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almond lover’s hummus

by Jackie Newgent  |  June 26, 2017  |  0 Comments
You’ll adore my new velvety, contemporary take on hummus. I do! It keeps the traditional chickpeas, lemon and garlic of classic Middle Eastern hummus, then goes uniquely “almond-forward” from there. You’ll find almond butter, sliced almonds and almond milk! The most intriguing part of this hummus is the almond milk since you’ll simmer it to create a rich almond milk reduction, enhancing the dip’s creaminess and nuttiness. I love almond milk’s versatility! Serve this almond lover’s hummus with crudité and whole grain pita or pita chips as a nutrient-rich snack or party dip. (Hint: Make it for Meatless Monday and enjoy as a plant-based way to punch up protein intake.) It’s memorable! Why it’s better for you? Traditional hummus and...
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lemony beet “hummus” with poached pistachios

by Jackie Newgent  |  December 5, 2016  |  1 Comment
Move over traditional hummus! This new twist on the dip uses white beans to allow all flavors to shine through. It’s prettier thanks to beets! (Hint: It’s okay to use the pre-packaged type to save time.) And it’s nutritiously intriguing thanks to poached pistachios, made simply by simmering shelled pistachios in water for 20 minutes. Pair with sliced cucumbers, jicama, or whole grain pita chips. Enjoy as a sandwich condiment, too. Calories saved: 34 Why it’s better for you? Both traditional hummus and this version are good for you. What’s interesting about this recipe is that you’ll get lutein and zeaxanthin from the pistachios and betalain from the beets! Disclosure: I developed this recipe for Wonderful Pistachios as part of...
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baba ghannoush with poached pistachio puree

by Jackie Newgent  |  November 28, 2016  |  0 Comments
It’s the most wonderful time of the year … if you’re a Christmas “geek” like I am! I love to entertain during the holiday season! There’s almost always going to be a dip available when I host a gathering. Every year I whip up one that’s new. So, here’s this year’s creation—an inspired take on baba ghannoush (Middle Eastern eggplant dip). Poached pistachio puree is what makes this recipe special. I use it here in place of tahini for a unique taste twist and velvety texture. And beyond just a dip, baba ghannoush makes a delightful bruschetta topping … including this version. Serve it as a festive (and Meatless Monday-friendly!) pick that all of your family and friends—vegetarian or otherwise—can...
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red beet baba ghanoush

by Jackie Newgent  |  August 3, 2015  |  5 Comments
Beet hummus is a thing. But beets can be showcased well beyond hummus. So I picked up a couple beets from my farmers’ market and transformed them into a different Middle Eastern dip … baba ghanoush. I roasted the beets to bring out their full flavor. A hint of smokiness is provided with a pinch of smoked paprika. And you’ll definitely detect the refreshing citrusy notes by way of both fresh lemon juice and zest. Though I usually prefer traditional eggplant baba ghanoush rather homestyle and lumpy, this red beet version with its stunningly gorgeous fuchsia color looks more beautiful when pureed until velvety. (Hint: The vivid color is from phytonutrients naturally found in beets, called betalains, which have anti-inflammatory...
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smoky pan-grilled baba ghanoush dip

by Jackie Newgent  |  January 22, 2015  |  6 Comments
I love good chips and French onion dip at a party. Perhaps too much! But rather than develop a new sour creamy-style dip, I opted for inspiration from my Lebanese roots (thanks to my mom!). The result is an updated classic baba ghanoush. When aiming for healthfulness, I figure you simply can’t go wrong by making a dip full of vegetable goodness! Another twist was tossed into my recipe development mix. For this month’s “Recipe ReDux” challenge, the goal was to focus on the trend of smoking … the culinary kind of smoking, of course. So I pan-grilled eggplant while keeping it covered with a lid to trap in all of the delicious smokiness. Then I added an extra kick...
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