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Recipe: Bacon Gorgonzola Dip

Thursday, October 16th, 2008

There are two types of people: those who put healthy ingredients into almost every recipe and those who figure that healthy foods should stay in the vegetable kingdom.

I figure I’ll be prepared when I have kids someday because I have already perfected the art of “sneaking” healthy foods into everything from muffins to, well, bacon Gorgonzola dip. This recipe (secretly) features sauerkraut. Fermented foods like sauerkraut aid digestion and overall health. I figure as long as I’m trying to eat nutritional powerhouses I may as well prepare them in tasty ways.

Bacon Gorgonzola Dip

Adapted from Great Lakes Kraut

6 slices bacon
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 blocks (16 oz) cream cheese, softened (low-fat or nonfat okay)
1/3 cup Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
1 small tomato, diced
2 Tbsp milk (low-fat or nonfat okay)
1/3 cup chives, finely chopped
1/3 cup sauerkraut, drained (reserving 2 Tbsp of juice)

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut bacon strips in half and cook over medium high heat until crisp. Remove from pan and crumble. Discard bacon drippings, leaving only enough to sauté garlic. Add garlic and cook until soft.

    2. In medium bowl, mix cream cheese until soft and creamy. Add sautéed garlic, cheese, diced tomato, milk, chives, and bacon. (Reserve some chives and bacon for sprinkling on top.) Mix until well blended. Add the sauerkraut and reserved juice.

    3. Spread evenly in an 8″ x 8″ ovenproof dish. Sprinkle the remaining chives and bacon on top. Cover with aluminum foil and bake 30 minutes.

    Serve warm with crusty bread, bagel chips, or raw vegetables.

    Recipe: Green pea thyme dip

    Saturday, October 4th, 2008

    There are two types of people: those who follow recipes exactly and those who don’t.

    I don’t think I have ever followed a recipe exactly. Ever. Inevitably I change an ingredient or two or five, I swap the spices, I change the cooking method, or I change the final presentation. I view recipes as a jumping off point.

    This style of cooking is intimidating to many people. I think it becomes easier the more you cook as you get comfortable.

    This pea thyme dip was, typically, an adaptation. It is delicious and pretty, too.

    Green Pea Thyme Dip

    Adapted from Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme

    2 cups peas: fresh, thawed frozen, or canned

    1/2 square vegetable bullion (I love Rapunzel’s vegan version), dissolved in 1 Tbsp hot water

    2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

    1/2 Tbsp dried thyme

    2 Tbsp finely grated Pecorino Romano (sheep’s milk cheese)

    Salt and pepper to taste

    If using fresh peas, steam in a saucepan with a bit of water for 3-5 minutes or until soft. Put peas in medium bowl and add the remaining ingredients. Blend with immersion blender. Alternatively, use a food processor or traditional blender. Serve as a dip with fresh vegetables, crackers and baguette rounds.

    Recipe: Portobella Pizza Appetizers

    Friday, October 3rd, 2008

    There are two types of people: those who like mushrooms and those who don’t.

    I have always loved them. As a child I would beg my mom for raw mushrooms to snack on whenever she was cooking them with dinner. Thankfully, mushrooms are one of the few “exotic” foods about which I did not have to proselytize my fiance; he has always realized their amazingness.

    Portobella Pizzas

    Recipe by Hilary

    8 portobella mushroom caps

    1/3 cup tomato paste (I like Bionaturae)

    1/3 cup ricotta cheese

    1/2 Tbsp roasted garlic (I like the prepackaged kind)

    1/2 tsp oregano

    1/2 large onion or 1 small onion, chopped

    1/3 cup salsa

    Salt and Pepper to taste

    Preheat oven to 350F. Saute onion with oil or water until translucent, about 5 minutes. Mix with salsa and oregano. Mix roasted garlic, salt and pepper with ricotta cheese. Wash mushroom caps and arrange on cookie sheet or baking dish face up. Spread tomato paste evenly on each cap. Then spread cheese mixture evenly on each cap. Top with onion/salsa mixture. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until mushrooms are soft but not wilted.