Small Bites

Sometimes all it needs to be is a small bite. After the holiday's a plate of one biters seems more appetizing then scoops or slices of more and more...maybe it's just me. Well scoops of ice cream are another matter entirely. 

Quinoa Bites
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 large eggs
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped (or 2 tablespoons dried)
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Pizza sauce for dipping

Place the quinoa and two cups of water in a covered pot. Bring to boil and then simmer for 20 minutes or until quinoa is tender.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix together all ingredients, except pizza sauce, in a medium mixing bowl.
Distribute mixture into a greased mini muffin tin, filling each cup to the top (one heaping tablespoon each), and press down gently to compact.
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from the pan. Serve warm with sauce for dipping. Makes 24 mini muffin bites. 



This is my favorite cheese spread ever! I got it from Rachel Ray when she was just starting out on the food network. So easy and so good. Spread it on cucumbers or crusty bread or bagel chips etc. You choose. It's even good on strawberries. 

Walnut Date Dip 8 ounces room-temperature cream cheese 10 pitted dates 1/3 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Let the cream cheese soften out at room temp. I recommend cutting the dates very small with a sharp knife and chopping the walnuts well. You can thin the cheese dip slightly with a little milk, but it's better when it's chunky. 

Blend in your Cuisinart or even by hand until well incorporated. Refrigerate and keep cold. 

Photo and Recipe from Meatified.com

Watermelon Avo Bites 

3 - 4 slices of a large watermelon, about 1/3 inch thick
1 small avocado, diced
1/4 cup red onion, diced finely
1/2 cup cucumber, diced finely
1 tsp coconut aminos or Soy if you're not gluten free
Squeeze of fresh lime juice

Use a 2 inch cookie cutter to create about 20 watermelon circles.
In a bowl, combine the avocado, red onion, cucumber, coconut aminos and lime juice. Stir through.
Use a teaspoon to top the watermelon circles with the avocado salsa.
Serve immediately.

 Deviled Eggs 3 Ways

7 organic eggs 2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons mayonnaise 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard 1/2 lemon, zested Flake sea salt, for garnish
 
6 large eggs
1/4 cup chicken
2-3 tbsp celery, minced very fine
3 tbsp chunky blue cheese dressing (I used litehouse)
1/4 cup Franks red hots sauce
blue cheese crumbles and celery for garnish  
drizzle of buffalo sauce


5 large organic eggs
1/3 cup mayo
2 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp chipotle paste or seasoning mix
1/4 tsp Pink Himilayan Rock Salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Paprika to garnish