For the love of Avocados...

We are in LOVE with Avocados!

We LOVE eating them plain with a little salt and pepper.

We LOVE putting them on top of our delicious lunch-time salads.

AND

We LOVE making homemade Guacamole with them!  

I used to be afraid of Guacamole and Avocados, worrying about how loaded with fat they are.

HOWEVER, they have the GOOD fats that our body needs! 

I have learned that fats are not the enemies to our bodies that we once thought they were.
Here is just one of many articles stating the wonderful health benefits to why we should be including more avocados in our diets.

Guacamole is as easy to make 
as putting ingredients in your blender 
and blending until smooth, 
letting it chill and then dipping chips in it!

 

Creamy Guacamole 

1/2 cup sour cream

3 avocados peeled and seeded 

2 cloves garlic 

1/4 cup chopped cilantro 

Juice of one lime 

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (OR, you could add in freshly chopped jalapeno)

1/4 tsp. cumin
(salt and pepper to taste) 

Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.

Put in container with tight sealing lid in the fridge and let chill for at least an hour.

Top with chopped green onions and tomatoes.

Dish into bowls, dip chips in 

and ENJOY!  

We can't get enough avocados...

We can't get enough Guacamole...

especially during the hot summer months!

SO glad that something that we love so much 
has added health benefits as well!

Enjoy some yummyness today!

Our New Years Day was Hot & Delicious!

 YES, that blog title is correct...

Our New Years Day 2012 was definitely 

HOT and DELICIOUS...

What I'm referring to is our delicious lunch that consisted of our yearly tradition of
"Hot Artichoke & Crab Dip", 

served with homemade grape juice, orange slices, Artisan Bread and Tortilla Chips.

I can't comment enough how absolutely yummy this dip is...

and it is definitely addictive...once you start eating, it is hard to pull yourself away from it.

 

Very easy to throw together 

and is the perfect appetizer for 

holiday get-togethers, 

Football Parties, OR,

ANY other get-together 

that you need something yummy 

to dip chips, crackers and Artisan Bread in.

Hot Artichoke & Crab Dip 

2 Tbsp. butter
1 Tbsp. flour
2/3 cup milk
1 (8 oz) package Neufchatel Cream Cheese
1/2 medium onion finely chopped
2 garlic cloves finely crushed
1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
1 (14 oz) can marinated artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)
8 oz. crab meat
1 cup freshly grated Romano, OR, Parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp. black pepper

First make white sauce by melting butter in saucepan, then add in flour and blend to make a paste.
Next whisk in milk (with wire whisk) and stir over medium heat until thickened.
Then add in cream cheese in small pieces and stir until melted.
Next add in chopped onions and garlic, green chilies and artichoke hearts (I bring it to a boil)
Last, gently fold in crab meat, grated cheese and black pepper and heat through.

Spoon mixture into a 1-1/2 quart baking dish and 
bake at 375 degrees for 30-45 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned on top.

Serve with tortilla chips, crackers or Artisan Bread. 

This is also great served with fresh fruit on the side. 

Absolutely delicious!  

(Artisan Bread recipe...here) 

Enjoy!

Happy 2012 to all of my wonderful family and friends!!
My holidays always seem to put me MIA in Blog-land; mostly because my dear, sweet, awesome hubby usually has good intentions of rebuilding my computer, or upgrading it this time of the year, and it usually gets unhooked and it takes a few weeks before it all gets put back together, as he always seems to have a never ending list of tasks and projects he is working on!

Happy to be back blogging 

and can't wait to reconnect with everyone!
Hope this finds you having a happy and joyful day!