It’s official, summer is here in full force! That means meals are changing from being thrown in crockpots to thrown on grills and everything is starting to include fresh produce. Whether your produce comes from the grocery store, the farmers market, or your very own garden there is just something about fresh veggies that screams ‘SUMMER’ at us!
Growing up on a farm I never fully appreciated the value of having so much fresh food at our fingertips..literally. I remember helping my parents till the dirt, hoe the rows, plant the seeds, and water the various fruits and veggies for that year’s garden. As kids, we didn’t have any issue putting in that work because we knew the end result would be us getting to pick snacks every time we walked by the garden later on. Those were the days…stopping and grabbing a handful of green beans and rubbing the dirt off them (and onto our shorts) as we walked away crunching on them.
This is the first year I’ve attempted a container garden…actually it’s the first year I’ve attempted any kind of garden. I’m not jinxing myself by saying anything since it’s early but, so far, at least some of the items I planted are somehow surviving. Remember, I’m the same woman who managed to let a succulent plant (also known as impossible to kill plants) die just a few weeks ago… I won’t lie, the stress of trying to ignore my lack of green thumbs has been worth it. It’s fun to see my own daughter now running outside each day to check on “her” garden just like I used to do as a child. We are both obsessed with sneaking cherry tomatoes straight from the plant outside our deck whenever we get the chance. I am overjoyed at the level of love my kid has for healthy food and can only pray that continues as she continues to grow. Thankfully for both of us and our love of healthy stuff, my family has no shortage of recipes that center around garden fresh produce. This week’s recipe is a simple layered dip that you can adjust to your personal likes and dislikes quite easily. It is also simply stunning with so many colors of the garden on one plate!
Because of that, I knew this dish justified better quality pictures than those I usually snap on my phone midway through the process. I just so happen to have an amazingly talented sister-in-law who is, quite conveniently, also a fantastic photographer. The pictures this week are courtesy of her and I know you will enjoy them as much as I do! Please head to Facebook and search for her page @khphotographynebraska if you are looking for some incredible photos yourself! Whether it’s pictures for your own blog or website, family pictures, or really anything you need in/around the Omaha area, she’s got a great eye and takes some stellar pictures! If you need some convincing, check out this week’s simple recipe and gorgeous photos below as well as the pictures she’s got on her Facebook page 🙂
Teaser alert: wait until you see what she did with photographing Mom’s Monster Cookie recipe!!! I wanted to eat the screen the pictures looked so yummy…stay tuned for updated pics on that one!
Ok, sorry got a bit off track there but I am just so excited about her venturing into food photography! Now, where were we? Oh yeah, back to the healthy gorgeous fresh dip. I think you’re all ready for the food by now so keep scrolling for the latest family favorite recipe. I seriously hope these pictures convey just pretty this dish really is and I hope you get the gist of the recipe and how completely customizable you can make it. Enjoy and cheers to summertime!!!
Simple Layered Greek Dip
Incredibly easy and absolutely gorgeous layered dip that is perfect for your next summer get together!
This is a “rough” recipe meaning that nearly every item is able to be increased/decreased/adjusted according to your tastes. Here are some recommendations based on my personal preferences and what I’ve learned from making it so many times: I prefer plain hummus over the flavored options, I prefer using 2 small Persian cucumbers instead of a regular cucumber as they are sweeter with less seeds, I usually add a mixture of bell peppers, I prefer cherry tomatoes, and I am obsessed with eating this with the naan bread dippers!
Ingredients
– 8 ounces hummus
– 1/2 cucumber, chopped
– 1/2 bell pepper, chopped
– 1/2 tomato, chopped
– 4 ounces kalamata olives, sliced or chopped
– 3 ounces feta cheese crumbles
– 1/2 small bunch of green onions or chives, chopped
– Naan bread dippers, pita chips, pretzel thins, or crackers for serving
Directions
1) Spread hummus evenly on a serving plate or small platter.
2) Wash and chop remaining ingredients and set aside to layer.
3) You can sprinkle chopped ingredients on top of the hummus layer one by one in whatever order you’d like OR you can mix all the chopped ingredients together first then sprinkle evenly over the hummus.
4) Serve with naan bread dippers, pita chips, widely sliced sweet bell peppers, pretzel thins, crackers, or whatever else you’d like!
—If making ahead, be sure to cover tightly and refrigerate; I’d recommend serving the same day this is made only so veggies are as fresh and crisp as possible!
Simplified By Stacie 
Screams of SUMMER! Wonderful simple recipe and Kristin’s pictures are scrumptious! When is your book coming out!!
LikeLike
Thanks!! And I don’t know about a book haha, baby steps here 😉
LikeLike