recipe: CARROT RAISIN DIP WITH HOMEMADE PITA CHIPS

I love snacks! Especially crunchy snacks which are a little bit savory and a little bit sweet. The other day I noticed I had some carrots and raisins I hadn't eaten yet so I tried a little experiment. The result was a very flavorful dip that is actually good for you! Check it out...

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 bag baby carrots
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons mint leaves, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix all ingredients in a medium size oven safe pan. Cover tightly with foil.  Place in the oven for 1 hour.

Remove from the oven.  Let cool for a few minutes and the blend.

Simple, delicious, and healthy!

This dip tastes great with some homemade Pita Chips.  They are so simple to make and if you use a whole wheat pita they are low in calories and high in fiber.  Here is how you do it:

• Preheat oven to 350
• Separate the pita
• Brush each side with olive oil
• Cut into triangles
• Cover a baking sheet in foil and lay the triangles in a single layer
• Lightly salt 
• Place in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until brown and crispy 

This is an easy snack to keep at home that will fill you up in a nutritious way!

GTBB,
Bad Joan

recipe: SHALLOT YOGURT

It might not sound that exciting but this dish is a real crowd pleaser!  I discovered this dip when I worked at a Los Angeles restaurant called Axe a few years back (PS - if you are in LA or visiting any time soon you should definitely eat at Axe, it is incredible!).  This dip has been a favorite snack of mine ever since and everyone I have ever made it for absolutely loves it.  Plus, it is so simple to make and it's full of calcium; it's a win/win!  Check it out...

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 24 oz container of plain yogurt (I prefer to get Greek or European style yogurt)
• 1 large shallot

INSTRUCTIONS:

Place a colander inside a large bowl.  Line the colander with a paper towel.  Scoop the yogurt onto the paper towel and place the bowl in the refrigerator overnight, uncovered.  This process drains any excess liquid from the yogurt making it very thick.

Scoop the thick yogurt into a container and put aside.

Peel the shallot, chop very fine and add to the yogurt.  Mix.

That's it, your done!  Now you can spread the mix on crackers or bread, or just eat it plain.  Since it is nice and thick sometimes I will even spread it on a bagel instead of cream cheese.  Trust me, it's beyond delicious! 

GTBB,
Bad Joan

recipe: MANGO SALSA AND MANGO SALAD

Depending on what you're in the mood for you can make a mango salsa or mango salad out of the same fresh and delicious ingredients.  Both are great for a healthy snack or serving at an end of summer BBQ!

SALSA

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 ripe mango
• 1 container of grape tomatoes
• 2 Persian cucumbers (aka mini seedless cucumbers)
• 2 - 3 stalks of fresh cilantro finely chopped (approximately 2 tablespoons)
• 1/4 cup of finely chopped red onion (can be a little more or less depending on your taste)
• splash of extra virgin olive oil
• splash of rice vinegar
• salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

Peel mango and chop into small pieces.  Place in a large mixing bowl.

Finely chop cucumbers. Keep the skin on. Persian cucumbers have a thin skin that is crisp, delicious and nutritious. I usually cut the cucumbers into 1/8ths lengthwise creating long strips and then chop. Chop tomatoes.  I usually chop the tomatoes into 1/4s.  Add everything to the mixing bowl.

Very finely chop the onion and cilantro. Add both to the mixing bowl.

Drizzle in a small amount of olive oil and rice vinegar, about 1 teaspoon each (you can always add more later if you want and you will find that the mango and tomatoes have their own natural juices so you don't want to over saturate the mix).

Sprinkle in some salt and pepper and mix.

Set it out for your guests with chips (tastes great with Bad Joan's Ezekiel Chips).  Or store it in a plastic container in the refrigerator and snack on it over a couple of days. 

I don't know about you but I love to snack all day, so having some of this mango salsa in the fridge helps me make a much healthier but still satisfying snack choice!

SALAD

This is the same exact recipe except for 2 things:

1. Chop everything into larger pieces so that you can grab them with a fork.  In other words, I half the tomatoes and cucumbers and make larger chunks of mango.
2. Crumble some fresh feta cheese on top for an added savory taste!

Enjoy!

GTBB,
Bad Joan

recipe: APPLE AND CUCUMBER GUACAMOLE

Avocados have a bad reputation for being fattening. While it is true that avocados do contain some fat it is the good kind of fat full of things that your body can use like Potassium, Vitamin E and Vitamin C among other things. So enjoy them!  But just in case you are still paranoid here is a guacamole recipe that uses less avocado than a traditional recipe without skimping on flavor...

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 ripe avocados
• 2 Persian cucumbers (aka mini seedless cucumbers)
• 1 yellow or orange pepper
• 1/2 fuji or gala apple
• 2 - 3 stalks of fresh cilantro finely chopped (approximately 2 tablespoons)
• 1/4 cup of finely chopped red onion (can be a little more or less depending on your taste)
• 1/4 lemon (1 wedge)
• extra virgin olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

Skin and chop avocados and place in a large mixing bowl.

Finely chop cucumbers.  Keep the skin on.  Persian cucumbers have a thin skin that is crisp, delicious and nutritious.  I usually cut the cucumbers into 1/8ths lengthwise creating long strips and then chop.  Cut peppers and apples to be about the same size as the cucumber pieces.  Remember you are only using half the apple.  Add everything to the mixing bowl.

Very finely chop the onion and cilantro.  Add both to the mixing bowl. 

Squeeze lemon juice into the bowl and remove any lemon seeds.  Drizzle in a small amount of olive oil, about 1 teaspoon (you can always add more later if you want).  Sprinkle in some salt and pepper and mix until creamy.   

Presto!  Nutritious and delicious guacamole is ready to serve and enjoy!

GTBB,
Bad Joan

PS - Tastes great with Bad Joan's Ezekiel Chips!