Last Minute Idea For the Big Game

One last little thought for game day snacks.  This idea uses lots of things from your box, too.  Let's see... grape tomatoes and red onion... maybe pick up a focaccia loaf... some olive oil...

Photo via Epicurious

Bruschetta!!

Variations on this antipasto dish exist all over Italy.  Some add olives, some add cured meat, all toast the bread either with or without toppings.  The simplest version involves mixing tomatoes, finely shredded basil, garlic, salt, pepper and olive oil, and piling that on top of thin slices of toasted bread.  Variations on the theme:

Photo via Food & Wine

1. Keep it simple.  Or use focaccia.

2. Use a blend of herbs.

3. Add some prosciutto.

Now, I think, we're ready for the game!

Crudités, Anyone?

Another item that can move grease off of the game day buffet is utterly simple:  crudités, or, simply, cut up veggies with dip.  Pick up some carrots and anything else that looks appetizing at the store this week, and either put out your favorite salad dressing with it, set out some hummus, or use this utterly simple dip.  My mom has been making it since the beginning of time, I believe.

Thanks, mom, for the recipe.

Photo via Saveur

Vegetable Dip With Dill

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup mayonnaise (light mayo works just fine)
• 1/2 cup sour cream (again, fat free is just fine)
• 1 tablespoon dried onion or 
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried dill weed (double for fresh)

Directions:

Stir it all together.  finis.  It's better, though, if it can sit in the fridge for a day or two prior to serving to allow flavors to integrate.

4 Steps to Make Valentines Day Smoother

Hey Nalls fans! Valerie here, taking over Burt's blog for a sec.

I have been working on a Valentine's Day Project - maybe you took the short survey picking your brain that went out last week? If you did, I totally appreciate your help. It went out to our e-mail list. Not on it? Well, you should be! That's where all the fun stuff gets announced! Join HERE . As a side note, I asked what you do for Valentine's Day -- I was totally insensitive to you singles out there! I apologize! What was I thinking. This project will be able to be used by anyone, because, HINT HINT, we all EAT!

So I have this project that is SO CLOSE to releasing to you guys. You are going to love it!! I am giving you the gift of time and hopefully making the holiday easier so you can enjoy it more!

Watch my shaky, weird, first attempt at a video and you can get my 4 Steps to Make Valentine's Day Smoother, as well as sneak peak at my Valentine's Day project. I would love your input as far as pick up day, I mention that at the very end. So without further adieu, here is my video. Try not to laugh too hard!

The Superbowl Is a Cooking Holiday

I've read somewhere that the typical American consumes more calories on Superbowl Sunday than on Thanksgiving Day.  Seeing what's typically on the table at game time, I believe it.  While, in my book, Game Day has to involve wings and such, there can also be some veggie-based components present.  So if we have some wings, and then some veggies... it all balances out in the end, right?

Don't let your game day spread look like this!

I'll just let myself believe that.

Valerie does a pretty great job every year in putting together a box that supports game day snacks.  I'm positive this year won't be an exception.  In all the years in which I've been a crop share member, there has always been at least an avocado or two in the box.  So, let's talk about guac.  This is the easiest of the game day items.

Photo via Pioneer Woman

According to Wikipedia (which is never wrong, right?), guacamole had its beginning with the Aztecs.  Modern day guac in its most basic form is just mashed avocado with sea salt and lime juice.  Variations on the theme can also include diced tomato, minced onion, minced garlic or garlic powder, cayenne, chili peppers of some sort (Jalapeño, Serrano, or Habañero most typically), or finely chopped cilantro.  Pick the items of your choice, but remember that the avocado is the item to feature.  Other accouterments are just to accent, so don't overdo it.

Photo via Cristina Ferrare

Save one of the avocado pits, and include it with your guac in a sealed bowl until you're ready to serve it.  The pit will significantly slow the avocado from browning.

You can also have some more creative variations, too.  Try adding a bit of tequila, grilled corn, or some tart pomegranate or green apple to cut the creaminess of the avocado.  Everything is better with bacon, right?  Here is another idea that straddles the line between salsa verde and guacamole, but is utterly amazing.

Photo via Food & Wine