Whipped Hummus
I’ve tried all kinds of tricks to get super smooth hummus, from removing the skins from the chickpeas to starting with dried chickpeas and cooking them in the pressure cooker. This method uses canned chickpeas and is super easy, as long as you don’t mind listening to your blender run for a while. It’s delicious and has a satisfying, velvety texture.
Roasted Red Pepper & Cauliflower Dip
I’ve been looking for healthier, plant-based snacks to have around the house while working from home, as well as to share with friends now that we can socialize again. Cauliflower in particular seems like a good option, since it’s chock full of vitamins and nutrients, has tons of fiber, and is low in calories. This delicious dip is as easy as chopping and roasting veggies, and then blitzing them in the food processor, and lets you snack and still feel good about yourself.
Muffin Tin Pizza Bombs
These tasty hand-held pizza bombs are fun to make with kids and can be stuffed with whatever “toppings” each person likes.
Roasted Fennel & White Bean Dip
I was drawn to this bean-based dip thinking it would be healthy, but realized how decadent it was after liberally brushing the crostini in butter and blending the copious amounts of olive oil and grated cheese into the dip. I’ll try to lighted it the next time I make it, but for now just consider it a luxury.
Grilled Flatbreads Topped with Peach, Prosciutto, & Burrata
Grilling pita or slices of nice bread and topping them with grilled peaches, prosciutto, burrata, balasmic glaze, and basil, is a beautiful way to serve an elegant appetizer or light entreé for a girls’ night in.
Pigs ‘n Blankets
After spending a summer afternoon playing in the pool, kids devour these cocktail sausages baked in crescent rolls.
Cranberry & Brie Puffs
These easy, festive puff pastry bundles of brie and cranberry sauce (or raspberry jam, or fig preserves) are delightful party appetizers.
Pineapple Salsa
This is the perfect summer salsa thanks to diced fresh pineapple, which is much easier to slice into than I used to think. Red bell pepper and red onion add color, and cilantro, jalapeño, garlic, and lime juice add mouth-watering flavor.
Pressure Cooker Boiled Eggs
“Boiling” eggs in an electric pressure cooker gives you consistent results and eggs that are really easy to peel.
Soy Eggs
We’ve fallen in love with the soy-marinated boiled eggs found at ramen shops and the festivals at Leo’s school, and they’re so easy to make at home. We use medium-boiled eggs (though the little dude likes them hard-boiled), and soak them in a solution of soy sauce, sherry vinegar, and sugar.