 1/2 way into the chocolate, let excess drip off, and lay onto the waxed paper-lined sheet tray.

3. With a fork, swirl some decorative chocolate across the top of each bite. Place in the refrigerator for the chocolate to set and the peanut butter to solidify, about 30 minutes.

Cook's Note: If it's a hot and humid day outside dust your hands with confectioners' sugar before rolling the balls. This will make it less sticky.

[recipe credit belongs to: foodnetwork.com]

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Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

photo credit / Superspark

I love this recipe! Because eating healthy cookies can never be wrong and this recipe is prove of it. The mix of bananas and oatmeal make a perfect combination for a cookie breakfast or morning snack. Easy to make and perfect for kids. Made by The Perky Poppy Seed. Makes 30 cookies.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 very very ripe banana
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup flour, fluffed to aerate before measuring
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1-1/2 cups oatmeal (old-fashioned or quick, not instant)
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350. Melt butter in a small dish in microwave, about 20 seconds. Transfer to mixing bowl. Mix in sugars, banana, egg and vanilla.

2. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking power, baking soda and salt. Add the bowl of dry ingredients to the bowl of wet ingredients and mix until well combined. Stir in oatmeal and chocolate chips.

3. Drop dough by tablespoons onto a baking sheet lined with parchment (or with a Silpat). Bake for 11 – 14 minutes until set and golden. Cool 5 minutes on tray, then transfer to cooling racks.

[recipe credit belongs to: The Perky Poppy Seed / Superspark]

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Chocolate hazelnut biscotti

photo credit / smitten kitchen

There's nothing better than a cup of hot coffee and a chocolate hazelnut biscotti on the side. This recipe is the favourite of many and you must try it. It can be serve with tea, coffee or hot chocolate. Perfect for kids and family snacks or desserts.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 50 minutes
Total time: 1 hour

Ingredients
1 cup whole hazelnuts, preferably blanched
2 1/2 cups flour, plus flour for work surface
1/2 cup Dutch-style cocoa powder
1 tablespoon espresso powder
Pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
4 large eggs
1 1/3 cups sugar.

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread hazelnuts on baking sheet and toast about 10 minutes, until lightly browned. If hazelnuts are not blanched, toast them until the skins begin to crack, then remove them from oven and wrap them in clean linen or cotton towel (not terrycloth). Rub hot nuts to remove most of the skin. Set toasted nuts aside.

2. Sift the flour, cocoa, espresso powder, salt, baking soda and baking powder together and set aside.

3. Beat eggs lightly, just until blended, in mixing bowl with whisk or in electric mixer. Remove two tablespoons of egg mixture to small dish and set aside. Beat sugar into remaining eggs until blended. Stir in flour mixture to form soft dough.

4. Divide the dough in half and place one portion on a well-floured work surface. With floured hands, pat it into a six-inch square. Scatter half the hazelnuts on the dough and press them into the surface. Roll the dough into a cylinder about 2 inches in diameter and 12 to 15 inches long. Line the baking sheet with parchment paper and place the roll of dough on the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough. Brush the tops of both rolls with the reserved egg.

5. Place in the oven and bake about 15 minutes, until firm to the touch. (It takes 20 to 25 minutes.) Transfer to a cutting board and cut on an angle into slices one-half-inch thick. (Let them cool for five minutes it will made this easier, as well as a sharp knife with a tight serrate.) Return the slices to the baking sheet, laying them on their cut sides, and return them to the oven. Bake another 20 minutes, until they are crisp and dry. Allow to cool completely before storing or serving.

[recipe credit belongs to: smitten kitchen.com]

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Rugelach Pinwheels

photo credit / smitten kitchen

I love baking, do you know why? This recipe will leave you open-mouth, delicious Rugelach Pinwheels. This delicious recipe includes raisins, walnuts and apricots.  All mix in a roller coaster of flavor, try it you will love it! This is the perfect recipe for baking-beginners, kids, family time and dessert or snack. It makes about 50 cookies.

Dough
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, room temperature
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 cups sifted bleached all-purpose flour

Filling
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 cup golden raisins, chopped
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup apricots preserves, heated and cooled slightly

Topping
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Directions

1. Place cream cheese and butter in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth and creamy. Add sugar and continue processing until fully incorporated. Add flour and pulse just until dough comes together. Divide dough into 2 equal pieces, wrap with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 2 hours.

2. Meanwhile, make filling. In a medium bowl, mix together granulated and brown sugar, cinnamon, raisins, and walnuts; set aside.

3. On a lightly floured surface, roll out 1 piece of dough into a rectangle about 1/8-inch thick. Spread a thin layer of preserves over dough; sprinkle with filling mixture. Roll dough into a log beginning with one of the long sides; wrap in plastic wrap. Transfer dough log baking sheet. Repeat process with remaining piece of dough. Place dough logs in refrigerator; let chill at least 1 hour.

4. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. Mix together the cinnamon and sugar for the topping; set aside.

5. Slice chilled dough logs crosswise, about 1/4 inch thick. Toss each cookie in the cinnamon-sugar mixture. Place cookies 3 inches apart on prepared baking sheets. Bake until lightly browned, 18 to 20 minutes. Lift parchment paper from baking sheets and transfer to a wire cooling rack; let cool.

[recipe credit belongs to: smitten kitchen.com]

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Crunchy Coconut Corn Fritters

photo / food52

This delicious recipe will set the mood in any celebration or event.  There's many recipes for Corn Fritters but this one is one of my favorites! The mix between corn and coconut is perfect, share with your friends and family this unique appetizer or snack. Enjoy!

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Total time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

- 1 cup all purpose flour

- 1 tsp baking powder

- ½ tsp salt

- ½ tsp sugar

- ½ tsp cayenne

- 1 egg

- ½ cup coconut milk

- a few dashes of hot sauce

- 1 ½ tbsps butter, melted

- 1 ¼ cups fresh corn kernels (about 2 ears)

- 1 cup frozen, grated unsweetened coconut, thawed

- ¼ cup scallions, thinly sliced

- 1 tbsp green chilies, finely minced (optional)

- salt

Directions

1. In a bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, and cayenne. In another bowl, beat together egg, coconut milk, hot sauce, and butter. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix until it comes together. 

2. Don’t overmix. Fold in remaining ingredients. In a large heavy saucepan, dutch oven, or deepfryer, heat about 4 inches of vegetable oil to 325˚ F. Carefully, drop spoonfuls of the batter and cook until golden brown, working in batches. 

3. Remove to a towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt. A few things: (1) don’t overcrowd because it will bring the oil temperature too far down, and (2) be careful – it splatters when cooking. Serve warm with a dipping sauce of your choice…a cilantro aioli would work well here or even a spicy ketchup.

[recipe credit belongs to: food52.com]

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Anna's Blueberry Muffins

Spin your morning with a healthy breakfast treat - Anna's Blueberry Muffins. Enjoy a delicious blueberry muffing with healthy ingredients like: yogurt, honey and whole wheat flour. Perfect with coffee or orange juice in the morning, or as a snack. This recipe makes 12 muffins.

Ingredients:

1/3 cup (75 mL) canola oil
1/2 cup (125 mL) honey
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups (300 mL) 2% plain yogurt
1 teaspoon (5 mL) finely grated orange zest
1 cup (250 mL) whole wheat flour
1 cup (250 mL) all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons (10 mL) baking powder
1 teaspoon (5 mL) baking soda
1 teaspoon (5 mL) ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) salt
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) fresh blueberries

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin (or 36 cup mini muffin tin) with paper liners (alternately, tins can be greased).

2. Whisk oil, honey, eggs, yogurt and orange zest to blend. In a separate bowl, combine flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
Add to yogurt mixture and stir just until blended. Add blueberries and spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.

3. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, until muffins spring back when touched. Muffin will keep 2 days in an airtight container, or can be frozen.



[original recipe: footnetwork.ca]

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