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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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spring “clean” orzo salad

by Jackie Newgent  |  March 22, 2017  |  1 Comment
It’s time for some spring cleaning! Don’t worry, the type of “housework” I’m talking about is not a chore at all. Just head on over to your kitchen where your tastebuds can actually benefit from this cleanup! The theme of this month’s Recipe Redux is: “Spring Clean the Kitchen.” So, I created this whole-wheat orzo recipe using ingredients that I already had on hand. If you don’t have all of the same ingredients, make swaps based on what you do have in your fridge or pantry. Challenge yourself to not shop for anything new. For instance, use about 2 1/2 cups cooked quinoa, brown rice, or other pasta if you don’t have orzo; try white wine vinegar if you don’t...
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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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grilled mango salad with avocado & pistachios

by Jackie Newgent  |  July 21, 2016  |  3 Comments
I crave salads in the summer. How about you? When that urge strikes, here’s a new salad for ya. If you’re a mango lover like I am, it’ll literally make your mouth water! The Recipe Redux theme this month is “Get Your Fruits and Veggies in Shape.” Rather than cutting up this salad’s fruit into a new shape, I decided to add shape on it. I created crosshatch grill marks on mango “cheeks.” Using grilled fruit is a simple way to upgrade a recipe! Not only does it add eye appeal, it adds smoky flavor interest. What’s more, I used grilled mango in two ways here—as cubes and pureed into the dressing. Enjoy it! Hint: Add black beans, edamame, or...
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pistachio and garnet sweet potato risotto

by Jackie Newgent  |  October 22, 2015  |  4 Comments
Food Day is October 24! The focus for this year’s Food Day is Toward a Greener Diet. So celebrate real food and say “cheers” to eating less meat and enjoying more whole plant-based foods; it’s better for you, the animals, and our environment. Here’s a tip: If you’re not already doing so, pick at least three specific days each week to go meatless, beginning on Meatless Monday. Mark it on your e-calendar so you don’t forget! Already doing that? Keep going, one day at a time, until most or all of your meals are meat free. Small changes toward a greener diet absolutely do add up. This recipe is just one small step to help you do just that. But that’s...
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