4th of July Recipe Round Up

June 24, 2015 by Nikki Dinki in Appetizers, Breads Sauces Dressing, Dessert, Main Meals, Sides, Soup + Salad, Vegetarian

The 4^th of July is just around the corner and that means fun, frolicking, and most importantly FOOD. Most years I find myself making sweet treats for my niece Lucy, as her birthday falls on the 4th. We all like to gather in Fire Island to celebrate as we sing happy birthday and watch the fire works.

To say Lucy loves dessert is an understatement, so I always try my best to put a smile on her sweet little sugar addicted face and make her some incredible treats. No matter what you are making this July 4^th it should be easy, should make people smile and if it happens to also be red white and blue than even better. So here are some of my favorite July 4^th recipes that will make your weekend that much more sweet.

Red, White + Blue Sangria by Crista at Peace.Love.Quinoa

Let’s start this 4th of July with fizzy and refreshing white wine sangria's! In this recipe she finishes her sangria off with sparkling water; I think I'm going to skip that part and finish it with some bubbly champagne! The best part about sangria is you can use whatever wine, fruit and juice you like.

Roasted Garlic + Broccoli Pita

May 18, 2015 by Nikki Dinki in Appetizers, Pizza + Flatbread, Sides, Vegetarian

I like so many different things in life; I like to have tea on my terrace while the birds are singing and the people on the streets are yelling. I like to find a spot in yoga class which is far enough away from the smelly man who says his “om” with a bear-like grunt.

However, the things I like most of all is to make meaty tasting meals, without the actual meat and to stretch a little bit of meat with other hearty, smoky flavors.

Roasted Garlic

February 13, 2013 by Nikki Dinki in Cooking Videos, How-To, Breads Sauces Dressing, Vegetarian

"Obsession" is a word I don’t throw around too often. But there is one thing in my life that I will easily admit I am obsessed with...

...One thing that has found its way into my heart...

...And stomach:

GARLIC.

I. LOVE. GARLIC.

And I when I say I love garlic, I love it in all its forms. Most definitely its sweeter, softer cousin--roasted garlic.

But before you can enjoy this garlicky goodness you need to make it, and here’s how...

Roasted Garlic

servings: 1 bulb

Ingredients:

1 garlic bulb
1 tablespoon olive oil
Kosher salt
Ground black pepper

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Cut off the top third of the garlic bulb, exposing all the cloves on the remainder; discard the top and place the remainder cut-side-up on a square of aluminum foil. Drizzle the oil over the cut surface and then sprinkle the salt and pepper over the top. Wrap the foil around the garlic, making sure it doesn't touch the cut surface, and seal tightly. Roast the garlic until it is golden brown and soft--45 to 60 minutes.

Notes:

Find more info on roasted garlic at CookNovel.com.

: @NikkiDinki

: @NikkiDinkiCooking

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Roasted Garlic + Basil Hummus

December 10, 2012 by Nikki Dinki in Appetizers, snacks, Lighter Option, Breads Sauces Dressing

I have a tendency to overdo things.

Bigger. Bolder. Spicier...These are words I like!

When I first started cooking, my spice cabinet became my favorite new toy and anything I made included at least ten of my little friends. Any given day, you could especially find me hanging out with my best buddies, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, and Red Pepper Flakes.

We were having a great time. But...the romance couldn’t last.

As much as I loved the kick of flavor my friends added to my new creations, sometimes it was just too much. It took me a long time to accept that more isn’t always better.

Eventually the romance did fade and my favorite buddies and I saw each other less and less...

But the happy part is that every romance that ends--or every door that closes--allows for something new to be born...

Like this simple and perfect hummus: the new love of my life.

Roasted Garlic + Basil Hummus

Ingredients:

One 15-to-19-ounce can garbanzo beans (a.k.a. chick peas)
2 bulbs Roasted Garlic
10 large fresh basil leaves
Kosher salt, to taste
¼ - ½ cup olive oil

Directions:

Combine the garbanzo beans, Roasted Garlic, basil leaves, and salt in a food processor and pulse.
Stream in the olive oil while your food processor is on until you get a smooth consistency.

Notes:

As with many dips, the longer this hummus sits in the fridge, the better it tastes.
Don’t be afraid of salt! This needs quite a bit!
Find more info on roasted garlic at CookNovel.com.

: @NikkiDinki

: @NikkiDinkiCooking