#hot-spinach-and-cheese-dip

#hot-spinach-and-cheese-dip

The combination of warmer weather and the impending release of my new book has got me fully focused on sunshine food and Mediterranean flavours, leaning heavily on recipes from Claudia Roden.

Beans are high in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Important attributes, but there is more to say about their surge in popularity. Many sources tout that they help your gut, your blood pressure and your cholesterol numbers. Throw frugality into the mix, and you have a winning ingredient. And, of course, they can be very delicious.

Forget jarred salsa - the homemade stuff is way better. Whether you're putting out a spread of chips and dip or you want to top your tacos with something bold and flavorful, homemade salsa always does the trick. But you don't have to stick with the same-old, same-old salsa recipes you use time and time again. By switching up your ingredients (and, occasionally, your technique), you can reimagine all of your favorite recipes in countless, flavorful ways.

Who doesn't love pasta? When I need a hug-in-a-bowl type of dinner, something cheesy and saucy is always what comes to mind first. Even when I'm thinking about making a special dinner, maybe for a date-night in or a friend coming over, comforting pasta recipes are always top of mind. If you find yourself needing a little something to look forward to at the end of the day, consider making one of these comforting pasta dinners this week. They all pair perfectly with a good

The acidic component of your favorite batch of pickle chips will help the hot sauce element shine against the richness of the cheese and chicken. Further, it will provide a nice crunch to counter the creamy texture of this savory dip.

We're making a cherry tomato dip with some labneh. In this small pot, I'm covering my tomato, garlic, salt and herbs with olive oil. All right. We've got oil bubblage, so I'm going to kill the heat. Pop this lid on top. I want to make sure it's sealed really tightly. Put a pan underneath it to catch any potential drips.

Dynamic duo beans and greens come together again in this pantry-friendly soup. Toasted garlic, tomato paste, and smoked paprika boost store-bought vegetable stock (use a base like Better Than Bouillon for superior potency) into a rich broth. Chickpeas and Swiss chard hang on to their texture in the brew, but use whichever white beans and hearty greens speak to you.

The first thing to know about queso fundido is that it's not " queso," the creamy dip, often based on Velveeta, eaten with chips. Queso fundido, which translates to "melted cheese," is just that: It's melted cheese to which you can add sautéed mushrooms, poblano peppers or chorizo. It must be eaten the moment it's done, when the cheese is warm and stretchy.

With a bit of slow cooking, those impossibly pert, shiny tomatoes relax and soften, releasing their juices to mingle in a deeply satisfying dish. A supporting cast of bold ingredients rounds out the mix. In this skillet dinner, spiced sausage, tender broccolini spears and piquant cheese join forces with the tomatoes. For a midwinter pasta dish, it doesn't get brighter - or more satisfying - than this.