Showing posts with label appetizers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label appetizers. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Tofu Bacon- Hold On To The Seat Of Your Pants


plate of crispy tofu vegan bacon



Plant-based "bacon"??? Yes please- and it's made with tofu!! This is a treat you won't want to miss out on. 

This delicious recipe takes tofu to a whole new level! 
Tofu "bacon" is very easy to make, and is flavorful, crunchy, and crispy. This method transforms "extra- firm" tofu into something extra -ordinary. 

Do you like BLT's but want something plant-based? Try this- I think you will be in love. 

Wednesday, October 9, 2024

Crunchy Tofu Bites: A Delicious Way To Eat Tofu

Pasta and tofu cubes in a bowl

If you wonder what to do with tofu, you may want to try this quick recipe for simple "tofu bites" which are easy to make, come out crunchy, and are quite tasty.

Monday, August 12, 2024

Grocery Store Shopping Ain't For Sissies

There is something new in our supermarkets/grocery store and it's really frustrating me!

Free Furious Upset photo and picture

Is anyone else having problems/frustration checking out at the grocery store ? Maybe it is only me BUT I'm beginning to feel like my 95 year old mother-in-law who couldn't learn to use her iPad  (she should rest in peace). 

Saturday, February 3, 2024

13 Healthy Plant-Based Super Bowl Snack Ideas


Super Bowl time is almost here, and you can be a super hero by eating and serving healthy plant based snacks and appetizers while watching the game this year. Take a look at some of my easy healthy recipes, and see if any of these appetizers/snacks appeal to you. 

Apple Nachos (link to recipe) with a chocolate date sauce.

Monday, June 19, 2023

Muffin Tin Entertaining for Snacks, Crudités, and Dips

muffin tin filled with snacks

Muffin tins are practical and can be used for more than just baking muffins. They are also ideal for serving and entertaining! 
I'm sharing lots of ideas in this post! 

Monday, November 28, 2022

Easiest Mexican Black Bean Dip Made in Minutes


black bean dip and a bowl of sliced yellow peppers


With the holidays and holiday parties just around the corner, you will be happy to have this quick and easy guilt-free Mexican black bean dip on hand that can be made last minute and in minutes to help spread the cheer! Tired of hummus? 

Thursday, November 10, 2022

A Plant-Based Thanksgiving- 4 of My Favorite Appetizers


           Creative postcard placed on plate

Whether your family gathering is large or small, Thanksgiving is a time when lasting memories are made and the aroma of delicious traditional holiday foods ooze from the kitchen. 

Making a plant-based Thanksgiving can be a challenge, but it is not as difficult as you might think. 

Thanksgiving, Dinner, Table, Turkey, Holiday

Most Thanksgiving sides are plant-based or can easily be made plant-based.  The greater challenge is finding the perfect entree to replace the Turkey. 

I sharing some of my favorite recipes from Thanksgiving's Past to help get think plant-based and gluten-free if you, a family member or guest have special eating needs this Thanksgiving. 

Appetizers Anyone? 
If you are like our family, we like to convene about 2:00 PM, hang around with some appetizers (and drinks)🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷🍷 share some mingle time together, and then enjoy the Thanksgiving feast. 


In today's post, I will share appetizer ideas. 
Following posts will address the other parts of the meal: 
Soups, salads, sides, desserts and entree. 

hummus appetizer with olives, roasted tomatoes, and chick peas
Extraordinary Hummus Platter( recipe link) - Homemade hummus is always the best, but whether you decide to make your own (recipe provided for homemade hummus- recipe link) or use prepared hummus you can still make a wow presentation with this delicious hummus display. 

vegan appetizer display, avocado, vegan

A beautiful display of tomatoes, capers, basil, avocado and cucumbers. Healthy, tasty, and appealing. 


stuffed artichokes, vegan

These are a little more work but absolutely delicious. Could be a side dish or an appetizer. 

Baked Vegan Pakoras, gluten-free, oil-free

Indian Style Vegan Vegetable Pakoras (recipe link)- Baked not fried and oil free. Easy to make and your family will love them. Again, serve them with the meal or as an appetizer. 

What time does your Thanksgiving meal begin? 
Do you mingle with appetizers and drinks or get right to the meal? 

Be on the lookout for My next 4 posts which will share ideas for Plant-based Thanksgiving recipes: 

  • Thanksgiving Soup Ideas and Recipes
  • Thanksgiving Salad Ideas and Recipes
  • Thanksgiving Sides Ideas and Recipes
  • Thanksgiving Dessert Ideas and Recipes





Saturday, July 16, 2022

How To Get Basil Plants To Grow Full and Bushy

Want healthy full bushy basil plants that will produce all summer? 
 
Basil

If you would like your basil plants to get full and bushy, instead of tall and spindly, you need to prune them (not cut them). In this post I will tell help you understand the need for learning how to prune. I also included 6 wonderful summer recipes that include fresh basil.

Saturday, June 5, 2021

My 2nd Best Hummus Recipe Is Oil-Free





Are you looking for the best, yet easy, homemade lower fat hummus recipe? Well there is a reason I call this my second best (which is great).
Homemade hummus is so easy to make and most people like it.

The weather has been warm enough to invite family and/or friends to our deck for some casual outdoor dining. Homemade hummus is usually one of the appetizers that I like to serve to give guests when they get here to give them a chance to mingle and take the edge off their appetite before the meal. 

My new updated hummus recipe is light and creamy, absolutely delicious, and is always a hit!

table and chairs on a gray deck
My deck and chairs and table


peonies
My peonies are in full bloom 

Influenced by recipes from our Middle Eastern heritage, I am happy to share what I consider my 2nd best homemade hummus recipe because it is made without tahini or olive oil and is not strictly traditional like my Best Homemade hummus (recipe link).

I still like the hummus recipes that I've  previously shared with you on the blog. However, I'm always modifying my chickpea hummus recipe, so it is easier to make, uses less ingredients, and contains less oil and fat making this recipe heart healthy, weight watchers friendly, and oil-free. Of course all of my recipes are always gluten-free and now totally vegan since 2019. 

oil-free hummus with tomatoes


One easy way to reduce the calories is to reduce the fat. I did that in this recipe without sacrificing taste. I had 5 test tasters for this recipe and all concurred that is was a "5" out of 5!! (Included my 2 older grandkids)

This recipe calls for only five ingredients: 
Cooked chickpeas, whole sesame seeds, aquafaba (the starchy liquid that is a result of cooking dry chickpea or the liquid in the can of chickpeas) freshly squeezed lemon juice, and whole cumin seeds (plus any seasoning you like such as salt, pepper, or garlic powder). 

Sesame, Sesame Seeds, Seeds, Bowl


I Use Sesame Seeds Instead of Tahini Paste
You may have noticed that this delicious recipe omits one of the  traditional ingredients in hummus- tahini !
I do like the taste of the thick white tahini paste, but did you ever open a container of it? It's swimming in oil. 
For this recipe, I've eliminated  the intensely caloric tahini from my recipe. However, I brought the sesame flavor back in with some whole sesame seeds. 

Great Flavor 
Truthfully, I was surprised that I could leave out the tahini and still create a great  authentic tasting hummus that was simple and healthy.

I used my food processor and processed everything until I reached a very light, smooth, and creamy whipped consistency.

The aquafaba (cooking liquid from the chickpeas)  is the secret. It really adds a lovely flavor and a little extra starch to the recipe.

At the end, I always love to garnish the dip with some whole cooked chickpeas and a little salt. 

If you are looking for a healthy dip to serve to company or as a snack for yourself- THIS IS IT!!

It feels like summer!!


Beach, Coffee, Tables, Restaurant

Ingredients: 
2 cups of cooked chickpeas (or one 15 ounce can)
(save 6 chickpeas for garnish) 
2 tablespoons of whole sesame seeds
1/4 cup of cooking liquid from the chickpeas or can (aquafaba)
1/4 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon of cumin seeds (plus more for garnish)
Optional: salt, ground pepper, or garlic powder to taste


Directions: 
Place the sesame seeds and chickpeas in the food processor. Pulse until begins to come together. With the motor running, slowly begin to add the lemon juice. Then add as much of the aquafaba as needed to get a thick yet creamy whipped consistency. (you may only need a tablespoon of the 1/4 cup). Add the cumin seeds and pulse once. 
Spread on a flat plat, decorate with a few chickpeas and additional cumin seeds if desired. 

Again, if you are looking for my absolutely best traditional hummus recipe follow the (recipe link for hummus)

My Notes: 

Tahini contains
 90 calories/tablespoon. 8 grams of fat and 2 grams of fiber 

Sesame seeds contain
 52 calories/tablespoon, 1.6 grams of fat and 1.06 grams of fiber 


My friend Laura spills off all the oil from her tahini paste to reduce the calories leaving thick dry paste.

This recipe is oil-free, gluten-free, vegan, kosher, -perfect for most of your guests. 




Tuesday, October 27, 2020

Homemade Falafel- Vegan and Gluten-free




falafel


Homemade falafel tastes the BEST! 
It's fresh, delicately spiced, absolutely delicious and can be made relatively easily in your very own kitchen! This is our favorite plant-based recipe that can be eaten for lunch or dinner.

Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Egyptian Dukkah - An Interesting Dip



Egyptian dish with Dukkah

If you love nuts, seeds, and Middle Eastern spices, Dukkah may well become one of your new favorite dips. Eaten with bread (gluten-free) and olive oil, dukkah is a popular Egyptian favorite. Dip you bread in olive oil and then dip it into the Dukkah! Yum!
You can also add dukkah to salads, sprinkle it on vegetables, add it to rice or quinoa dishes. 

Saturday, August 15, 2020

Mashed Cauliflower Hummus



low carb dip using cauliflower

This is an interesting idea that is all over Pinterest for making cauliflower hummus. You simply use a recipe for homemade hummus but substitute steamed cauliflower. 


Friday, June 5, 2020

Savory Indian Vegetable Pancakes




Indian vegetable pancake

Savory Indian Vegetable Pancakes are delicious and very easy to make. It's been over 77 days since I've been "staying in." (Although I have been taking daily walks with a mask, and I have been doing my own grocery shopping, but not too often)

Since we are not eating or ordering out, I am doing a significant amount of daily cooking. I've been experimenting with recipes that I wouldn't ordinarily make. We do really like Indian and Asian food, so out of desperation, I've started to give some recipes a try! Two weeks ago, I made an Asian recipe called Mongolian Mushrooms and Tofu that was fabulous. This week I thought I would try an Indian pancake.


Saturday, February 29, 2020

Vegetable Kabob Appetizers- Vegetarian, Gluten Free and Easy



appetizers with vegetables



Which appetizer should you make for your next party?
These colorful appetizing vegetable kabobs make a great presentation, are easy to make, as well as easy to serve. In fact, they make a perfect finger food! Since everything is on the skewer, no additional utensils are needed. Just pick it up and eat it!


Monday, December 23, 2019

Spinach Artichoke Dip - Low fat, Vegan, and Healthy

lowfat spinach dip


Enjoy your favorite dip with lower fat and calories.
Spinach artichoke dip has always been one of my favorite dips. However, not only is it extremely caloric, it is also very high in not so good for you type fat. The typical artichoke and spinach dip recipe calls for a good amount of mayonnaise and parmesan cheese which tastes great but is a little too rich for my weight loss diet. 

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Vegetable Pakora Appetizers


Do you like Indian Cuisine?
I frequently order vegetable pakora appetizers when I dine in our local Indian restaurant.As much as I enjoy them, I never thought of actually making them at home. It turns out they are easy to make, baked, and very tasty!


Monday, July 29, 2019

Easy Summer Appetizer




summer cherry tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes make a wonderful appetizer when stuffed with hummus! I used a packaged artichoke and spinach hummus from my local supermarket  but you choose whatever you prefer from the many varieties available. Just follow my easy directions.


Thursday, March 21, 2019

Skinny Dip Hummus

Are you concerned about eating too many caloric snacks and might be looking for some healthy alternatives? 

My delicious Skinny Dip Humus is tasty, filling, healthy and won't pack on the pounds. It's weight loss friendly.



Saturday, November 17, 2018

Acorn Squash Seeds -Easy and Tasty



acorn squash roasted seeds

Do you discard the seeds from the acorn squash? - Don't-

The seeds from any kind of winter squash can be roasted in the oven and are delicious and nutritious.
Learn how to make your own tasty seeds!

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