Appetizers - Zen & Spice

Budget-Friendly Meal Prep Ideas: Save Time and Money with Tasty Meals

BySearch Berg September 22, 2023September 21, 2023

Finding time to cook nutritious meals while staying within a budget can be a daunting task in this busy world. However, with a little planning and creativity, you can enjoy delicious, budget-friendly meals by embracing the art of meal prepping. In this blog, I will list some budget-friendly meal prep ideas that will not only save…

Appetizers

Air Fryer Crab & Parmesan Arancini (Fried Risotto Balls)

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD April 2, 2019June 15, 2023

Appetizers

Sicilian Eggplant Caponata

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD March 11, 2019June 16, 2023

Appetizers

Green Chili Buffalo Shrimp Dip

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD January 29, 2019February 14, 2019

Thank you Rio Luna Organic Peppers for sponsoring this post. Rio Luna Organic Peppers are certified organic, non-GMO, fat free, cholesterol free, low calorie and Kosher. For flavorful and spicy recipe ideas follow Rio Luna on Facebook and Instagram. The perfect game day appetizer, this Buffalo Shrimp Dip has three types of cheese, green chilies, and a kick of hot…

Appetizers

Pan Fried Chicken Dumplings

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD December 12, 2018October 16, 2018

While I’m on maternity leave, please welcome my good friend Dixya Bhattarai! She’s a fellow registered dietitian and food blogger here in Fort Worth, Texas. You can find her over at Food, Pleasure & Health. Hi Zen and Spice readers! Since Emily is little busy taking care of her little nugget, I thought I’d…

Appetizers

Quick Veggie Side: Parmesan Zucchini Pizzas

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD May 25, 2018June 16, 2023

· Tender bites of zucchini covered in salty marinara sauce, topped with melted Parmesan flakes. These parmesan zucchini pizzas are a perfect snack, appetizer or dinner side! Hello hello! I’m back on the blog today sharing a delicious recipe for parmesan zucchini pizzas. These cuties are the perfect appetizer, side dish or snack! All…

Appetizers

Easy Refrigerator Pickled Beets

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD February 7, 2018June 16, 2023

· Fresh beets are abundant at the grocery store and farmer’s markets this time of year. These pickled beets will last for weeks in the fridge and taste delicious! As a child, I loved pickled beets. My whole family did– we were the kids who would eat anything and everything. My mom would buy…

Appetizers

Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sliders with Sweet Chili Mayo Sauce

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD January 22, 2018July 9, 2018

· These pulled pork sliders are perfect to serve a large crowd on game day! A pork shoulder roast is pressure cooked until tender and covered with a tangy and sweet barbecue sauce. Once shredded, the pork is placed onto a soft Hawaiian roll slider bun and topped with a crispy sweet potato fry…

Appetizers

Roasted Garlic & Spinach Holiday Hummus

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD December 11, 2017June 16, 2023

· A beautiful appetizer to serve at your next holiday party! This Roasted Garlic and Spinach Hummus is not only pretty, but tastes delicious too. This post is sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting brands that make Zen & Spice possible! We’re in full swing of the…

Appetizers

Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD December 5, 2017June 16, 2023

· A toss it and forget it appetizer, this Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke dip is perfect for your holiday party. Just combine the ingredients in a slow cooker for two hours and you’ve got a delicious and healthy party appetizer! We’re just twenty days away from Christmas! Are you planning a party this year?…

Appetizers

Spicy Curry Potato Pancakes

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD November 30, 2017June 16, 2023

· Crispy and golden, these spicy curry potato pancakes are the perfect way to use up leftover mashed potatoes. This post is sponsored by Sprouts Farmers Market. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting brands that make Zen & Spice possible! Back in August, I had the pleasure of visiting the Sprouts Farmers…

Appetizers

Sheet Pan Cheesy Beef Nachos

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD October 17, 2017June 28, 2023

· Perfect for game day, these cheesy beef sheet pan nachos can feed a crowd. Tortilla chips topped with seasoned ground beef, corn, peppers, jalapenos and cheese and baked until crispy and melted. Topped with sour cream, avocado and cilantro. I’ve been seeing sheet pan nachos trending on Pinterest and decided it was about…

Appetizers | Dinner

Panera Copycat Recipe: Autumn Squash Soup

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD October 9, 2017June 16, 2023

· This Autumn Squash Soup is a copycat recipe of Panera’s delicious Fall inspired soup. Made with pumpkin puree, lots of herbs and spices, and a creamy both, this Autumn Squash Soup is warming and filling. It’s Fall, y’all! Celebrate the first week of fall with me by making a big batch of this…

Appetizers

Buffalo Shoestring Potatoes

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD October 2, 2017June 28, 2023

· Buffalo shoestring potatoes are the perfect appetizer for your next get together! Spiralized potatoes crisp up quickly in the oven. Happy Monday! I hope you had a wonderful weekend– we spent Saturday cleaning up the apartment then watching Texas Tech football. The temperatures were in the 70’s, so I felt like baking some…

Appetizers | Dinner

Grilled Shrimp with Cowboy’s Caviar

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD September 4, 2017June 16, 2023

· Grilled shrimp with cowboy’s caviar is the perfect pair for a Labor day grilling party! This colorful dish features corn, beans and tomatoes tossed in a chili-lime vinaigrette. Yee-ha! Hi, friends! My husband and I are currently overseas on a two-week long adventure in Ireland, Scotland and London. Follow our adventures over on…

Appetizers

Grilled Zucchini Medallions

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD July 25, 2017June 28, 2023

Summer zucchini is abundant this time of year- make good use of it by caramelizing zucchini’s natural sugars on a grill pan. One of my favorite recent purchases is my calphalon grill pan. I’ve been using it several times a week to cook both meat and veggies. The deep ridges add flavor and browns veggies evenly…

Appetizers

Burst Cherry Tomato & Roasted Red Pepper Loaded Poutine

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD June 30, 2017June 16, 2023

Take traditional Canadian poutine to the next level– topping it with burst cherry tomatoes and roasted red bell peppers! This post is sponsored by SUNSET Produce. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting brands that help make Zen & Spice happen! While us Americans are getting ready to celebrate July 4th, our neighbors up…

Appetizers

Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD June 19, 2017June 16, 2023

Alternating layers of fresh mozzarella, juicy heirloom tomatoes and crisp basil drizzled with olive oil, salt and pepper. Enjoy this refreshing Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad on a hot summer’s day! Thank you Mikasa & Lifetime Brands for sponsoring this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. There’s nothing better than tomatoes in the summertime!…

Appetizers

Pineapple Avocado Salsa

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD June 12, 2017June 16, 2023

Pineapple Avocado Salsa is perfect for your next summer get together! Need a sweet and spicy salsa to go with barbecue chicken, steak or hamburgers? Look no further! This Pineapple Avocado Salsa can be served with tortilla chips as a delicious side dish. I just love grocery shopping this time of year. The stores are…

Appetizers | Dinner

Shaved Cucumber & Tomato Greek Salad

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD May 9, 2017June 16, 2023

Crunchy and refreshing cucumber ribbons, combined with multi colored cherry tomatoes, red onion, kalamata olives, fresh oregano and goat cheese, topped with a hefty drizzle of olive oil and red wine vinegar. Good morning, and happy Tuesday! I’ve got a really great Greek salad recipe to share with you today. The weather here has been…

Appetizers | Dinner

Garden Party Pasta Salad

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD March 13, 2017June 28, 2023

Packed with crunchy veggies, ham, cheddar cheese and tossed with zesty Italian dressing, this pasta salad is sure to be a hit at your next picnic or barbecue. I originally shared this recipe in the summer of 2015. It’s an old family favorite! My mom used to make a double or triple batch of this pasta salad…

Appetizers

Greek Yogurt Dill Pickle Dip

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD February 1, 2017June 28, 2023

Say hello to a veggie and chip dip that will rock your world! Made with plain Greek yogurt, this protein-packed dill pickle dip tastes great with any veggie, pretzel, cracker or chip. The Superbowl is this weekend! Will you be watching? If so, who are you rooting for? I’m still hurt by the fact that…

Appetizers | Dinner

Southwest Pasta Salad

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD January 30, 2017June 16, 2023

Macaroni salad is one of the hot-ticket items at every barbecue or cookout- so look no further for a healthy version of this fan favorite! Made with protein-packed Greek yogurt, salsa, and lots of veggies and beans, this protein and fiber rich macaroni salad will be sure to satisfy. Happy Monday, my friends! I am writing…

Appetizers

Blender Roasted Potato Soup

ByEmily Weeks, RDN, LD January 23, 2017June 16, 2023

Roasted potatoes, carrot and onion make up this creamy and savory soup. Throw these roasted veggies in a high-power blender along with milk, chicken broth and spices and you’ve got a warming roasted potato and veggie soup! I was sent this product for free in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own….

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