Sour Cream Dip

For Debarshi’s birthday this year, I baked a Devil’s Food cake. It turned out really good. Believe me I wish I would have been able to save another piece for myself. Anyway, I got a big pack of sour cream for the cake and after baking it, I realized I still had almost half of the pack left. So, I decided to make a spicy, tangy dip for the party. Thankfully everyone loved it and I thought I should share the recipe, because as it happens, if I don’t share a recipe on time, I just forget about it and then it gets impossible to re-create that recipe.

I served this dip with tortilla chips but you can also throw in some veggies, crackers or other types of chips. Make sure to whip up the dip a few hours before you intend to serve it so that the dip gets cold in the fridge and the flavors blend together nicely. Keep it in an airtight plastic container in the fridge. You can also freeze it, since it doesn’t have any yogurt there is no chance for any runny liquid.

Serve this delish dip at your next party, get-together, game day, family BBQ or ladies night. This makes a perfect munching food and can be enjoyed for hours. If you use readymade dip packets for the seasoning, then this is the time to try the spices which are already in your pantry. Yes, you may not have Chaat masala or Cumin but I am sure if you love Indian food, those spices will be a wonderful addition to your pantry. You will be saving money on those readymade dip packets plus avoid any possible preservatives.

Personally, I don’t like those recipes where you have to use an entire big container of sour cream to make a dip. As you know in our home, we are only two people. If Debarshi and I want to enjoy some chips and dip, then why do I have to use an entire container? So, I prefer smaller quantities which are easy to experiment and can be multiplied if need be. Homemade is the way to go both quality and quantity wise.

Another advantage of serving this cool dip is, if someone starts feeling the heat of my spicy Pakoras or my special potato/ sausage pastries then they can always take a break with this dip and calm themselves. Although I take care not to add any extra heat (red chili powder) in any dish whenever guests/ kids are coming over still having an instant back up plan is always good.

When you are preparing the dip for a large number of people make sure to divide it into 2-3 portions. That way, you can easily refill whenever the dip is all used up. And everyone will be getting fresh cold dip even after several hours.

Before we move on to the ingredients list, I would like to express my gratitude to all my readers. I read each and every comment and reply whenever I can. Please bookmark my blog and share it with every foodie you know. Post on my Instagram #lifewithoutalu with the photo and your comments/ input.

Ingredients:

• Cream Cheese - 8 ounces, room temperature
• Sour Cream – 1 cup, plus more if necessary
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper – ½ teaspoon 
• Garlic Powder – ½ teaspoon
• Chaat Masala – ½ teaspoon
• Roasted Cumin Powder – ½ teaspoon
• Red Pepper Flakes – ½ teaspoon
• Green Onions – a handful, chopped

Directions:

• Take a big bowl because it makes the stirring easier. If the Cream Cheese is too stiff put it in the bowl and microwave for 10-15 seconds.
• Combine the Cream Cheese and Sour Cream in the bowl and stir until combined and smooth. If necessary, thin out the dip by whisking in more sour cream, a tablespoon at a time. 
• Mix in the spices (Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Chaat Masala, Cumin Powder and 
• Red Pepper Flakes). Stir to combine.
• Taste to adjust the spices. Mix half of the Green Onions in the dip and chill. 
• Garnish with the remaining Green Onions before serving.

Love Homemade dips? They are not that difficult to make right! Try these as well:

• Creamy Cream Cheese Dip
• Bread Dipping Oil with Parmesan and Herbs
• Guacamole with Goat Cheese and Bacon
• 5-minute Garlic Aioli
• Spinach Dip
• Mayo Mustard Sauce with Herbs
• Fresh Homemade Salsa

Spinach Dip

I am always happy to share simple and quick recipes. Today I have a delish and luscious Spinach dip for you. I prepared this on a movie night with just a few ingredients I had in my fridge. It turned out so good that it was all gone before I could click some more photos. Well, that’s what happens when the food is too good!

This cool and creamy dip is perfect to serve at game nights and movie nights. Major crowd pleaser too. I prepared it a couple days back for my book club friends and it was gone within minutes! This is so quick and easy that you will want to make this again and again. The fresh spinach adds a beautiful flavor while the Parmesan adds a delicious sharpness and saltiness in the dip. The cream cheese and heavy cream makes it melt in your mouth silky! I have seen several spinach dip recipes online but the special ingredient which adds a beautiful aroma in this dip is the garlic. Do not skip it! Trust me, one clove is not enough to overpower the entire dip, it does however, lends a delicious taste making the dip homemade and special.

Prepare ahead:

Prepare this delicious Spinach dip ahead of time, keep it in the fridge and when your guests are there, serve it! This yummy dip can be kept refrigerated for up to three days but I would recommend you to prepare this fresh so that it tastes as good as it looks. Preparing this dip doesn’t require any elaborate list of ingredients or instructions. 

Can I freeze it?

I have never frozen this dip so recommending it is difficult. However, the best part about this dip is, it is not prepared with yogurt (which when frozen may break down and make the dip runny). Since, we are using cheese and cream, freezing it should be ok. If you are keeping it refrigerated, then I would recommend consuming it within 2-3 days. Although it tastes great right out of the fridge, I like to microwave it for 10-15 seconds just to slightly melt the cheese. When refrigerating, make sure to use a clean plastic/ glass container and cover it with plastic wrap.

How long can you leave it out?

Since homemade dips don’t have any added preservatives in them, leaving them out for a long time wont work. Remember, the cheese, cream and spinach are all perishable items. When you are preparing the dip for a large number of people make sure to divide it into 2-3 portions. That way, you can easily refill whenever the dip is all used up. And everyone will be getting fresh dip even after several hours (I do this every-time we are hosting a game viewing party). Make sure not to let the dip sit at room temperature longer than 3-4 hours.

What can I serve with it?

• Hawaiian/ French/ Sourdough Bread
• Snacks
• Chips
• Crackers
• Baguette
• Tortilla chips
• Crudités (assorted Veggies like Celery Sticks, Carrot Sticks, Cucumber Sticks, Bell Pepper Strips, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Fennel and Asparagus Spears)
• Sausage
• Crostini
• Pretzels
• As a spread on sandwiches

So give this dip a try and then post on my Instagram #lifewithoutalu with the photo and your comments/ input.

Ingredients:

• Spinach – 1 small pack
• Butter - 1 ½ - 2 tablespoons, unsalted 
• Onion – ¼ cup, finely chopped 
• Paprika/ Red Chili Powder – ½ teaspoon 
• Cream Cheese - 8 ounces 
• Heavy Cream – ¾ cup (or more) 
• Salt – to taste (about ¼ teaspoon)
• Freshly Ground Black Pepper – ½ teaspoon 
• Parmigiano Reggiano - 1/3 cup, grated
• Garlic - 1 big clove, crushed

Directions:

• Wash the spinach well.
• Squeeze as much liquid out of the spinach as possible with a clean dishtowel or paper towels. 
• Melt butter in a big pan over medium-high heat. 
• Sauté the Onion with the Garlic until soft, 3–5 minutes. Add ¼ teaspoon of Salt. Mix well.
• Stir in Paprika and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. 
• Add the Spinach, Cream Cheese, Heavy Cream and Black Pepper and cook, stirring often, until everything is warmed through and slightly reduced, 8–10 minutes; the spinach will wilt in the meantime.

• Mix ½ cup of the Parmigiano Reggiano. Taste to adjust the Salt.

• Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Serve immediately with snacks/ chips.

With the football season coming in, it is always best to have a couple of different types of dips at hand. Try these dip recipes as well:

• Indian Spiced Tzatziki Sauce (Cucumber Raita)
• Dhania Chutney (Cilantro Chutney)
• Creamy Cream Cheese Dip
• Bread Dipping Oil with Parmesan and Herbs
• Guacamole with Goat Cheese and Bacon
• 5-minute Garlic Aioli
• Sour Cream Dip
• Mayo Mustard Sauce with Herbs
• Fresh Homemade Salsa

Branson-Top of the Rock

This year to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary we went to Branson (MO). The idea was to have a quiet romantic getaway and explore the city. There we went to a place called ‘Top of the Rock’ which offers breath taking views of the Ozark Mountains and Table Rock Lake. 

You can find several interesting things to do at the Top of the Rock, starting with a cart drive to the Lost Canyon Cave and Nature Trail to the visit to the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum. They also have a beautiful mountain top wedding chapel and Golf Course. It is a wonderful place for the entire family and if you do go there make sure to keep aside an entire day so that everyone can explore to the fullest. 

Debarshi and I took a golf cart and rode to the caves while taking in all the natural scenery. The waterfalls and rock formations are unique and if you have to choose between all the above options, cart ride is definitely a must-do, that way you don’t have to walk all the way but can still enjoy sightseeing. 

Feeling hungry? They have you covered. There are several dining options at the Top of the Rock and they offer different culinary choices for you. 

We went to a restaurant called Arnie's Barn which serves Mexican cuisine. If you love Mexican food, then this could be the perfect place to have a wonderful lunch with your loved ones specially if you are celebrating something special! 

We started our meal with Tortilla Chips and Bacon Guacamole which had House Smoked Bacon, Roasted Corn Salsa and Queso Fresco.

This Guacamole was so good that we immediately decided to try this ourselves. So, after we came back home, I looked for the recipe, made a few changes and improvised it to suit our Keto needs (if you have been following my blog, you know that Debarshi and I are trying to loose some weight and doing Keto Diet). You may find the recipe here: Guacamole with Goat Cheese and Bacon

For the main course I ordered - Barn Cheeseburger which had Aged Cheddar, Bacon, Charred Onion Jam, Grape Tomato Compote, Arugula, Basil Mayo served on soft toasted Buns.  Now typically this is served with Hand Cut Fries but I requested to substitute this with a side salad which to my delight they did. 

Debarshi wasn’t feeling like having a burger so he went for a Grilled All Natural Chicken Enchilada which had Roasted Tomatillo Sauce, Cilantro, Onions & Sour Cream with Toasted Cumin & Green Chili Rice, Refried Pinto Beans & Mexico City Street Corn. Although his food was really good, he couldn’t enjoy it much because almost all the items on his plate were high in carbs. Nevertheless, he did eat as much as he could and we both decided to revisit the place next time whenever we are off diet.

I say overall it was an excellent day of fun and frolic and we would like to do it again whenever we are in Branson.

Recommended Reading:

• Guacamole with Goat Cheese and Bacon
• Red Bud Cove (Bed & Breakfast, Branson) Review

Keto Pizza with grilled Chicken and Shrimp

Last time when we were on the Keto diet, we had a big problem coming up with recipes. We wanted to try different varieties of dishes everyday but more often than not we got stuck with the same old recipes. Mind you, a few years back there weren’t these many number of good recipes on Keto and hence soon it became monotonous. This time luckily our friends – Neha and Subhadeep had been doing this diet before we started and they gave us a couple of wonderful ideas. Today’s pizza idea was also given by Neha and I just added the toppings and improvised a bit. I have to tell you that this pizza tastes so great that you wont be able to tell the difference. Roll the crust according to your personal preference and load it up with your favorite toppings. So, why wait? Let’s move on to the recipe. Keto or not Wednesdays are always ‘Pizza Nights’ at our home. You will notice that this recipe has only 1/3 cup of Coconut Flour which means it is super low carb and perfect for our Keto diet.

Ingredients for the Pizza base:

• Mozzarella Cheese - 1 ½ cups, shredded
• Cream Cheese - 1 ounce, cut into cubes
• Eggs – 2, large, beaten
• Coconut Flour – 1/3 cup 

Toppings:

• Low Carb Marinara Sauce – ¼ cup (or as you like)
• Chili Garlic Sauce – 2 tablespoons
• Grilled Chicken – ½ cup, boneless, bite size pieces
• Grilled Shrimp – ½ cup
• Spinach – a handful, washed
• Mozzarella Cheese – 1 cup, shredded
• Salt and Black Pepper – to season
• Onion – ¼ of a small onion, cut into small thick slices

Others:

• Red Chili Flakes
• Parchment Paper

Tip: I use Botticelli low carb marinara sauce (available at Costco).

Directions to bake the Pizza base:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. 
• Line a baking sheet or pizza pan with parchment paper.
• Combine the Mozzarella Cheese and Cream Cheese in a microwave safe large bowl. 
• Microwave for 45 seconds, stir with a spatula. Then put it back and microwave for another 45 seconds. Stir again until everything is well combined. 
• Stir in the beaten Eggs and Coconut Flour. The mixture will be hot so be very careful while kneading with your hands. You can use a rubber spatula (but I have found that the kneading is way easier if I am using my hands). 
• Knead until a dough forms. 

Tip: If the dough becomes hard before fully mixed, you can microwave for 10-15 seconds to soften it.

• Transfer the dough onto the lined baking pan and cover it with another piece of parchment (this will make the rolling much easier, otherwise it will stick on the rolling pin and your hands).
• Roll the dough using your hands or a rolling pin. Make sure to keep the center thin and the sides a little bit thick. Roll it into an 8-inch pizza base.

Tips: Make ahead – you can roll the dough and keep it covered in a cool dry place till you are ready to bake. 

You can save a small portion of this dough and use it to make Keto Tacos. 

• Use a toothpick or fork to poke lots of holes throughout the crust to prevent bubbling.
• Bake for 6 minutes. Poke more holes in any places where you see bubbles forming. Bake for 3-7 more minutes, until golden brown (keep a watch on the pizza base while baking the second time, we don’t want it to get brown).
• Once the base is ready, let’s assemble our Pizza.

To assemble the Pizza:

• Mix the Marinara Sauce and the Chili Garlic Sauce together and spread it generously on the pizza base. 
• Arrange the grilled Chicken and Shrimp slices in a single layer over it.
• Sprinkle the Mozzarella cheese (1 cup) over it. 
• Arrange the Spinach on top along with the Onion slices.

• Return the pizza back to the oven for 10 more minutes or until the crust edges are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling.
• Sprinkle some Red Chili Flakes and enjoy.

Recommended Reading (Keto recipes):

• Tandoori Chicken
• Butter Chicken (Indian Recipe: Chicken pieces in a creamy buttery gravy)
• Mughlai Kabab
• Grilled Salmon with Shrimp and Peppers
• Almond Flour Pancakes - Keto Brunch Recipes
• Avocado Smoothie
• Yummy Almond Flour Bread with Ghee and Spices
• Grilled Lamb Kababs
• Avocado Strawberry Smoothie
• Guacamole with Goat Cheese and Bacon
• Egg Drop Soup
• Chocolate Ganache - Keto Dessert
• Keto Pizza with Pepperoni, Parmesan and Basil
• Cream of Asparagus Soup
• Keto Pizza with Shrimp and Basil Pesto
• Mushroom Salad with Fried Eggs
• Quick Weeknight Dinner - Shrimp Stir Fry
• Chingri Malai Curry (Shrimp Curry with Coconut Milk)
• Buying and Preparing Shrimp
• Jalapeno Shrimp
• Spicy Shrimp and Zucchini Curry

Guacamole with Goat Cheese and Bacon

This year to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary we went to Branson. The idea was to have a quiet romantic getaway and explore the city. There we went to a place called ‘Top of the Rock’ which offers breath taking views of the Ozark Mountains and Table Rock Lake. 

After we had finished exploring the beautiful scenery and taken a golf cart ride to the caves, we went to a restaurant called Arnie's Barn at Top of the Rock. Now Mexican cuisine may not be ideal for the keto dieters but it is the perfect place to have a wonderful lunch specially if you are celebrating something special! We started our meal with Tortilla Chips and Bacon Guacamole which had House Smoked Bacon, Roasted Corn Salsa and Queso Fresco.

This Guacamole was so good that we immediately decided to try this at home. So, yesterday I looked for the recipe, made a few changes and improvised it to suit my Keto needs. Foodies enjoy this delicious Keto Guacamole with Goat Cheese and Bacon.

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Debarshi Chatterji

Ingredients (Serves 2): 

• Avocado - 1, ripe
• Green Chili – 1-2 or or Jalapeno Pepper – ½ 
• Onion – ¼ of a big onion
• Fresh Cilantro – a handful, washed
• White Vinegar or Lime Juice – 2 teaspoons
• Salt – ¼ teaspoon (or as per taste)
• Black Pepper – ¼ teaspoon, ground
• Bacon - 3 slices, cooked and crumbled, divided into two parts
• Goat Cheese – ¼ cup, crumbled, divided into two parts

Serve with: Keto Tacos

Directions:

• Using a food chopper, chop Green Chili (or Jalapeno Pepper) and Onion. Transfer to a small serving bowl.
• Run short pulses to chop the Avocado and Cilantro then transfer to the bowl.
• Add the White Vinegar (or Lime Juice), Salt and Black Pepper. Mix, taste and season (if desired). 
• Stir in one part each of the Bacon and Goat Cheese. 
• Top with the remaining Bacon and Goat Cheese as garnish. 
• Serve immediately with Keto Tacos.

Recommended Reading:

• Creamy Cream Cheese Dip
• Tandoori Chicken
• Butter Chicken (Indian Recipe: Chicken pieces in a creamy buttery gravy)
• Mughlai Kabab
• Grilled Salmon with Shrimp and Peppers
• Almond Flour Pancakes - Keto Brunch Recipes
• Avocado Smoothie
• Yummy Almond Flour Bread with Ghee and Spices
• Grilled Lamb Kababs
• Avocado Strawberry Smoothie
• Food Chopper and its Importance in Our Kitchen
• Keto Pizza with grilled Chicken and Shrimp
• Chocolate Ganache - Keto Dessert
• Keto Pizza with Pepperoni, Parmesan and Basil
• Branson-Top of the Rock
• 5-minute Garlic Aioli
• Spinach Dip
• Sour Cream Dip
• Yummy Guacamole
• Mayo Mustard Sauce with Herbs
• Soft Taco with leftover Chicken
• Fresh Homemade Salsa