Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Spread

This is fabulous spread on graham crackers, fresh fruit, pound cake, etc.  It can be eaten plain too...it's so tasty!

4 T peanut butter
4 oz soft cream cheese
2 T honey
1/2 t vanilla extract
2 T almond milk

Beat with a hand mixer in large bowl until you achieve a smooth dip/spread. Store in the fridge.  Makes 4 servings.  Enjoy :)

Fresh Chia and Berry Jam

This is amazing!  I stumbled upon the Bobby Flay website and pocketed some of his best recipes.  More to come but for now, here is one not to be missed!

Fresh Chia and Berry Jam is ideal for swirling into Greek yogurt and plain oatmeal, or spreading on toast and peanut butter buttermilk drop biscuits. Crunchy, smooth and thick, this jam is bursting with crisp, raw fruit flavor. The kids are hooked!

Spiced Nut Butter

Is it almond butter or walnut butter?  It's both!  I blended 1/2 C pumpkin pie roasted almonds (see Monday, December 1, 2014 post) and 1/2 C toasted walnut pieces in a food processor with 1 T canola oil for 3 minutes.  The result is a silky, thin spread for toast, chocolate cake, graham crackers, etc.  Next time I would not use any oil in the beginning, adding some towards the end if the mixture seems dry, since I like a thicker nut butter.  A friend of mine gave me that tip so it's worth a try.  I would also add salt and cinnamon to up the flavor profile.  Overall, this is a yummy spread that could use some tweaking.  Enjoy :)

      

Tropical Spread

 I made this toasted coconut breakfast spread over the weekend.

First of all, there is nothing like the smell of toasted coconut.  It instantly sends you to the tropics where everything smells like sweet pineapple and rum. There is no pineapple or rum in this spread but the toasted coconut still does the trick.  The cottage cheese makes the spread thick and rich while the honey and vanilla extract add color and sweetness.  I liked this spread but I think I would prefer it with Greek yogurt or even sour cream.  Sometimes the flavor and texture of whipped cottage cheese has an odd aftertaste and texture.  But everyone is different so give this spread a try if you are longing for something new to dress up your toast in the morning, weekend waffles and pancakes (ooh pineapple or banana walnut flavored ones would be perfect), or anything that could use some island flair.

Butterscotch Smudgies

 My husband's creation...these are awesome as an alternative to ice-cream sandwiches: 

1 box cinnamon sugar graham crackers

1 box butterscotch pudding

1 tub Cool Whip Free

1 C Silk soy milk

Lay out your graham crackers.  Using a hand mixer, blend pudding and milk in bowl until smooth.  Fold in Cool Whip.  Mix until incorporated.  Using an ice cream scoop, plop mounds of delicious frosting onto every other graham cracker.  Top pudding cracker with plain cracker until you have about 2 dozen sandwiches.  Press lightly and use a knife to smooth out any filling that gushes out.  Place in gallon freezer bags and freeze for several hours or overnight.  Enjoy cold on a hot summer day :)

Inspirational sources: popsugar and notjustcute

A Grown-Up Snack

 

By all means, have your kids try this.  Mine won't come near it because of the celery, blue cheese and cracked black pepper.  Celery is too stringy, blue cheese is too stinky, and cracked black pepper is too spicy.  That's fine, more for us adults! 

This appetizer, side, whatever you want to call it is surprisingly mild in flavor and very filling.  Eat 1-2 celery stalks stuffed with this spread and you're good to go.  Next time I will make it with full fat cream cheese and full fat crumbled blue cheese.  I think the low fat versions I used changed the texture a bit, making it fall apart, especially when refrigerated.  Be sure to toast the pecans and add the cracked black pepper at the end, they make all the difference. 

Enjoy!

Blue Cheese-and-Pecan-Stuffed Celery
Source: Everyday with Rachael Ray

Ingredients

• 4 ounces softened cream cheese

• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

• 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans

• 2 tablespoons chopped dried cranberries

• Celery stalks

• Cracked black pepper

Directions

1. Combine cheeses, pecans and cranberries. Spread on celery; top with cracked pepper. 

Zesty and Refreshing Summer Dip

Crispy cucumber chunks + oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder = savory dip and spread perfect for dunking pita chips and smothering any sandwich filling.  The crumbled feta adds a nice salty bite and the cool, creamy Greek yogurt holds it all together.  This dip is very versatile.  You can add it to falafel patties stuffed in pita pouches, baked fish on potato rolls, and/or your favorite grilled burger patty.  You can serve it alongside cut up fresh veggies like carrots, celery, peppers, etc.  The possibilities are endless.

Serve this up at your Fourth of July BBQ this week...just keep it on ice!

         

Sunday Dressing

With an overabundance of avocados from my trip to Costco, what better way to use one up than in the form of a homemade, fresh, all-purpose dressing.  

The almighty avocado

  
Creamy Avocado Dressing
Source: Redbook magazine

1 large ripe avocado
2 scallions, white and light green parts only
1 large garlic clove
1/3 C extra-virgin olive oil
juice from 1/2 lemon
3/4 t salt
pinch cayenne pepper

Place avocado, scallions, and garlic in food processor.  Process to rough puree.  Add oil, lemon juice, salt, cayenne and 3 T cold water.  Process until dressing is smooth and creamy.

This would be prefect drizzled on your favorite salad, spread on a hamburger bun (think mayonnaise alternative), poked with carrot and celery sticks, or anyway you like it!  The possibilities are endless :)

Addictive Snack

1/2 C Greek yogurt
1-2 T Speculoos cookie butter spread
1-2 handfuls pretzel pieces

Grab your favorite bowl and spoon.  Mix Greek yogurt and Speculoos in that bowl with that spoon to achieve a swirl effect or go all the way and mix it completely until all white streaks disappear.  Sprinkle pretzel pieces on top and enjoy. 

Chocolate Coconut Cashew Butter

This peanut/cashew butter is AMAZING!  I made it with unsalted peanuts and it turned out great.  Put your food processor to work today and make this delicious spread.  I'm even considering making some muffins and dolloping a teaspoon or two on top before baking.  Yum :)

See recipe here.  

Avocado Hummus

What better way to use up avocados from Costco than to transform them into hummus?!  I am a huge fan of hummus, especially Trader Joe's Cilantro Jalapeno flavor.  It is so incredibly delicious but since I didn't have time to go to the store yesterday, I whipped up a version I saw on Pinterest.

Follow the pictures below and prepare to do some heavy duty dipping!

Chocolate Avocado Banana Pudding

A new kind of pudding that is super healthy and delicious.  My daughter can't get enough!

 

Slightly adapted from Edible Perspective

1 banana, mashed
1 avocado, mashed
2 T cocoa powder
dash vanilla extract and cinnamon

Mix all ingredients in resealable container.  Chill in fridge and enjoy for up to 3 days.  Dip strawberries, graham crackers, anything you'd like in it! 

Cheese Balls

I've always wanted to make a cheese ball.  I think for our next party, I will just dive right in.  They are perfect to feed a crowd and the flavors can be mixed and matched to satisfy a sweet or savory tooth.  I like these two sweet cheese ball recipes:

http://completerecipes.com/Red-Velvet-Cheese-Ball.html?back_url=./

http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2011/08/peanut-butter-cheese-ball.html

Peanut Butter Mousse

I made this yesterday and it is really delicious!  The kids loved it too!  It reminds me of a homemade version of marshmallow fluff but without all the sugar.  Enjoy!

Raspberry Chipotle Black Bean Dip

This was one of the first recipes I pinned on Pinterest.  It took me up until a few days ago to actually make it.  The combination of flavors scared some people off but I went for it anyway in the hopes that it would win over even the pickiest of eaters.  It worked!  Granted, the kids didn't like it due to the smokiness and spiciness of the dish but the adults raved about it.  My husband even suggested spreading it on a tortilla with slices of turkey.  Yum!  So don't be frightened off by the raspberry preserves, chipotles in adobo sauce, black beans, cream cheese and shredded cheese.  They all compliment each other and create a harmonious dip just waiting to be scooped up by your favorite chip :)

Dark Chocolate Greek Yogurt Dip

Why didn't I think of this?

This dip is dark, rich, and packed with chocolate flavor.  Since Greek yogurt is involved, it is chock full of protein too, which makes me feel good about eating it.  You can dunk anything into this delicious dip: assorted fruits, snack crackers, mini marshmallows, just to name a few.  Heck, my daughter dipped her broccoli in it last night at the dinner table.  Hey, whatever works to get them to eat their vegetables, right?!


Dark Chocolate Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip with Cinnamon
Source: Cook the Story

1/2 C Greek yogurt
2 T cocoa powder
3 T brown sugar (I used 2 T)
1/2 t cinnamon
1/2 t vanilla extract
a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl.  Stir until it is all combined and sugar has dissolved, about 3 minutes.  4 servings.   

Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Stir until it is an even dark color and all of the brown sugar granules have dissolved, about 3 minutes. Serve with fresh berries, marshmallows and sweet biscuits for dipping.
Read more at http://www.cookthestory.com/2013/12/05/easy-fruit-dip-dark-chocolate-greek-yogurt-cinnamon-spice/#uJDBCs2Zsl50JJuX.99

Dark Chocolate Greek Yogurt Fruit Dip with Cinnamon

Print

Prep time

5 mins

Total time

5 mins

This fruit dip is easy to make, healthy AND decadent. It’s the perfect dip to make when company is coming over for coffee or drinks. The cayenne pepper in the recipe is optional. Try adding a tiny pinch, mix it in and then taste. You shouldn’t be able to tell it’s there. It’s just a little background tingle that makes the dip extra special.

Author: Christine

Recipe type: dessert

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• ½ cup Greek Yogurt
• 2 Tbsp. cocoa powder
• 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
• ½ tsp. vanilla
• ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
• fresh berries, marshmallows and sweet biscuits (for dipping)

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl. Stir until it is an even dark color and all of the brown sugar granules have dissolved, about 3 minutes. Serve with fresh berries, marshmallows and sweet biscuits for dipping.

Read more at http://www.cookthestory.com/2013/12/05/easy-fruit-dip-dark-chocolate-greek-yogurt-cinnamon-spice/#uJDBCs2Zsl50JJuX.99

Cannoli Chips

Anyone familiar with Mike's Pastry and Modern Pastry in Boston will appreciate this recipe and article (see link here).  Cannolis are a staple in many Italian households because of their crispy exterior and smooth, creamy interior.  To guild the lily even more, some are dipped in melted chocolate or rolled in chocolate chips.  Yum!

Even if you don't like ricotta cheese, I can almost guarantee you'll like cannolis or these cannoli chips.  They are so cute, first of all and have a hint of sweetness from the powdered sugar and vanilla extract.  Dot them with mini chocolate chips and you've got yourself a kid friendly and adult friendly snack.  Enjoy :)


Cannoli Chips
Source: Cake Batter and Bowl

1 1/2 cups part-skim ricotta cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
24 pita chips
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Mix ricotta cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl until smooth. Spread 1 tablespoon of ricotta mixture onto each pita chip and sprinkle mini chocolate chips evenly on top.  Makes 24 cannoli chips (4 servings).


  

Another Dip

I've been posting a lot of dip recipes lately in an effort to entice my children.  They are still not big dippers.  The only thing I can get them to remotely use as a dipping sauce is tangy tomato sauce.  Go figure!  Regardless, I've enjoyed all of the new dip recipes, especially this one.  I am an avocado fan not just for their health benefits but also for their mind flavor.  Baking with avocados is a dream because you have all of the heart healthy fats and added richness without an overpowering taste.

I love this dip because it's paired with whipped cream cheese, making it so lush and velvety.  Spread on a tortilla with sliced tomato, lettuce and bacon or mixed into warm pasta, it's a multifaceted finger food.  It is on the sweet side so if you'd rather a more savory spread, you might want to decrease the amount of honey.

Avocado Honey Dip
Source:  Weelicious

• 1 avocado, peeled and pitted
• 1/4 cup whipped cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon honey

1. Place all of the ingredients in a bowl and mash together. 

2. Serve with cut up veggies, crackers, pretzels or even as a spread on toast.  Makes 1 cup.

 

Swirl Dip

I tried this for the first time yesterday: peanut butter Greek yogurt swirl dip.  It was life changing.  I thought Greek yogurt couldn't get any creamier but it can.  When you add rich, smooth (or crunchy for those who like chunks) peanut butter to it, it becomes this lush, velvety dip perfect for apple slices, graham crackers, mini chocolate cookies, etc.  I bet you could frost cupcakes with it too.

Swirl Dip

1/2 C Greek yogurt
2-3 t peanut butter  (I recommend 1 T for true peanut butter fans)
cinnamon and honey to your liking (optional)

In a small bowl, mix ingredients together completely, or swirl gently with a knife for a pretty presentation.  Eat with a spoon for a yummy snack, decorate with raisins or dried cranberries or just dip your favorite fruit/snack crackers in it.  Makes 1 serving.  You may want to double the recipe if you are sharing with a friend :)  

A Sweet Use for your Gravy Boat

Chocolate gravies seem to be all the rage right now.  Making them from scratch ensures no high fructose corn syrup, funky chemicals, powders or dyes.  Here are two chocolate gravy recipes that I found on Pinterest.  They contain the same 5 ingredients but the amounts of each varies slightly.  My advice to you: use them as a guide.  Experiment and adjust the amounts of sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla to your liking.  Be sure to follow the recommended amounts of milk, butter and flour, along with the instructions below to ensure a rich, creamy gravy that will not separate.

Drizzled over ice cream, biscuits, tea cake, cookies and pancakes, these gravies will dress-up any dessert or breakfast item.  Yum :) 


Chocolate Gravy 1
Source: Varmint Bites

5 Tbsp unsalted butter
3 Tbsp flour
3 Tbsp cocoa powder
4 Tbsp sugar
1 cup milk
1-1/2 tsp vanilla

Melt butter in skillet.  Stir in flour, cocoa powder and sugar and continue to cook over low heat for 2-3 minutes.  Slowly add the milk a bit at a time, making sure to incorporate it fully.  Once all the milk has been added, cook for another 2 minutes, until thick.  Add vanilla off heat.

Chocolate Gravy 2

Source: Sprinkle Bakes

4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbsp flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups whole milk
4 tbsp butter
1 tsp vanilla

In a medium sauce pan whisk together the dry ingredients.  Pour in the milk and whisk vigorously to combine.  Heat over medium-high until the mixture bubbles.  Turn heat down to medium and stir until mixture has thickened to a gravy consistency.  Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla.
Let cool slightly then transfer to a gravy boat.  Yield: about 2 cups.