appetizer – Page 2 – Strong Roots Nutrition

appetizer, side, snack, spring, vegetable, vegetarian

April 29, 2014

Grilled artichokes with lemon-olive vinaigrette

Artichokes are such a beautiful vegetable. They're so mysterious with their sharp leaves and fuzzy insides, though, that many people shy away from them or opt for the simplicity of canned hearts. Working with whole artichokes is not as hard as it looks - it just takes a sharp knife, and the reward is great. One of my favorite cookbooks, Heart of the Artichoke and Other Kitchen Journeys by David Tanis, contains this quote: The artichoke is ripe with metaphor and parable possibilities. Getting past the thorns to the sweet center, all of that. Not at[...]

appetizer, main dish, side, vegetable, vegetarian

March 22, 2014

Carrot-zucchini patties with hummus and Greek sprout salad (Recipe Redux)

It's time for a Recipe Redux challenge again, and this month, we're celebrating St. Patty's day with creative patty stacks! These carrot-zucchini patties are perfect for appetizers or a side, or you can slap them on a bun or put them in a warm pita and serve as a more filling dinner alongside grilled mediterranean vegetables like summer squash and artichokes. They are made from a wet batter, so they come off the hot pan with a deliciously creamy interior that is offset nicely by the crunchy sprout salad on top. A word on food safety: store-bought alfalfa[...]

appetizer, bread, condiment, side

December 17, 2013

Tzatziki (cucumber-yogurt dip) and whole wheat pita bread

Multiple Greek food recipes in one week is my Christmas gift to you! Tzatziki, if you've never had it, is a garlicky yogurt-cucumber dip that's both surprisingly pungent and outrageously refreshing. It might sound strange, but it's one of those things that just works. Do yourself a favor and don't stop with pita bread - put it on chicken, salmon, beef, or roasted vegetables. This whole wheat pita bread gets two thumbs up, too. They puff up beautifully in the oven, and the dough will last in the fridge for a couple of days so your enjoyment of fresh-b[...]

appetizer, snack

December 2, 2013

Energy balls

Boxes are packed. The fridge is bare. Tomorrow, Mike and I will say goodbye to Denver and move to St. Louis (where I spent almost 20 years of my life before living in Colorado) so he can start working at a great new job he was recently promoted to. We are sad to leave this beautiful state, its endless adventures, and the people we've come to love, but we are excited for new opportunities. And we'll be back. How can we stay away when the mountains are calling? To get through moving out day (and moving IN day the next), we will need snacks. Lots of them. H[...]

appetizer, fall, snack

November 26, 2013

Rosemary and sea salt roasted almonds

This will be my first time hosting Thanksgiving. Know that when I say "hosting," I don't mean the entire extended family will be showing up at my doorstep at dinnertime expecting a great meal. Instead, I mean Mike, myself, and two of Mike's work friends will be there. I'm considering it a Thanksgiving practice run - a less-pressure Turkey Day that will prepare me for hosting a larger group in future years. And considering I've never actually roasted a turkey (because who roasts a whole turkey any other day of the year), I am grateful for that. Nevertheles[...]