Pineapple Cream Cheese Spread

Pineapple Cream Cheese Spread  Rating: 6

This sounded good and it was okay but three things didn't quite hit the spot.  1.) It needed way more pineapple or pineapple taste to hold its title.  2.) It was runny for a spread, even when the pineapple was squeezed to reduce it's juiciness as suggested by the creator.  3.) The spread had a bitterness to it.  I don't know if the celery I used in the recipe was bitter or what but it was noticable.

We used full fat cream cheese and sour cream and that did not add to any thickness.  Ate it with crackers and celery sticks.  This was okay--a good idea that didn't fully pan out.

White Bean Spread with Rosemary and Toasted Almonds

This is a rich, high calorie spread with healthy fats.  It is divine. 

White Bean Spread with Rosemary and Toasted Almonds  Rating: 9

I double the rosemary when making the oil because I love that herb.  I've used chickpeas and navy beans and prefer it with chickpeas for the body it provided.  I like it consistency thick so I add the least amount of water.

I've served it with cucumber slices to not obliterate my calorie intake for the day but the pita chips or crackers would be easy and certainly my preference.

I've also stuffed mushrooms with it but I felt it detracted from the lovely tastes and creaminess of the spread.

Spanakopita Triangles

Spanakopita Triangles  Rating: 10 

Yep, a 10! Opa! (Greek exclamation that is the equivalent of "Hooray!", "Woohoo!", "Heck Yeah!", or "Yeehaw!"

I had leftover phyllo dough from this recipe and already knew Neal and I liked spanakopita (a spinach and feta cheese stuffed pie) from dining experiences at Greek restaurants.  I was also secretly hoping this would be a way to get some more greens into my kids.

These were easy and very good!  I got to use my microplane to grate the whole nutmeg which always make me feel extra "chefy."  I threw a salad together and added some dried dill to some plain Greek yogurt for a quick and befitting veggie dip while the triangles baked.

Neal said it was commensurate to the best restaurant ones he has had and my kids asked for seconds! I loved these.  We served them as a main dish but they make great appetizers as well.

I still have phyllo dough so I wonder what will be next to use it up.

Sweet Potato Falafel

Had some sweet potatoes to use from our co-op produce and decided to make Sweet Potato Falafel on a leafy Mediterranean salad with yogurt dressing.  The more sweet potato recipes I try the more I believe they are best left unadulterated.  Neal feels the same way about blackberries.

Sweet Potato Falafel   Rating: 6