Category Archives: Vegetarian

Silky Pumpkin Dip

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 cups confectioners’ sugar or 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 (15 ounce) can solid pack pumpkin
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese and confectioners’ sugar until smooth. Gradually mix in the pumpkin. Stir in the cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice, until smooth and well blended. Chill until serving.

Serve with gingersnap cookies & vanilla wafers.

It’s a nice idea to seve this dip in bowl that sits in a bowl of ice.

Pimento Cheese

1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, grated
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 -3 oz. package cream cheese
3 tablespoons pimientos, chopped
1 teaspoon onions, grated
cracked black pepper

Blend cheeses and mayonnaise.  Stir in seasonings, onion and pimentos.  Chill.

12  Servings

Pepper – Cheese Crackers

1 cup bread flour
1 cup corn meal, or instant polenta
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 cup cheddar cheese, sharp, finely grated
2 1/2 tablespoons butter, cut small
3/4 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats; set aside.

Place bread flour, polenta, salt, baking soda, paprika, pepper, and cheese in the bowl of a food processor; pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal. With the machine running, add buttermilk. Continue processing until dough just forms a ball. Transfer dough to a lightly floured work surface and knead for a few seconds. Wrap dough in plastic and let rest at room temperature for 15 minutes.

Cut dough into quarters. Using 1 piece at a time, roll out dough 1/16 inch thick on a lightly floured work surface. With a dry pastry brush, sweep off the excess flour. Keep remaining pieces covered with plastic wrap.

Using a 1 3/4-inch fluted round cookie cutter or a small fluted pastry wheel, cut out crackers and place on prepared baking sheet at least 1/2 inch apart. Roll out a second piece of dough 1/16 inch thick and repeat cutting process; place on second prepared baking sheet. Transfer baking sheets to oven and bake until crackers are golden brown and crisp, 15 to 18 minutes, rotating once halfway through baking. Transfer crackers immediately to a wire cooling rack; let cool completely. Repeat process with remaining dough.

10  Servings

Onion Dip

3 large onions, chopped
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons olive oil
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
dash cayenne
dash salt

Saute onions in butter and olive oil until caramelized.  Remove from heat.  Stir in remaining ingredients until well mixed.  Pour into serving dish, cover with plastic wrap or lid and chill overnight.

Serve with potato chips or crackers.

10  Servings

Mushroom Quesadillas

Vegetable oil spray
8 ounces sliced fresh mushrooms
1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings
1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
3 8-inch whole-wheat flour tortillas
6 tablespoons shredded low-fat Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeqo peppers or low-fat cheddar cheese
Salsa (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a large skillet with vegetable oil. Cook mushrooms, onion and garlic in skillet over medium heat until onion is tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in cilantro and remove from heat.

Arrange one-third of the mushroom mixture on half of one tortilla. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the cheese. Fold the other half of the tortilla over cheese. Place on a baking sheet. Repeat with remaining ingredients to make 3 quesadillas total.

Bake quesadillas about 5 minutes, or until filling is hot and cheese melts. Cut each quesadilla into 4 wedges. Serve warm with salsa if desired.

Microwave Method:

Spray a microwave-safe casserole with vegetable oil. Add mushrooms, onion and garlic. Cook, uncovered, on 100% power (high) for 5 to 7 minutes, or until onion is tender, stirring twice.  Stir in cilantro.

Assemble quesadillas as directed above and arrange them on a microwave-safe plate or platter. Cook, rotating plate once, uncovered, on 100% power (high) for 1 to 2 minutes, or until filling is hot and cheese melts.