Tag: appetizer

  • Lemon Chicken and Greek Salad Skewers

    Lemon Chicken and Greek Salad Skewers

    Lemon Chicken and Greek Salad Skewers

    The inspiration here is Greek Salad―but on a stick. We’ve added some savoury lemony garlic chicken packed with flavour so it’s delicious served cold. These skewers are packed full of veggies, which makes them easy to modify for those with dietary preferences. Just leave off the feta or the chicken for those who prefer veggies only. And while they’re delicious as is, the inclusion of a tzatziki-style dip adds an extra zing. To keep things on schedule, cook the chicken the day before or early in the morning of your picnic.

    Lemon Chicken and Greek Salad Skewers

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    Servings: 6
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    Lemon Chicken
    • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 garlic clove peeled and minced or crushed
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
    Skewers
    • 4 ounces feta cut into 12 bite-sized pieces
    • 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
    • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
    • 2 mini cucumbers sliced into 12 pieces
    • 12 grape tomatoes
    • 12 bite-sized pieces red onion
    • 12 bite-sized pieces bell pepper in mixed colours
    • 12 pitted Kalamata olives
    • 12 wooden skewers
    Tzatziki
    • ¼ cup Greek yogurt
    • 1 tablespoon grated cucumber
    • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon finely chopped mint

    Method
     

    1. In glass container with fitted lid, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add chicken breast, coating on both sides with the marinade. Seal container and refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours.
    2. When ready to cook, remove chicken from refrigerator and bring to room temperature while you preheat oven to 350°F. Bake chicken for 45 minutes, or until instant-read thermometer registers 165°F. Allow chicken to cool completely and refrigerate to chill for minimum 2 hours.
    3. In small bowl, dress feta with olive oil and oregano. Cut chicken into 12 bite-sized cubes. Assemble skewers by placing pieces of cucumber, tomato, a cube of chicken, red onion, pepper, feta, and olive on each skewer. Pack in airtight container and place in your cooler.
    4. Combine yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, and mint. Add to small Mason jar with lid and pack in cooler or picnic basket. Bring a spoon so picknickers can drizzle the dressing over skewers.

    by Helena McMurdo

    Recipe Courtesy of Alive Magazine

  • Savory Onion and Squash Scones

    Savory Onion and Squash Scones

    Savory Onion and Squash Scones

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    Total Time 45 minutes
    Ingredients Method Notes

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 cups all-purpose flour
    • ¾ cup shredded asiago cheese
    • 1 tablespoon cane sugar
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1 stick unsalted butter cold
    • 1 cup buttermilk plus 2 tablespoons
    • ⅓ cup squash puree
    • 1 large egg
    • 4 tablespoons chopped chives

    Method
     

    1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine flour, cheese, sugar, baking powder and sea salt in a large mixing bowl.
    2. In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 cup buttermilk, squash puree, egg and chives.
    3. Cut butter into the dry mixture until it resembles coarse cornmeal. Stir in wet ingredients until just combined.
    4. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface, divide into two pieces and form each into 6-inch disks.
    5. Cut each disk into 6 wedges and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Brush scone tops with remaining buttermilk, and bake for 25 minutes or until edges are starting to turn golden. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Makes 12.
  • Smoked Salmon and White Bean Spread

    Smoked Salmon and White Bean Spread

    Smoked Salmon and White Bean Spread

    A creamy base of white beans plus a hit of freshness from herbs gives you a balanced and exciting spread for your next get together or when you’re craving snacks for dinner.

    Bright herbs and capers, creamy white beans, and smoked fish are perfectly balanced and an unexpected combination. The recipe is gluten-free, so if you’re looking to keep the meal that way, you can use seed crackers, veggies, corn chips, or gluten-free bread and crackers. It’s still high time for grilling, so toss some bread on the grill.

    We call for smoked salmon here, as it’s a highly approachable and familiar ingredient. Feel free to experiment: trout would be another classic to substitute or go wild with smoked mackerel or smoked mussels. Flaking smoked fish on top of this spread is a great way to enjoy the savory richness of seafood without needing to purchase a large quantity to satisfy the crowd. If you’re looking to cut down, either on your costs or your animal protein consumption, consider this a great blueprint!

    The final thing we’ll say about this recipe is that it just might be your next pantry staple dish. Canned seafood and canned or dried beans are items you can keep stocked in your pantry. The addition of a few fresh herbs, picked up at the store or snipped from a windowsill herb garden, means you can whip it up on the fly year-round and for any occasion.

    Smoked Salmon and White Bean Spread

    A creamy base of white beans plus a hit of freshness from herbs gives you a balanced and exciting spread for your next get together or when you're craving snacks for dinner.
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    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 15 ounce can white beans drained and rinsed
    • 4 tbsp olive oil divided
    • 2 tbsp lemon juice
    • 2 large garlic cloves minced
    • 1/2 tsp sea salt
    • 1/2 tsp coarse ground black pepper
    • 6 ounces smoked trout or smoked salmon flaked
    • 2 tbsp chopped chives
    • 2 tbsp fresh oregano leaves or ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1 tbsp capers drained
    • Crackers or bread to serve

    Method
     

    1. In a food processor combine beans, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper.
    2. Run processor until mixture is smooth.
    3. Spread bean mixture onto a service plate creating swirls.
    4. Drizzle on remaining olive oil and top with flaked smoked fish, fresh herbs, and capers.
    5. Serve with crackers or sliced artisan bread.
    6. Enjoy!

    Recipe Courtesy of INFRA

  • Chili Nachos

    Chili Nachos

    Chili Nachos

    Got a late night craving? These chili nachos are ready in minutes! Plus, they’re endlessly customizable. Add sour cream, jalapeños, diced onion, or a squeeze of lime to take these to the next level.

    Chili Nachos

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    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 4-ounce corn tortilla chips
    • 1 Amy's Organic Medium Chili heated
    • 2 – 3 cups shredded cheese (Cheddar, Jack, or Mexican cheese blend)
    • 1 small can sliced black olives drained
    • 1 small avocado diced
    • Amy's Medium Salsa

    Method
     

    1. On a microwave-safe plate, spread the tortilla chips in an even layer with just a little overlap.
    2. Sprinkle 1 cup of cheese evenly over the chips.
    3. Heat on high in the microwave for 1 minute or until cheese is melted.
    4. Add another layer of tortilla chips, sprinkle with remaining cheese and heat for another 1-1½ minutes until cheese is melted.
    5. Top nachos with Amy’s Medium Chili, Amy’s Medium Salsa, sliced black olives and diced avocado.
    6. Serve immediately and enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Fresh Corn and Black Bean Salsa

    Fresh Corn and Black Bean Salsa

    Fresh Corn and Black Bean Salsa

    It’s always a good idea to have a can of beans in the pantry. With a few fresh ingredients, canned black beans transform into a tasty fresh salsa. Perfect on its own, with some corn chips, or in your favorite taco.

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    Fresh Corn and Black Bean Salsa

    It’s always a good idea to have a can of beans in the pantry. With a few fresh ingredients, canned black beans transform into a tasty fresh salsa. Perfect on its own, with some corn chips, or in your favorite taco.
    Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
    Keyword appetizer, salsa, side, snack
    Servings 4

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup organic sweet corn, fresh or frozen blanched 1 to 2 minutes
    • 15 ounces Eden Black Beans drained
    • 2 tablespoons red bell pepper diced
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • 1 tablespoon lime juice freshly squeezed
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ¼ cup onion diced
    • ½ teaspoon dried cilantro or dried parsley
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ cup green onions chopped
    • 1 tablespoon minced jalapeño or to taste

    Instructions

    • Mix all ingredients together and serve room temperature or chilled with your favorite organic corn chips.

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Deviled Eggs

    Deviled Eggs

    Deviled Eggs

    Thanks to Christine Waltermyer & The Natural Kitchen Cooking School!

    Christine Waltermyer is a local and renowned Wellness Chef, private chef to celebrities, published cookbook author and founder of the Natural Kitchen Cooking School, which offers an online Plant-Based Cooking Program. She also loves shopping at Basil Bandwagon! Visit naturalkitchenschool.com to subscribe to her email newsletter for new recipes, tips, and FREE access to the Power of Veggies mini-course!

    Whether you’re getting ready for back-to-school or you’re throwing the last end of summer party, these deviled eggs are the recipe you’re looking for. Not only is it a simple appetizer, but it can fit perfectly in your lunchbox, too! Scroll down for this easy step-by-step recipe thanks to Christine Waltermyer and The Natural Kitchen Cooking School.

    Print Pin

    Deviled Eggs

    Deviled eggs are nutritious as a snack or party appetizer. Use a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip to get that fun swirl shape of the filling.
    Course Appetizer
    Keyword appetizer, deviled eggs, snack
    Servings 10 deviled eggs

    Ingredients

    • 6 eggs
    • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (I use a keto coconut oil brand)
    • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
    • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
    • Sea salt and white pepper to taste
    • Smoked paprika
    • Fresh chives, chopped finely optional

    Instructions

    • Place eggs in a single layer in a medium saucepan. Add enough water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, cover, remove from heat, and let stand for 12 minutes.
    • While the eggs are cooking, fill a bowl with cold water and ice. When the eggs have finished cooking, use a mesh strainer to scoop the eggs out and place them in the ice bath.
    • To peel the eggs, tap each egg on the wide end until it cracks. Peel under cold running water, using a small spoon to help remove the shell.
    • Cut the peeled eggs in half lengthwise. Carefully remove the yolks. Place the yolks in a small bowl. Mash lightly with a fork. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, pickle relish, sea salt and white pepper. Stir well.
    • Carefully spoon the egg yolk mixture into the egg whites. Feel free to use a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip to make a fancy shape. Garnish with the smoked paprika and optional chopped chives.
    • Enjoy!

    Thank you to Christine Waltermyer and the Natural Kitchen Cooking School for working with us to help promote healthy, nutritious meals and products that are affordable, full of nutrients, and simple to make at home!

  • Tomato and Melon Caprese

    Tomato and Melon Caprese

    Tomato and Melon Caprese

    Take a caprese salad to the next level. Instead of a mild, sweet Italian basil, Thai basil has a more spicy, assertive flavor. It will stand up to the other ingredients here and pairs well with the melon and tomatoes. These juicy melons and ripe tomatoes are at their peak, so you don’t need much to make them shine. With prosciutto and melon, this caprese salad can serve as a lunch all on its own or pair nicely as a side dish for your next celebratory dinner. 

    Print Pin

    Tomato and Melon Caprese

    Course Appetizer, Lunch, Salad
    Keyword appetizer, gluten free, lunch, salad
    Servings 1

    Ingredients

    • 2 ½ pounds cantaloupe
    • 1 pint cherry tomatoes halved
    • 8 ounces ciliegine mozzarella halved
    • 6 slices prosciutto torn
    • ¾ ounce Thai basil stemmed

    Dressing

    • 2 tablespoons sunflower oil
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • Pinch of sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

    Instructions

    • Whisk dressing ingredients together until emulsified. Set aside.
    • Cut melon in half and remove seeds. Use a melon baller to scoop the fruit or peel and chop into bite-sized pieces.
    • To assemble, arrange melon, tomatoes, mozzarella, and prosciutto on a serving vessel. Drizzle dressing over salad and garnish with basil. Serve promptly.
    • Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Traditional Chorizo Pupusas

    Traditional Chorizo Pupusas

    Traditional Chorizo Pupusas

    Pupusas are a thick griddled corn cake from El Salvador and Honduras. They are filled with savory ingredients and typically served with a pickled vegetable slaw called curtido. You can get creative with the fillings! Beans, squash, peppers, and even shrimp find their way into pupusas. While you can get pupusas from a restaurant or even the freezer section, this is a really approachable recipe to try at home! If you can roll a ball of dough and cook pancakes, you’ll have no trouble with pupusas! 

    Print Pin

    Traditional Chorizo Pupusas

    Course Appetizer, dinner, Lunch, Side Dish
    Keyword appetizer, chorizo, dinner, gluten free, lunch, pupusas, side
    Servings 4

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups masa harina
    • 1 ½ cups water
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ¾ cup cooked chorizo sausage crumbled
    • 1 ¼ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

    Instructions

    • Prepare the pupusa dough by mixing the masa with the salt. Add water and stir until fully incorporated. The dough should be firm yet pliable, add more masa or water depending on how the dough turns out after stirring in the water described above.
    • Scoop dough into approximately ¼ cup amounts and roll into balls.
    • Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. It is best to assemble and cook the pupusas as you go, one or more at a time depending on the size of the skillet.
    • Using wet hands, flatten a dough ball to a diameter of five inches and place three tablespoons of cheese and two tablespoons of chorizo into the center. Flatten another dough ball and place on top of the filling. Press and shape the pupusa into a round form with a quarter inch of thickness.
    • Place in an oil coated skillet and cook 3-5 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining dough and filling.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    SUBSTITUTIONS: Replace chorizo with any other seasoned meat, plant-based alternatives, or refried beans. Cheese can be swapped out for a non-dairy cheese that has good melting properties.

    Recipe Provided by INFRA

  • Snack Smarter!

    Snack Smarter!

    Snack Smarter!

    Kid-approved snacks

    Smart snacking can mean the difference between feeling energetic or fatigued. Plus, proper snacking can help deliver the nutrients children need to properly develop, both physically and mentally. When your household is craving something sweet or savory to tide everyone over to the next meal, these make-ahead wee-eats will earn you the Snack Master crown!

    Pesto Dip Pepper Poppers

    Sweet baby peppers serve as a nutritious delivery method for this pesto-like dip. You can also spread the dip into celery crevices.
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    Servings: 6
    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups cooked or canned navy beans
    • ½ cup soft tofu
    • 1 cup fresh basil
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • Juice of ½ lemon
    • 1 garlic clove chopped
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 12 mini bell peppers

    Method
     

    1. In food processor container, place beans, tofu, basil, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and salt and blend until smooth.
    2. Slice off tops of bell peppers and remove seeds inside with either a small knife or your finger. Using small spoon, stuff peppers with dip.
    3. Enjoy!

    PB&J Ice Cream Bars

    This riff on everyone’s favorite childhood sandwich is a delicious snack on a sultry summer day.
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    Servings: 6
    Course: Dessert
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 large frozen bananas cut into chunks
    • 1 cup raspberries
    • ⅓ cup peanut butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ⅓ cup unsalted roasted peanuts

    Method
     

    1. Line 9 x 5 in (23 x 13 cm) loaf pan with parchment paper large enough so there is a 1 in (2.5 cm) overhang.
    2. In food processor container, place banana; turn machine on and let it run until banana is reduced to the size of small pebbles. Scrape down sides of bowl; add raspberries, peanut butter, vanilla, and salt; continue blending until creamy. Be careful not to over blend to the point where bananas begin to melt. Pulse in peanuts.
    3. Place banana mixture in pan and spread out into an even layer. If desired, sprinkle some additional peanuts on top. Place in freezer until frozen solid, at least 4 hours.
    4. Using parchment paper overhang, lift frozen block out of pan and, using serrated knife, carefully slice into 8 bars. Store in airtight container in freezer for up to 1 month.
    5. Enjoy!

    Sweet Potato Mini Egg Cakes

    These mini-sized egg cakes offer up a savory way to work more protein and vegetables into snack time. Serve at room temperature or warm in the microwave.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Servings: 6
    Course: Breakfast, Snack
    Ingredients Method

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 tablespoon grapeseed oil or avocado oil
    • 1 cup diced yellow onion
    • ½ teaspoon salt divided
    • 2 cups grated sweet potato
    • 2 garlic cloves minced
    • 6 large eggs
    • ¼ cup milk
    • 1 large red bell pepper chopped
    • ½ cup grated parmesean or gruyere cheese
    • 2 teaspoon fresh thyme
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

    Method
     

    1. Preheat oven to 375 F (190 C).
    2. In large skillet over medium, heat oil. Add onion and 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt; cook for 5 minutes, or until softened. Add sweet potato and garlic; heat just until potato is tender, about 2 minutes.
    3. In large bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Stir in red bell pepper, cheese, thyme, remaining 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt, and black pepper. Stir in cooked vegetables. Divide among 16 mini-sized greased muffin cups. Bake until egg cakes are set, about 15 minutes. Let cool for a couple of minutes before unmoulding.
    4. Enjoy!

    Recipes Provided by Alive Magazine

  • Corn Salsa

    Corn Salsa

    Corn Salsa

    Print Pin

    Corn Salsa

    Course Appetizer, Side Dish
    Keyword appetizer, chips and dip, salsa, side

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups sweet corn (fresh, or frozen, thawed and drained)
    • 15 ounces black beans rinsed and drained
    • 2 medium tomatoes seeded and diced
    • ½ cup tomato sauce
    • ¼ cup minced green onions
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
    • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
    • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
    • Yellow corn tortilla chips

    Instructions

    • Combine all ingredients except tortilla chips in a large bowl.
    • Cover and refrigerate several hours to blend flavors.
    • Serve with tortilla chips.
    • Enjoy!

    Recipe Provided by UNFI Fresh