Roasted Carrot Hummus Recipe • Tasty & Healthy! | Club Foody

 

Cooking is fun, especially if someone has a creative side 🎨. It allows you to express your inner self through a combination of ingredients and flavors. It provides an opportunity to take a classic and transform it into a new, elevated dish.
 
Besides its religious significance, what comes to mind when Easter is mentioned? It’s an event for families to gather. There are Easter eggs, bunnies, carrots, chocolate, and baby chicks 🐣 along with roasted lamb or glazed ham. Oh, and let’s not forget the hot cross buns!
 
When having guests over, hors d’oeuvres, mezze, and/or bouchées 🍣 are a must-have. These shareable dishes are perfect to serve prior to dinner. On the website, there’s a wide selection of them, like Russian Deviled Eggs, Brie en Croûte, Shrimp Bruschetta, some tea sandwiches, Croquetas de Jamón, and so on.
 
Dips are also another tasty option. I think of Jalapeño Bacon Cheese Dip, Middle East Labneh, Six Layer Chip Dip, Olive Tapenade, Crab Artichoke Pepper Dip 🦀, Middle East Muhammara, Baba Ghanoush, Pumpernickel Spinach Dip, etc.
 
One that fits perfectly for Easter 🐰 is my Roasted Carrot Hummus! With a smooth, creamy texture, this recipe is a delicious twist on a classic! It has a gorgeous combination of smokiness, sweetness as well as earthiness. It’s elegant, colorful, and sets the tone for the event…
 
I have always enjoyed hummus since the first bite I had back in the early ‘80s. From the traditional recipe, I turned this popular Middle Eastern into Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, Pesto Hummus 🍃, Beet Hummus, and also Sweet Potato Hummus.
 
Like any of them, this Roasted Carrot Hummus is super easy to make. What takes a little more time is the carrots. After slicing them as evenly as possible, they’re roasted in the oven until tender. The best way to test their doneness is by using a pointy knife 🔪. If there’s no resistance, they’re ready.
 
After adding all the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor and blending them, the texture will probably be smooth but dry. To remedy this, I l pour in some vegetable broth to moisten the mixture. I normally go for a couple tablespoons. It’s not an exact science 🧪, but I’m sure you’ll figure out how much you need.
 
This Roasted Carrot Hummus is a great dish to serve for this upcoming event. Easy to prepare, it’s a healthy way 💚 to satisfy hunger without ruining the appetite for dinner. Drizzle on some olive oil and sprinkle chopped pistachios on top, serve this elegant dip with crackers, naan, crostini, and crudités…
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Check out these other amazing hors d’oeuvre, canapés and bouchées recipes… 😀
– Korean Meatballs
– Clams Casino
– Stuffed Dates with Gorgonzola
– Cognac Chicken Liver Pâté
– Oven Baked Jalapeño Poppers
– Asian Cucumber Salmon Rolls
– Baked Goat Cheese with Almonds
– Sardine Cups
– Pull-Apart Garlic Bread
and for even more dip recipes, click on this link… Recipe Category • Hors d’Oeuvres/Antipasto, Canapés/Dips

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/cf-recipes/roasted-carrot-hummus/ 😉

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Sweet Chili Ginger Pork Loin Chops Recipe | Club Foody

 

This year, Easter will be quiet. David and I will make a nice dinner, open up a bottle (or two) of wine 🍷, and enjoy each other’s company. Normally, I like serving a big ham or rack of lamb. There are also other traditional recipes I enjoy making for this event such as Torta Pasqualina, Tsoureki, Hot Cross Buns, etc.
 
If yours will be as relaxed 🥰 as ours, here’s a recipe that is elegant for the occasion and also extremely delicious… my Sweet Chili Ginger Pork Loin Chops! Loaded with flavors, it takes 30 minutes to make. It’s another delightful way to enjoy this cut of meat !
 
It’s a pretty straightforward recipe. We begin by making 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳 the sauce, which is what gives this recipe its unique taste profile. Among the ingredients, there’s sweet chili sauce. I prefer using my homemade version, and here’s the link to get it… Sweet Chili Sauce
 
After the sauce is done, we move on to the meat. I season the chops with only freshly ground mixed peppercorns… no salt! Why? Because there’s a fair amount 🧂 in the soy sauce, even if it’s low-sodium, and quite a bit in the ponzu sauce. If you want to add some, go ahead.
 
The chops are seared in canola oil. I use this type of oil because it’s flavorless and odorless, plus it has a high smoke point 🔥 (around 400ºF/200ºC). It makes it ideal for searing, pan-frying, and deep-frying. If you want more info about different types of oils and their smoke points, here’s a great link… Know Your Oils and Their Smoke Points
 
Searing goes pretty fast – maybe 3 minutes ⏳ per side. They won’t be fully cooked, and it’s fine as they will cook more later. Just as the late chef Anne Burrell often mentioned, “brown food tastes good”, so the sides of the loin chops have to be seared too, which takes maybe 1 to 1:30 minutes.
 
What makes these Sweet Chili Ginger Pork Loin Chops is the sauce!
While the meat is resting on a plate, the sauce is cooked for just a couple of minutes at the most or until it thickens. The chops are returned to the skillet, basted 🥄 with the sauce, flipped and basted a few times, and cooked until they reach between 140º to 145ºF… maybe 2 to 3 minutes.
 
Quick and easy to make, this Sweet Chili Ginger Pork Loin Chops recipe is simply fabulous! Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and green onions, these are served with white rice 🍚 and some steamed vegetables such as broccolini or bok choy. This is a lovely recipe to make often…
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Here are more delicious pork recipes for you to try… 😀
– French Onion Dijon Pork Chops
– Italian Sausage, Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni
– El Diablo Pork Tenderloin
– Sweet & Sour Pineapple Pork
– Asian Sesame Pork Chops
– Easy Egg Rolls in a Bowl
– Mushroom Quiche
– Italian Poutine
– Pork Chops with Pineapple BBQ Sauce
and for even more pork recipes 🐷, click on this link… Recipe Category • Pork

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/sweet-chili-ginger-pork-loin-chops/ 😉

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Creamed Pearl Onions with Bacon Recipe • Tasty Side! | Club Foody

 

I like having choices, especially when it comes to food. I don’t like being limited. Having a nice variety of one-pot recipes or comfort food dishes 🥰 to choose from makes cooking more fun and interesting. The same applies to vegetables and sides…
 
Yes, mashed potatoes 🥔 are probably the most popular side dish out there, but there are other options such as White Bean Purée, Jollof Rice, Sambal Green Beans, Southern Corn Pepper Pudding, Calico Beans, Cabbage and Carrot Casserole, Ginger Garlic Bok Choy, and the list goes on.
 
On the website 💻, there are over 100 recipes that I posted so far, and they just keep coming. Here’s one that David and I really enjoy… Creamed Pearl Onions with Bacon! This delicious dish goes very well with many proteins. It’s easy to make and a tasty change from your regular ones.
 
The first thing that has to be done before beginning with the recipe is to have the pearl onions ready. In the video 🎥, I don’t show how to do it because there’s a great tutorial on it. I show you a quick method to peel and prep them, and here’s the link… Pearl Onions • Easiest Way to Peel.
 
When this step is done, the rest goes pretty fast. The bacon pieces 🥓 are cooked and set aside before the prepped pearl onions go in. As the late chef Anne Burrell often said, “brown food tastes good” -, therefore, these little guys are sautéed for 5 minutes so they don’t look snowy white anymore.
 
To give some sweetness to this dish, roasted red peppers are added, providing not only color 🌈 but also flavor. Flour is also another important component that helps to thicken the sauce. Although David and I are slowly switching to stainless steel cookware, I prefer using a non-stick skillet when making a roux.
 
The rest goes in, including most of the cooked bacon pieces, reserving some as a garnish. I keep about 1/3 of it, and the rest goes in the skillet. I love my mixed peppercorns, but if you prefer, they can be skipped. Then the mixture is simmered gently for 5 minutes ⏳.
 
As I frequently mention, “we eat with our eyes 👀 first” -, and this Creamed Pearl Onions with Bacon is the perfect example. After the mixture is transferred to a serving dish, the remaining bacon pieces are sprinkled in the center, followed by the parsley.
 
It’s a delightful way to break the routine of our everyday side dishes with this Creamed Pearl Onions with Bacon! It has tons of flavor and is easy to make. With Easter 🐰 around the corner, this rich and flavorful recipe is a great accompaniment for many proteins… simply give it a try!
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Here are more amazing side dish recipes for you to try… 😀
– Pilau Rice
– Broccoli & Cauliflower Casserole
– Roasted Rainbow Carrots
– Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
– Quick & Easy Sautéed Broccolini
– Veggie Orzo Risotto
– Green Bean Mushroom & Almond Casserole
– German Red Cabbage
– Baked Autumn Veggighetti
and for even more side dish recipes 🍆🍚, click on this link… Recipe Category • Sides & Vegetables

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/creamed-pearl-onions-with-bacon/ 😉

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube
 

 

David and I are definitely carnivores, but, once in a while, it’s nice to take a break from the meat. Salad 🥗 is probably the most obvious choice, but there are also other amazing dishes such as Spaghetti Aglio e Olio, Saag Aloo or Aloo Gobi, Cauliflower Fried Rice, Pasta alla Caponata, Falafel, and more…
 
A lovely dish that I had a long time ago while living in Toronto is West African Peanut Stew, also known as Maafe! Rich and creamy, this savory recipe is incredibly delicious! This is a hearty meatless meal that can be served as is, but, chicken, beef 🐂, or lamb can also be added to it.
 
This one-pot recipe is very easy to make. Onions 🧅 and red peppers are sautéed together before adding ginger and garlic. Typically, Scotch bonnet or habanero are the preferred peppers. I always opt for the regular red bell ones, but go for the others if you want.
 
My take on this West African Peanut Stew • Maafe is slightly different from the original. I use regular smooth peanut butter 🥜, which contains sugar, instead of the natural kind. That said, you can go ahead and use whichever kind you prefer.
 
Just a quick tip…
When it comes to natural peanut butter, to keep a creamier texture and avoid stirring before using it, keep it in the fridge upside down. It forces the separated oil to travel 🚗 through the peanut butter and also prevents it from drying out. If the oil is all the way to the bottom, invert the jar.
 
The rest of the recipe is pretty much the same. Tomato paste and fire roasted tomatoes go in along with vegetable broth, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and seasonings. Other options can be carrots, cabbage, or okra instead of sweet potatoes 🍠.
 
It takes between 15 to 20 minutes for the potatoes to be fork-tender. About 5 minutes before the end of cooking, the baby spinach leaves 🍃 are stirred in. At this point, if you want to add shredded, cooked chicken, beef or lamb cubes, this is the time to add them.
 
When the stew is done, spoon it 🥄 into warm bowls over a bed of rice or couscous. I like to garnish with unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts and sprinkle on some fresh, chopped cilantro. To cut through the richness of the dish, serve it with a few lime wedges.
 
With a gorgeous balance of nutty and savory flavors, this West African Peanut Stew • Maafe is certainly one to try! It’s simple and yet so tasty! Enjoy it as is, served over rice 🍚, or add some cooked meat to it for a complete meal…
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Check out these other amazing African recipes… 😀
– Moroccan Harira Soup
– Bunny Chow
– Moroccan Kefta Tajine
– Peri Peri Chicken
– Bobotie
– Hawawshi
– Moroccan Zaalouk
– Shakshouka
– North African Merguez
and for even more international recipes 🌍, click on this link… Recipe Category • International

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/west-african-peanut-stew-maafe/ 😉

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube
 

Lemon Ricotta Squares Recipe • Perfect Spring Treat! | Club Foody

 

I’m not sure if I’m getting softer with age, but I can’t stand winter and its cold months anymore, not that I was a fan before. Spring will be arriving tomorrow, and that makes me very happy! Soon the trees and flowers 🌼 will be fully bloomed as the weather warms up and the days get longer…
 
As much as I like cooking casseroles, stews and other hearty, comforting, warm dishes 🍲, spring brings lighter meals. A wider selection of fresh produce will slowly come back onto our grocery shelves, like rhubarb, artichokes, fiddlehead ferns, apricots, etc.
 
I bake all year round, but like my main dishes, springtime is much lighter, focusing more on fresh fruit flavors. It can be Mango Cake, Pavlova, Strawberry Shortcake 🍓🍰, Fruit Kolaches, Key Lime Pie, Coconut Nests, and so on, including this one… Lemon Ricotta Squares!
 
These little guys are one of my favorite spring sweet treats! Vibrant with a lovely creamy and tangy custard-like filling on a buttery 🧈, shortbread crust, this is the perfect quintessential seasonal dessert to make! They’re great to serve for Easter and Mother’s Day!
 
Bright, these Lemon Ricotta Squares are easy to make 👩‍🍳👨‍🍳. After the shortbread dough is done, it’s dropped into a greased baking dish lined with a lightly greased parchment paper. If you’re not sure about lining it, here’s a great tutorial on how to do it… Lining a Loaf Pan with Parchment Paper
 
The next step is not really obvious but still doable. Using your clean hands, the dough is firmly pressed down, spreading it out evenly. That takes a little time, so be patient. It’s baked for about 20 minutes ⏰ or until the edges are lightly browned.
 
While it’s cooling, the filling is made. Normally, I use around a ¼ cup of Limoncello liqueur and top the rest with freshly squeezed lemon juice 🍋 until it reaches 2/3 cup. When I filmed the recipe, I was out of my homemade Italian liqueur, so I decided to skip it… I’ll never do that again!
 
The filling is poured onto the cooled crust and baked until it’s set and no longer jiggling, around 35 to 40 minutes. The dish is placed on a wire rack and allowed to cool completely; it takes a good two hours 🕑. After that cooling period, it’s transferred to the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours.
 
When the ricotta filling is firm, the treat is lifted from the baking dish before being sliced into squares. Here’s a tip for perfectly clean slices: use a sharp knife 🔪 with a thin blade, and between each cut, clean it under very hot water and wipe it off.
 
With the right balance of tartness along with a subtle sweetness, these bright Lemon Ricotta Squares are a delicious way to welcome spring! They’re light and airy, with a refreshing note to them! Sprinkled with powdered sugar, they make a great treat for Easter 🐰 or Mother’s Day…
Bon Appétit! 🍽
 
Here are more scrumptious sweet treat recipes for you to try… 😀
– Chocolate Mint Nanaimo Bars
– Margarita Cupcakes
– Lemon Posset
– Mango Purée with Mixed Berries and Cointreau
– Biscoff Icebox Cake
– Coconut Cream Pie
– Lemon Rosemary Madeleines
– Cherry Clafoutis
– Orange Ricotta Cookies
and for even more dessert recipes 🍰🍩, click on this link… Recipe Category • Dessert

For ingredient amounts, directions, and much more, visit ➡ https://clubfoody.com/lemon-ricotta-squares/ 😉

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel 📽 by clicking on this link… Club Foody YouTube