Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Veggie for Your Thoughts?

{Re-post & updated from 3/10}

Other than a sinus infection that kept me from going to the SITS Bloggy Boot Camp in MD, my absence has been all good. Been busy with get togethers, quality family time & not to mention an exciting home improvement project.

I have to get together some before & after pics. Until then, here is other kitchen news that's simply wonderful. I am bringing you not 1 but 2 veggie packed appies today.

I served these asparagus spears as an appetizer when we had all our parents over for dinner a few weeks ago. Prosciutto wrapped asparagus is fairly popular but to make it a bit more savory I added just a schmear of cream cheese inside each spear. These will definitely be on my regular appetizer rotation!!!!


Baked in Oven
 
From the Grill

PROSCIUTTO WRAPPED ASPARAGUS with CREAM CHEESE

{ Printable Recipe Here }

½ lb prosciutto, sliced thin, fresh from the deli
6oz pkg garlic & herb cream cheese, softened
1 pkg of fresh asparagus, rough ends snapped off

Pre-heat oven to 450. Place one prosciutto slice on a cutting board the long way. Using a butter knife or spoon, spread most of the slice with a thin layer of cheese. I usually place the asparagus on an angle & at the bottom of the slice of meat, with the asparagus tip exposed on the right. Then roll it up & away from you, staying on the angle. This will not only keep both ends of the veggie exposed, which I love, but it will also distribute the meat nicely in an overlap.

Arrange spears in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake 15 minutes until tender. Put under broiler for 1-2 minutes to crisp up prosciutto if necessary. This will yield a perfectly tender but slightly crisp spear.

UPDATED 3.17.13: Because the oven was occupied I decided to grill these babies & I loved them even more. The prosciutto gets a little crispy & you can never go wrong with the grill taste. If you chose this method then parbake the asparagus in the microwave for about 4 minutes, letting them cool before assembling. Then grill over low to medium heat for just a few minutes on each side.

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And if you looking for a really healthy but satisfying dip: I made this dip one day just for myself because curiosity got the best of me. It definitely is a healthy dip & tastes like a healthy dip. I have found when I am working out & eating right I crave things like this. But if you're on a bad streak, you won't appreciate it at all. I definitely plan on making it again & using healthier homemade corn chips to go with it.


SPINACH & CANNELLINI BEAN DIP from Giada

{ Printable Recipe Here }

2 tblsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 6oz bags baby spinach
1 15oz can Cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 tblsp fresh lemon juice
1 tblsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil, over medium heat. Add the garlic & cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 of the spinach & cook for 2 minutes until wilted. Repeat with the remaining spinach. Let the mixture cool for a few minutes.

Place the remaining olive oil, spinach mixture, cannellini beans, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, salt & pepper in the bowl of a food processor. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Transfer to a small serving bowl. Serve with endive spears, crostini or pita chips.

{ Food for Thought }

Again, this was super healthy & tasted as such. If you did want to up the bad factor a bit I can see adding just a little mozzarella cheese or low fat sour cream to it.

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So, tell me, what's new in your world? I'll be coming around to check in & catch up but let me know if I've missed anything good. Pretty please!!!!!!!!

Linking Deliciously to Tempt My Tummy Tuesdays!

54 comments:

SimplySandi said...

Cannot wait to try the prosciutto wrapped asparagus. I love anything with cream cheese. I'm sure the spinach and cannellini bean dip is good too

Lump said...

this dip looks amazing. I love spinach anything!

Kristina P. said...

I love asparagus. I haven't had proscuitto a lot, but it looks tasty.

Connie K said...

This looks yummy i do the asparagas like that for my easter table with regular cream cheese but your way sounds tasty with herb cream cheese and am going to try the spinach dip !

Tam said...

O YES Appies loook great right now when I am so hungry..LOL Hope all is super!

Jen said...

I am glad that you are feeling better but you were totally missed in Baltimore.

This dip sounds wonderful. After I work, I like to eat chips and dip. This sounds awesome, nice and lite for a late night meal. I am totally going to try this.

Venus and Mars said...

The ASPARAGUS looks awesome !

Chef E said...

You post the tastiest things on here! I had a similar asparagus, but sauteed with garlic and pine nuts, it was so good...I would go for the spinach and bean dip too!

Anonymous said...

That asparagus looks delicious! I am always looking for different ways to prepare it - YUM!

Lifeofkaylen said...

I'm not a bacon-eater, but I love that you added the cream cheese! What a great addition.

That dip looks FABULOUS!!!

Unknown said...

Spinach and canneloni dip sounds beautiful!

Erin said...

Hey!! We are going to be in the otown area the weekend of the 20th- wanna have a strawberry picking playdate at Pappi's patch??

Ronda said...

Ooh, the spinach did sounds great to me!! I will try that for sure, love beans! I make the asparagus appies all the time and they are always a HIT. I use the Boursin' herb cheese, soooo good!
Where in Maryland were you going to go, with out telling me??!!
Sorry you were sick, hope your better. Great for your kitchen!!
XOXO

Ronda said...

I mean DIP.

The Blonde Duck said...

I really like that dip. I might get Ben to eat veggies.

Pam said...

Adding the cream cheese to the asparagus and prosciutto is brilliant - can't wait to try it. The bean/spinach dip looks tasty too.

In regards to the ingredients on the board in my photo... it's a large cutting board sitting on my kitchen counter. Depending on the time of day (and lighting in my kitchen) my counter looks white, tan, gray, etc.

Sandy said...

If I hadn't just eaten so much for dinner, I'd be hungry. The asparagus looks wonderful.

Lindsay Rudolph said...

Those would be such a hit in my house. Love what you did with the cream cheese. I have seen a similar recipe before, but not with the cheese. Things are always better with a little cheese!! Thanks for the great idea.

Scary Mommy said...

Ohhhhhh, those look amazing. I could live on appetizers!!

And, I am so bummed that you couldn't make it last weekend. It wasn't the same without you!

Simple Daisy said...

Oooh....that dip looks awesome:)
You did miss a give-away I did:(
But i'll be doing more in the future! Glad you're back~

FROGGITY! said...

oh my gosh, are those asparagi wrapped in BACON!? YUMMMMM

FROGGITY! said...

lol, i jumped the gun, saw the pic, commented THEN went back to read it. it's prosciutto.

i'm hungry, i can't help my insanity.

Ma What's 4 dinner said...

OHHHHHH!!! I love the cream cheese in the asparagus prosciutto! I've never seen that. What a good idea. I'm trying it.

Ok, I'll be honest, I hate spinach so I'm not getting near that dip, but I appreciate the healthy factor. :) Maybe roasted red peppers instead???? Hmmm, there's an idea, or arugula???? I think we're onto something.

Missed you,
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
www.mawhats4dinner.com

Life, Love And Lola said...

There you are!!! Those apps both look fab!

Kerstin said...

Mmm, what yummy apps! Definitely a great way to get your veggies in and the cream cheese sounds so good with the asparagus and prosciutto!

Unknown said...

I always love your ideas. I am on a bad streak for sure so I am sure I would not appreciate the healthy dip right now. How come I can not beat this Stephanie? I am so discouraged...

Nishant said...

. it's a large cutting board sitting on my kitchen counter. Depending on the time of day (and lighting in my kitchen) my counter looks white, tan, gray, etc.
work at home in india

Maria said...

Love the green veggies! I am a huge veggie lover:) Great ideas here!

Sara said...

Yum on the asparagus spears with the added cheese!! Sounds delish. The dip might be a little too healthy for me :) But it's probably what I SHOULD be eating!

Nana said...

Mmmmmm. Right up my alley as usual.

Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet said...

Oh, my! Those sound delish especially the asparagus! :D

Bibi @ Bibi's Culinary Journey said...

I love asparagus with prosciutto. Never though to add cream cheese. What a brilliant idea.

Patty said...

Those asparagus spears look fantastic! I think I'm going to have to go make them right now, thanks for posting!

Brenda said...

Both of these look delicious but the dip interests me because its high fiber and low fat. I'll try it as soon as I get home!

tiarastantrums said...

yummy - I've actually made those asparagus spears a couple of time s- always a bit hit!!

Chef Chuck said...

Asparagus with cheese and Prosciutto, this is a dish I would indulge!!

Healthy. Happy. Well. said...

That spinach dip looks insane! I can't wait to try it!

ARUNA said...

this dip looks delish n amazing!

Cincinnati Speech said...

I have had issues with Prosciutto being too thick or too warmed up to make it too tough to use easily.

Tabitha Blue said...

I can't wait to see pictures of your kitchen!!! YAY for you!! Glad you're feeling better, I just had a bout of misery for a couple of days, and am much better now too.

Oh, and I just love how you mention that the dip tastes like a healthy dip! :) It's true though, when I'm eating healthy and working out, I start craving more of those foods as well.

:)
~Tabitha

Deanna said...

I am making that asparagus for Easter! My BIL and I LOVE it and no one else really cares so I am going to make it this way for the two of us. Knowing the two of us we won't eat anything else.

Orlando personal injury lawyer said...

Thanks for these recipes. Both dishes look simple to make and very tasty.

Sarah said...

The spinach dip looks super delicious! I LOVE what you said about it tasting like a healthy dip - I can so relate. Anytime I'm on a healthy eating kick, certain things just appeal to me way more.


(Yay for SITS, by the way!)

Michelle said...

The asparagus actually made me drool!

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