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YUMMY in my TUMMY


A place for all my restaurant reviews and recipes (either my own or other's)

Easy Avocado Spread/Dip - in 4 steps!

3/30/2020

2 Comments

 
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My tasty avocado spread!
So easy!  So tasteful!  You will be all over this spread - I PROMISE.  With the global quarantine in place, many of us have been staying home.  We have more time on our hands to try out new recipes or to prep more home-cooked meals.  We are (hopefully) eating healthier and are conscientious of what we're putting into our food.  One of my favorite healthy breakfasts include avocado and eggs.  While I could easily buy a jar of avocado spread (at least I think I can) to make my life easier, why not skip the preservatives and (maybe) extra sugar to make the spread from scratch?!  Well, look no further, because I have an easy recipe for you to try and even modify to make it your own!

INGREDIENTS

  • (2) ripe avocados
  • 4 tbs. Mayonnaise (you can use any - I used olive oil mayo since that's what I have)
  • 1/2 lime (about 1 tbsp) 
  • Cilantro - 1 bunch (about 1/4 cup)
  • Green Onion - 1 stalk
  • Garlic Powder 1/4 tsp 
  • Salt - to taste (use what you have but I like sea salt because it's tastier)
  • Pepper - to taste
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Prep Time

About 20 minutes.  And the best part??  NO COOKING NECESSARY.  

Directions

1) Start off by chopping your cilantro and green onion and combine in a separate bowl.  Set aside for later.  
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2) Cut each avocado in halves.  Remove seed by chopping into the middle (see 2nd photo) and twist to loosen from its place.  Discard (or for you garden aficionados - plant 'em)!  Scoop the avocado "meat" into a separate mixing bowl.
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3) Add the lime, mayo, garlic powder, salt, and pepper and mix ingredients by smushing the ingredients with a fork.  The lime seems to act like a natural preservative while the mayo provides its creamy consistency.  This step takes about 3 - 5 mins...basically no time at all.  
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Combine ingredients
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Use a fork to mix ingredients
You should get a little something like this (the chunkier, the better)...
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We like it CHUNKY!
4) Remember the cilantro/green onion mix that you set aside earlier?  Now you can add to the avocado mix.  Fold it in with a *spatula or spoon. 

​*TIP: I like to use a spatula because it helps to get every last bit when transferring from the mixing bowl into a container for later use.   
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MIX IT!

For Later...

While you may not be able to consume the whole mixture in one meal, you can save for later.  However, I don't recommend saving the mixture for more than 5 days.  You can use a Tupperware container to keep it air-tight.  I like to use a glass container because I like to be able to see the mixture in case it goes bad before the 5 days are up (whereas most Tupperware containers have a cloudy appearance to them).    
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BON APETIT!

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The best (and probably most popular) way to have this spread is on toast with an over-easy or poached egg on top (as seen in the photo).  I like to further season my egg with salt and pepper and garnish with dill or cilantro.  

My husband loves to have it as dip for crackers or veggie chips.  I sometimes place a dollop of it on top of scrambled eggs with chopped cherry or grape tomatoes on the side. 

I know it may sound gross, but I even have it by itself as a little snack.  I just take a spoon and go to town!  It's THAT good.  
Go ahead and try making this spread for yourself.  It's the best that I've tried and it's so easy.  Like I always say...the simpler the recipe, the better.  My husband, kids, and I have so much going on that it's a Godsend when I have recipes like these - especially if it helps us avoid microwaveable meals that aren't always healthy or filling. 

Tag me on instagram @mari_tran78 - I'd love to see what you create (whether it's my version or your own)!  Ciao and stay safe out there!   
~XOXO, Mari
2 Comments

Salmon-Cucumber Bites

3/12/2020

1 Comment

 
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Salmon-Cucumber Bites

This is one of the easiest treats I have made and it’s low-carb, too!

Now, I can’t take all the credit...this was introduced to us by my sweet cousin, Jenn, at a tea party she hosted a couple months ago. My daughter loved them so much, she ate most of it and even got to bring some home!
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Salmon Bites - 2nd/middle tier, left tower.
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Savory & sweet bites galore!

INGREDIENTS

  • (1) cucumber (chopped) 🥒
  • (1) packet of smoked salmon (can use any)
  • Tub of whipped cream cheese (chive-flavored)
  • Jar of caviar (can use any but black tobikko is preferred)
  • ​fresh dill ​

TOOLS: Knife, chopping board, (2) small spoons OR piping bag
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I bought everything at Safeway

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: NONE

Like all produce, make sure to wash well! I know I sound like a mom (because I literally am) but you’d be surprised how many people I’ve seen NOT wash their fruits or veggies before serving.

STEP #1: Chop your cucumber into chips! No need to peel the skin.
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The cucumbers with ridges on the peel is the most flavorful.
STEP #2: Slice your smoked salmon into bite-sized strips. The salmon I bought, however, was so tender, I was able to tear them apart!

​Now, place a strip on each cucumber chip.
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"Fold" the salmon on each chip
STEP #3: This is the most difficult step of them all - placing a dollop of cream cheese on top of the salmon. I used (2) small spoons to get it on as cleanly as possible - it gets difficult because the cream cheese loves to stick onto the spoons.

​I think a piping bag will help solve this issue. You can easily make one by taking a ziploc bag. Scoop about a cup of cream cheese into it, then snip off one of the bottom corners to easily squeeze it through. Not only will it be a clean process, but it’ll be much more presentable!

Adding the cream cheese provides a nice contrast to the salmon and gives it that "depth" that would be missing, otherwise.
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Just a dollop of chive-flavored cheese cheese!
STEP #4: Take your fresh dill and garnish over the cream cheese. 
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Ensure the dill is fresh and NOT the dried version!
STEP #5: Place caviar on top of the dill.

You can use any but I prefer the black tobikko that my cousin placed on top of hers. The black caviar provides a nice color contrast to the whole thing! I went to my neighborhood Safeway and they only sold the salmon (orange) fish eggs.
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Presenting the salmon bites! So easy!

THE TASTE TEST...

My daughter loved it so much, she finished off a plate of her own!
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Yummy yummy in her tummy!
This dish is so easy and would be perfect hors d'oeuvres served at any of your shindigs (pairs well with a nice Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio)!

I encourage you to give this simple recipe a try and let me know what you think!

~ XOXO, Mari
1 Comment
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    Meet Mari

    Welcome to my blog where I share my inner thoughts on life and all things I love - beauty, home decor and design, amazing food, our family travels, and fashion!  ​


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