Recipe Redux Post # 79 Mediterranean Bruschetta Mix

The Recipe ReDux for February is Oscar themed dishes. The challenge is focused on create a dish associated with a famous movie or a viewing party appetizer worthy to celebrate the big night. Parties  tend to have more than their share of indulgent goodies so I thought I'd make a very light and refreshing dish to offset all the heavier foods that tend to be served.  This recipe combines very simple ingredients to create a delicious low calorie appetizer that works great with crackers, pita bread or bruschetta style with toasted bread.  It tastes great on toast spread with hummus or mashed avocado as well. I hope you will give it a try along with all the other Recipe ReDux Oscar recipes!

Ingredients:

1 cup diced Persian Cucumber

1 cup diced tomatoes

1 cup diced black olives

1 tablespoon rice vinegar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

dash of dried oregano (optional)

Directions:

Combine all of the above in a medium sized bowl.  Chill is not serving immediately. Serve with pita wedges, pita chips, toasted bread. 

Makes 3 cups  6 servings

Servings size 1/2 Calories 45 Protein 1 g Carb 4 g Fiber 1 g Sugars 2 g Fat 3 g Saturated fat 0 g Sodium 44 mg

Read more...

Trader Joes Treasures Post # 4

Posting about the latest and greatest Trader Joes products I have discovered recently is LOOOONG overdue.  So here it goes. Below are some items I have been enjoying this winter!


Harvest Chili

This chili is AMAZING! Not too spicy but just enough kick and a ton of flavor.  It is chocked full of healthy veggies like cauliflower, butternut squash, sweet potatoes and pumpkin as well as quinoa and.... beans of course. That may sound a bit untraditional but it is quite a delicious combo I swear!
It makes a great quick and easy lunch or dinner.  I love to eat it topped with low fat cheese and/or avocado. I am pretty sure it is seasonal, so I am enjoying it while it lasts!

Pomelos

Finally tried one of these last week after eyeing them in stores. There giants are hard to miss. Pomelos are much larger than a grapefruit and sweeter too! Nice for a breakfast side, healthy dessert or even chopped up to served atop a salad to liven things up.

Umami Seasoning Blend

I have already mentioned my love of Traders Joe's amazing Everything But The Bagel Seasoning, well now they have another blend that will be staple in my pantry. This delicious seasoning combines mushroom power, kosher salt, pepper and other spices to create a unique savory seasoning that is great to add to soups, on cooked vegetables or meats and poultry.

Unsalted Roasted Pistachios

Okay, so I know pistachios are nothing new, but I wanted to share the happy accident that I bought unsalted pistachios a few weeks back instead of salted and they were actually quite tasty.  Without the salt, the nuts actually have a slight sweetness to them which the salted varieties seem to mask.  I have been snacking on them, admittingly almost uncontrollably....

Read more...