Recipes — Freeze Dried Red Bell Peppers

5 Easy-to-Make Snacks Perfect for Last-Minute Traveling

It’s already August, which means vacation time is right around the corner. But, if you are anything like most people, chances are you have yet to start packing. While tucking away your bathing suit at the very last minute is no big deal, neglecting to throw in a couple of snacks can be all types of frustrating during a long trip. To avoid packing all the wrong things or - worse - leaving your tote bag empty and your stomach growling, we gathered around these five last minute snacks for traveling that are super easy to make, healthy and - most importantly - packed with flavor. So, consider yourself road-trip ready.

1. Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Requiring just three ingredients, this last-minute snack is the epitome of easy. But, don't let the short ingredient list fool you. Thanks to dark chocolate’s sweet taste, the travel-friendly nosh is bound to swoon your taste buds even when heat and hundreds of miles are slowly getting the better of you.
Ingredients:
3 ½ ounces of dark chocolate
½ tsp coconut oil
½ cup of freeze dried whole strawberries
Instructions:

1. Line a tray with waxed paper and set aside.
2. Add the chocolate to a heat-proof mug and place it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
3. Once the time is up, remove the mug from the microwave and using a spoon, and gently stir the slightly melted chocolate.
4. Then, place the mug in the microwave once again for another 15-20 seconds.
5. Repeat the same procedure until the chocolate is completely melted and then stir in the coconut oil.
6. Dip the whole strawberries into the chocolate and arrange them on the tray.
7. Place them in the fridge and chill for about 5-10 minutes.

2. Peanut Butter & Banana Chips Wrap

Packed with fiber and lots of flavor, bananas are one of those foods that can readily turn any snack into a gourmet treat. Take this peanut butter and banana wrap, for example. Made in less than 5 minutes, this last minute snack is perfect for anyone who needs something filling to munch on while on the road without discounting on flavor. Kudos to those who go the extra mile and add candied nuts to the mix!
Ingredients:
1 whole wheat tortilla
2 tbsp peanut butter
2 tbsp freeze dried banana slices
1 tbsp candied cashews (optional)
A pinch of coconut sugar
Instructions:

1. Spread the peanut butter on the tortilla evenly.
2. Top with the banana slices, candied cashews, and coconut sugar.
3. Roll up the tortilla tightly and store in an air-tight container or ziplock bag.

3. Stuffed Olives

We get it: Not everyone is a fan of sweet snacks. But, going outside the potato chip box while on the road is not an easy feat. That's why you need this healthier snack recipe in your life. At just three ingredients, this nibble takes almost zero time to prep, and is all kinds of delicious. Not to mention that it's packed with fiber, thanks to red bell peppers. That basically means that just a few bites can keep you full for a long time!
Ingredients:
½ cup green olives, pitted
2-3 tsp freeze dried red bell peppers
A pinch of salt
Instructions:

1. Fill half a cup with lukewarm water and add the red bell peppers.
2. Let them sit for a while until they are hydrated.
3. Then, transfer them to a small bowl, squeeze the excess water away and add some salt.
4. Using a fork, mash the hydrated bell peppers until you form a thick paste.
5. Stuff the pitted olives with the paste and store them in an airtight container.

4. Fruit & Nut Clusters

Somewhere between the subtly sweet taste, crunchy cashews, and fiber rich berries, this 4 ingredient snack screams “travel material.” So, if you want to spend more time on your suitcase than prepping your snack bag, this recipe is a no-brainer.
Ingredients:
½ cup cashews, unsalted and finely chopped
½ cup freeze dried Berry De-Lite blend
4 ounces of chocolate, melted
1-2 tbsp coconut flakes
1 tsp coconut sugar (optional)
Instructions:

1. In a bowl, add the melted chocolate and stir in the fruits, cashews, coconut flakes, and sugar. Mix well until all the ingredients are coated with chocolate.
2. Set several paper cupcake cases and spoon about 1 tbsp of the mixture in each of them.
3. Freeze for about 5-10 minutes and transfer to a ziplock bag.

5. Tomato Parmesan Crisps

While veggie chips can definitely do the trick and keep your hunger at bay, nothing hits the spot quite like a cheesy oven-baked crisp. But, this twist on the favorite snack comes with a generous serving of tomato flakes, making your munching experience all the more decadent. Who said road trip food is unhealthy and boring?
Ingredients:
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
2 tbsp dehydrated tomato flakes
Instructions:

1. Add ¼ cup of lukewarm water in a bowl and stir in the tomato flakes. Let them sit there for 10-15 minutes until they are hydrated.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400^oF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Once the tomato flakes are hydrated, remove them from the bowl, squeeze any excess water and add them to a separate bowl along with the grated parmesan cheese. Mix the two ingredients thoroughly until they are evenly combined.
4. Spoon about 1 tbsp of the mixture onto the baking sheet and form small cheese “discs.” Make sure you leave enough room between one another to prevent them from sticking together.
5. Bake for 3-5 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
6. Let them cool for a while and store them in an airtight container.

So, what's your go-to last-minute snack? We'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions in the comments down below!

 

5 Delicious BBQ Side Dish Recipes to Kick Off Summer The Tasty Way

When it comes to summer cookouts, burgers and grilled corn on the cob often steal the show. But, let us tell you that these treats wouldn't taste the same if they hadn't side dishes to up the ante. From refreshing and colorful veggies to easy-to-chew legumes, sides help add a little variety to the mix by introducing various flavors and textures to your menu. So, if you are ready to give your backyard party a tasty makeover, these five delicious BBQ side dish recipes will definitely hit the spot. Happy summer, everyone!

1. Baked Beans With Bacon Bits

Usually stationed next to grilled corn, baked beans are a summer cookout staple. However, this recipe goes way beyond the classic version by adding various drool-worthy ingredients to the mix, from bacon and Worcestershire sauce to feta cheese and molasses.
Ingredients:
1 ¼ cup dehydrated red beans
3/4 cup TVP bacon bits
1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
2 tbsp dehydrated garlic
2/3 cup fresh tomato puree
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
½ cup molasses
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tsp cayenne pepper
½ cup Feta cheese, crumbled
1 tbsp olive oil
Directions:

1. In a small pan, add 2 ½ cups of water and the red beans. Simmer for about 10-15 or until they are fork-tender. Remove from water and set aside.
2. Meanwhile, add 1 ½ cups of warm water and the TVP Bacon Bits to a bowl. Let them sit for about 15 minutes until the hydrate, and then remove the water. If needed, squeeze the Bacon Bits with your hands and pat them dry with a paper towel. This will remove all excess water.
3. In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over low-medium heat.
4. Then, add the onion and cook for a couple of minutes until they turn golden.
5. Add the rest of the ingredients (besides the Feta cheese), turn the heat to low and place a lid on top of the saucepan.
6. Let the dish cook on the stove for about an hour or alternatively, transfer to a baking dish and bake to 350F until the sauce is thickened.
7. Once it does, remove from heat and sprinkle with Feta cheese. Serve.

2. Cucumber, Peppers and Fried Halloumi Salad

Let's be honest: Everything tastes better with cheese. But, mozzarella sticks and melted Parmesan are not exactly grill- friendly. That's why you need to break out the halloumi. This Greek cheese has an abnormally high melting point, which means you can fry it to your heart's content. So, are you ready to impress your guests?
Ingredients:
1 cup freeze dried cucumber dices
½ cup freeze dried red bell peppers
½ onion, peeled and chopped
5oz halloumi cheese
¼ cup olive oil
¾ cup balsamic vinegar
¾ tsp red pepper flakes
Salt, for seasoning
Directions:

1. Add 1 cup of water and the bell peppers in a saucepan and simmer for 10-20 minutes until they hydrate. Remove them from water and squeeze out the excess water.
2. Then, add 1 cup of water and the cucumber in a bowl and set aside for about 10 minutes.
3. While the cucumber rehydrates, grill the halloumi in a grill pan until it turns golden on both sides.
4. By now, the cucumber is rehydrated, so remove the excess water and add it along with the remaining ingredients in a salad bowl. Make sure you mix them well and season with more salt if needed.
5. Chill for 15-20 minutes and serve.

3. Sweet Corn Fritters

Despite looking fancy, fritters are one of the simplest summer side dishes to make, and this recipe is no exception. Featuring sweet corn as the main ingredient, this variation is the epitome of summer in one bite. The best part? You can serve these fritters with just about any dipping sauce, from guacamole to queso.
Ingredients:
1 cup freeze dried sweet corn
1/3 cup semolina flour
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup milk
½ tsp baking powder
½-1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
A handful of cilantro, finely chopped
Directions:

1. In a pan, add 1 cup of water and the sweet corn and simmer for 10-20 minutes or until they hydrate. Once hydrated, remove from water and squeeze away all remaining liquid. Set aside.
2. In a bowl, add the semolina and all-purpose flours, salt, pepper, cilantro, and baking powder. Whisk together.
3. Pour the milk gradually while stirring and combine the ingredients even more.
4. Stir in the sweet corn until the kernels are coated.
5. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
6. Using your hands, form balls with the mixture while pressing the mound until it's flattened.
7. Cook each ball for about 5 minutes or until it's brown on both sides. Serve immediately.

4. Parmesan Potato and Tomato Bake

If you are looking for an easy and yummy way to balance out the meat-to-veggies ratio of your summer cookout menu, this bake is a no-brainer. Containing various earthy ingredients such as potatoes, tomato, and zucchini, this BBQ side dish will undoubtedly make everyone smile out of contentment.
Ingredients:
½ cup freeze dried potatoes
½ cup dehydrated zucchini
2 tsp dehydrated garlic
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
3-4 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper, for seasoning
Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. In a bowl, combine the all the ingredients and mix well until they are evenly combined.
3. Transfer to a baking dish along with 2 cups of water and bake for about 40 minutes or until they turn golden.
4. Once cooked through, remove from the oven and set aside to cool. You can sprinkle the veggies with more cheese if you want.

5. Mango Salsa

It's not every day that we see a tropical fruit making it into a salsa recipe, but we're totally digging it. Featuring basic ingredients, this Sriracha-infused salsa is also very easy to whip up, minimizing your time in the kitchen. Friendly tip: This dip may even work as an out-of-the-box topping for your baked pitas. So, get as creative as possible.
Ingredients:
½ cup freeze dried mangoes
1 tomato, seeded and diced
1 red onion, peeled and diced
2 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
The juice of 2 limes
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp Sriracha sauce
Directions:

1. In a bowl add 1 cup of water and the mangoes and let them sit until they hydrate.
2. Once they do, remove them from the water and get rid of excess fluids.
3. In a Ziploc bag, add the lime juice, salt, and red onion. Let it marinate for 10-15 minutes.
4. Add all the remaining ingredients in a large bowl and mix them well.
5. Chill for about an hour and serve with tortilla chips, grilled meat or oven-baked pitas.

Final Thoughts

Newsflash: Steaks and hot dogs are not the only way to enjoy a BBQ feast. Truth is there's a wide variety of side dishes which can be even tastier than the usual culprits. So, gather your squad and get cooking 'cause another moment without these flavors is another moment wasted. Don't forget the drinks! #foodphilosophy