White Bean Dip

Though I'm fairly certain that no one could ever get tired of pizza dip, sometimes I feel the need to change it up a note. And while I could live the rest of my days on potato chips and onion dip alone (yup, the kind from the packet that gets mixed with sour cream...so simple, yet so delightful), I didn't think that would be quite enough for an afternoon/evening of debauchery with some of our closest friends. So I consulted Giada DeLaurentiis' Everyday Italian cookbook to add a little va-va-voom to my Kentucky Derby party (and Shaun's birthday party). Looking for something easy yet packed with flavor, I came upon Giada's White Bean Dip. Loaded with natural flavors like lemon, parsley and garlic, this dip is super simple and delicious to boot.

White Bean Dip
*Adapted from Everyday Italian
1 15oz can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 C + 1 tsp fresh flat leaf parsley
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (about 1/2 lemon)
1 garlic clove
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 C olive oil

In the bowl of a food processor, combine the beans, parsley, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Pulse until it's coarsely chopped. Turn the food processor to ON. While it's running, slowly add the olive oil through the top opening and mix until creamy. Serve in a cute dip bowl and garnish with parsley. Enjoy it with crackers, pita chips or corn chips.

So what do you think? Could this be any easier? And isn't it a great dip to whip up at the last minute?

Psst...did you miss part one of Derby fun? Check out my Mint Julep Brownies...

Mint Julep Brownies

This past Saturday, May Day, was not only the Kentucky Derby but also Shaun's birthday. To ring in the big 2-8, we threw a Kentucky Derby cocktail party at our Jersey City apartment. In addition to dips, spreads and tea sandwiches, I wanted to cook up a special treat to mark both occasions.

When Shaun mentioned that a good, fudgy brownie was his dessert of choice, I got to work on finding a super brownie recipe in which I could add a Derby twist. The result? Mint Julep Brownies - triple chocolate brownies laced with bourbon and topped with mint whipped cream and pecans. I have to admit, along with my Irish Car Bomb Cupcakes, these Mint Julep Brownies are one of the most mouthwatering desserts I've ever concocted. To ensure that these were extra delish, I hunted down a serious throwback recipe from now-defunct Gourmet magazine. Check it out...

Triple Chocolate Bourbon Brownies
*Adapted from Gourmet circa 1992
6 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
2 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
3/4 C unsalted butter
1 1/2 C sugar
2 tsp vanilla
4 large eggs
1 tsp salt
1 C all-purpose flour
1 C semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
2 tbsp bourbon
1/2 C chopped pecans, for garnish

In a double boiler* slowly melt the bittersweet chocolate and the unsweetened chocolate with the butter, stirring until the mixture is smooth. Remove the bowl from the heat, and let the mixture cool for a few minutes. This is one instance where my favorite appliance won't be necessary.

Since brownies are based on a 'stir until just combined' mantra, the stand mixer is just overkill. Instead, use a little elbow grease and get 'er done yourself. Stir in the sugar, vanilla and bourbon. Add the eggs one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Stir in the salt and the flour, mixing until just combined. Stir in the chocolate chips (Note: I had like 4 boxes of semisweet Baker's chocolate in my pantry. Instead of springing for a bag of semisweet morsels, I just chopped 2 oz of the Baker's chocolate and gently stirred it into the mixture. Delish). Pour the batter into a generously buttered and floured 13- by 9-inch baking pan. Smooth the top and bake the mixture in the middle of a preheated 350°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a tester comes out with crumbs adhering to it. Let the mixture cool completely in the pan on a rack and cut it into squares. Serve with mint cream and garnish with pecans.

Mint Whipped Cream
2 C heavy whipping cream
1/2 C confectioners' sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp peppermint extract

In the bowl of a stand mixer or with an electric hand mixer, beat the heavy cream and sugar together. (Note: I used my stand mixer with the whisk attachment - not the paddle...a nice change, if you ask me). Add vanilla and mint and mix on medium speed until peaks begin to form. Mix until whipped cream like, but don't overmix, as the cream will eventually turn to butter. The whole process took about 3-5 minutes, but keep a close eye on it. Dollop onto brownie square and prepare to add Mint Julep Brownies to your all-time favorite dessert list. Oh, and don't even think that you'll ever be going back to canned whipped cream after this. Just toss that can of Redi-Whip right away. Whether mint or regular, homemade is really the only way to go.

So what do you think? Do you have any special Kentucky Derby traditions? What did you do for this year's race? And more importantly, what did you eat?

*Since I don't have stainless steel mixing bowls, I used a giant saucepan on top of a small saucepan filled with simmering water. Perhaps it wasn't the prettiest set up, but it got the job done-zo.

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Somehow April has passed us right on by and May is already in full effect. Budding blooms, green markets and sunny days abound - except for this morning since it's pouring and humid on the east coast. Anyhow, as May gets moving, we approach the mother of all holidays, Mother's Day. TAA is cooking up a gift guide for all of the mom's on your list, especially those who love food! Let's get down to the goods.

Anthropologie 3-D Toile apron There's no reason why spending an afternoon in the kitchen means dressing down in sweats and an old shirt. Instead, mom will feel sophisticated and super chic in a fun, bright colored apron. Scrumptious meals never looked so good. I personally wear my Anthropologie Dotty Match apron all the time to catch spills, and let's face it...I wear it just to look cute too. Mine, in fact, was inspiration for The Avid Appetite's color palette. If Mom spends a lot of time in the kitch, a truly adorb apron is a must.

A Treat from Butter Lane I regaled you all with tales of grown up cupcakes from Butter Lane when my fam feasted on them during my mom's spring dinner party. They really are cupcakes for the sophisticated palette while still offering playful flavors like salted caramel with popcorn topping. And as my mom would say, "These are my favorite!"

Williams-Sonoma Cooking from the Farmers' Market Cookbook Since greenmarkets are all the rage (rightfully so), why not learn how to cook with your newly purchased ultra fresh ingredients? Recipes include pork medallions with roasted figs and strawberry rhubarb pie. I'm heading over to my local farmers' market as we speak...

Azure Dishtowels Aren't these truly adorb? I mean, I would actually put aside my hatred for drying dishes if I got to use these pretty lil' things. And it's a fun way to brighten up your kitchen to boot.


Flora Pouch Envirosax It's the chic way to do your food shopping, or any shopping for that matter. Plastic bags are so passe as the bring-your-own-tote movement is sweeping the nation. Why not do it in style? These pretty, eco-friendly bags wrap up into a small pouch, perfect to keep in your car or purse.

A Cup of Earl Grey Creme I grew up in a house where partially drank cups of tea were everywhere. My mom would (and still does) drink tea all day long, each time in a fresh tea cup, and sometimes not finishing the entire cup before moving on to the next, leaving tea cups in her office, on kitchen counters, on the coffee table or on her night stand...all at the same time (this could also explain why I have, at any given time, approximately 4 glasses of water, soda or coffee on my night stand or coffee table...I know. It drives Shaun crazy). Not only was the quality of the tea essential, but only the right kind of tea cup would suffice. When I came across Teavana's Earl Grey Creme and the Anthropologie Missus tea cup, which just so happens to be monogrammed, I knew it would be the perfect gift for any tea-drinking mom.

So there you have it. A round up of some fun foodie gifts for your special mom, grandmother, mother-in-law or any other special lady in your life. How will you be spending this Mother's Day?