Spicy Edamame Dip

I recently tried out Our Harvest back east, which is basically an online farmer's market experience.  You pick out fresh, organic, local foods and then either have them delivered or you pick them up at a convenient location.  Everything we picked was so good, but I was especially impressed with an Edamame Dip that was made in Brooklyn by a company called MOMO Dressing.  It was SO tasty, and after reading the simple ingredients on the packaging, I knew I could recreate it at home.  And so I did.  And now I am sharing my version of the recipe with you.  Amen.  

Spicy Edamame Dip

Serves 8

(Printable Recipe)

1 12oz. bag shelled edamame, cooked per instructions on bag

1/4 cup chopped red onion

1 jalape�o, ribs and seeds removed, roughly chopped

1 large clove garlic, stems removed

1 handful cilantro, stems removed

Juice of 1 lime

Sea salt to taste

Extra virgin olive oil, about 1/4 cup (more or less depending on desired consistency)

Combine first 6 ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse to combine.  Stream in the olive oil until desired consistency is reached.  Season to taste with sea salt and serve along side crackers or veggies!

Baked Crab Dip

Our time at the beach is almost over.  Teacher letters went out yesterday, which feels like the first official sign of fall.  I finally started to register the kids for their activities, which pretty much makes my head spin.  So for now, I'm soaking up every minute of the sun-filled, routine-less days.  I'm also trying to eat as much seafood as I can before heading back to my east coast bagels.  Like this easy, delicious baked crab dip.  I found lump crab meat at a Gelson's out west, but I'm sure Whole Foods would be a good alternative.  This appetizer was a hit at my daughter's two-year birthday celebration.  That's right, SHE IS TWO.  Wasn't I just posting an absurd amount of homemade cakes whilst pregnant with her???  Is "whilst" even a word?  Did I use it properly if so?    

Speaking of cakes, I will share her birthday cake(s) tomorrow.  In the meantime, make this dip!

Recipe here.

Easy Edamame Hummus

Look at me, 3 blog posts in 3 days!  It reminds me of olden times, when I only had one child and Carson and I were able to stay up later than 9pm to watch television together.  Alas, things have changed.  My children have multiplied by 3, I'm halfway through my 30's, and I have no idea what Pokemon Go is.  All of that means, semi-homemade tricks are crucial in my kitchen.  Recently, I've been wanting to make hummus from scratch - and I'll get to it - but for now, taking store-bought hummus and blending it with shelled edamame beans will do!  (My kids love hummus, so I'm also hoping this might turn them onto the idea of green foods in general... maybe?)  Here's what I did:

Take one family-size portion of hummus (1 lb.) and throw it in a blender or food processor.  Add roughly 2 cups of shelled edamame and blend until smooth, adding olive oil if needed.  Season to taste with salt, pepper and a squeeze of fresh lemon.  Sprinkle more olive oil on top before serving.

Easy!  Delicious!  And maybe, just maybe, you'll save some time in the kitchen and you can apply it to watching an episode of Orange is the New Black, Season 3 (because you'll never be current).

Fajitas and Queso on TODAY

Yesterday morning I woke up bright and early and made chicken fajitas and queso dip on the Today Show.  The recipes were based on some dishes from one of my favorite childhood restaurants, Chili's!  Today I woke up bright and early to write this blog post.  Ok that's a lie, my daughters woke me up bright and early... at 1:30 and 4:30 and 5:00 and 5:30.  You know how it goes, right?  PLEASE TELL ME YOU KNOW HOW IT GOES.  Sometimes people ask me, is it hard to wake up so early for the show and I say no, no, no, no, no.  I get to drink my coffee in peace.  Someone blow dries my hair, and I get to wear eyeliner that doesn't make me look like a cat (I've never been able to do my own makeup properly).  It's the mornings when I wake up, milk bottle, vitamins, breakfast, pack lunch, pack snack, get clothes, stop fighting, brush your teeth, wipe the nutella off your face, brush your hair WE'RE GOING TO MISS THE BUS... those are the hard mornings.  Sooooo that said, I better go!      

You can find the recipes and video from yesterday here.  

Stay tuned for some delicious pasta later today!