Posts tagged holiday
pistachio & goat cheese dip

hang in there friends. we only have a couple more crazy weeks of madness till we can all breath a sigh of relief as we prepare for a new year.

between gift exchanges, holiday parties and family gatherings, i know i’m not the only one who is stretched a little thin.

it seems that every event i go to these days is pot luck style. so i needed an easy appetizer that was equally delicious and beautiful. and this dip is just that. it is zesty, and nutty and the caramelized onions and roasted garlic really add some delicious umami to the mix.

pistachio & goat cheese dip

serves: about 4 cups

prep time: 10 minutes

inactive time: 1 hour

active time: 20 minutes

total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

ingredients: 3 cups crumbled goat cheese. 1 cup greek yogurt. .5 cup pistachios. 1 head roasted garlic. half 1 brown onion, thinly sliced. 3 tbs olive oil. handful of pomegranate seeds. 1 green onion, green parts thinly sliced. 1 tsp kosher salt. .5 tsp freshly ground pepper. food processor. crackers or veggies for serving.

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start by getting your garlic roasted. follow THESE instructions if you don’t already have some roasted garlic on hand. while your garlic is roasting, you can prep the rest of your ingredients and then finish some other project you surely have waiting for you. when your garlic is roasted, caramelize your onions. in a medium sized pan, heat the pan and 2 tbs of the oil over medium low heat. add in the onions and season with half the salt and pepper. let the onions caramelize, stirring every few minutes for about 15 minutes, till they are soft and browned.

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while the onions are caramelizing, place your pistachios in the bowl of your food processor. blend until the pistachios have turned to crumbs.

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add in the greek yogurt and goat cheese.

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add in your roasted garlic. when the onions are ready, add them into the food processor.

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top the mixture with the remaining oil, and salt and pepper.

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blend until everything is very smooth.

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pour the combined dip into a serving bowl. top with pomegranate seeds and green onions.

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serve with your favorite crackers or veggies and enjoy.

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xo, a

pistachio & goat cheese dip

serves: about 4 cups

prep time: 10 minutes

inactive time: 1 hour

active time: 20 minutes

total time: 1 hour 30 minutes

ingredients: 3 cups crumbled goat cheese. 1 cup greek yogurt. .5 cup pistachios. 1 head roasted garlic. half 1 brown onion, thinly sliced. 3 tbs olive oil. handful of pomegranate seeds. 1 green onion, green parts thinly sliced. 1 tsp kosher salt. .5 tsp freshly ground pepper. food processor. crackers or veggies for serving.

start by getting your garlic roasted. follow THESE instructions if you don’t already have some roasted garlic on hand. while your garlic is roasting, you can prep the rest of your ingredients and then finish some other project you surely have waiting for you. when your garlic is roasted, caramelize your onions. in a medium sized pan, heat the pan and 2 tbs of the oil over medium low heat. add in the onions and season with half the salt and pepper. let the onions caramelize, stirring every few minutes for about 15 minutes, till they are soft and browned. while the onions are caramelizing, place your pistachios in the bowl of your food processor. blend until the pistachios have turned to crumbs. add in the greek yogurt and goat cheese. add in your roasted garlic. when the onions are ready, add them into the food processor. top the mixture with the remaining oil, and salt and pepper. blend until everything is very smooth. pour the combined dip into a serving bowl. top with pomegranate seeds and green onions. serve with your favorite crackers or veggies and enjoy.

independence day parfait

we are just hours away from one of the biggest holidays of the year. ESPECIALLY if you are like me and live anywhere near the coast. the beach is MADNESS on the fourth. and partying starts EARLY in the day. 

and what is the most important part of a long day of drinking & fireworks?  breakfast. 

fill yourself up with something delicious and healthy before filling up with beer and bbq. 

these gorgeously patriotic parfaits are full of flavor, use only natural sweeteners and are guaranteed to get your party started. 

independence day parfait

serves: 4 parfaits

prep time: 10 minutes

active time: 5 minutes

total timez; 15 minutes

ingredients: 2 cups greek yogurt. 2 cups orange blossom granola (if you do not have this on hand or don't want to make it, your favorite granola is the perfect substitute). 1 cup blueberries. 1 cup chopped strawberries. 2 tbs honey. 4 cups for serving. optional: piping bag with round tip or plastic zip loc bag. edible flower for garnish. 

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start by drizzling the yogurt in honey and combining the mixture well.  

then, you have some choices. if you have a piping bag handy, i recommend filling the piping bag with the yogurt mixture. if you are like most people and do not have a piping bag, you could use a zip lock bag. fill it up and snip off one of the corners for easy squeezing. if a spoon sounds more up your alley, use a spoon.

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regardless of your tool, scoop .25 cup of yogurt into the bottom of each cup.

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hen layer .25 cup of granola. followed by .25 cup of mixed berries.

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repeat that process with each cup till you have two beautiful layers of each ingredient.top with edible flowers and serve or store for later consumption. 

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xo, a

independence day parfait

serves: 4 parfaits

prep time: 10 minutes

active time: 5 minutes

total timez; 15 minutes

ingredients: 2 cups greek yogurt. 2 cups orange blossom granola (if you do not have this on hand or don't want to make it, your favorite granola is the perfect substitute). 1 cup blueberries. 1 cup chopped strawberries. 2 tbs honey. 4 cups for serving. optional: piping bag with round tip or plastic zip loc bag. edible flower for garnish. 

start by drizzling the yogurt in honey and combining the mixture well. then, you have some choices. if you have a piping bag handy, i recommend filling the piping bag with the yogurt mixture. if you are like most people and do not have a piping bag, you could use a zip lock bag. fill it up and snip off one of the corners for easy squeezing. if a spoon sounds more up your alley, use a spoon. regardless of your tool, scoop .25 cup of yogurt into the bottom of each cup. then layer .25 cup of granola. followed by .25 cup of mixed berries. repeat that process with each cup till you have two beautiful layers of each ingredient. top with edible flowers and serve or store for later consumption.