Basil Dressing.

Ingredients (yield 1/2 cup):

• 2 Tbsp cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp apple or orange juice
• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 100 grams Silken Tofu

Directions:

1. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Cover and refrigerate. Use within one week.

Artichoke Dip.

Ingredients (yield 5-6 servings): 

• Whole wheat ortilla or pita bread, cut into wedges to make chips
• One 12-oz jar of artichoke hearts in water, drained and chopped
• One box of chopped frozen spinach, thawed
• 4 to 6 frozen or roasted green chiles, rinsed, drained and chopped (adjust to your liking of heat)
• One small onion, finely chopped
• Two cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise (homemade recipe)
• 2 tablespoons of creme fraiche or whipped cream cheese
• 1/2 tablespoon oil or butter
• Juice from one lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Spread bread wedges on two baking sheets and bake at 400°F for 5 to 6 minutes until crisp.
2. Heat up the oil in a skillet or saute pan over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic to cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the artichokes, spinach, chiles, mayonnaise, cream cheese, and lemon juice. Cook and stir constantly for 5 minutes until hot. 
3. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with tortilla wedges, chips, pita bread, toasted baguette, breadsticks, you name it and dip in!

Notes:

• Use the dip for toasted artisan bread, vegetable sticks.
• Use the dip to make sandwiches.

Simple One Ingredient Soup!

I don't count canned chicken soup as ingredient and it can be optional.

Simple Egg Drop Soup:

Ingredients (yield one serving):

• one large eggs
• 1 cup Canned Chicken Soup
• 1 cup water
  
• 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Directions:

1. Beat the egg to mix egg yolk and egg white.
2. Boil 1 cup chicken soup with 1 cup water on medium high.
3. When water is rolling boil, turn the heat to medium, and slowly drizzle the egg mixture into the boiling ware, in a steady stream to create egg ribbons. 
4. Season with salt and serve.

More Options:

• If you don't have canned chicken soup, use 2 cup water with one pack of Nissin Top Ramen seasoning pack to make soup base.
• To step up, some options,

• Cook with corns.
• Cook with diced carrots.
• Cook with tomato cut into 1/2 inch chunks.
• Cook with soft tofu cut into small cubes.
• Cook with 4 to 5 goji berries. 
• Serve with sesame oil.
• Serve with white pepper.
• Serve with chopped scallions (green onions) or chives. 

Secret Weapon:

• Add 1/4 teaspoon dashi (What?).

Ice Cream Sandwiches With Goodies!

What can beat ice cream sandwiched in the best cookies?

The answer is, a lighter ice cream sandwich, lower in calories but just every bite as delicious!

A treat like this is the best way to engage young children in learning how to eat healthier by trying new combinations.

Well, I've fooled you in the title as I would use frozen Greek yogurt to replace ice cream, but I can guarantee it's every bit as gratifying!

Ingredients:

• Frozen Greek yogurt - your pick of flavor.
• Ginger Snaps, Graham crackers, or thin wafers or cookies like Pepperidge Genevas for extra nuttiness
• Sliced fruits, banas, strawberries, cherries, kiwis, raspberries, even pomegranates, papaya dices, mango dices, you name it.
• Roasted and chopped nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, pistachios, cashews, almonds
• Dark Chocolate nibs chopped up in the same size of chopped nuts

Directions:

1. It's an open buffet. You are the boss of your crackers or cookies. Layer your pick with fruits and frozen Greek yogurt, sandwich up and roll the side in chopped nuts, chocolate nibs.
2. I think that's good enough but if you desire, you can drizzle chocolate syrup over the top.
3. If you can wait, place on flatware and freeze for 20-30 min to firm up.
4. Dig in.