Jack-O-Lantern Peppers with Onion + Dill Veggie Dip

I love to have people over for appetizers…

I love to pick at snacks and sip my drink, and pick and drink...

And these pepper pumpkins are great for keeping it simple—and festive—whenever guests drop by!

They're easy and oh-so-cute, and when you fill them with a homemade veggie dip, they make the perfect fall appetizers. 

Just cut jack-o-lantern faces into orange peppers and fill them with a combo of Greek yogurt, mayo, dill, garlic, and sundried tomatoes.

And when the dip is gone, you can just devour these little pumpkins, too.

Voila! Suddenly you have no dishes!

And that is what really makes for a great party. 

Jack-O-Lantern Peppers with Onion + Dill Veggie Dip

servings: 4 peppers with 2 cups dip

Ingredients:

• 1¼ cups plain Greek yogurt
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup packed coarsely chopped fresh dill
• ¼ cup coarsely chopped fresh scallions
• ¼ cup coarsely chopped sundried tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 4 medium orange bell peppers with flat bottoms + intact stems

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, mayonnaise, dill, scallions, tomatoes, onion flakes, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and salt, then set aside.
2. Cut straight across the tops of the peppers, then set the tops aside. Scoop out and discard the pepper seeds.
3. Using a small, sharp paring knife, cut jack-o-lantern faces out of each pepper (such as triangle eyes and a smile with teeth).
4. Scoop ¼ of the veggie dip (about ½ cup) into each pepper, then replace the tops.
5. Serve with your favorite crudité platter, veggies, or crackers.

Notes:

• The dip is best when it sits for at least 30 minutes; make it ahead of time, if possible.

: @NikkiDinki

: @NikkiDinkiCooking

Find more recipes like this in MORE VEGGIES PLEASE!

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Cilantro Pesto Rice with Feta, Peppers, + Eggs

Cooking these days is all about finding time savers.

I'm always asking myself, What ingredients can I have on hand to make a flavorful meal quickly?

In answer to my own question, I've discovered that one food that seems to have taken up a permanent residence in my fridge—and for good reason!—is Cilantro Pesto.

Made with handfuls of cilantro, almonds, garlic, and Parmesan, this pesto can be used as a sauce or spread that instantly makes a meal special!

I’ve slathered it on pizza, spooned it over chicken, and drizzled it over shrimp.

And now, I've discovered yet another dish that becomes amazing with the simple addition of Cilantro Pesto!

This time, I toss it with rice, peppers, and a little tangy feta, then top the whole thing with a perfectly runny egg.

Just by having a little Cilantro Pesto in the fridge or freezer and some Veetee Rice on hand, I can make an incredible dinner in 5 minutes!

No, seriously, just 5 minutes!

And of course I could cook my own rice, but this stuff is just as good!

Plus sometimes those precious 20 minutes post-Baby's-bedtime need to be spent watching the Bachelor instead of making rice.

Cilantro Pesto Rice with Feta, Peppers + Eggs

servings: 4 cups of rice + 1¼ cups of Cilantro Pesto; serves 2

Cilantro Pesto:

• 2 cups loosely packed cilantro leaves
• ½ cup parmesan cheese
• ¼ cup roasted almonds
• 1 jalapeno, seeds + ribs removed
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 large garlic clove
• ½ cup olive oil

Rice with Feta, Peppers, + Egg:

• One 10.6-ounce package Veetee Microwavable Thai Jasmine Rice (makes 1½ cups)
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ teaspoon + a pinch kosher salt
• Pinch of ground black pepper
• 2 roasted red peppers (an 8 ounces jar)
• ⅔ cup crumbled feta (about 3 ounces)
• ⅓ cup Cilantro Pesto
• Cilantro leaves for a garnish (optional)

Cilantro Pesto:

1. Add the cilantro, parmesan, almonds, jalapeno, lime juice, salt, and garlic to the bowl of a food processor; process until finely chopped. Stream in the olive oil while the food processor is on, and allow everything to mix until all ingredients are well combined.

Rice with Feta, Peppers, + Egg:

1. Microwave the rice for 2 minutes as per the package instructions.
2. While the rice cooks, prepare the eggs sunny-side up. Place a small nonstick pan over medium-low heat, spray it with cooking spray, and crack the eggs into it. Sprinkle each with a pinch of salt and pepper cook until the whites are set and the yolk is still runny, about 5 minutes, covering them for the last 1-2 minutes to ensure all of the whites are cooked through.
3. When the rice has finished cooking, add it to a large bowl with the peppers, feta, Cilantro Pesto, and the remaining ¼ teaspoon of salt, and mix to combine all ingredients.
4. Serve by splitting the rice between two plates. Top each serving with an egg and sprinkle with some of the reserved chopped cilantro if desired.

Notes:

• Use leftover pesto as a spread on sandwiches, drizzled over pork, steak or shrimp or tossed with pasta or sautéed veggies.

: @NikkiDinki

: @NikkiDinkiCooking

Find more recipes like this in Meat on the Side!

 

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Red Pepper Pesto

RECIPE:

¼ cup Pinenuts

2 Roasted Red Peppers

1 tsp Thyme Leaves

3 Garlic Cloves

1 Shallot

½ cup Parmesan

2tsp Kosher Salt

¼ Olive Oil

Pulse everything in a food processor until well combined and pureed. Toss over pasta, rice or serve over fish or chicken. 

 

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