Mediterranean Olive Dip

PREP TIME: 10 minutes.  BLEND TIME: 5 minutes

I created this dip for one of my ‘nukery’ (nutrition+cooking) classes to pair with my Herby Almond crackers. It’s a delicious, savoury creamy dip that has an intense flavour, making it nearly impossible to resist! I love it as a perfect last minute throw-together when friends drop over unexpectedly OR for a stress-free dinner party appetiser; I made a double batch for a recent dinner party and before my girlfriends and I could get to it, the men had polished it off! 

NUTRITIONAL BITES

Olives are rich in phytonutrients that provide antioxidant and anti-inflamatory nutrients which help protect our bodies.

Olives are also a good source of phytoestrogens which play a part in balancing our hormonal system, helping with menopausal symptoms. 

Ingredients

1 cup black olives, pitted
1 garlic clove
1 tablespoon tahini paste
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoon dulse flakes
1 teaspoon chia seeds (ground or whole)
1 teaspoon lemon juice
½ teaspoon Celtic sea salt

Let’s Blend!

1. Place all the ingredients into a high speed blender and blend for a minute or two until the dip is smooth and creamy. And that’s it!

Luscious Lemony Hummus

PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES.    SERVES: 6

Honestly, I make this hummus most weekends and it comes out at dinner parties and when I'm asked to bring 'a dish'. It has a crisp, lemon tinge and is choked with nutrients,  just the way I like it. 

NUTRITIONAL BITES

Garbanzo beans are a fabulous source of insoluble fibre and support the health of colon cells, helping to lower our risk of colon cancer

Tahini paste or as it is more commonly known, sesame seed paste is a high source of calcium for strong teeth and bones (excellent for growing kids) and at 20% complete protein, it rivals nuts in the protein department, helping to boost our energy levels

INGREDIENTS

1 cup of chickpeas (Garbanzo beans)
2 tablespoons of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
3 tablespoons of water
Zest of 1 lemon (organic, preferably as we are using the skin) 
Juice of 1 lemon
1-2 garlic cloves (depending on how garlicky you like it!)
1 tablespoon of tahini paste (sesame seed paste) 
1 tablespoon of hemp seeds (boosts Omega-3 content)
½ tablespoon of sunflower seeds
1 tablespoon of nutritional yeast (great 'cheesy' flavour punch & source of B vitamins)
1 teaspoon of Celtic sea salt

LET’S COOK!

1. Zest and juice the lemon and put in a small dish

2. Mince the garlic cloves and add to the lemon zest and juice

3. Place the olive oil, water, lemon zest and juice and garlic cloves in blender or food processor

4. Next add the chickpeas, tahini paste, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast and sea salt

5. Blend up until you have a creamy, smooth consistency. If it is too thick, add more water - a tablespoon at a time and blend again

6. Place in a bowl and sprinkle with paprika and a little EVOO