I kind of hate artichoke dips, and I’ll tell you why. When I hear the words “artichoke dip”, it triggers painful memories of my first job waiting tables during college for a national restaurant chain (that shall remain nameless), where meals often began with a hollowed out boule of white bread filled with glop that can only be described as a melted mass of processed cheese-food and traces of artichoke and spinach and god knows what else.
Of the many nighttime pleasures that Aruba offers, Madame Janette embodies all of my favorites and I was so pleased that it was the restaurant where we celebrated our arrival on the happy island.
Mix 1 part sand with 2 parts crystal blue water. Heat to approximately 85 degrees with constant sunshine. Gently cool with pleasant breezes. Blend in days of snorkeling, windsurfing, and sun bathing, and a generous helping of napping in the middle of the day. Shake with amazing food and constant laughter and serve in a frosted glass. Garnish with pineapple slice and tiny umbrella. Serve immediately, before I have to spend another day freezing my butt off in New york!
My mom (i.e. the biggest fan of the blog that only a mother could love) feels that people would be more interested in reading my drivel if I discuss recipes that can help them save money in these lean economic times. And while I am not ready to go about re-positioning my blog, there are many times that my recipes just happen to save me money. Here’s a good example, in word problem form:
The feedback from blog readers was so positive for for my Roasted Tomato Garlic Hummus, that I decided it couldn’t hurt to share this yummy variation that looks quite similar but bursts with the flavor of fresh roasted red peppers. I whipped it up last night when we were feeling too lazy to get out of the house and it was delightful with a little homemade herb focaccia.
You just can’t beat a satisfying hummus! With the ones that you really love it starts innocently enough – you’re picking at the bowl at a party, absent-mindedly scooping dollops with pita wedges while trying to balance your wine glass and hold a conversation all at the same time. Then your mind starts to wander… “wow, this is some creamy hummus…I love it when there’s lemon… and so light! Mmmmm I think I’ll have just a little more… crap, I finished the bowl. I hope no one noticed! I wonder if there’s more in the kitchen…”
I’m a latecomer to the Southern foods craze, and while I’m still not down with grits or hush puppies, I have discovered a fondness for the fried green tomato. I made these one sultry night last August and discovered how delicious and easy they are to make. If you do it right, you end up with a delicious, liquified tomato inside a crispy crust. Most people chose to garnish with aioli, but I prefer sour cream spiked with lime.
