50 Women Game Changers In Food - Elizabeth David - Farinata, Socca or Chickpea Pizza Recipe

Socca, Farinata, Cecina, Faina, or as I like to call it, Chickpea Pizza

Ever since my youngest son was found to be allergic to wheat among other foods, I find myself constantly looking for gluten-free recipes that might remind him of something tasty he used to enjoy. Call it comfort food. One of the recipes I've been wanting to try for a while is Socca, Farinata, or as I call it Chickpea Pizza (although there's no cheese or tomato sauce involved). This Chickpea Pizza goes by many names. In Nice, it is called "Socca," in Tuscany "Cecina," and in Argentina "Faina." Whether you want to call it Farinata, Socca or Faina, this dish is made simply from chickpea flour, water and olive oil.

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Warm Roasted Corn Salsa Recipe

Warm Roasted Corn Salsa

I just got back from our summer family vacation and have missed all the fresh produce from the weekly CSA Boxes (fortunately, I was able to find some vegetable loving friends who were more than happy to pick up my shares while I was gone). Although my family enjoyed some amazing tropical fruits while we were away, I missed my East Coast vegetables. Before we left for vacation, I was wondering how I would get through all the zucchini, corn and cucumber that had been showing up in my weekly CSA Boxes, but having been away for several weeks, it was a welcome sight.

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Baked Portobello Mushroom Fries {Secret Recipe Club}

Baked Portobello Mushroom Fries with Pesto

This is my third month joining in on the fun with the Secret Recipe Club, created by Amanda of Amanda's Cookin. This club has been growing each month and now has over 100 participants. The idea behind the Secret Recipe Club is to give bloggers the chance to try each other's recipes without the other bloggers knowing it until everyone posts their results.

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Recipe for Hummus Dip with Kalamata Olives and Capers

Hummus with Kalamata Olives and Capers

At a recent visit to the Farmer's Market, I sampled some hummus with olives and capers and loved the Mediterranean flavors in this bean dip. I've made hummus many times, adding sun-dried tomatoes and sometimes, roasted garlic, but not this combination of Kalamata Olives and Capers.The briny flavors from the combination of Kalamata Olives and Capers appealed to me in this bean dip.

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Seven-Layer Dip {Secret Recipe Club}

Seven-Layer Dip, a Crowd-Pleaser

This is my second month joining in on the fun with the Secret Recipe Club, created by Amanda of Amanda's Cookin. This month there are over 100 food bloggers participating in the Secret Recipe Club. The idea behind this club is to give bloggers the chance to try each other's recipes without the other bloggers knowing it until everyone posts their results.

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Roasted Corn, Avocado and Black Bean Salsa

Roasted Corn, Avocado and Black Bean Salsa

Salsas are a favorite during the hot summer months. I always look forward to the first harvest of local corn at our farmer's market. Although I love corn on the cob, simply cooked in a bit of water and eaten right off the cob, I also saute fresh corn, make corn salad, and use it in fresh salsas. I've found that roasting corn adds a nice chewy texture while enhancing the sweetness of the corn.

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Two Easy Recipes for Salsa: Fresh Strawberry Salsa and Mango Avocado Pepper Salsa

Fresh Strawberry Salsa Served on top of Simply Baked Salmon and Sauteed Spinach

With the weather finally turning warming and the farmer's market opening right around the corner, I can't wait for the casual dinners that the coming months will bring.

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Warm Roasted Garlic and Artichoke Dip/Spread

Warm Roasted Garlic and Artichoke Spread on Whole Grain Toast with Roasted Red Pepper and Scallions

I've been dreaming of making an garlic and artichoke dip like the one that I bought a while back from a specialty store. Imported from Italy, this little jar cost a bundle, but I was desperate to find a dairy/egg free dip or spread that my son with allergies could eat as a snack or on sandwiches.

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Gluten Free Recipe for Chinese Dumplings

Gluten-Free Chinese Dumplings with Soy Sesame Dipping Sauce

One of my kid's favorite foods are Chinese dumplings. Growing up, my mom would roll out her own dumpling dough using a hand crank pasta machine; we would form an assembly line of cutting the dough into circles using an empty juice can, and then hand wrap all the dumplings.

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Roundup of Healthy Holiday Appetizer Recipes {Easy Orange Beet Dip}

The Holiday Season is a tough time to keep things in check when it comes to eating. There are so many tempting appetizers at holiday parties, many of which are loaded with butter, cream and cheese. It's easy to over indulge during the holiday season, with the thought of going on a diet in the new year.

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8 Ways To Add Fiber to Your Diet - A Smoky Black Bean Dip Recipe

Many of you have heard by now that eating foods high in fiber is good for your health.  But why?  While eating a diet high in fiber is typically associated with relieving constipation, a high fiber diet can also help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.

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Thai Turkey Larb Lettuce Wrap Recipe

Finger foods are a fun way of eating dinner for kids and adults alike. I have made Korean Lettuce Wraps and Korean Chicken Tacos as weeknight dinners, which my kids have enjoyed so much that I thought I would try Thai Turkey Larb Lettuce Wraps, another variation for a quick and easy, make ahead meal during the weekday.

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Last Minute Thanksgiving Snack Recipes - Chili Spiced Almonds and More

Chili Spiced Almonds, a quick and easy last minute snack

If you're looking for a last minute snack or appetizer recipe for Thanksgiving, here are a few quick and easy ideas, including a recipe for Chili Spiced Almonds.

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Dorie Greenspan Inspired Tartine Recipes

I had the most fortunate experience of meeting Dorie Greenspan, a James Beard Award-winning author, several months ago at a BlogHer conference.  Dorie is someone I have admired from afar for many years.  I was immediately struck by Dorie’s down to earth, approachable, sweet personality.

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Recipe for Zaatar Meatballs

Zaatar Meatballs served with Tzatziki Sauce

Today, I tried a new spice called zaatar (or za'atar) in a meatball recipe. Meatballs are popular with my kids, and an easy way to introduce new spices to them.  Zaatar, a Middle Eastern spice, is a mixture of sumac (which has a lemony taste), thyme and sesame seeds.

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Quick and Easy Dinners - Korean Lettuce Wrap Recipe

Korean Lettuce Wrap

During the week, like many of you, there are days I need to be able to make a quick and easy dinner. Between meetings, pickups and drop-offs of kids, 30 minute meals are a must some days. After a long day at school, my kids are hungry and they want to eat as soon as they walk in the door.

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Red Curry Meatballs with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce

Red Curry Meatballs with Vietnamese Dipping Sauce

I was inspired to make Red Curry Meatballs with a Vietnamese Dipping Sauce after trying a spicy meatball recipe from Monica Bhide's Everything Indian cookbook, and seeing Kalyn's Kitchen's Thai-Inspired meatball recipe. I've been on a Southeast Asian kick lately, and have been experimenting with Thai red curry, so why not try them in meatballs.

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How To Poach Chicken - Chinese Poached Chicken with Soy Ginger Sauce

Chinese Poached Chicken with Soy Ginger Sauce

Poaching is a virtually fat-free way of cooking chicken and fish.  Although seldom used in American kitchens, poaching is a popular way of cooking in China. Growing up, I remember watching Titus Chan’s cooking show, “Cooking the Chanese Way,” (yes, I know, very corny, but the recipes were really good!) and making his Chinese Poached Chicken for dinner.  I was fascinated by how soft and silky the chicken was, using such a simple cooking method.

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Healthier Tailgating - Crab Dip Recipe and Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

A Healthier Crab Dip

Recently, I tested a crab dip and buffalo chicken dip recipe after joining a "recipe sharing" opportunity at For the Love of Food. I thought it would be fun to try another blogger's recipe and feature it on my blog. Little did I know what I was getting myself into.

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Fireworks Black Bean Salsa Recipe

I posted my recipe for Fireworks Black Bean Salsa as part of the Top Anticancer Chef challenge.  

It contains lots of anticancer foods: black beans (high in fiber, protein), cherry tomatoes (vitamin A and lycopene), mango (beta carotene), turmeric (curcumin) and black pepper, ginger, onions, orange and lime juice (flavonoids) , and olive oil (healthy fat).  

Please vote for me!  Thanks to all your votes, I will be receiving a copy of Dr. David Servan-Schreiber's Anticancer A New Way of Life book. 

Fireworks Black Bean Salsa

1 can Black Beans

1/2 cup frozen Corn Kernels
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, cut into 1/4" pieces
1 medium Mango, cut into 1/4" cubes
1/4 cup Cilantro, finely chopped
2 tablespoons Red Onion, finely chopped

Dressing Ingredients:
1 teaspoon fresh Ginger, minced
2 tablespoons fresh Lime Juice
2 tablespoons fresh Orange Juice
2 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/8 teaspoon ground turmeric
sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Mix black beans, corn, tomatoes, mango, cilantro and red onion together in medium size bowl.  In a small bowl, mix dressing ingredients together. Pour dressing over bean mixture and toss.  Chill before serving.  Serve over whole grain pilaf or with baked tortilla chips.

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