If you’re thinking ice cream, that is certainly a big one. I do love a good dessert platter, but ultimately I am all about a cheese board or plate or platter. Whatever you want to call it, it makes me incredibly happy. And now I make my own!
What are my secret ingredients? Cheese, of course, and I use havarti and swiss and colby jack, and pretty much anything. Then I love pepperoni and salami. I pair it all with a chickpea salad (homemade, of course) and some antipasto – store bought or thrown together easily at home with provolone. When you have all that goodness, what’s the most important food pairing? This is an easy question. It’s crackers, of course. And that’s why I’ve found a love with Blue Diamond® Nut-Thins.
They are my go-to snack for the summer, and also for my summer entertaining, with July 4th, Labor Day, and all of our birthdays crammed into two months of parties. They make for a delicious snack that is crunchy and crispy like a potato chip, but sturdy enough for dips and toppings. That’s why it’s perfect for my summer gatherings because I dip them, put cheese and pepperoni on them, or use them as vehicles for antipasto and chickpea salad. This is important for many of my friends that they are wheat & gluten free, and made with real Blue Diamond® Almonds. There are no artificial flavors and there’s a crispy, crunchy texture that is oh so good. I love that there is a wide variety of flavors to try and enjoy as well.
Right now, Blue Diamond® Nut-Thins are giving away $3,000 in prizes! There’s the Nut-Thins 2 Win Scavenger Hunt – for the chance to win a $1,000 gift card, find Nut-Thins in any grocery store, take a selfie with the product on the shelf, and post it to your public Instagram or Twitter account using the hashtag #NutThinsContest OR upload it to NutThins2win.com!
Then we have the Nut-Thins 2 Win Sweepstakes. For the chance to win a $500 gift card to either Ahold, Kroger, Safeway, or Target, enter your information at NutThins2Win.com. Two ways to win up to $3,000 in prizes! Good luck!
Homemade Chickpea Salad:
What You Need:
2 cans garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup Edamame
1/2 cup red and green peppers
1/3 cup carrots, diced
2-4 Tbsp dried cranberries
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt & Pepper
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp sunflower or grapeseed oil
1 tsp vinegar
1 tsp sugar
Seasonings – basil, rosemary, thyme, etc.
What You Do:
1 – In a large bowl, combine your garbanzo beans, edamame, peppers, carrots, cranberries, and garlic.
2 – In a smaller bowl, combine the oils and seasonings and whisk until blended
3 – Pour the contents of the smaller bowl over the beans mixture and toss with salt and pepper
4 – Enjoy!
YUM, right? It is one of my favorite recipes. And I love that it goes perfectly with Nut-Thins. They are crispy and sturdy and every flavor holds my salad well, but I think the original flavor is my favorite to pair with it. They all work!
What’s your favorite item on a cheese board? Other than cheese, of course!
