Black Bean Mango “Salsa” Dip
Black Bean Mango “Salsa” Dip is a dip that my friend April taught me how to make many moons ago. Usually, we were making it together, getting drunk on mojitos, and at some point graduating to sangria, ready to entertain a slew of peeps. Ahhh… the good old days. When we were all single (well, not married), childless, responsibility-free, and career-less. Drink, eat, play, drink, eat, play… all whilst lookin’ & feelin’ dope, and livin’ it up carefree. My liver (and probably my mind) is still in recovery. 😉 Over those 4 years in Oregon, I could write a trilogy – filled with stories that were scandalous, adventurous, dangerous, disastrous, fabulous, and utterly ridiculous. I’d wager that in my 37 years on this planet, I’ve done far more insane things than 90% of the population. Youth. I made it out alive. Sometimes, I’m amazed by that fact. 😉
Anyway, back to the Black Bean Mango “Salsa” Dip. So healthy, delicious, and it’s done in 5 minutes. I usually serve it during the summer when it’s warm, however, I also bust it out for soirees throughout the year to change it up from the “classic” appetizers. I had made this for a party at my madre’s house last summer and that is where the pic is from. I’ve been crazy busy this past week now that I’m back at work, so I was digging around in the archives for a food post. Voila! Enjoy!
This song always sounds like a scandal to me… and, I fucking love it. Lastly, I kinda fucking love her, too. 😉
Black Bean Mango “Salsa” Dip
Ingredients:
2 cans black beans – drained
2 cloves garlic – minced
2-3 green onions – diced
1/2 red bell pepper – diced
1/2 orange bell pepper – diced
1 C cilantro – loosely chopped
1 medium-large ripe mango – diced
1/4 C lime juice
Salt to taste (be sure to use enough to bring out the flavors)
Directions:
In a large bowl, mix the black beans, garlic, salt, and lime juice together
Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well
Done!
Pair with:
Frozen mango margarita, margarita on the rocks, corona & lime
Notes:
I serve this with tortilla chips. You can sub the mango for pineapple. I love that as well, just not quite as much as I love it with mango.
https://foodgalleygab.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/IMG_2606.m4v
LINK ABOVE: A VIDEO OF THE JOHN DEERE TRACTOR (KIDS VERSION, WE’RE NOT THAT CRAZY!) THAT THEY ALL RODE ALLLLLL THE TIME…
5 Bomb Hummus Recipes!
Welcome back from the winter break! Since I’m a music teacher, I’m technically still on break until next Monday. I was in Cali with the fam for xmas and now that I’m back and have free time, I’m sitting in bed with the WORST case of strep throat and a mega bad ear infection ever. I’ve literally never felt pain like that before. Gimme labor, 2 broken wrists again… nothing felt worse than this shit did two days ago. So crazy! In some twisted way, I’ve been thinking about how incredibly ill I’ve been this past year for about a month now. I feel this is a sign, albeit a brutal sign, that is here to tell me to not just think about how sick I’ve been, but to totally do something about it. Up until I was 30, I virtually never got sick at all. I’ve been abusing my body for too long. Thankfully, I eat well, but we can always do better, right? Lastly, it’s been the first year of my life that I’ve never exercised, and I’ve experienced serious weight gain due to new meds and of course, diet and lack of exercise. I had zero plans on making a New Year’s resolution. I had been thinking of the huge shifts I need to start implementing into my life. Big, big, changes… on ALL fronts of my life. Getting this insanely ill (again) was the last fucking straw for me. This is the twisted way in which I’m totally sold on starting anew. Yeah, so it happens to align itself beautifully with the new year, however, simply a case of coincidence. I’ll take it though. I feel incredibly motivated, especially after the last two back-to-back bouts of “sick.” Okay, thanks for listening to me vent! If you’re on a similar track to mine, join me on my updates and chime in with your own! Promise, I won’t be bitching regularly. 😉
5 Bomb Hummus Recipes! Are all crazy delicious, healthy, and easy. So easy that they’re done in 5 minutes. If I randomly have people over, it’s always a go-to for me to make. Every party I have, I serve at least one hummus, if not, two. Everyone likes them, they’re easy, and again, they’re easy. I value my time. 😉 I use hummus not only as an appetizer but on sandwiches (all the time, one of G-dog’s faves), on salads, and even in a pasta sauce or as a pasta sauce. SO GOOD! … And on that note, enjoy! Happy New Year! -FGG
All this talk of sauce, and the fact that it’s been stuck in my head for almost 2 months now, I bring you:
*CLICK ON THE RECIPE TO BRING YOU DIRECTLY TO THE LINK!
Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Artichoke Balsamic & Basil Hummus – Sub parm for vegan parm. I LOVE Go Veggie’s! Vegan Parm!
Cheesy Vegan Sweet Potato Fries Nacho Style!
Cheesy Vegan Sweet Potato Fries Nacho Style! are officially my most favorite appetizer/meal/party food of the month. The flavor is as loud as the bright & bold colors in the pictures. Imagine the loudest and ‘bestest’ mariachi band in your mouth, costumes included, and you’ve arrived at the level of deliciousness in this dish. 😉 I’ll definitely be making these for a Cinco de Mayo party this year for sure.
I sliced and grilled sweet potatoes on the BBQ – french fry style. However, first I coated them in grape seed oil and taco seasoning for an even bigger flavor explosion. MWAH! I sliced up some sweet bell peppers I had to get rid of, grilled corn and then cut it off the cob, and then smothered the nachos in avocado, cilantro, and a DELICIOUS vegan nacho cheese sauce with spinach. I scarfed them down at a disgusting speed and then washed them down with a frozen homemade mango margarita. All my calories for the day? Yeah, probably… Worth it? TOTALLLYYYYY!
Cheesy Vegan Sweet Potato Fries Nacho Style! can easily be a lunch, dinner, appetizer, party plate, Cinco de Mayo grub, summertime grub, or literally anytime grub! Go getcha mariachi on in yo’ mouth and groove it up with a mango marg! 😉
- 2 sweet potatoes - grill as fries OR 20oz bag of frozen sweet potato fries (cooked)
- 4 sweet mini peppers - sliced
- 1 small avocado - sliced OR 1/2 a large avocado - sliced
- 1/4 C cilantro leaves
- 1 ear of corn - grilled and cut off the cob
- 1/3 C salsa
- Hot sauce to taste
- 1 C large spinach leaves loosely packed OR 1/2 cup if you're using baby spinach
- 1/4 C nutritional yeast
- 3 Tbl flour
- 1 Tbl soy sauce (I use Bragg's Aminos)
- 1 Tbl dijion mustard
- 3 Tbl fresh cilantro
- 1/2 tsp Better Than Bouillon's Vegetable base or another broth paste OR about 1/4 C liquid vegetable broth
- 3 Tbl of onion - diced
- 2 Tbl taco seasoning - leveled
- 1 C unsweetened vegan milk (I used soy)
- 1/2 C - 1 C water (this is optional, however, you may need this to make the sauce creamier - add it slowly and stir before adding more)
- 3 Tbl vegan butter
- Salt to taste
- Heat pan with butter on medium heat and then add onion and a dash of salt - stir occasionally for 3 minutes
- Add the flour and and stir very well until it becomes thick and creamy like a roux
- Add the milk and stir in until there are no bumps
- Add the nutritional yeast, soy, mustard, taco seasoning, broth, and cilantro - stir until creamy
- Add the spinach, water, and any salt you might like to add - stir until you have your desired consistency from adding water and then turn heat to low
- On a serving dish, place the fries, peppers, and add some of the nacho sauce - layering as you go
- Top with salsa, avocado, cilantro, and hot sauce
- A mango or any other margarita
- OR
- Mexican beer
Alice in Wonderland Themed Party for Adults & Vegan Party Platter Spreads!
Alice in Wonderland Themed Party for Adults & Vegan Party Platter Spreads! is a post that comes from my AMAZING 37th birthday party a few weeks ago. If you follow my blog, you’ll know that I am a girl who not only loves a good party, but loves to host and throw a great soiree. Entertaining has always been a love of mine and I’ve been doing it since my early 20’s. Actually, since I was a kid! I planned an incredibly dope Clue themed party for my sister, Danella, and a hippie party for myself when I was in elementary and middle school. If I don’t have a specific reason to throw an awesome bash, you can bet I’ll make one up!
This year, I decided to throw an Alice in Wonderland themed party… adult style. Now, mind you, there were children there. However, they were doin’ their own thang, but I did accommodate for them as well. I strive to be the hostess with the mostest (yeah, yeah, I know that’s crazy cheesy, but I really do)! I am an avid decorator for parties. I go BIG. Amazon was my best friend this year, as I could find things there that I could not find anywhere else. Also, Pinterest seriously rocks for decor ideas and inspirations. I have an Alice in Wonderland themed board on my Foodgalleygab Pinterest page if you want to check it out! My one request for my guests was that they came dressed in costume. I did my invite on Facebook and used a picture from Alice in Wonderland (AIW) for the face of the event page. Here is a list of what I did to decorate and some:
Vegan Party Platter
Vegan Party Platter… where to begin. I make one every time I have a party, a playgroup, or a gathering of any kind of vibe. Now, I have no idea why it’s never occurred to me that I should properly photograph these beauts! This fabulous spread deserves professional pics. Alas, crappy light = crappy pics, and my computer with Photoshop is currently outta commission. Sigh… Anyway, back to the Vegan Party Platter. It is incredibly easy, delicious, and healthy! I usually use what you see here and pending on my mood, may throw in a few other gems. I always serve a hummus, in this case a sun-dried tomato hummus, veggies, various dipping/spread worthy chips, tapenade or whole olives, roasted red peppers, nuts and dried fruit (in this pic, apricots), a small crock pot with a warm Mexican bean dip (not shown), and cheeses. Now that I’m vegan, I’ve been trying my hand at homemade cheese. The white one in this pic is Miyoko’s Double Chive… amazing! The one on the left is my very own. 🙂 Over the summer, my garden overflows with tomatoes and hot peppers so I usually serve a homemade salsa or pico de gallo right along side some delicious guacamole. I tried making my own tortilla chips this past summer but definitely didn’t enjoy them as much as some of the incredible store bought ones. Oh well!
For drinks, I always have 3 staples and a 4th that I decide pending on the season, and of course, my mood or the type of gathering being had. I always have a sangria (changing upon the season), a water with fresh sliced lemon and fresh sliced ginger, and a water with fresh mint and fresh sliced strawberries. The waters are uber refreshing and always a crowd pleaser!
Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus
Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus is super creamy and delish! Any appetizer that is done in 5 minutes or less is almost always a winner in my book. This is the hummus I am going to serve as an app for Thanksgiving. It has the perfect lil’ kick of heat and can be used as a spread, dip, or eaten by the spoonful. My kiddo couldn’t wait for the spoon and starting dipping his hand in the food processor. Note: Don’t shoot food around toddlers. It’s mental. However, it makes for some cute pics. 😉
I’ll keep this post short ‘n sweet. If you’re looking for something quick, easy, and cheap to concoct for a soiree or just yourself or your fam, this is an awesome recipe. I definitely suggest a hummus for a T-day appetizer as well. Hummus is always a crowd pleaser. I have an awesome recipe for an artichoke, basil, and balsamic hummus, too! Enjoy!
- 1/2 15 oz can cannellini beans - drained
- 1/2 15 oz can of garbanzo beans -drain and save 1/2 a shot glass of bean liquid for hummus
- 3/4 C roasted peppers (if using jarred peppers, drain well)
- 2 heaping Tbl tahini
- 2 Tbl spicy taco sauce/hatch sauce
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 2 tsp lime juice
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1/4 tsp of salt (or to your taste)
- Place all the ingredients in a small food processor and blend well
- If too thick, slowly add water until you've reached your desired consistency
- I drizzled hot sauce on top and garnished with small slices of lemon and lime and a couple slices of roasted peppers.
Beet Hummus with Mint
Beet Hummus with Mint is something I’ve wanted to make for a while now, as it seems to be the ‘hip’ hummus these days. Garlic is out, anything off ‘beat’ (haha) is in. Ignore my humor. 😉 I made this recipe a few times in order to reach the perfect balance of ingredients. I didn’t want it to be too sweet or too earthy. This awesome Beet Hummus with Mint is my final and ‘perfect’ dip. If someone would’ve told me that beet hummus would be a thing years ago I would’ve said, “gross, we’ve gone too far.” Thankfully, I’m with the progressive crew these days… rollin’ with the homies. 😉
I blended mint and beets and then garnished with fresh pomegranate seeds since I had half of a pomegranate left over from my kiddo’s birthday party (for my fall sangria – yum!).
Beet Hummus with Mint is an awesome appetizer for a soiree! It’s totally gorgeous, unique, delicious, easy, and healthy. What more could you ask for?! Let me know your thoughts and send me pics in the comment section of your creations!
- 1/2 can garbanzo beans (save a shot glass worth of bean juice) - drained
- 1/2 can cannellini beans (the beans should total 15 ounces together) - drained
- 2 Tbl tahini sauce (not heaping)
- 5-7 drops edible lemon essential oil OR lemon juice (if using fresh lemon, squeeze one large slice)
- 5 mint leaves
- 1 8.5 oz can of beets -drained OR 1 small beet
- 1/2 tsp agave syrup (or syrup of your choice)
- Dash of salt
- *Oil, mint leaves, pepper, and pomegranate seeds for garnish
- Blend all ingredients (except garnish) in a blender or immersion blender
- Garnish with oil, mint leaves, pepper, and pomegranate seeds
- Serve with veggies or chips of your choosing!
