Dill Pickle Dip

  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 Tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 4 dill pickles, finely chopped

In a medium bowl, combine the sour cream and cream cheese, stirring until smooth. Add the onion powder, salt, parsley, dill, and chopped pickles. Stir to combine. Refrigerate until serving. Serve with chips or fresh vegetables.

Olive Oil Bread Dip

  • 1 Tablespoon oregano
  • 1 Tablespoon basil
  • 1 Tablespoon parsley
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons pepper
  • 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon rosemary
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, optional

Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl except olive oil and balsamic vinegar. When ready to use, mix 1 tablespoon of mixture with olive oil. If desired, add balsamic vinegar. Serve with slices of crusty bread.

The remaining dry mixture can be stored in your pantry for up to 6 months.

Beet Hummus

  • 1 15oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 15oz can sliced beets
  • 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
  • 2 Tablespoons tahini
  • 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup olive oil + more for garnish
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt

In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients. Blend on high until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed. Transfer to a small serving bowl and garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, if desired. Great with carrot sticks and pita bread.

Antipasto Skewers

  • Salami, large round slices*
  • Mozzarella pearls
  • Fresh basil leaves
  • Cherry tomatoes

Fold a slice of salami in half, then in half again (should look like a quarter circle). Place on a cocktail pick (bamboo or your choice), followed by a ball of mozzarella and a tomato wrapped in a large basil leaf. Serve with a mixture of olive oil and balsamic vinegar or a balsamic reduction for dipping.

*Genoa or hard salami works well, as well as soppressata.

Dark Chocolate Cherry Protein Bites

  • 1 1/2 c rolled oats
  • 1 c shredded coconut
  • 1 c dried cherries
  • 1/2 c dark chocolate chips
  • 1/2-3/4 c creamy peanut butter, plus more as needed
  • 1/4 t vanilla extract

In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the ingredients. Add additional peanut butter, if needed, to get all the ingredients to stick together. Place the mixture in the fridge and allow to chill for at least 30 minutes. Remove from fridge and form into 1.5″ balls. Place the balls back in the fridge for at least 20 minutes. Remove from the fridge and serve.

Makes about 24 protein bites.

Recipe Credits: BYU Dietetics Graduate Interns

Vegetable Pakoras

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  • 1 ½ onions, cut into thin slices
  • 1/2 carrot, grated
  • 1 small potato, grated
  • 1/3 c peas
  • 1 clove garlic
  • ½ t salt
  • 1 t turmeric
  • 1 t cumin
  • 1 t ground coriander
  • 1 t ground ginger
  • ½ t chili powder
  • 2 T gram flour (also called besan or chickpea flour)
  • 4 T cold water
  • vegetable oil (for deep frying)

In a bowl, combine onion, carrot, potato, and peas. Add the garlic, salt, and all the spices. Add half the gram flour and then add the water gradually until you have a doughy, not too liquid, texture. Add more gram flour and water until the vegetables are all lightly coated in the mixture.

Pour oil into a non-stick saucepan or skillet until it is about 1 ½ inches deep. Heat the oil on medium-high heat until a small amount of the batter sizzles on contact. Using two spoons, scoop the pakora batter into balls and drop into the oil. Fry the pakoras in small batches of 4 or 5 and remove from the oil when golden.

Serve with tamarind chutney, cilantro mint chutney, and cucumber raita.

Spinach Dip

Spinach Dip

  • 16 oz container sour cream
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 pkg Vegetable Dip mix
  • 1 10-12oz pkg frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry


Mix all ingredients together. Green onions and chopped water chestnuts can be added for texture and flavor. Serve with Hawaiian sweet bread.