All posts filed under: Snacks

Picked Peppers Pico De Gallo

All through early fall there has been a plethora of peppers in our garden. Jalapeño, bell peppers, Anaheim and a variety of small sweet peppers abound. Quite frankly, I have peppers coming out of my ears. There are also spring onions, lots of them, so I was excited when I saw there were still  beautiful heirloom tomatoes at the farmers market perfect for whipping up a fresh Pepper Pico de Gallo. The traditional version does not call for the sweet peppers but they add nice flavor, color and crunch. I also like to add a little dash of olive oil to bring the flavors together but I’m Californian and  like to add olive oil to everything so feel free to leave it out. You can adjust the number of Jalapeños depending on how spicy they are and how spicy you like it. Enjoy with chips or as a flavorful topping to any mexican dish. Ok, that’s 7 peppers down… Ingredients: 3 small heirloom or Roma Tomatoes, diced 3 small Sweet Peppers or 1/2 lg Bell Pepper, seeded, diced 2 Spring Onions …

Sesame Spiced Sweet Potatoes

This recipe was given to me by our Summer neighbor in Muskoka Canada, Martha Stigler. She is a brilliant entertainer and prints a cookbook with her recipes every year to share with friends and neighbors. What a wonderful gift! Enjoy! -Jacq Serves 4 Preheat oven to 400* Ingredients: 2 Sweet Potatoes 1 Tbsp Olive Oil 2 Tbsp Sesame Seeds 1/2 tsp Paprika 1/2 tsp crushed Fennel Seeds 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper Kosher Salt Cut Sweet Potatoes lengthwise into eighths and toss with Olive Oil to coat. Mix Seasonings and Sesame Seeds, sprinkle over Potatoes and toss again. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 40 minutes, turning once. Remove from oven and sprinkle with Salt.

White Kidney Bean Hummus

This recipe was given to me by our Summer neighbor in Muskoka Canada, Martha Stigler. She is a brilliant entertainer and prints a cookbook with her recipes every year to share with friends and neighbors. What a wonderful gift! Enjoy! -Jacq 4 servings, may be multiplied  Ingredients: 1 15 oz can Eden Organics White Kidney (Cannellini) Beans 1/3 cup good Olive Oil 3 Garlic Cloves 3/4 tsp ground Coriander 1/2 tsp ground Cumin 1/2 tsp Hot Sauce 1/4 cup fresh Lemon Juice 1 tbsp Tahini Paste Kosher Salt & White Pepper to taste 3 Tbsp fresh finely chopped Cilantro (Coriander) Place ingredients except cilantro in a food processor and puree. Stir in half the cilantro leaves and garnish with the rest. Serve with warm Pita bread or Crudite. 

The Simplest and Best way to Enjoy Heirloom Tomatoes

Summer tomatoes are finally here! With fun names like Green Zebra, Brandywine, Lollypop, Pineapple each heirloom tomato seems to taste better than the next. In fact there may be nothing better than a fresh cut heirloom tomato EXCEPT- a fresh cut heirloom tomato with a sprinkle of truffle salt and a light drizzle of very good olive oil. Oh sure, you could turn them into sauce or place them on a bed of greens, but right now these fresh beauties are the real stars. Why not let them shine? Have as an easy appetizer or refreshing snack. In fact even my chihuahua Lola likes them and she rarely eats anything that isn’t spelled M-E-A-T so you know they must be fantastic 😉 Enjoy! xJacq

Roasted Farmer’s Market Veggies with Berbere Spice and Tofu

I made these lovely skewers with organic baby beets, baby portabella mushrooms and purple, white and orange carrots from the new Sunset Strip Farmers Market but you can substitute with whatever is in season. Pumpkin, sweet potato, zucchini, cherry tomato, Brussel sprouts etc. would all be delicious. Try to cut everything approximately the same size so they cook evenly. If you’re using asparagus in the mix reserve and add after 20 minutes. Berbere is a delicious Ethiopian spice blend available at specialty and ethnic food markets and online or you can  make your own.   Enjoy! -Jacq Preheat oven to 400* Makes 4 main dish salads, 6 sides or appetizer salads or 8-10 skewers Ingredients: 2 lbs Fresh Veggies cut into aprox. 1-inch chunks 2 Tbsp Olive Oil 2 Tbsp fresh torn Cilantro leaves 1/2 tsp Kosher or Sea Salt 1/4 tsp Black Pepper 1/2 tsp Berbere Spice 8 oz. Extra-firm Tofu cut into dice Toss your vegetables, tofu and cilantro with olive oil and spices. Place in oven on a baking sheet or roasting pan for …

maple granola

Good Morning Maple Nut Granola

Once you try making your own, you’ll never buy packaged granola again. Not only will it be the best you’ve ever had, but it’s super easy, preservative-free, and way less expensive than buying ready made. Its great for breakfast,, but also on top of baked fruit for dessert as a snack. If there are any other nuts you love, go ahead and add or substitute a 1/2 cup of them. Sunflower seeds, pepitas, pecans, they’re all great. You can also use honey instead of maple syrup. Or try it with macadamia nuts, dried pineapple and coconut for a tropical flair! My favorite oats to use are Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Whole Grain Oats. Good Morning Maple Nut Granola 2 cups rolled or old-fashioned oats 1/2 cup walnut pieces 1/2 cup slivered almonds 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1/2  cup golden raisins 3 tbsp sesame seeds 3 tbsp flax seeds 3 tbsp maple syrup 3 tbsp agave 1.5 tbsp walnut oil 1 tbsp turbinado sugar  1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/16 …