Cherry Tomato Snackers

Cherry Tomato Snackers

These are bite size cherry tomatoes filled with seasoned cream cheese and topped with toasted almonds. They need a bit of work but are totally worth it!

Here's how I make Cherry Tomato Snackers:

Wash the cherry tomatoes, dry and slice each in half. Using a small melon baller, scoop out the seeds and pulp (you can use this in other recipes).

Take about 3 tbsp. plain cream cheese (thawed to room temperature) in a bowl and season with salt, pepper, paprika, dried mint and Costco no salt seasoning mix. Or use flavored cream cheese of choice and vary seasonings per your taste. Fill a small ziplock bag with this cream cheese mix and press into a cone.

Cut off a small end of the bag. Pipe the cream cheese mix into each cherry tomato half. Top with a piece of almond (I have used almonds toasted with little salt & pepper). Serve immediately
 either as is or on a bed of greens.

Yogurt-stuffed Mini Peppers

Yogurt-stuffed mini peppers

This recipe is adapted from Yogurt Culture recipe book that I browsed at the library. I loved it the moment I read the recipe and wasted no time in trying it out. I was so happy with the results, this one goes in my "favorites" list now!

Here's how I made the Yogurt-stuffed Mini Peppers -

3 tbsp. yogurt - hung in cheesecloth overnight in the fridge
1 tbsp. fresh mozzarella cheese - crumbled
Seasonings - salt, pepper, paprika and dried mint
1 tbsp. chopped walnuts
7 mini peppers
Olive oil for roasting peppers

To make filling combine the hung yogurt, mozzarella, walnuts and seasonings.

Wash the peppers and cut of the tops. With the sharp end of a peeler, scope out the seeds and lining.

Using a small spoon fill the peppers with the yogurt stuffing.

Heat oil in a pan and saute the peppers on medium heat, uncovered till browned on all sides, about 5 to 10 mins.

Serve warm as an appetizer or part of a meal.

Cucumber Avocado No-Cook Soup

Cucumber Avocado No-Cook Soup

Here's a quick, easy and healthy lunch option perfect for hot days when you don't want to spend time near your cooking range.

Here's how I make this Cucumber Avocado No-Cook Soup:

1 English cucumber - peeled and roughly chopped (if using other variety of cucumbers please deseed)
1 ripe avocado - scooped and roughly chopped
2 tbsp. plain yogurt
1/2 to 1 cup water
1 lemon - juiced
Seasonings - salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, other seasoning mix or herbs of choice (I have used Costco brand no salt seasoning mix in above pic)

Blend the cucumber, avocado, yogurt, water and lemon juice till smooth. Adjust water to desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately or chill for upto 1 hour. Top with red pepper flakes, herbs and seasoning mix of choice and serve with some crackers or chips.