Looking for delicious appetizers to share on game day? This gluten-free dip recipe is a sure winner for game day, potlucks, or movie nights. The mixture of roasted red peppers, almonds, and garlic creates a vibrant, diverse, and tangy range of flavors and textures that will enhance any chip, cracker, vegetable or favorite crudité you love to eat with dip.

Game Day Winner

The first time I made this Romesco Red Pepper Dip was on Super Bowl Sunday. I wanted a healthy option for me and my sons to nibble on whether the game turned out to be a thriller or a dud. We were rooting for the Patriots that year and we all liked Tom Brady and wanted him to win one more Super Bowl.

In the past we would have eaten an entire bag of tortilla corn chips with queso and salsa by half time. Much to my surprise, we had eaten half of the platter by half time and forgotten the chips. I knew it was a keeper recipe—no matter which team won the Super Bowl that year.

We were thrilled with the Patriot’s win that year and we also fell in love with this incredible Romesco Red Pepper Dip. Now it has become a favorite for every football Sunday. My sons even spread it on their favorite bread with cheese, turkey, some greens and make a quick and easy meal out of it. It’s a gluten-free, Paleo style dip that makes a great dip, topping or spread. Delicious, healthy, quick and easy, –it’s not only a winner, it’s an unbeatable keeper.

Here are the vibrant, diverse ingredients that blend into a perfect mouth-watering, tangy Mediterranean flavor you can’t resist.

Roasted Red Peppers

Roasted Red Peppers form the base of the dip giving it the red color and tangy flavor. Red peppers have a high concentration of vitamins A and C, provide over 200% of your vitamin C requirements, are rich in antioxidants, and help support your immune system and fight off free radicals and disease.

Almonds

Almonds are one of my favorite nuts for their taste, texture and vast health benefits. They are rich in healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium, vitamin E, antioxidants and help support cardiovascular and heart health. They add a thickness and creamy texture to the dip that is hard to beat, and pairs well with the taste of most crackers or crudité’ dippers.

Garlic

Organic garlic gives this dip a little kick and mixes well with the feta cheese. Garlic is a super food that is loaded with antioxidants that help fight off diseases and infections and is one of the most medicinal foods for supporting heart health.

Feta Cheese

Greek Feta Cheese adds a luscious creamy texture that goes well with the almonds too. Feta cheese is rich in B vitamins, phosphorus, and calcium which helps support bone health. It also has many fatty acids and bacteria that are good for the gut health.

Sherry Vinegar

Sherry Vinegar is a dry, aged vinegar from Spain I like to have on hand because a small spoonful can enhance the flavor of sauces, dressings, and dips. But sherry vinegar is also known to support healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Vinegars have been used for centuries to support digestion and promote liver detox. A spoonful a day can keep the doctor away.

Romesco Red Pepper Dip Makes Appetizers More Tasty and Healthy

Delicious and nutritious dips help make your crudites and appetizers more tasty and healthy. This Romesco Dip recipe will pep up your next party. Share with your friends and family and let me know what you think!

Grace Notes

Healthy eating and colorful eating go hand in hand. If it’s colorful, it’s probably good for you. It adds to the sensory delight and appeal of the dish. Be creative—the possibilities for enjoying this dip are countless. It’s a simple dish that brings health and happiness. What more can you ask for?

Enjoy and live Well with Zest!

Bev xo

 

Written by Bev Hope

Print

Romesco Red Pepper Dip

• Author: Bev Hope

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup whole roasted almonds
• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tsp minced garlic
• 1 cup drained roasted red peppers (from a jar)
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tsp sherry vinegar
• 1 tsp hot paprika
• Salt and Pepper

Instructions

1.  Pulse almonds in a food processor until finely chopped.
2.  Place oil and garlic in skillet on medium low heat. When mixture sizzles, wait 30 seconds then transfer to processor.
3. Add remaining ingredients to the food processor except salt and pepper.
4.  Process until well blended.
5. Season with salt and pepper.

Notes

ADD-INS

Make your own food rainbow around the dip. My favorites are red, orange, yellow and green peppers, colorful red and orange cherry tomatoes, purple endive, green celery, yellow squash, orange mini carrots.

Try any of your favorite Paleo style crackers and dippers. One of my favorite dippers is crisp plantain chips.

OPTIONS

If you don’t have Sherry Vinegar, you can replace it with other vinegars such as Rice Vinegar, Red Wine Vinegar, Apple Cider Vinegar, or Champagne Vinegar.

Add red pepper flakes to add some extra spiciness.

The post Romesco Red Pepper Dip appeared first on Well with Zest.

Mushrooms are one of Nature’s premier superfoods and are packed with nutrients and antioxidants that provide many important health benefits.  But besides being excellent for our health, fresh mushrooms are easy to cook with and can be worked into a wide range of recipes. Plus, dried mushrooms or mushroom powder make cooking with mushrooms convenient and flexible and they provide the same health benefits of fresh mushrooms!

9 Benefits of this Amazing Superfood

Let’s take a look at nine benefits we get from this amazing superfood!

1. Mushrooms Are Packed with Antioxidants

Mushrooms are loaded with antioxidant properties. Antioxidants neutralize “free radicals” released in the body that can damage cells, potentially causing cancer, and have been linked to aging and cardiovascular disease. Fortunately, mushrooms are packed with antioxidants, including:

• Ergothioneine (ergo)- an important amino acid that the human body cannot produce.
• Selenium- reduces inflammation and stimulates the immune system.
• Glutathione- a powerful antioxidant that can assist protein production.

2. Mushrooms Are a Rich Source of Vitamin D

Mushrooms provide a rich source Vitamin D. This important vitamin is essential for optimal health and normal bodily functions.. For example, Vitamin D helps increase the absorption of calcium, which is necessary for creating strong bones and maintaining bone health. Vitamin D is also important for regulating insulin levels and helps increase the absorption of other vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium. Vitamin D deficiency puts us at risk for many diseases. 

3. Mushrooms Help Fight Infection 

Eating mushrooms every day may help keep the doctor away! A study conducted at the University of Florida found that daily consumption of Shitake mushrooms led to a reduction in inflammatory proteins and improved the functioning of gamma delta T-cells. Eating mushrooms helps fight off colds and maintain a healthy immune system so your body can protect you against invaders such as bacteria, viruses, toxins and prevent disease.

4. Mushrooms May Help Prevent Cancer

Researchers have found that mushrooms exhibit many anti-cancer properties. Mushrooms stimulate the immune system and may help the body combat cancer. Plus, mushrooms help increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Mushrooms may have broader use in cancer treatments, so they are a focus in ongoing cancer research.

5. Mushrooms Are Prebiotic

Mushrooms may have a positive influence on blood sugar regulation and be beneficial for people who have or are at risk of developing diabetes. When mice were regularly fed white button mushrooms, they enjoyed higher levels of beneficial bacteria that were involved in the regulation of glucose. 

6. Mushrooms Support the Immune System 

Studies have found  evidence that Reishi mushroom have positive benefits for people who are dealing various chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, liver or kidney disease, respiratory disease, cancer, or viral infections. Eastern medicine has used Reishi mushrooms for centuries to support the immune system, reduce stress and improve sleep.  Reishi mushrooms also help improve mood and boost energy levels.

7. Mushrooms Improve Heart Health

Many mushrooms are rich in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, which are important for our improved heart health. Shiitake mushrooms have three compounds that may help lower blood cholesterol levels.

• Eritadenine – helps an enzyme involved in producing cholesterol 
• Sterols- helps block cholesterol absorption in the gut.
• Beta glucans- type of fiber that can lower cholesterol

8. Meanwhile, Mushrooms Are Low in Carbs and Calories

Anyone looking to go on a low carb diet, or any diet at all, should consider making mushrooms a regular part of the menu. Mushrooms are low in both carbohydrates and calories, making them an excellent diet food. So not only can you enjoy all of the above benefits, but you’ll also keep your carbohydrate and calorie count low, which could help you lose weight!

9. Mushrooms are Nature’s Botanical Medicine 

Mushrooms are fungi that come in many shapes, sizes and colors. Research is underway to better understand how the chemical compounds in various mushrooms actually work in our bodies to support our health and prevent or treat disease. The scientific evidence is overwhelmingly clear that mushrooms are Nature’s natural pharmacy. Incorporating mushrooms more often into our diet can help in many ways, from fighting infections and colds to preventing life-threatening diseases. They are easy to mix into all kinds of recipes.

Use Mushrooms to Enhance Taste and Health Benefits of Food

Mushrooms enhance the taste and the health benefits of the food we cook. It’s time to get creative with adding mushrooms to recipes. There are endless possibilities. What are your favorite ways to eat mushrooms?

Enjoy and Live Well with Zest!

Bev

Written by Bev Hope

Reviewed by Board Certified MD

The post 9 Amazing Superfood Benefits of Mushrooms appeared first on Well with Zest.