Veggie Lentil Chili

Did you know you don't need chili powder to make chili?  All you need is your own spices. Have you ever seen what kind of crap they put in some chili powder?  And have you ever noticed that all chili powder is, is a combination of spices that are probably in your pantry?  Here's the recipe - make some now :)

1 Small Yellow Onion

1 Red Bell Pepper

2 Jalapeno Peppers

2 Carrots

2 Ribs Celery

2 Cloves Fresh Garlic

3 Tablespoons Paprika

3 Tablespoons Cumin

1 Tablespoon Oregano

2 Tablespoons Sugar (Optional)

2 teaspoons Sea Salt

1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper

1/4 teaspoon Cinnamon

1 16.5 Ounce Can Chili Beans

1 Small Can Tomato Paste

1 Quart Vegetable Broth

1 Tablespoon Canola or Olive Oil

1 Cup Lentils (any color)

Begin by finally dicing celery, carrots, onions, garlic and peppers (remove stems, ribs and seeds).  Heat oil in a medium-size saucepan and add all vegetables and aromatics.  Sauté until begins to get golden and add all salt, pepper, sugar and spices.  Deglaze pan with beans, tomato paste and vegetable broth.  Stir to combine. Bring to a boil and reduce to simmer.  Rinse lentils thoroughly and add to the pot.  Simmer covered for about 45 minutes to an hour or until lentils are tender.  Taste test for seasoning and add additional salt or sugar if needed.  Serve immediately or allow to cool and store in a tightly sealed glass vessel in refrigerator for up to one week.  Enjoy!

Roasted Rainbow Pepper Aioli

About 2 Cups assorted peppers, mild to hot.  I used mini red, yellow, orange, green, jalapeno and Thai Bird's Eye chilis

Sea Salt

Scant Drizzle Canola Oil

Parchment Paper

1 Cup Canola Oil

Begin by removing stems from all peppers.  Wash and slice lengthwise.  Coat in sea salt and a drizzle of oil.  Spread out into one even layer on a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.  Bake at 350 degrees F for about 30 minutes.  Remove and allow to cool completely.  Add mixture to food processor and puree, scraping down sides as necessary.  While machine is running, drizzle in canola oil until emulsified.  Taste test and add additional sea salt if needed.  Store in large glass jar in refrigerator until ready to serve.  Use as a dip or sandwich spread.  Also goes great on your favorite pasta.

Authentic Thai Cucumber Salad

You know the stuff.  You get it in teeny tiny bowls at your favorite Thai joint.  Then you order a huge plate of it for two bucks and some change because you can't get enough and your lunch date ate most of it anyway.  It's tangy, sour and sweet and now you want some.  This satisfying side dish is easy to throw together and it costs next to nothing.  Here is what you need:

Authentic Thai Cucumber Salad

1 Large Cucumber

1/2 Small Red Onion

1/4 Cup Sugar

1/2 Cup Rice Wine Vinegar

1/4 Bunch Fresh Cilantro

1 Serrano Chili Pepper

1 Jalapeno Pepper

Sea Salt

Roasted Peanuts (for garnish, optional)

Begin by peeling cucumber.  Slice lengthwise and remove seeds using a spoon.  Slice thinly and set in a collander.  Next slice onion thinly and add to collander.  Cut peppers in half and remove white ribs and seeds.  Dice these finely and add to collander.  Sprinkle mixture with a generous amount of sea salt, toss with a spoon and set aside for 30 minutes (put a plate underneath to catch the liquid the salt will draw out of the mixture).  

Now rinse mixture thoroughly with cold water and shake off excess liquid, squeezing or you could spin it in a salad spinner.  In a large glass bowl, add sugar and vinegar.  Allow sugar to dissolve and add cucumber mixture.  

Stir to combine and add finely chopped cilantro.  Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.  Sprinkle with chopped roasted peanuts, if desired.

Jalapeno Spread

I am obsessed with all things spicy.  I'm pretty sure I'm Mexican underneath my white ass exterior.  But anyway, I digress.

Grab some fresh Jalapenos, roast them to perfection and make it rain!  This spread goes great on just about anything.  It is also simply delicious on a big, fat spoon.  Vamanos!

Jalapeno Spread

6-8 Fresh Jalapenos

4 Cloves Fresh Garlic

1/2 Red Onion

Canola oil

Sea Salt & Pepper

Fresh squeezed Lime

Fresh Cilantro

Begin by prepping your Jalapeno Peppers.  Wearing rubber gloves is a great idea.  Chop stems, slice lengthwise and remove white ribs and seeds.  Place them in a large roasting pan along with rough chopped red onion and whole garlic cloves (remove skins from both).

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.  Drizzle with a little canola oil, sea salt and black pepper.  Toss to coat and roast for about 15-20 minutes or until skins blister slightly.  Turn off oven and remove roasting pan from oven.

When mixture has cooled to touch, add all to food processor along with 1 bunch fresh cilantro (wash thoroughly) and juice of a few limes.  Turn on machine and drizzle in more canola oil until desired consistency is achieved.  Serve immediately or refrigerate unused portion for up to 5 days.

Eggplant Pepper Dip

This unique dip packs a mega Umami punch and goes great with all your favorite veggies, chips and crackers or smothered on tacos, burritos, tamales and more!

Eggplant Pepper Dip

1 medium Eggplant

2 dried Santa Fe Chili Peppers (seeds and ribs can be removed)

4 cloves Garlic

1/2 yellow Onion

1/4 Cup fresh Basil

1 teaspoon ground Cumin

Salt and Pepper

Oil of choice

Pinch of Sugar

Juice of 1 Lemon

1 bunch Fresh Cilantro

Water

Begin by washing, destemming, peeling and rough chopping eggplant, peppers, garlic, onion and basil.  Toss with a generous drizzle of oil, cumin, salt and pepper in a large roasting pan.  Roast at 400 degrees F for about 30-35 minutes or until caramelized (golden brown).  Remove and allow to cool slightly.  Add all to food processor along with lemon, sugar and fresh cilantro.  Puree and while machine is running, drizzle in water until desired consistency is achieved.  Although it might not be the prettiest dish, the flavor is unmatched!

Red Rainbow Quinoa

Oh Quinoa!  Let me count the ways I love you!  You are gluten and grain free!  You are so versatile!  My kids love you!  You are so filling!  You pack a punch with your complete protein and amino acid party!  I really can't get enough of you!  

This spicy, easy dish will leave your belly satisfied and won't burn a hole in your budget!  Eat it on it's own, stuff it in a burrito, pile it on a salad.  Your life will be forever changed by this humble dish.

Red Rainbow Quinoa

2 Cups Water

1 Cup Quinoa (Red, White, Yellow or a combination of all three)

1 Tablespoon Bragg's Liquid Aminos

1 Cup Pico De Gallo (store bought or homemade, get the recipe Here )

Begin by thoroughly rinsing quinoa in a fine mesh strainer with cold water.  Strain and add to a medium sized pot along with 2 cups water.  Turn on heat and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to lowest simmer, cover pot with a lid and set a timer for 15 minutes.

If you are making your own Pico De Gallo, make that now while Quinoa is cooking.  Turn off heat and remove lid.  Add Braggs to Quinoa with fluff with a fork.  Lastly, add 1 Cup Pico De Gallo to cooked Quinoa and serve immediately.  Store unused portion in refrigerator in a tightly sealed glass vessel.  Can be reheated later, eaten cold or at room temperature.  Makes about 1 Quart or 4 Cups.

Easy Mole Sauce

Okay seriously, Mole sounds like a daunting task.  Just throw together some 20 ingredients and magically you have the flavor profile of Mole!  Right?!  Well, it goes something like that.  And today, this is how it went down in my kitchen.  Get a little adventurous with your spice rack.  You may surprise yourself.  I know I sure did!  Mole!!!

I didn't measure precisely on this one so just trust your own palate.  Just start with a couple teaspoons and tablespoons or so of each Ingredient. You can always add more as you go if you want it sweeter, saltier, spicer or more bitter.  This batch came out fairly spicy but not over the top.

Easy Mole Sauce

2 Dried Ancho Chilis

2 Dried Pasilla Ancho Chilis

2 Dried Santa Fe Chilis

2 T Pure Cocoa Powder

2 T Brown Sugar

1 t Salt

1 T Cinnamon

1/4 Cup Raisins

1/8 Cup Mixed Nuts (cashew, peanut, almond)

1 T Peanut Butter

1 t Coriander

4 Whole Cloves

6 Whole Black Peppercorns

1 t Thyme

2 T Massel "chicken" flavor buillion powder

1/2 Cup Brewed Dark Coffee

8 Cups Water

4 Garlic Cloves

1/2 Red Onion

Dash of Canola Oil (for sauteeing garlic and onion)

Remove stems from dried chilis, discard stems and put chilis in a large pot.  Cover with 8 cups of water, cover and turn on heat to high.  When water begins to boil, add ALL other ingredients EXCEPT GARLIC and ONION.  Reduce heat to simmer, stir to combine and cover pot with lid.  Allow to simmer for about 20 minutes.  

Meanwhile, In a separate saute pan, heat a dash of Canola Oil over medium heat and add whole garlic cloves and roughly chopped onion.  Reduce heat to low and saute mixture until garlic and onions begin to brown.  Turn off heat and set aside.  Also turn off heat of spice/broth mixture and allow to cool to room temperature.  Add onion mixture to spice/broth mixture and stir well.

Now In 2-3 batches, blend mole at high speed in blender.  You only want your blender about 1/2 full so mixture does not blow out the top!  Be sure to cover top with secure lid, a dish towel and a strong hand!  Once all batches have been well blended, pour mixture through a fine seive (mesh strainer) so as to remove any unwanted seeds and clumps.  Press and stir mixture in strainer with back of a spoon so you get all the good thick liquid separated.  Voila!  You should now have at least one quart of luscious Mole sauce to use on whatever your belly desires!  This would be great drizzled on rice or to coat tofu for burritos, tacos, tamales and more!

Quick Spicy Pickle

1 English Cucumber

1/2 Sweet Yellow Onion

1 Serrano Pepper

1/4 cup White Wine Vinegar

1 Tablespoon Sugar

Dash of Sea Salt and Black Pepper

Peel (if desired) cucumber and chop off each end.  Thinly shave cucumber on slicer side of boxed grater (or slice by hand or use a mandolin).  Set aside.  In a glass jar add vinegar, sugar, cucumber and salt and pepper.  Set aside.  Finely slice onion into 2 inch peices.  Add to jar.  Remove stem from serrano pepper and thinly slice into rounds or smaller moon shapes.  For extra spicy, leave seeds and ribs of pepper in tact.  For less spicy, remove seeds and ribs using a small spoon.  Add pepper to jar.  Seal lid tightly and shake.  Allow to sit on counter for at least 5 minutes to ensure sugar has dissolved.  Shake again and serve or refrigerate unused portion.  Garnish with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro if you like.  Voila!  Quick Spicy Pickle!  Easy as pie!

Arbol Chili Sauce

3 dried Arbol Chilies

2 cups Water

1 six-ounce can Tomato Paste

3 cloves fresh Garlic

1 Tablespoon ground Cumin

1 teaspoon Sea Salt

1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

1 teaspoon dried Oregano

2 Tablespoon Sugar

In a small saucepan cover dried chilies (stems removed) with 2 cups water. Cover and bring to a boil, cook for 5 minutes.  Turn off heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Add contents of pot to blender with other ingredients and blend on high speed until well blended.  Arbol Chili Sauce can be served warm, room temperature or cold.  Use sauce immediately or store unused portion in tightly sealed glass vessel in refrigerator for up to one week.  Pairs well with hummus, tamales and so much more!

Mango Salsa

2 ripe mangos

1/2 small red onion

1 serrano pepper (stem, ribs, seeds removed)

1/2 bunch cilantro leaves

Juice of 1 large lime

Salt & Pepper (to taste)

Wash mango, remove skin and chop flesh into bite sized cubes.  Place in a glass bowl.  Finely dice red onion and chop cleaned cilantro.  Add seasonings and lime juice.   Toss to combine and cover.  Allow to sit and let the flavors marry.  Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.  Yum!

Chef note: for a hearty variation on this classic, add a can of well rinsed organic black beans.  Pairs well with Pumpkin Wheat Beer by Shock Top.

Crazy Easy Tamale Cake with Fire Sauce

I love tamales. I could probably eat them every day and never tire of them. I remember being a child and my Mom used to feed us cans of Hormel Tamales and they were amazing. Do they even make those anymore? Tamales are so versatile and can be made from scratch in a snap. There is no limit to the number of fillings and toppings so the opportunities for creativity are infinite. Now don't get me wrong, making individual tamales for large supper parties with complex fillings can be VERY labor intensive but there are some fun shortcuts when you just want tamales and you want them now.

Crazy Easy Tamale Cake with Fire Sauce

Tamale Cake
2 cups Masa Harina (corn flour)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2/3 cup canola oil
1 1/4 cups vegetable broth

 Begin by combining your dry ingredients, Masa Harina, salt, baking powder and salt until fully combined. Next add the oil and mix together. Now slowly add in the vegetable broth and mix until all ingredients are well combined but DO NOT OVERMIX. Now take out a small casserole dish(glass or metal)and line it with tin foil allowing some to hang over the sides of the dish so you can "wrap it" over the top. Put a layer of parchment paper down and spread mix on parchment. Using another piece of parchment paper the size of the dish, press down slightly so that you have an even layer of dough. Leave that parchment on top and wrap foil over top. Add another couple layers of foil on the top of the dish so that there are no leaks. Next step is to place this dish in the middle of a larger dish. Now place in the oven (no need to preheat oven, it's easier to make your water bath if you are not fighting with a scorching hot vessel) and POUR water all around the dish so that it comes up to about half way. Now cover the whole thing in more foil so it is sealed and cook for about 40 minutes at 350 degrees F.  While it is cooking, make your Fire Sauce.

After your timer goes off, remove from oven and very carefully remove outer foil and lift smaller dish out and set on counter to cool for about 10 minutes. Be very careful because there will be a lot of steam trapped in this contraption! Remove your tamale cake and slice into desired sizes. This is especially great for kids because you can give them smaller portions if necessary.

 ***This recipe does not use filling, although I did throw a few raisins on top because I thought my kids would enjoy them. The beauty of tamales is you can easily make the tamale and then your "fillings" can just be toppings, it still tastes the same. Think beans, potatoes, and any array of vegetables you like, and of course, don't forget the fire sauce! Be creative. If you want to "fill" these, just double the recipe and layer your filling in between and add 20 minutes cook time***

Fire Sauce
1 can tomato paste
1 red hot chili (dried or fresh with stem removed)
2 cups water
2 cloves fresh garlic
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Combine all in your high speed blender and then warm in a sauce pan for serving. Be sure to cover your blender with a towel and keep your hand on the top to avoid a tomato explosion in your kitchen. Trust me on this one. Serve immediately with your tamale cake and store any unused portion in refrigerator in a tightly sealed glass vessel for up to one week. ENJOY.

Zucchini Sesame Chutney

2 small or 1 medium zucchini

1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

1/2 teaspoon black sesame seeds

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

1/2 teaspoon chili garlic sauce (or sambal)

1/2 teaspoon sugar or agave nectar

Salt and Pepper (to taste)

Slice zucchini into bite size peices (okay to leave seeds and skin in tact.). Toss with remaining ingredients and allow to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.  Serve immediately or refrigerate unused portion.  Makes a great stand alone dish or serve alongside your favorite rice or noodles.

Best Salsa Verde

3 Tomatillos (husks removed)

3 Fresh Jalapeno Peppers

2 Small Zucchinis

6-8 Sweet Mini Bell Peppers (red, orange and yellow)

1 Small Sweet Yellow Onion

1/4 Bunch Fresh Cilantro

Juice and Zest of 1 Lime

Salt and Pepper

Canola or Olive Oil

Preheat oven to 475 Degrees F.  Rough chop all produce EXCEPT Cilantro and Lime!  Remove stems from all peppers but okay to leave ribs and seeds in tact as it will all get pureed together beautifully.

Coat onions, tomatillos, peppers and zucchini GENEROUSLY with oil, salt and pepper and put in a large roasting pan.  Toss to coat evenly.  Roast for 15-20 minutes, checking occasionally to rotate with spatula to ensure even cooking.  

Remove dish from oven and place it in a safe place on countertop-turn OFF the oven.  Loosely cover with tinfoil and allow mixture to sit for at least 30 minutes.  Now put all in your blender or food processor including all the lovely roasting liquid! Begin pulsing and then lastly add thoroughly washed cilantro (stems are fine) and lime juice and zest.  

Add a tablespoon or two of cold water if you want puree thinner.  Taste test for salt level.  Serve immediately (may be a bit warm) or store in airtight container in refrigerator.  Serve with your favorite tortilla chips or use as a sauce for tamales, enchiladas, burritos and more!

Chef's Note:  you might be surprised that garlic is not listed in the ingredients list. Feel free to roast a few cloves of garlic if you want. I often do but have found this to be just as tasty when omitted.  Enjoy!

Christmas (in July) Fire Gazpacho

3 Roma Tomatoes

2 Tomatillos

1 small Yellow Onion

10 cloves Garlic

3 Jalapeños

6-8 mini sweet bell peppers (red, yellow, orange)

1 bunch Cilantro

1 leaf of Kale (any variety)

Juice of 2 Limes

2 teaspoons Sea Salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground Black Pepper

1 teaspoon Balsamic Vinegar

1 teaspoon Sugar (optional)

Wash and rough chop all produce.  Be sure to de-stem jalapeños and remove ribs and seeds (wearing rubber gloves is advised during this step).  Blend all fresh produce in separate batches in food processor to desired consistency.  Add lime juice, salt, black pepper, sugar and balsamic vinegar.  Mix all well in large glass bowl and cover tightly.  Allow to sit on counter covered for at least 1 hour before serving.  Serve at room temperature.  Store unused portion in air-tight glass container in refrigerator.  Chef's note:  I prefer mine extra chunky similar to a Pico De Gallo but you can purée mixture to any consistency you desire.

5 Alarm Serrano Chile Sauce

This spicy green sauce is extremely versatile and pairs well with all you favorite Mexican dishes.  Although the sauce is very spicy, due to the ratio of chile peppers to tomatillos, it can be adjusted to suit your preferred spice level.  Give it a try.  I promise it will be a hit.  Just do me a favor and please, wear rubber gloves while handling  your chiles, no matter how tough you think you are in the spice department.


5 Alarm Serrano Chile Sauce

1 pound Serrano chiles (stems, seeds and ribs removed)

4 Tomatillos (husks and stems removed)

8 cloves fresh garlic (left whole with skins removed)

Juice of 4 Limes (zest of 1)

1 cup Canola Oil

1/2 bunch fresh Cilantro (washed with stems attached)

1 teaspoon Sea Salt

1/2 teaspoon Sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Wear rubber gloves while removing stems, ribs and seeds from Serranos.  Wash prepared chiles in cold water thoroughly and pat to dry.  Drizzle a little oil into a large glass casserole dish to coat bottom.  Place chiles, garlic and tomatillos in dish and toss with oil and sea salt.  Bake for about 30 minutes or until skins begin to blister.  Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly.  Place mixture into blender or food processor along with additional salt, sugar(if desired), lime juice, lime zest and fresh cilantro (okay to leave cilantro stems in tact).

Turn on machine to puree and slowly drizzle in remaining oil until desired consistency is achieved.  Serve immediately or store in glass jar in refrigerator for up to one week.  Makes a great dip or drizzle on tacos, burritos, burgers and more!

Chef's note:  if you want to make this less spicy, use half or one-third amount of Serrano Chiles and double amount of sugar.

Hot Passionfruit Dip

Kick up your Crudite platter with the addition of this sweet and spicy dip inspired by sauces served at some of Maui's finest upscale restaurants.

Hot Passionfruit Dip

2 T Passionfruit jelly

2 t Rice Wine Vinegar

2 t Sambal Oelek (Ground Fresh Chili Paste)

1 t Soy Sauce

1 t Toasted Sesame Oil

1 t Sugar

Whisk all ingredients together and serve immediately.  Makes a great dip for bread, crackers, chips and french fries.

Rainbow Summer Salsa

This recipe makes for a fairly spicy salsa however you can easily tone down the heat to tailor it to your liking.  To tone down the heat level just use half or one-third the amount of Serrano Peppers or omit them entirely.  The other Sweet Pepper medley called for in this recipe is not spicy.

Rainbow Summer Salsa

6-8 Small Campari Tomatoes on the Vine

4-6 Small Sweet Bell Peppers (Red, Orange and Yellow)

1 Small Yellow Onion

2-6 Serrano Chile Peppers (remove stems, ribs and seeds)

1/4 cup fresh or frozen Yellow Corn

1/4 cup fresh or frozen Edamame

1/2 bunch fresh Cilantro

4 cloves fresh Garlic (finely minced)

Juice of 3 Limes

1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt

1/4 teaspoon finely ground Black Pepper

1/4 teaspoon Sugar (optional)

Finely dice all vegetables, tomatoes, garlic and cilantro (except corn and edamame) and add to large glass bowl.  Add corn, edamame, lime juice, salt, pepper and sugar.  Toss to combine and allow to sit covered on counter for 15 minutes before serving.  Best served at room temperature.  Refrigerate any unused portion.  Serve with your favorite tortilla chips or eat it with a spoon.

Chef's note:  If you use a food processor to mince vegetables, do peppers, onions, garlic and cilantro first by pulsing slowly and then tomatoes and be careful not to turn mixture into a puree!

Easy Thai Yellow Curry

I actually wasn't sure I was going to post this recipe because it's so easy.  I mean, I know, for some, that is a good thing so I figured I'd throw it up.  After all, it won't take long.  I don't consider this recipe particularly original seeing as how I used pre-made curry paste, HOWEVER, the way I prepared it lent itself well to a "any night of the week" dinner.  I only used ONE pan to make the entire dish, always a very good thing!!

I am a BIG fan of Thai Yellow Curry.  I always love to order this when I go out for Thai Food.  It's nice to know I can actually have it, any day of the week, in my own kitchen using ONE pan.  Next time, I think I'll make my own curry paste but for now, this will do just fine.

Easy Thai Yellow Curry
1 Casserole Dish (for cooking)
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil (any oil will do)
2-4 Tablespoons Thai Yellow Curry Paste (pictured - use 1 Tablespoon at a time to test  your spiciness level)
1-2 Tablespoons Sugar (add more to counter some of the spiciness)
2 Cans of Vegetable Broth
1 Can Coconut Milk (pictured)
1 Kabocha Squash (looks like a green pumpkin, use half if squash is large)
1 Sweet Yellow Onion
2 Sweet Potatoes (the white one or orange one works nice too)
2 Russet Potatoes (or Yukon Golds are perfection)
Sea Salt and Pepper (to taste)
1-2 Limes or Lemons (for garnish)
Cilantro (for garnish)
Jasmine Rice (for serving)


Preheat oven to 350 Degrees.  Chop Kabocha Squash in half and remove seeds using a spoon.  Chop squash carefully as it is very hard to chop.  Chop Potatoes in uniform size (1 1/2 inch cubes).  It is FINE to eat the green rind of the squash- it's yummy!  Toss in oil and sprinkle generously with sea salt and black pepper in a large casserole dish.  Place in oven for 20 minutes.  While it is cooking, finely slice onion and place onions atop potatoes (allow to cook for 10 minutes) and then remove from oven.  Add vegetable broth and curry paste, TOSS, and return to oven for another 10 minutes.  At this point your dish has cooked about 40 minutes.

Remove from oven and stir in 1 can of coconut milk and add sugar, salt and pepper, to taste.  Test potatoes and squash for doneness.  Continue cooking 10 minute increments until potatoes are tender to the tooth. It shouldn't take more than an hour.

I'm sure if you wanted this to be a truly ONE POT meal, and save on time, you could just add all the ingredients from the get go, but I think you will find the "roasting", 10 minutes at a time, method adds a certain heirloom touch to the finished product.  Serve with Jasmine Rice and garnish with Lime and Cilantro.  ENJOY!  Your belly will thank you.  =]

Creamy Raspberry Sriracha Dip

I am a dip fanatic.  It occurred to me that in all my days of eating meat, it was pretty much always all about the sauces that coated them.  So in my new vegan life, I decided that if I can have the dip, I can definitely do without the animal that used to be underneath it.  This sauce is pretty spicy but you can tone it down by adding less Sriracha to suit your taste preference.

Creamy Raspberry Sriracha Dip
1/2 cup vegan mayonnaise (I like Vegannaise)
1/8 cup raspberry preserves
1 Tablespoon Sriracha (use 1 teaspoon if you don't like it spicy)
1 small clove garlic (optional)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Whisk ingredients up and put into a bowl.  Taste test for seasoning level.  Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to use.  

Serving suggestion:  pairs well with french fries, as a sandwich spread or coated on fried tofu or seitan.

Makes about 3/4 cup.