Jacob’s Famous Guacamole – Guacamole with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Who doesn’t love guacamole? Unless you have an aversion to avocados or have an allergy I can’t think of anyone! It’s a popular party food, and for good reason.
The richness of the avocados paired with the tanginess of the lime lime are magic in the mouth.
This guacamole is my Husband’s recipe. In this guacamole recipe, Jacob introduces an element I’ve never thought of… sun-dried tomatoes!
This Guacamole with Sun sun-dried tomatoes is excellent served as a dip with some chips, added to a 7-layer dip, or served alongside many dishes like roasted veggies, a plate of tacos, or air-fryer potatoes.
Ingredients
Avocado
Lime Juice – Throw in some zest too if you feel like it!
Chopped Fresh Cilantro – Flat-leaf parsley is a fantastic substitution. Something bright bringing that herbal element.
Jalapeno – if you don’t like the spicy, option to omit the jalapeño!
Garlic
Onion
Sun Dried Tomato
Step-By-Step Instructions
This is such an easy recipe, it just takes some patience to chop up all the ingredients!
This is a great recipe to make with the kids! Let them mash those avocados and be taste testers, adding pinches of salt and spritzes of lime for the perfect-tasting guacamole!
Prepare the Avocados: Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a medium-sized bowl. Mash the avocado with a fork to your desired consistency (some like it chunky, others prefer it smoother).
Add the aromatics: Add the prepared veggies, onion, garlic, cilantro, sun-dried tomatoes, and jalapeño, to the bowl with the mashed avocado.
Season: Squeeze the juice of one lime over the avocado mixture. Season the guac with salt and pepper.
Mix: Gently fold all the ingredients together. Be careful not to overmix if you prefer a chunkier texture.
Taste and Serve: Taste the guacamole and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add more lime juice, salt, or pepper according to your preferences. You can serve it immediately or, if you have the time, refrigerate it for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
Avocado Tips From A Registered Dietitian
Here are three tips for using avocados in your kitchen.
Find the right Avocados: Ripening can be tricky for these little “alligator pears”.
I like to purchase my avocados hard thus before they have fully ripened. Once they have ripened on the kitchen counter or in a paper bag, I pop the avocados in the fridge.
How to ripen avocados via paper bag: As soon as I get home from the store, I ripen the avocados in a paper bag for 1 day and check them for ripeness. If it’s still hard, I keep the avocados in the paper bag for one more day and check again, and so on and so on.
Once the avocados have a slight give, I put them in the refrigerator to stop the ripening process. I take them out (within a few days) when I am ready to make my guacamole!
Avocado Storing: I asked some of my friends for avocado tips and here they are!
‘Spray with avocado/olive oil to keep fresh’
‘Squirt a little lemon on the avocado once the avocado is cut’
‘Keep the core in with the avocado while storing in the fridge’
‘I store my avocado in Tupperware and I hear that storing in water works too!’
Sharper Nutrition Fix: Avocado Nutrition
Avocado Nutrition – Think Healthy Fats and Fiber!
Research supports that Avocado consumption supports cardiovascular health.
Avocados are high in high-quality fats including MUFAs (Monounsaturated Fatty Acids) and PUFAs (Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids). This ratio of fats in the avocado helps promote the bioavailability of fat-soluble vitamins and promotes a healthy blood lipid profile.
Avocados help you feel full.
This may be related to the high fiber amount. Half of an avocado contains 4.6g of fiber and 114 kcal.
What’s more, new research suggests that Avocado consumption also promotes a healthy gut! Yay!
Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a medium-sized bowl. Mash the avocado with a fork to your desired consistency (some like it chunky, others prefer it smoother).
Add the aromatics
Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, chopped cilantro, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and finely chopped jalapeño to the bowl with the mashed avocado.
Season
Squeeze the juice of one lime over the avocado mixture and add salt and pepper.
Mix well
Gently fold all the ingredients together until everything is evenly distributed. Be careful not to overmix if you prefer a chunkier texture.
Taste and Serve
Taste the guacamole and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want to add more lime juice, salt, or pepper according to your taste preferences.
You can serve it immediately or refrigerate it for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
Notes
What do I mean by small chop?The term 'chop" is a casual, imprecise term that simply means to roughly cut food into bite-sized pieces. So for a small chop smaller than a regular chop but larger than a mince.
The Vanilla Cinnamon Peanut Butter offers nutty sweetness with a warm touch. Perfect for delightful PB&J sandwiches, it pairs deliciously with sliced apples and adds fantastic flavor to various smoothie recipes!
Why I Make This Recipe
I enjoy crafting homemade peanut butter with various flavors like honey-roasted, chocolate, and Vanilla Cinnamon. This Vanilla Cinnamon Peanut Butter recipe is easy and allows for creative experimentation.
Tools For This Recipe
You don’t require a specialized nut butter machine; a simple food processor will do the job for this recipe.
Ingredients
This recipe uses natural, dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan ingredients. Plus, it costs just over $2 to make, although prices may vary based on your location and ingredient costs. Typically, a 16oz jar of regular-priced vanilla cinnamon peanut butter ranges from $4 to $8, depending on the brand.
Peanuts ($0.47)
Vanilla Extract ($1-2)
Cinnamon ($0.85)
Maple Syrup ($0.17)
Kosher Salt (negligible cost)
How to Make This Recipe
This recipe comes together in less than 30 minutes.
Blend:
In a food processor, blend peanuts until coarse.
Add Flavor:
Add vanilla, cinnamon, maple syrup, and salt.
Blend Until Smooth:
Continue blending, pausing the machine, and scraping sides as needed with a rubber spatula. Continue to blend until you reach the desired consistency. The longer you blend the smoother the peanut butter will become.
The peanuts will go through stages, from crumbs, eventually forming a ball, and finally, smooth peanut butter.) This entire process takes about 15-20 minutes in my food processor.
Store:
Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate.
FAQs (Ask The Dietitian)
What Flavors Mix with Peanut Butter
The versatile and rich profile of peanut butter pairs exceptionally well with many flavors. Consider these combinations:
Chocolate
Honey
Fruit Jams and Jellies
Maple Syrup
Coconut
Spicy Flavors like Sriracha or hot pepper jelly
Nuts
Salt
Marshmallow Fluff
Vanilla Ice Cream
Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
Other nut butter like almond butter
Experimenting with these combinations can lead to delightful culinary discoveries!
What Food Pairs Well with Peanut Butter
Savory and nutty notes make peanut butter a versatile companion in the culinary world. Here are some fantastic food pairings to elevate your peanut butter experience:
The Vanilla Cinnamon Peanut Butter offers nutty sweetness with a warm touch. Perfect for delightful PB&J sandwiches, it pairs deliciously with sliced apples and adds fantastic flavor to various smoothie recipes!
Continue blending, pausing the machine, and scraping sides as needed with a rubber spatula. Continue to blend until you reach the desired consistency. The longer you blend the smoother the peanut butter will become.
The peanuts will go through stages, from crumbs, eventually forming a ball, and finally, smooth peanut butter.) This entire process takes about 15-20 minutes in my food processor.
Store
Transfer Peanut Butter to an airtight container and refrigerate.
A Collection of Dairy Free Dips From Registered Dietitians
Whether you’re lactose intolerant, vegan, or simply looking to explore new flavors and healthier alternatives, you are in for a treat. I’ve gathered a selection of dairy-free dips that will make your taste buds dance with delight.
These delectable recipes have been carefully crafted by registered dietitians, ensuring not only great taste but also nutritional balance. Omitting dairy doesn’t mean sacrificing taste or texture. From Fiery salsas to Edamame Hummus to Chocolate Fruit Dip, these dishes are rich in flavor and cater to various dietary needs.
Now, let’s explore the world of fantastic tastes and discover how versatile and yummy dairy-free dips are in this exciting recipe round-up.
Salsas
Grab your favorite bag of tortilla chips and dive into these two salsa recipes!
This Peach Salsa has Peaches, tomatoes, jalapenos, herbs, and lime. It is bright, citrusy, and nutritious. Sarah Harper is the creator and voice behind The Addy Bean: A Flexitarian Food Blog.
Sarah is a Registered Dietitian based in Oregon. Her blog features a collection of flexitarian recipes, as well as articles on nutrition and cooking education.
This Low Sodium Salsa with Canned Tomatoes is an easy, delicious, and guilt-free salsa recipe by Kiran Campbell, a Registered Dietitian with an emphasis on adult heart-healthy nutrition.
Low Sodium Salsa by Kiran Campbell Nutrition
Bean Dips
You don’t need cheese as an ingredient to enjoy a delicious bean-based dip. These bean dips are perfectly paired with fresh veggies, crackers, or in a sandwich or wrap!
Loaded with veggies and spices, this Mashed White Bean with Salsa Verde is ready in just 5 minutes. Recipe by Lexi Cole, RD, CCMS one of the Dietitians with the To Taste Team, Culinary Dietitians committed to teaching the essential culinary skills that can help you take control of your health!
This Vegan Hummus Layered Dip is an easy snack that elevates hummus to a new level with fresh Mediterranean flavors. Recipe by Melissa Traub a Registered Dietitian who loves to share how to cook healthy plant-based meals!
This Tomato and Chickpea Dip is great for Fussy Eaters. It is packed with veggies and flavor. Penelope Henderson is a Registered Dietitian and the creator behind The Food Blog and Podcast Nutrition 2 Nourish & Flourish, helping families feed fussy eaters.
Tomato Pepper Chickpea Dip from Nutrition 2 Nourish & Flourish
This Simple Flaxseed Hummus is quick, easy, and delicious. Brittany Poulson is a Utah-based Dietitian with a passion for helping families build confidence in the kitchen.
Creamy Hummus without Garlic is a low FODMAPS recipe full of flavor and is ready in just a few minutes. Tori uses ice cubes to create an extra fluffy hummus. Tori is a Registered Dietitian who creates approachable plant-based meals that are simply delicious. She aims to inspire and encourage plant-based cooking.
This tofu hummus requires less oil than your typical hummus. The tofu makes this dip smooth and creamy and higher in protein! Moushumi Mukherjee is a dietitian interested in sharing foods that are comforting and healing.
This Easy Edamame Hummus is garlicy, lemony, and delicious. Best of all it is ready in just 10 minutes, max! Kristi Ruth is the creator behind Carrots and Cookies, a food blog focusing on recipes that appeal to tweens and teens.
Edamame Hummus by Carrots and Cookies
Other Veggie Dips
These veggie-based dips come together beautifully without sour cream, cream cheese, or other dairy products.
This beautiful deep purple dip is plant-based creamy, lemony, and oh so yummy. Jackie Newgent is the creator of this mouthwatering recipe and photo. She believes in “eating deliciously and eating nutritiously (…) natural, plant-based eating is the best approach to a healthy life…and a healthy planet!”
This recipe is creamy, decadent, and amazing for parties. Packed with protein, this dip is ready in under an hour. Recipe creator Alexis Joseph is a food writer, blogger, Dietitian, and Co-Founder of the restaurant group Alchemy Brands.
This plant-based dip is not lacking in flavor. Cannellini beans give this recipe its creamy texture and plant-based protein. The creator of this recipe, Kelly Jones MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, focuses on performance nutrition for busy student-athletes to busy parents trying to fit in a quick spin class.
Dairy Free Spinach Artichoke Dip by Kelly Jones Performance Nutrition
This vibrant dip combines the sweet-smoky flavor of roasted red peppers with the wholesome goodness of walnuts. The creator Celine Thompson MS, RDN is the author behind the fertility recipe blog, Fueling Fertility.
Roasted Red Pepper Dip with Walnuts by Fueling Fertility.
This simple guacamole is a spin-off of the famous Chipotle guacamole recipe! It is healthy, quick, easy, and easy to adapt! Elysia is the creator of the food blog Haute & Healthy Living. She is on a mission to share how to make healthy eating simple, fun, and delicious.
Chipotle Guacamole Recipe from Haute & Healthy Living.
Condiments & Other Sauces
These condiments and sauces are dairy and gluten-free!
A beautifully green condiment, sauce, dressing, or dip, this Cilantro Cashew Dressing is extremely versatile. Enjoy this recipe as a dipper for veggies, baked tofu, crackers, or pretzels! Sarah Harper, the voice and Dietitian behind The Addy Bean, loves to wow her family with her super creamy plant-based dips!
This Honey Mustard recipe is oil-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and has only 2 ingredients! Summer Yule is the content and recipe creator for her food blog Summer Yule Nutrition & Recipes. She has easy recipes that include, but are not limited to, air-fryer and Instant Pot recipes.
This Horseradish Aioli is creamy, fiery, and dairy-free! While this recipe does use mayonnaise, you could use a vegan mayo to make this recipe 100% plant-based. This is another great recipe by Sarah Harper, the Dietitian and voice of The Addy Bean: A Flexitarian Food Blog.
Horseradish Mayonnaise by The Addy Bean
Dessert
I love a good dessert dip. Grab your favorite fruit or cookies and dive right in.
Feast your eyes on this creamy Pumpkin Pie Hummus. This dip contains chickpeas, pumpkin puree, peanut butter, maple syrup, and vanilla! Julie is the voice and Dietitian behind The Healthy Epicurean. Based in the Midwest, Julie loves helping people make connections between good food and good health.
This dip is rich and creamy with a touch of sweetness. Best of all it is no bake, nut, gluten, and dairy-free! Kelsey is a Registered Dietitian and a mom. Kelsey shares her passion for cooking with quick and easy recipes, grocery tips, and time-saving kitchen hacks.
Chickpea Cookie Dough Dip by Kelsey and Coopers Kitchen
This Dairy-Free Cake Dip is just like Dunkaroos and you only need three ingredients. Chrissy is a Registered Dietitian and A Level I Triathlon Coach! She loves to share dairy-free recipes, product tips and so much more.
3 Ingredient Cake Batter Dip by Dairy Free for Baby
Enjoy this thick and creamy Chocolate Vegan Fruit dip any time of the year. This recipe has wholesome ingredients like dates, silken tofu, peanut butter, and cocoa powder. Nicole Addison is a Toronto-based Dietitian and is a lover of all things food and nutrition. She is on a mission to help individuals rediscover the joys of cooking!
Finishing off this collection of delicious dairy-free recipes with a Date Caramel with Almond Butter. This dip contains just 5 ingredients and is ready in under 30 minutes.
Date Caramel with Almond Butter by The Addy Bean
Get cooking!
I challenge you to select your favorite recipe and give it a go! These dairy-free dips are sure to please. Share our favorite recipe in the comments!
This Agrodolce Sauce with Red Onion is a magical addition to many meals. I enjoy making this every fall and winter to pair simply with roasted veggies. Agrodolce Sauce with Red Onion elevates the simplest of dishes.
What is Agrodolce Sauce
Agrodolce literally means sour and sweet in Italian. The sour sauce flavors combine ingredients like sugar or honey with vinegar or other acidic ingredients.
Agrodolce sauces add a unique balance to dishes like veggies, meats, and seafood. The sauce can be thick or thin, and the cook has the flexibility to use their taste buds to guide them in their agrodolce-making journey.
Why I Made This Recipe
I love simple recipes with big flavors. This scrumptious sauce can be added to simple roasted or air-fried squash, Brussel sprouts, root vegetables, salmon, chicken, or baked tofu.
Red Onion: Another onion like shallots can be used
Herbs: Like rosemary and thyme
Avocado Oil: Olive oil works as well.
Honey: Option to sub for maple syrup
Red Chili Flakes: For a little kick
Apple Cider Vinegar: Option to use red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, or other vinegar of choice.
Salt & Pepper
Other add ins include golden raisins, dried chopped cherries, sliced grapes, or other fruits.
How to Make This Recipe
Sauté Aromatics
Place the sauté pan on medium heat. Then, add the avocado oil, rosemary, thyme, and red onion to the pan and sauté for 5 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
Combine Sweeteners and Vinegar
Add honey and red pepper flakes, and continue to sauté for 1-2 minutes.
Turn the heat off and stir in the apple cider vinegar.
Adjust to Taste
Taste the sauce and add salt and pepper to taste.
FAQ (Ask a Dietitian!)
What is Agrodolce Sauce Made of?
Agrodolce sauce is typically made of vinegar, sugar, oil, and aromatics like onion, garlic, and herbs.
What Does Agrodolce taste like?
Agrodolce tastes sweet yet sour, complex yet balanced. The exact taste of agrodolce can vary depending on the recipe and the cook. Moreover, the beauty of agrodolce is it is versatile and can suit different dishes based on personal preferences.
How do you use Agrodolce Sauce?
You can use an agrodolce recipe to compliment many foods. Below are several delicious examples of dishes that are elevated with Agrodolce Sauce with Red Onion.
Pizza
Sandwiches
Warm Grain Bowls like Greens and Ancient Grains Bowl
Roasted Vegetables
Salads
Air Fryer Veggies like Winter Squash
Spooned over proteins like Baked Tofu, Pan seared Salmon, or Roasted Pork Chops.
This Agrodolce Sauce with Red Onion is sweet, sour, and delicious. It is the perfect compliment for roasted veggies, baked tofu, or sandwiches, and salads.
This Creamy and Vegan Apple Walnut Dressing can be used as a salad dressing for salad recipes, a protein marinade, or even as a dip for crackers and veggies. Recently, I paired it with my Kale Apple Walnut Salad.
The inspiration for this dressing came from my desire to pair apples in a salad for Thanksgiving and a continuing education event from fall, 2022 through the Culinary Nutrition Collaborative. Kristy Del Coro’s Apple Cider Walnut Vinaigrette was so good, that it inspired me to create a similar dressing to pair with my Kale Apple Walnut Salad.
Below you will find more information about the ingredients, how I make this dressing, how to use this dressing beyond just salads, and some nutrition information about Apple Cider Vinegar, a key ingredient in this dressing.
The Ingredients in Creamy Vegan Apple Walnut Dressing
Walnuts: This is how I keep this dressing creamy yet mayo-free! Blending nuts into a salad dressing is a delightful way to create a creamy and 100% plant-based dressing.
Don’t have Walnuts or a blender to turn freshly roasted Walnuts into a creamy dressing? No problem, you can use tahini or creamy almond butter instead. You will love either of these alternatives for your massaged kale recipes.
Walnut oil: Walnut oil has a distinctively nutty flavor. Walnut oil is extracted from walnut meats and can be rather pricey. Therefore, you can use a neutral-tasting oil instead, such as avocado or canola. However, Walnut oil is a great way to keep that Walnut flavor and keep the “healthy Walnut fat” theme for this dressing.
Apple Cider: You could use apple juice or apple cider in this dressing. This apple addition gives the dressing a lovely flavor and some subtle sweetness.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): ACV This pairs so well with the apple cider and gives the dressing a lovely tang. Plus, ACV has health benefits. Two health benefits include improved cholesterol levels and blood sugar management.
Maple Syrup: You can omit this ingredient or swap it for some local honey (note, honey is not vegan). I like to use it to add a touch more sweetness and flavor complexity to the dressing.
Other Seasonings: Other flavors I include are red pepper flakes, cracked black pepper, and kosher salt.
How to Make this Creamy and Vegan Apple Walnut Dressing
Most salad dressings are super simple to make. This dressing is no exception all you need is a blender.
First, add all your ingredients to your blender.
Next, blend the ingredients until everything is evenly incorporated.
Last, give your dressing a taste and adjust flavors as needed. (i.e. add more sweetness, salt, pepper, etc.)
How to use this Creamy Vegan Apple Walnut Dressing
This dressing is so good that I do not want you to limit it to the suggestions I have listed below. If you have other uses for this dressing I would love to hear about them in the comments!
Salad: This dressing is featured in another recipe listed on The Addy Bean, in my Apple Walnut Salad. Some other salad ideas include a cabbage and kale apple slaw, butternut squash salad, spinach, walnuts, hard-boiled eggs, and red onion salad (not vegan).
Dip: This creamy dressing is so thick that it makes for a great dip. Try creating a board with roasted walnuts, sliced apples, celery, carrots, and some crackers, then feature this dip as an accompaniment. Some non-vegan options for your board include prosciutto and cheese.
Another idea for dippers includes roasted potatoes and root vegetables.
Spread: This Apple Walnut Dressing is marvelous as a spread for sandwiches and wraps. Perhaps, try the combination of deli-sliced tofurkey, thinly sliced apples, spinach, and red onion. For a non-vegan alternative, try swapping the tofurkey for roast turkey.
Additionally, this spread wrapped up in a tortilla complimented with massaged kale, beans, and whatever veggies you have lying around the house makes for a delightful veggie wrap.
Marinade/Sauce: I have used this dressing in marinade for tempeh. Other non-vegan marinade options include an apple walnut marinade for roasted chicken or a sauce slathered over some salmon before baking. Another sauce idea is over-roasted pork.
Sharper Nutrition Fix: Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
ACV is made from fermented apple cider and has a sweet apple flavor.
Origins: Apples originated in central Asia and were brought to the Americas by colonists. ACV is made from apples, also used to make apple juice, apple sauce, and cider. It quickly became popular among early American settlers. This is because the fermented ACV could be used year-round as a natural medicine, condiment, and cleaning solution. The word Vinegar comes from the Latin word for “sour wine”.
How to Use: ACV can be incorporated in salad dressings, marinades, sauces, pickling, and even beverages!
ACV in beverages?! Yes, ever heard of drinking vinegar? Drinking vinegar is also known as a shrub and we have been drinking shrubs for centuries. You can add a few tablespoons to water or sparkling water.
Nutrition: As mentioned earlier, research has shown ACV aids in improving cholesterol levels and in blood sugar management. ACV also contains some Vitamin B complex and Vitamin C. Unpasteurized AVC with a loving mother in the bottle includes thriving probiotics that can aid in gut health.
This Creamy Vegan Apple Walnut Dressing has apple cider, apple cider vinegar, walnut oil, and walnuts to a sweet and creamy dressing that is perfect for those autumn and winter time salads.
