Wonderful Fresh Fruit Dip

I pulled out an old Every Day with Rachel Ray and came across this creamy fruit dip recipe. Besides the fact that I had all the ingredients on hand that made it wonderful, the fresh taste had all of us digging in for more. (Even the children!) 

Creamy Fruit Dip

1 Cup Sour Cream (I used Greek Yogurt)

2 Tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped

1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro, finely chopped

1 Tablespoon fresh-squeezed orange juice plus 1/4 teaspoon orange zest 

Salt and pepper 

Mix all ingredients together and serve with fresh apples, pears and pineapple or your choice I fresh fruit. (Melon and grapes would be great with this too!) 

Basil Parmesan Chicken Salad

I am always looking for new ways to make an ordinary dish into something spectacular. For me, this one was a real winner! These ingredients are approximate, so increase or decrease to taste and desired consistency.

Basil Parmesan Chicken Salad

3 cups cooked, diced/shredded chicken
About 2 Tablespoons fresh basil leaves (more or less to taste), plus 1 Tablespoon water to process
1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt
1/4 cup mayonnaise (more if needed)
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Dash of salt and pepper (I used Wildtree's Rancher Steak Rub

Method: Place diced chicken in a medium mixing bowl. Process basil leaves and just enough water to mince in a blender or smoothie maker. Process until very finely chopped, but not pureed. Pour onto chicken and add the rest of the ingredients. Stir well and refrigerate for an hour or more. Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil. Serve on Italian Herb Bread.

(For the bread, I made my favorite whole wheat recipe and shaped 2/3 of it into a regular loaf and made a disc with the remaining 1/3. I placed the disc in a greased round cake pan and brushed the top with Wildtree's Basil Pesto Grapeseed Oil and sprinkled with Wildtree's Tuscany Bread Dipper Seasoning. Then I cut it into triangles to serve with the chicken salad. It was scrumptious!!!!)

Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins

I made these for a source of something sweet and dense during my 30-day Eat Clean challenge. I have always put oatmeal and sweet into the same category, so it threw me when I tasted the batter and it was NOT sweet. I was tempted to add some maple syrup or honey or raw sugar, but instead, I added enough currants and raisins that it sweetened it up for me that way.

I made an extra batch since I was dirtying the dishes anyway and put them in the freezer to get out as I want them.

The only thing I did differently than the recipe calls for was used Wildtree's butter flavored grapeseed oil instead of canola oil, I used whole flax seeds instead of ground and I added chopped pecans. Now that I have adjusted to no added sugar, I am enjoying them a lot. I got the recipe from Sparkpeople.

Applesauce Oatmeal Muffins

1 Cup dry old fashioned oatmeal
1 Cup unsweetened applesauce (I make my own all the time)
1/2 Cup almond milk (unsweetend) Can use other milk if desired
2 egg whites, beaten
2 Tablespoon ground flax seed
2 Tablespoons plus one teaspoon of canola (or grapeseed) oil
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 Cup whole wheat flour
1/4 Cup dried cranberries, cherries and/or raisins

Method: Preheat oven to 350* F. Prepare muffin tin by lining with paper or silicone liners. I greased them with coconut oil.

Combine Oatmeal, applesauce, milk, eggs, flax and and oil in medium bowl. In another medium bowl, combine dry ingredients, including dried fruit. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour wet ingredients into it. Stir until all ingredients are just combined.

Divide batter into 12 muffin cups. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Avocado Salad Dressing

I am in a 30 Eat Clean challenge where everything I eat for 30 days has to be unprocessed. That requires creativity, but the group involved in the challenge is sharing great recipes! Here's my version of my new favorite salad dressing shared on that site. 

1 Avocado 

1/2 teaspoon (or more) chili powder (the best chili powder I've ever had is Wildtree's Leslie's chili blend! 

1 1/2 Tbsp olive or grapeseed oil

Juice of  half a lime (I used whole one)

1/4 Cup fresh cilantro

Hot sauce to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

Approximately 1/2 cup water

Add everything except the water in a blender or smoothie maker and purée. Pour in water until desires thickness.