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Cucumber Pimento Cheese Bites

Cucumber Pimento Cheese Bites

This quick and easy flavor-packed Cucumber Pimento Cheese appetizer is a family favorite. And, it takes less than fifteen minutes to make.

What exactly is Pimento Cheese?

It’s a cheese spread made of cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, pimientos, and seasonings used as a spread on sandwiches or served on crackers or vegetables. It’s definitely a Southern favorite!

Cucumber Pimento Cheese Bites

What is a Pimiento?
Pimentos are sweet peppers and can be stuffed into the olives, used in cheese dips, or dried and made into paprika. Pimentos work as a garnish, an ingredient and a spice.

These Cucumber Pimento Cheese bites are my favorite fancy appetizer that is actually super simple to make. Pimento Cheese spread is also perfect for melting in a grilled cheese.

Cucumber Pimento Cheese Bites

A classic staple of Southern gatherings, homemade Pimento Cheese appetizer is easy to make with simple ingredients. Perfect for your next party or picnic!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 15

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large cucumber

Pimento Cheese Spread:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • ⅓ cup mayo
  • 1 ½ cups extra-sharp cheddar cheese (freshly grated)
  • 4 ounces diced pimentos (drained)
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh chives for garnish (chopped)

Instructions
 

  • Slice cucumbers in thin slices (about 1/3” thick).
  • Place cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, pimentos, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a medium bowl. Mix until thoroughly combined. Season to taste with salt and black pepper.
  • Scoop pimento cheese into cucumber bites and garnish with chives.
Keyword cucumber pimento cheese bites, pimento cheese

Air Fryer Vegan Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Easy Vegan Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms with zesty and crispy chickpeas make a quick and tasty dish with minimal prep.

These Air Fryer Vegan Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms are perfect for a summer meal. Not only is this recipe super convenient, but it’s super healthy.

Portobello Mushrooms are one of the most commonly consumed mushrooms and are a source of B vitamins, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and copper.

Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

There are a few prep steps to get the mushrooms ready:
1. Wipe the mushrooms with a damp paper towel if they need to be cleaned.
2. Turn the mushroom over and remove the stem.
3. Finally, take a spoon and gently scoop out the gills. It’s best for taste and texture to remove and discard them for a stuffed mushroom recipe.

What are chickpeas?
Chickpeas are nutrient powerhouses, budget-friendly and a versatile option for year-round healthy eating. Chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, are a type of legume have been grown and eaten in Middle Eastern countries for thousands of years. As a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, chickpeas may offer a variety of health benefits. Additionally, this legume is high in protein.

What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a miniature convection oven. It is a countertop cooking appliance that combines a heating element and a powerful fan to circulate hot air around your food so that it cooks more evenly and efficiently than in a normal oven. Air fryers produce foods that are crispy outside and moist and tender inside.

Air Fryer Vegan Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

There is a lot going on with these Vegan Stuffed Mushrooms but in all the best possible ways. These mushrooms are so good, with a lot of flavors packed in.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 2 large portobello mushrooms (or 3 medium) (stems removed and gills cleaned)
  • 1 ½ cups chickpeas (15-ounce can) (drained and rinsed)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • tablespoon tahini
  • tablespoons plant based milk (soy, almond, oat or coconut)
  • 2 cloves of garlic (pressed or finely minced)
  • 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • ¼ teaspoon ground sea salt (or to taste)
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper (or to taste)
  • ⅛ teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro (chopped)
  • Cayenne pepper (to taste)
  • Fresh chives for garnish (chopped)

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl, mash about 3/4 of the chickpeas with a fork.
  • Add the lime juice, tahini, plant based milk, garlic, nutritional yeast, salt, pepper, cumin, cilantro and cayenne pepper and stir until smooth.
  • Stuff each mushroom with the chickpea mixture and top with the remaining chickpeas.
  • Add the stuffed mushrooms to the air fryer basket. Cook the mushrooms in a basket style air fryer at 380°F for 15 – 20 minutes or until the mushrooms are tender when pierced with a fork.
  • Garnish with chives.
Keyword mushrooms, portobello mushrooms, Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Caprese Salad

Caprese Salad

Caprese Salad is guaranteed to become your favorite! 10 minutes is all you need to make this gorgeous layered salad made of juicy tomatoes, soft mozzarella, sweet basil, and flavorful Balsamic glaze. It’s delicious any time of year of course, but fresh basil and tomatoes are just the best in the summer.

Caprese Salad

What is Caprese Salad?
Caprese salad is an Italian salad and is named after the island of Capri, where it is believed to have originated. In Italy, it is usually served as an antipasto (starter) and it may be eaten any time of the day. Caprese salad is typically made by layering slices of fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, basil, seasoned with salt and pepper, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sometimes a balsamic glaze.

What kind of mozzarella cheese do you use in Caprese Salad?
Fresh traditional mozzarella cheese. It is soft, silky and melts in the mouth. According to FoodUnfolded, mozzarella cheese is different from other types of cheese due to the stretching process that occurs in production.

What is Balsamic Glaze?
Balsamic glaze is the result of the blend of balsamic vinegar and a sweetener, such as honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar, that has been cooked down until it reaches a thick syrup consistency. You can purchase balsamic glaze from the grocery store and it is usually sold alongside the balsamic vinegar.

Caprese Salad

It’s so simple to make a Caprese Salad. And, it is light, healthy and incredibly tasty. Perfect for a light lunch, side dish, or to serve up as an appetizer.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 3-4 medium tomatoes (sliced 1/4” thick)
  • 12 ounces fresh mozzarella (sliced 1/4” thick)
  • ⅓ cup fresh basil leaves (thinly slice)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (or to taste)
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze (or to taste)

Instructions
 

  • Layer the tomato slices alternatively with the mozzarella slices. Sprinkle the fresh basil on top.
  • Season with salt and pepper and drizzle all over with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze.
  • Serve at room temperature.
Keyword Caprese Salad, salad