Greek French Onion Dip

As much as I love crudités, they can be a bit boring.  Then again, so can chips and pretzels, and so many other snack foods.  There are several things that can be done to combat blandness, however.  The simplest, by far, is to have some dip with your snacks.

Dips can be a snap to make, and delicious to boot.  However, they tend to be made out of things like sour cream and mayonnaise, which are hefty in terms of calories and bad for people who are trying to be healthy.  Since this month is about getting some healthy snack options around the table, a run-of-the-mill dip just won't do. Luckily, I know just the thing.

Equipment:
Stirring Spoon
Mixing bowl
Measuring implements

Ingredients:
1 packet French Onion Soup Mix
8 oz Greek-style yogurt
2 Tbsp Mayo (or to taste)

Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients in bowl
2. Let sit in refrigerator for 10~15 minutes

Serve with crudités, or ruffled potato chips.

Possible Alterations:
Greek-style yogurt can be pricey, and while I've not tried this recipe with plain yogurt, it certainly seems like it could work.  If you're willing to try it, please report back here and I'll update this post.  A friend of mine has also mentioned  that you can fake Greek-style yogurt by straining plain yogurt with coffee filters for a few hours, so that could also be something worth trying.  Also, if you're uncaring to how healthy your snacks are, you can substitute sour cream for the yogurt.  You may want to add a bit more mayo if you do, but you don't have to.  Of course, there is also the Bacon French Onion dip I mentioned a while ago.

Happy gaming!

Crudités 'round the Table

Your traditional snacks for D&D might include any of following: pretzels, corn chips, potato chips, cheetos, peanuts, and maybe popcorn.  All tasty things, but sometimes you need a break from the usual.  Enter Crudités.

Crudités (pronounced Crew-Day-Ta) is a fancy French word for something simple; Crudités is just sliced, raw vegetables.  They make a nice change of pace from your regular snacks, and they're simple to boot!

Ingredients:
4 large carrots
4 stalks celery
1~2 green peppers
1-2 heads Broccoli

Equipment:
1 carrot scraper
1 cutting board
1 chefs knife
1 paring knife 
1 plate (large is best!)

Directions:
1. Prepare the carrots:
     a. Scrape the carrots.
     b. Chop off the tips.
     c. Cut carrots into sticks
     d. Place carrot sticks on a plate

2. Prepare the Celery:
     a. Wash the Celery stalks.
     b. Placing the celery so that it is concave down.
     c. Cut off the leaves and base, and save the leaves for later use.
     d. Slice down the center lengthwise.
     e. Slice into sticks
     f. Place on same plate as carrots.

3. Prepare the Peppers
     a. Wash the peppers
     b. Remove the stem using the paring knife.
     c. Cut the pepper down the center.
     d. Remove the seeds with the paring knife.
     e. Cut into strips.
     f. Place pepper strips on the plate

4. Prepare the Broccoli
    a. Wash the broccoli
    b. Remove the stalk, and place to the side.
    c. Break up the florets (the tree-like parts)
    d. Take the stalk and cut it into manageable sticks.
    e. Place the florets and the stalk slices onto the platter

Serve immediately with dip or cover in plastic wrap for short term storage.  Place separately in plastic zip-top bags for the long term storage.

Possible Alterations:
Different vegetables can certainly be used.  Cucumber slices, or sticks, are delicious, as are asparagus stalks.  Cauliflower is also acceptable, but I don't find it as tasty raw as the previously mentioned veggies.  As always, suggestions are appreciated!

Happy Gaming!

Bacon French Onion Dip

Snacks around the table are just as important, if not more so, than having dinner itself.  One can buy dips from the store, pre-made, but it's usually worth it to make your own.  French Onion dip is a classic, and this interesting twist definitely brings something new to the party!

Ingredients:
1 cup J&D's Baconnaise
1 cup sour cream (1 cup is the same as 1 eight ounce package of sour cream)
1 packet french onion soup mix

Equipment:
1 spoon for mixing
1 bowl
Measuring cups

Directions:

1. Combine Baconnaise, sour cream, and french onion soup mix.
2. Let set in the refrigerator for 15~20 minutes.

Serve with thick ripple-cut chips and enjoy!

Possible Alterations:
Baconnaise is tasty, but it can be both hard to find and expensive.  Once could probably get a similar result by using mayonnaise mixed with freshly made bacon bits, although that would be a less healthy option.  It should be noted that Baconnaise is actually somewhat  healthier than real mayonnaise, and, like Bacon Salt, is both kosher and vegan friendly.

Happy gaming!

Adventuring! It's not just for the table anymore!

This is called 'outside'.

Dungeons and Dragons is awesome.  Cooking is awesome.  Reading is awesome.  There are lots of things that we nerdy folks get up to that are just plain cool.  Sadly, it just so happens that a lot of them end up with us being inside, not doing much physically.  Which is a pity, because there is a lot of awesome things that we can do that are out of doors.

Today Katie and I decided to change things up with our Saturday, and went hiking.  I brought my camera along, because photography happens to be in my list of hobbies, and it was a really nice day.  So, we went adventuring!

Yeah, we climbed up there.

When we think of adventuring, we think of epic heroes going on quests to slay dragons and save the world from evil.  But there is also an element of exploration, going to interesting places and seeing new things.  While going on maintained trails in national parks is not as exciting as actual trail blazing, it makes a pretty good proxy.  Especially if you're willing to go off the beaten trail a bit.

You can visit places like this!

If you're not used to hiking, there are some certain things you should know. Mainly, there are some precautions you should take before heading off into the wild.  Firstly, make sure to bring water, a pocket knife, a cell phone, an extra pair of socks, and a couple of friends.  A First Aid kit is also a very good decision, and can make an important difference in your hike.  You may also want to bring some trail mix or granola bars, and consider making a picnic out of it if you plan to spend a whole day out.

Unless you have a map, a compass, and the knowledge of how to use them, I can't in good conscience recommend that you leave the beaten trail by more than a few feet.  This doesn't mean you shouldn't look off the beaten path for interesting things to explore!  Just be certain to be safe and not get lost.

Exploring the worlds of Dungeons and Dragons is pretty exciting, battling monsters and visiting strange locales.  But don't forget that there is some pretty cool and interesting things happening outside our own front door.  So, take a weekend and go exploring.  You'll be glad you did!

~~~~~~~BONUS!

Quick and Dirty Trail Mix

Silly tree, that's not Trail Mix!

Ingredients:
Peanuts
Raisins
Small Pretzel sticks
M&M candies

Equipment:
1 Gallon zip top bag

Directions:
1. Mix all ingredients in the bag in desired proportions.
2. Shake the bag vigorously.
3. Enjoy!

Possible Alterations:
Just about anything can go in a trail mix.  Anything from Gorp (Good Ol' Raisins and Peanuts) to more complex concoctions involving mini-marshmallows and popcorn are fair game.  All that matters that it is filling, and energy providing. Nuts of any kind are great sources of long term energy, and sugars are great for quick energy.  Having the two together in one handful is what makes trail mix both tasty and useful for hiking.

Happy Trails, and Happy Gaming!