This Spicy Dip Has A Hot Secret: Cauliflower!

Buffalo-Style Cauliflower Dip

I was inspired to make this after seeing so many amazing looking recipes for similar dips, but so many of them were laden with cream and calories. This spicy, hearty-tasting dip only feels like a treat! It packs in a heaping portion of cruciferous standout, cauliflower, along with its fiber, vitamins C, K and and many B-complex vitamins! And for 100 calories and only 4 g fat per serving, you can get your buffalo wing fix without all the extra calories and fat. Serve with veggies, pita, bread, crackers or chips, or eat it on its own!

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Ingredients (serves 10):

1 large head cauliflower, cut into florets (or about 6 C florets)

2 Tbsp canola oil

1 small vidalia or sweet onion, chopped

1/2 C Cholula hot sauce (or similar hot sauce)

1 can (15 oz) white beans (also called navy beans), rinsed and drained

3 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 C 0% fat, plain Greek yogurt

1 Tbsp all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp paprika

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

dash table salt (to taste)

nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray

Ready to bake in the oven! Got a little messy - I used my immersion blender!

Got a little messy – I used my immersion blender!

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 415 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Lay cauliflower, onions and garlic on baking sheet sprayed with nonstick vegetable oil spray. Drizzle oil over vegetables and roast for 20-25 minutes, until soft and slightly browned.

3. While vegetables are roasting, blend all other ingredients together (Greek yogurt, flour, beans, hot sauce, spices).

4. Once vegetables are roasted, add to blender. Blend or pulse for a few seconds, keeping chunks of cauliflower visible. Bake in oven 20-30 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit, until dip is warm and set. Serve with veggies, pita or chips and enjoy!

*This dip stays really well in the fridge and is amazing cold as leftovers (or warmed up for a few seconds in the microwave). I like to keep it around as an alternative to hummus and pack it for lunch!

The Goods: What’s Inside?

Calories 100, Total Fat 4 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 2 mg, Carbohydrates 13 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 5 g, Sodium 248 mg, Calcium 63 mg

Ready to bake in the oven!

Ready to bake in the oven!

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Some Sweet Sprouts

Brussels Sprouts with Walnuts and Pomegranate Arils

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In case you couldn’t tell, I’m on a cruciferous veggie kick. I try to eat seasonally when possible and cruciferous vegetables can grow throughout the cool, winter months. Also, cruciferous veggies offer a ton of health benefits and some studies suggest that increased intake of these veggies may be associated with a reduced risk of developing certain cancers.This sweet side dish is like wellness in a bowl –  walnuts are rich in omega 3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation, and pomegranate arils are rich in antioxidants. Make sure you make extra – you’ll want the leftovers the next day!

Ingredients (serves 2)

2 C raw Brussels sprouts (I like to use Brussels sprouts that are on the smaller side)

1/4 C chopped walnuts, unsalted

1/2 C pomegranate arils

1 Tbsp olive oil

Dash salt

Dash ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

ready to go in the oven!

ready to go in the oven!

2. Wash Brussels sprouts and dry thoroughly with paper towel. Cut the Brussels sprouts in halves or quarters, depending on the size of the Brussels sprouts.

3. Place Brussels sprouts on baking pan or in casserole dish. Drizzle olive oil over Brussels sprouts and season with salt and pepper.

4. Bake Brussels sprouts in oven for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. After 10 minutes, remove Brussels sprouts from oven and add walnuts. Stir Brussels sprouts and walnuts together and place back in oven. Bake another 10 minutes-15 minutes, until Brussels sprouts are slightly crispy on the outside. Stir occasionally.

5. Remove Brussels sprouts from oven and add pomegranate arils. Mix all ingredients together and place back in oven. Bake another 5 minutes. Remove from oven and enjoy!

The Goods: What’s Inside?

Nutritional Analysis Per Serving:

Calories 239 calories, Total Fat 18 g, Saturated Fat 2 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Carbohydrates 18 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 6 g, Sodium 101 mg, Calcium 52 mg

yum!

yum!