{Dip & Crackers with a Twist}

Spring and summer brings with it social occasions and get togethers.
Here is a great and easy dish to bring that looks as gorgeous as it tastes! 

Cinnamon Crackers and Berry Cheesecake Dip 

Crackers:
1. Cut up Lebanese style flat bread into triangle slices. You could also use 'mountain bread'.
2. Spray with spray oil and then sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar to taste.
3. Spread on a baking tray and bake at 150'C for about 15 mins until golden. Don't leave kitchen because they can burn easily (I burned my first batch ;)

Berry Cheesecake Dip:
1. Place a tub of cream cheese into your electric mixer with a tsp of vanilla essence and a heaped dessert spoonful of caster sugar. You can add more sugar if you wish, but this should be enough.
2. Cut up some blueberries and strawberries (amount depends on the size dish you are filling).
3. Layer blueberries, cream cheese, strawberries etc...
4. Rip some fresh mint over the top and serve with the flat bread cinnamon crackers.
Serve and enjoy!
Lauren x

{Almond, Veggie & Herb Dip}

Since I found Tess from Healthy Blender Recipes I have been eating very differently. I have had some battles for a lot of my life with digestion issues, and something has clicked in me over the last few years (but more so recently) that isn't craving dairy or meat as much. I still eat it, and am not a hard core vegan/ vegetarian at all. But I am finding myself drawing more to 'plant based' foods.

I just made a dip for lunch and it was SO delicious I just had to share it. The bowl was VERY empty afterwards and I wish I had made more. As per usual when I am cooking, and not baking, I made it up as I went. But, feel free to play around with quantities and ingredients to suit your tastes.

Ingredients:
A handful of raw almonds
A few tbls water
1/4 cup semi dried tomatoes
1/4 cup roasted eggplant
1/2 cup baby spinach leaves
Fresh parsley, coriander and basil to taste
Pepper
Small squeeze of fresh lemon

1. Blend almonds and water until it makes a nutty paste and looks 'milky' in a food processor
2. add in all other ingredients and blend until a 'dip' consistency.
3. Taste and make any adjustments needed (I added a bit more lemon and some onion and olives to mine at this point).

Serve on garlic toast, with veggie sticks or on crackers :)

Lauren x