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Appetizers

Easy Cedar Planked Salmon Dip

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Easy Cedar Planked Salmon Dip is a healthy, protein-packed appetizer that will wow guests at your next party or get-together. This recipe is also a great way to use leftover baked or grilled salmon.

Easy Cedar Planked Salmon Dip

I want to thank Cedar Bay Grilling Company for inviting me to be a part of the Inaugural Cedar Bay Grilling Blogger Recipe Challenge. Cedar Bay has provided me with their two of their 24-ounce Planked Atlantic Salmon to create my recipes with. Each of the recipes in this challenge will be judged on visual appeal, creativity and taste; and be eligible for a cash prize. Please wish me luck in this recipe contest!

Cedar Bay Grilling Company's Planked Salmon Full Fillet - Applewood with Orange and Ginger

This salmon dip recipe is so quick and easy to make. It will surely impress your guests at your next family get together or dinner party. This recipe only requires three ingredients and a whirl of the food processor and you’d done. This elegant appetizer recipe couldn’t be any easier.

Easy Cedar Planked Salmon Dip

One of Cedar Bay’s high-quality products is their full fillet of Atlantic Salmon, pre-seasoned (choose either Sugar & Spice or Orange Ginger) on a pre-soaked cedar plank and sold frozen. You can’t beat the convenience as we are all looking for new ways to cook healthy meals for our families in less time.

For this recipe, I used Cedar Bay’s Applewood with Orange & Ginger Cedar Planked Atlantic Salmon. It was easy just place in the refrigerator to thaw overnight. Cooking the already prepped salmon in the oven (or can easy be grilled also) and it’s ready to serve in about 20 minutes. This recipe is also a great option for leftover salmon after you’ve enjoyed an impressive Cedar Planked Atlantic Salmon dinner.

Cedar Bay Grilling Company products can be found throughout the US and Canada, at Kroger, Publix, Hannaford, Safeway, Albertsons, Fred Meyer, Ralph’s, Giant, Giant Eagle, Stop n Shop and Roche Bros. Visit Cedar Bay Grilling Company for a store location near you and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for great tips and recipes.

Easy Cedar Planked Salmon Dip
 
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Easy Cedar Planked Salmon Dip is a healthy, protein-packed appetizer that will wow guests at your next party or get-together. This recipe is also a great way to use leftover baked or grilled salmon.
Author:
Recipe type: Appetiser
Cuisine: American
Serves: 24
Ingredients
  • 1 Cedar Bay Applewood with Orange & Ginger Cedar Planked Atlantic Salmon Filet (24 ounces)
  • 8 ounces Cream Cheese, at room temperature
  • 1T. Capers
  • Fresh chives to garnish, chopped
  • Crackers
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Place Cedar Planked salmon directly on the middle rack and place a foil-lined baking sheet on the rack below to catch dripping juices.
  3. Cook 18-20 minutes, until the flesh becomes flakey. It is perfectly cooked when it is still slightly pink in the center of the fillet.
  4. Crumble baked or grilled salmon into a food processor bowl.
  5. Add cream cheese and capers, pulse in a food processor until combined.
  6. Spoon into a serving dish and serve with your favorite crackers.
Notes
1. Discard the plank after 1 use.
2. Keep the salmon frozen until 24 hours before cooking.
3. Once Salmon has defrosted, do not re-freeze!
4. This recipe can be cut in half; to provide 2 salmon servings and 1 cup salmon dip.

Easy Cedar Planked Salmon Dip

Classic Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil

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This Classic Bruschetta recipe is so quick and easy to make; and the perfect appetizer for any meal.

This Classic Bruschetta recipe with tomato and basil is so quick and easy to make; it’s perfect for a snack or weekday appetizer. I love making this Classic Bruschetta, especially in the summer when tomatoes are in season and have so much more flavor. When I found these multi-colored grape tomatoes I knew I had to give them a try for added variety and such an appealing presentation. I’m so glad that multi-colored vegetables are becoming more readily available and love to give them a try whenever I see them.

Classic Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil
 
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This Classic Bruschetta recipe with tomato and basil is so quick and easy to make; and the perfect appetizer for any meal.
Author:
Recipe type: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 1 cup chopped tomatoes
  • 3 tablespoons shredded fresh basil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 6 slices of french bread
  • Parmesan cheese, grated (for garnish)
Instructions
  1. Slice 6 slices of french bread on the diagonal. Place on cookie sheet and broil for about 1 minute, or until lightly browned.
  2. Combine chopped tomatoes, shredded fresh basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and minced garlic in small mixing bowl.
  3. Spoon over toasted french bread slices and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese.
  4. Serve and enjoy.
This Classic Bruschetta recipe with tomato and basil is so quick and easy to make

Fresh Garlic and Herb Dipping Oil

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garlic and herb dipping oil

This is by far my favorite herb dipping oil. My husband and I are regulars at a family owned Italian restaurant that serves the best garlic and herb dipping oil for their homemade bread. I’ve asked for the recipe to no avail, so it was time to come home and experiment a bit. I just had to include this recipe, as a main stay aside Italian dishes, at home.

As with all recipes, make sure you use the highest quality and freshest ingredients you can find. The cost of fresh herbs can be greatly minimized by growing your own. When you need to add a new herb to your collection, consider buying a small potted plant, rather than the cut fresh herbs. And best of all, when you only have to go outside your back door or your kitchen window sill, the chance is high that you will reach for those fresh herbs more often.

 

5.0 from 1 reviews
Fresh Garlic and Herb Dipping Oil
 
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Fresh Garlic and Herb Bread Dipping Oil
Author:
Recipe type: Dips & Sauces
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh basil, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • Olive Oil
Instructions
  1. Chop garlic and herbs, add salt and freshly ground pepper.
  2. Add about 2 tablespoons of olive oil to herb mixture and combine. This will give you an herb paste consistency. Cover and let flavors mingle for at least 2 hours.
  3. Place herb mixture in shallow dish and pour more olive oil over the mixture.
  4. Serve with warm bread.

 

Healthy Vegetable Soup

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Healthy Vegetable Soup

 

I’ve always loved soup and this healthy vegetable soup recipe makes it guilt free. Not only are you adding a variety of brightly colored vegetables to your diet, it’s also a low-calorie alternative, thanks to the broth base. You’ll feel good about both eating this healthy vegetable soup and serving it to your family.

This recipe makes a large batch of soup, which reheats well. I love making this soup when I have a busy week ahead. It’s nice to know I have a healthy meal to heat up quickly for a week of lunches.

 

Healthy Vegetable Soup
 
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Healthy Vegetable Soup recipe you'll be proud to serve to your family.
Author:
Recipe type: Soups
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12
Ingredients
  • Olive oil cooking spray
  • 1 cup uncooked carrots, sliced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 6 cups fat free chicken broth (or broth of your choice)
  • 1 head napa cabbage, chopped
  • 6 ounces fresh spinach, chopped
  • 1 can whole tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 2 zucchini, diced
Instructions
  1. Spray a large saucepan with olive oil cooking spray, and warm over medium heat.
  2. Saute onion, garlic and carrots until they are soft, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add broth, cabbage, spinach, tomatoes, basil, oregano and salt to the onion mixture and bring to a boil.
  4. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered for about 15 minutes.
  5. Add zucchini and cook an additional 5 minutes.
  6. Serve warm.

 

Mashed Potato Pancakes

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Mashed Potato PancakesMy grandmother would always make mashed potato pancakes with our left over mashed potatoes, when I was young. This versatile recipe can be prepared for breakfast the next morning (as a replacement for hash browns), as an appetizer, side dish or a snack. Around grandma’s house they were usually made for an after dinner for an evening snack and never lasted very long.

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I have over the years!

5.0 from 9 reviews
Mashed Potato Pancakes
 
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Mashed potato pancakes, made with left over mashed potatoes, just like grandma used to make. This versatile recipe can be prepared for breakfast the next morning (as a replacement for hash browns), as an appetizer, side dish or a snack.
Author:
Recipe type: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 2 cups mashed potatoes
  • 2 cups mashed potatoes
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg
  • ¼ cup flour
  • ¼ cup flour
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
  1. Heat about ¼ inch olive oil in a frying pan to medium heat.
  2. Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl. This will be the consistency of thick pancake batter.
  3. Drop batter into hot oil and fry until golden brown. I prefer smaller pancakes and use about ¼ cup batter per pancake.
  4. Remove from oil and place on paper towels to remove excess oil.
  5. Serve warm with sour cream and/or apple sauce.

Recommended for this recipe:

Mashed Potato Pancakes

Tzatziki Sauce (Greek Yogurt and Cucumber Sauce)

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Ingredients:

2 cups Plain Yogurt
1 Medium Cucumber (peeled and diced)
1 Clove Garlic (minced)
2 t. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 T. White Vinegar
1 T. Fresh Dill Weed (chopped)
1 t. Fresh Mint Leaves (chipped)
Pinch of Salt (or to taste)

Directions:

  1. Combine all ingredients and refrigerate to allow flavors to mingle.

Note: Serve with Souvlaki or makes a healthy dip for vegetables or pita bread.

Baked Tortilla Chips

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Tortilla Chips

Tortilla Chips

With the price of groceries going up steadily, why not make your own Tortilla Chips? Additionally they are baked to reduce fat, and since you are making them from scratch you can control the quality of ingredients. This is such a quick and easy recipe that anyone can do.

Ingredients:

1 package of 6 inch Corn Tortillas
1 T. Olive Oil
Salt

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. Line 2 baking sheets with nonstick foil or parchment paper.
  3. Brush both sides of the tortillas with olive oil using a pastry brush. Then cut tortillas into quarters.
  4. Bake tortilla pieces in a single layer on prepared baking sheets until chips are crisp and golden, about 12 to 16 minutes.
  5. Serve immediately with your favorite salsa or dip.

Guacamole

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fresh-guacamole

Fresh Guacamole

Serves 4

Guacamole is a healthy dip that is easily made and very versatile. It is great for a dip served with chips or vegetables, or as a spread on sandwiches or in a great morning omelet. Although avocados are high in fat, they contain good fat that is important to our health. This recipe is highly customizable to your (and your family’s taste).

Ingredients:

2 ripe Hass avocados
2 T. finely chopped onion
1/4 t. salt
1 T. lime juice (more if it will not be eaten immediately)

Directions:

  1. Choose 2 ripe avocados.
  2. Peel avocados by cutting them in half (there will be a large seed in the middle to cut around). Then, twist the halves to separate them. The seed can be removed with a tablespoon. Spoon out avocado meat into a bowl. Mash the avocado with a fork or a potato masher. This will create a creamy, yet chunky starter to the dip. Sprinkle with lime juice (to preserve the color) and stir.
  3. Add salt and chopped onion to the mashed avocados mixture. These amounts can be altered to fit your taste. At this point you have an easy guacamole dip. This can be customized by adding salsa or chopped tomatoes to taste.
  4. Serve immediately, or store with plastic wrap on the surface of the guacamole.

Caramelized French Onion Dip

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Serves 10

Note: Slow-cooking or carmelizing onions brings out their natural sweetness. Their rich flavor makes old-fashioned creamy onion dip worth revisiting. Bonus: This version has only a fraction of the calories and fat of the original. Serve with baked pita chips.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 1/4 cups slivered yellow onions
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 ounces low-fat cream cheese
1/2 cup nonfat Greek-style yogurt
4 ounces low-fat sour cream
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

  1. Heat the love oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onions and salt. Saute 35 to 40 minutes until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool.
  2. Place cooled onions in food processor. Pulse several times to chop. Remove 1/2 of the onions and place them in a mixed bowl. Add the remaining ingredients to the food processor. Process until smooth. Spoon into mixing bowl and combine with chopped onions.

Per Serving: 80 calories, 5g fat, 10mg chol., 3g prot., 5g carbs, 1g fiber, 170mg sodium.
Recipe Courtesy of: spryliving.com