Category Archives: Legumes

Greek 5 Layer Dip

Greek 5 Layer Dip

Further evidence that layered dips are the best thing ever.

I have always been a big fan of layered dips – especially those whose primary layer involves beans.

As a matter of fact one of my very favorite things to make to keep around the house, when the snack bug bites, is Sweetie & The Kitchen’s very own 7 Layer Bean Dip.

Recently I stumbled across this little layered miracle while flipping through a cookbook at my dear friend Amanda’s house.

I saw the words “Layer” and “Dip” in the title and I was sold.  So sold that I left her place shortly thereafter, headed to the grocery store, picked up the ingredients and headed home to whip up some magic.

The primary layer of this dip involves Garbanzo Beans, also known as Chickpeas, also known as one of my very favorite legumes.

I decided to go ahead and kill two birds with one stone and use this recipe as an opportunity to make Hummus from scratch instead of using a store bought version.  I don’t think I will ever buy Hummus again.

Granted I have a food processor which makes life a lot easier when it comes to making things like Hummus and Guacamole – so if you don’t have one of these mixer things – don’t feel pressured to suddenly turn into a domesticated diva.

I can’t wait to have a Dip off with this Greek 5 layer Dip & the old trustee 7 Layer Dip.  Maybe I could make it the theme of a future summer BBQ?  Oh… I think I just inspired myself!  Look out for upcoming invites to “DIP OFF 2011!”

While I don’t want to take anything away from my beloved trustee 7 heavenly layers this Greek dip is definitely a lighter treat – so  if you’re looking for a healthier way to start out your own summer gathering, this dip would be the way to go.

So first let’s get the Hummus ready.  From there will get to that dip.

Greek 5 Layer Dip with a Spicy Hummus Base

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Filed under 7 layer bean dip, Appetizer, BBQ, Cold Dishes, Healthy, Legumes, Party Dishes, Side Dishes

Creole Sausage and Shrimp Stew

Creole Sausage & Shrimp Stew

Make this!

If you want to make something so delicious (and easy) that it will have your Sweets slurping away I HIGHLY suggest you take a swing at this little Creole inspired dish.

Recently my cousin gave me a stack of cooking magazines and I quickly found this little Cooking Light gem that Sweets and I adjusted to meet our own spicy lover palates.

Creole Sausage and Shrimp Stew

Make sure to serve it with hot sauce and crusty bread (preferably sourdough)

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Filed under Almost Paleo, Fish, Healthy, Legumes, Soup, Veggies

BBQ Night

BBQ Roasted Chicken, BBQ Baked Beans, Garlic Brussel Sprouts

BBQ feast

As I get older, so are my friends.

And as we get older together, many of us pick up a few tips down the road and it’s great when we can learn some of those tips from one another.

What kind of things? Tasty things.

Recently a friend of mine posted a picture of some type of bean masterpiece on her Facebook page. Now for those of you who have read this blog or know me personally, you can imagine, it didn’t matter what kind of bean dish was posted my interest perked.

The dish, Baked Beans with a Bite, was love at first site and I hadn’t even tasted it yet.

They had to be mine and so I made it happen.

I also made one ridiculously tender BBQ Roasted Chicken happen and sweets made some Garlic Brussels Sprouts happen.

Together we made some Monday BBQ Dinner Magic happen.

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Filed under BBQ, Chicken, Legumes, Party Dishes, Veggies

A beaner at heart <3

Black Bean SoupI LOVE beans.

L-O-V-E

So does Sweets.

Lucky for me but sadly for him… beans affect me ahem shall we say, traditionally? He’s managed to defy that tradition.

When looking to impress another with my awesome domestic abilities, I like to tell the story of how I once made a bag of beans last for TWO weeks!  That’s 14 days.  4 days greater that 10.  You get my point, it’s impressive.

Week One: Crock pot o’ beans complete with Spanish brown rice :)
Week Two (and the point of this blog):

Black Bean Soup

and so it goes….

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Filed under Black Beans, Legumes, Soup, Sunny Mexico

7 Deadly Sins

Each sin packed into an exquisite and delicious layer…
There’s nothing very sinful about it… maybe gluttony.. but does that really count these days?

For the past couple of years I’ve encountered the same disappointment party after BBQ after wedding after baby shower after dinner party… NO 7 Layer Bean Dip.

And what is a party with no 7 layers? A failure. That’s right, a failure.

I wasn’t about to make the same mistake, so for Sweeties birthday BBQ I didn’t waste anytime.

This is how I did it and I seriously suggest you do it too…

Seven Delectable Layer Bean Dip

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Filed under 7 layer bean dip, Appetizer, Legumes, Party Dishes, Sunny Mexico