Food for Spring

Spring Crudité & Buttermilk-Pepper Dip

Some pretty and yummy veggie ideas:
Endive. Pale green or purple. Remove outer leaves and discard, then separate leaves
Celery. Wash well, then slice in half lengthwise. Cut into sections.
Yellow baby carrots. Scrub well, then slice lengthwise into thin strips.
Yellow bell pepper. Wash well, then cut in half, remove core, and cut into matchsticks.
Baby asparagus. Blanch in boiling water for two minutes, then drain and cool. Trim to desired length.
Mini cucumber. Wash well. Slice lengthwise and trim to desired length.

Buttermilk-Black Pepper Dip

Homemade mayonnaise, plenty of fresh black pepper and a splash of tangy buttermilk make this simple dip the perfect accompaniment to spring vegetables. It’s also an ideal base dip, should you choose to personalize it with blue cheese, fresh herbs, or your favorite add-in.

1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
Combine all ingredients in a medium sized bowl and whisk well.
Taste, and adjust salt and pepper accordingly.

recipe & photos via Simple Bites

Spicy Lemonade with Garden Fresh Mint

Ingredients:
Lemons : 2
Fresh Mint sprigs : 2-3
Honey : 1 tsp or Sugar/Sugar Syrup to taste
Salt : A pinch
Black peppercorns : few to season
Cumin Powder : 1/4 Tsp

Method:
Squeeze the fresh juice from lemons into a bowl.
Add honey or sugar to taste & a pinch of salt.

Lightly toast few peppercorns in a skillet and toss them in.
One ingredient that will make that will bring all these flavors together is fresh roasted cumin powder.
Add a pinch & stir.

Add the lemon juice mix to water.
You can add it in a glass of warm water in the morning and chilled water at other times of the day.

Add Ice as you like it, alternatively to add some twist you can, crush few mint leaves in mortar & pestle,
and add it to the ice tray for lively green ice cubes.

Lemonade is ready by tossing ice cubes and a sprig of fresh mint straight from the pot, a perfect drink to start a rejuvenating day!

recipe and photo via My Creative Flavors