Showing posts with label dip. Show all posts

Nikki's Boursin, Green Pesto and Cranberry Dip


I recently had this dip at our friends' house and there was no way I was leaving without the recipe. It is so easy to make and absolutely delicious! 

Ingredients 

100g of Boursin or herb/garlic cream cheese 
70g of green pesto 
70g of dried cranberries 
70g of toasted pine nuts 

12cm pan or dish 

Preparation 
  1. Spread the Boursin evenly on the bottom of the dish. 
  2. Do the same with pesto. 
  3. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. 
  4. Finally, sprinkle on the pine nuts and the cranberries. 
  5. Adjust the amounts as necessary. 
  6. Serve with tortilla chips or my favourite, pita chips. 
  7. Enjoy! 


Step By Step: Traditional Hummus


Ingredients V

400g of chickpeas
60ml of tahini paste
4 tablespoon of lemon juice
1/2 tsp of cumin 
1 clove of garlic 
1 tsp of sea salt
2 tbsp of olive oil, more for drizzling 

Add 60ml of tahini paste to a food processor.  
Add 4 tablespoons of lemon juice to the food processor.  
Combine the lemon and tahini paste for one minute. Then scrape down the sides and mix for another 30 secs.  
Add 1/2 a tsp of cumin, 1 small garlic clove, 1 tsp of sea salt and 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil.  
Wash thoroughly one can of tinned chickpeas (400g).  
Add the chickpeas to the mixed lemon/tahini spice mix. Combine together. Then mix in the food processor until smooth with 1-2 tbsp of water. You may need to do this in two instalments depending on the size of your food processor.
Scoop all the hummus into a bowl. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with paprika. 

All the steps
  1. Wash and peal the chickpeas. Pealing the chickpeas is not necessary per se, but it will make the hummus MUCH creamier. 
  2. Add the tahini and lemon juice to a blender or food processor. Whiz for one minute. Then scrape down the sides and whiz for another 30 seconds. 
  3. Add the cumin, garlic cloves, salt and olive oil. 
  4. Finally add the chickpeas.
  5. Combine whilst pouring the water. You may need more or less water. Stop adding water until you get a desired consistency. It should be like a thick mousse. 
  6. Simply remove from the food processor and enjoy! 

Hummus is great paired with a variety of dishes. Some of my favourites include falafel (pictured above), pita chips, lamb and whole other variety of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. Chickpeas are a really healthy addition to your diet, and if you are light on the olive oil it is a healthy side dish. I usually make my own falafel, but these ones are store bought. They were surprisingly delicious with dried apricot and ginger. A recipe I am dying to try that would be similar linked here or I bought these. I also paired my falafel with some greek yoghurt mixed with mint and some tomato and cucumber salad.  

Mamma's Spinach and Artichoke Dip


Even my dad who claims to hate artichoke loves this dip. For some reason it seems like a very American dip to serve as an appetiser. I am a firm believer for spinach and artichoke dip being featured at any and every party globally. The best way to describe this dish is creamy, slightly spice and well spinach-artichoke-y. Whilst a fantastic dip, it is fantastic dolloped into a falafel wrap, paired with grilled vegetables or part of a warm salad. I can imagine it spooned over a grilled aubergine. Despite being very popular in the US, it definitely reminds of my favourite Middle Eastern cuisine.

Ingredients 

2 large handful of spinach
1 jar (400ml) of artichoke hearts
50g or 1/2 cup vegetarian parmesan
60g or 1/4 cup of cream cheese
240g or 1 cup of mayo
1 clove of garlic
1/2 tsp of salt
1/2 tsp of chilli flakes

You can make this dish ahead just keep it in the fridge until you need it.

Cooking Time!
  1. Preheat the oven to 200C or 400F. 
  2. Finely chop the spinach and artichoke hearts. 
  3. Combine with the the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl. 
  4. Add the all the ingredients into small/medium sized oven dish. 
  5. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until browned. 
  6. Serve warm with some pita chips and a glass of wine.  
  7. Enjoy! 
Approximate cooking time 20-30 minutes.