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: GINGER MINT LEMON TEA

I love tea!  A warm cup of tea is so comforting in the winter and a cold glass of iced tea is so refreshing in the summer.  Many packaged teas have artificial flavors and/or some preservatives in order to keep the tea bags fresh and useful in your cupboard for a long time.  So why not make your own? 

I love the combination of fresh ginger, fresh mint and fresh squeezed lemon.  All of these elements are great for digestion/metabolism and they are very flavorful.  In fact, I often drink this mixture when I am experiencing some indigestion and it settles my stomach right away!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 heaping tablespoon fresh grated ginger
• 15 - 20 fresh mint leaves
• 1/2 lemon

INSTRUCTIONS:

Remove skin from ginger root (I like to just scrape the skin off with a spoon or you can also use a knife).  Grate the ginger (on a box grater I like to use the second smallest holes).  Place grated ginger in a tea strainer.

Wash mint leaves and pluck from stem.

Boil water. 

Add ginger, mint leaves and boiling water to a pitcher.  Squeeze in lemon juice and mix. (I like to insert a fork into the middle of the lemon and use it as leverage to really get every last drop of juice out!)

Let it sit for at least 10 - 15 minutes to absorb all the flavor.  The longer the better. 

I like to drink a hot cup right away and then put the rest in the refrigerator and have it as a cold drink throughout the week!
 

GTBB,
Bad Joan