Category Archives: Appetizers – Starters

Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus Recipe by Jason Hill

capture_30092014_113617Chef Jason Hill shows how his wife kicks up a hummus recipe by adding cilantro and jalapeno peppers to a typical hummus recipe (examples here and here), which blend garbanzo beans with a mixture of different spices, lemon juice, garlic, tahini and a little olive oil.  Hummus is delicious and healthy.  Use it as a sandwich spread, in wraps, or as a dip.  Combine it with some bread and fresh vegetables and it makes a nice appetizer, lunch or snack. Continue reading

Vegetarian Quesadillas (Mushrooms and Black Beans) by Sandy

capture_25092014_083839Here is a video recipe for delicious and easy to make vegetarian quesadillas.   They contain healthy ingredients; black beans, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, jalapeno pepper, garlic and spices.  Sandy uses cheddar cheese, which could easily be replaced with a vegan substitute cheese.  This is a very easy to make, healthy and delicious recipe. Continue reading

Vegan Queso Cheese by Michelle Johnson

capture_24092014_125321Michelle Johnson demonstrates a cheese recipe developed by Isa Chandra Moskowitz. This is a melty, gooey cheese recipe, ideal as a queso cheese.  Sauteed onions, bell pepper, jalapeno pepper and garlic are added to a blender along with soaked cashews, cornstarch, white miso, vegetable broth, nutritional yeast and some spices.  After everything is blended, pour the mixture into a pot and heat it until it thickens.  Simple and delicious. Continue reading

Crispy Chickenless (Tofu) Nuggets (Baked & Fried) by Bhavna Patel

capture_24092014_102816In this video, Bhavna demonstrates that it’s as easy to get a crispy texture on tofu by baking as well as by frying the tofu.  Her technique is important for those who want to avoid the added fat in their meal that comes from frying food.  I’m sure her batter and breading technique can be used in many other recipes.  Both the the fried and baked tofu nuggets look delicious.  The baked tofu nuggets definitely have less fat in them.  Let’s try her recipe. Continue reading

Vietnamese Vegetable Spring Rolls with Orange Almond Sauce by Jaden Hair

capture_16092014_231210Do you know it is really easy to make spring rolls.  Watch as Jaden shows how to include vegetables in a rice paper wrapper to create a spring roll.  You can use any kind of filling you wish.  The trick is to moisten and soften your rice paper wrapper correctly.  In this video, Jaden also shows how to make a delicious “Orange Almond” dipping sauce.  These spring rolls are good food for appetizers, lunch, brunch, dinner, or finger foods.  They also make a nice treat to take to a party. Continue reading

Harissa Tahini Romaine Wraps by Jenné Claiborne

capture_17092014_084016Jenne prepares a one dish recipe, creating a healthy filling that can be used in a lettuce wrap or in a more classic salad.  The fillings main ingredients are quinoa, chickpeas, black beans and carrots.  Jenne also creates a “harissa tahini” dressing, which is basically some harissa (a Tunisian favorite spicy condiment) combined with tahini.   Jenne pours her harissa tahini mixture over the filling on romaine lettuce leaves and over a salad made with lettuce and her filling mixture.   This recipe is very easy to make and it’s very healthy and delicious. Continue reading

How To Make Hummus by Hilah Johnson

capture_15092014_124606Hilah Johnson demonstrates how simple and economical it is to make hummus at home.  You only need a few simple and readily available ingredients and a blender.  Other flavors of hummus can easily be made by adding other ingredients such as spinach, roasted red peppers, etc.  Hummus is a healthy dish with a lot of protein that can be used as a dip or a spread with bread, crackers or vegetables. It can be used as an appetizer, lunch/brunch or snack, etc.  If you keep some in your refrigerator, it’ll be easy to grab it when you are needing a healthy snack.  Enjoy it. Continue reading

How to make traditional hummus by Bachar Haikal

capture_15092014_111034This is a traditional recipe for hummus demonstrated by Bachar Haikal who owns two Lebanese restaurants in Melbourne’s South East which has an enormous Jewish population.  This recipe uses olive oil as a garnish rather than as a key ingredient, so it has a lower fat content than many other recipes.  It’s easy to make.  Of course, we’ll probably use modern tools rather than the traditional mortar and pestle.  Hummus can be served as a healthy appetizer, snack or lunch, served with a crispy bread or a variety of vegetables.  Enjoy it. Continue reading

White Bean Kale Dip by Heather Nicholds

capture_08092014_114923In this video, Heather shows us how to make a very easy bean and kale dip, which can be used as a spread in sandwiches, or as a snack or appetizer with some crackers, fresh vegetables, etc.  Beans are a favorite source of protein, fiber and other nutrients in vegan/vegetarian recipes.  In addition to a mix of spices, this recipe includes kale, which is a healthy leafy green vegetable.  It is extremely easy to make, just add the beans, kale, spices, and lemon juice to a food processor.  No other cooking process is required. Continue reading

Moroccan Roasted Squash Hummus by Gordon Ramsay

capture_05092014_215341Delicious!  This video recipe demo by Gordon Ramsay guides us through several, but simple steps to make a delicious and healthy hummus.  It involves toasting some spices in a dry pan, grinding them to a powder mixture, chopping up squash and ginger, adding the spices, roasting it, and blending to a desired consistency.  This elegant dish is amazing, – a roasted squash hummus you’ll definitely want to add to your appetizer recipe collection. Continue reading