Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.
Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We popped into Cafe Crevier downtown and I finally got to try one of their burgers. It was thick and juicy and cooked to perfection. Love that the lettuce was shredded, and that the bun was toasted and slightly crispy. If you’re local, pop in and give them a try - don’t miss the fries!
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Explanations, Definitions and a Really Awesome Hot Artichoke Dip

May 31, 2011 · Narrative

Healthy Artichoke Dip
On the way down the shore Saturday afternoon, Madeline slept nearly the whole way.  Nick did not.  From the third row of my SUV, he volleyed off questions faster than I could answer them.  He spoke so low that every time he had a question, I had to lower the radio.  I may or may not have done so with an exasperated sigh.  It could have had something to do with the timing his questions had with songs I really liked.  Or the fact that by the time we reached salty water and sea air, we had covered Daddy’s girlfriend and her clothing, if cancer is contagious, if we can get another dog and the differences between dating and having a boyfriend.  And everything in between.  Being a parent is mentally exhausting sometimes all the time.

The topic of dating someone versus them being a boyfriend or a girlfriend has come up a few times over the past week.  I’ve explained the difference.  For those approaching these fun topics with their own children, I went with “dating” is when you see different people and a “boyfriend or a girlfriend” is when you have decided to be exclusive.  That works, right?  It does here.

I didn’t think Madeline was really paying attention, and honestly, doubted the topic interested her.

I was wrong.

Last night over dinner, she pipes up with “Mom, can I ask you a question?”

Sure.

“Is it ok if I date?”

Um.  I don’t know.  Who?

“Justin.”  (This is her, ahem, boyfriend at school)

You want to date Justin? (This is known as Stalling 101)

“Yes.”

Well, what would you do on your dates?

“Go to the movies and stuff.”

It is really the “stuff” I am most curious about.  But I don’t think I want to know the specifics so didn’t press.

I guess it would be ok, but we should probably ask him and his mom.

Luckily, she decided that seemed reasonable.  I’m hoping she doesn’t think I’m serious.  About it being ok to date.  Or checking with his mom.  There are many moments that I look at her and scream silently inside my head, WHO ARE YOU?  This would have been one of those moments.

Nick, listening to the whole conversation, was in near hysterics on the floor.

For the record, Madeline’s grandmother said no to dating.

Now how ’bout some food?  There is no graceful segueway from our dating trials and tribulations to an awesome artichoke dip, so I’m not even going to try.  Hot artichoke dip is one of those things that I love but rarely eat.  Mostly because I don’t know enough people that like it to help me eat the whole dish.  And because I like it enough that if I can’t share it, I’d polish it off myself, clean eating or not.  What’s a girl to do?

Come up with a healthier version that offers up less guilt but doesn’t skimp on flavor. I first made this Friday night for dinner with The Neighbors.  I brought the leftovers down the shore and we polished it off before it even made it to the table.  The original version I made used half Greek yogurt and half low-fat mayo.  Loved it. I tried a second batch with all Greek yogurt and we ended up throwing it away after just a few bites.  So don’t go trying to make it even healthier.  We’ve done the research for you already.  As written below, it’s delicious, slightly tangy and hard to step away from.  Find some friends to help you do damage control.  You can thank me later.  I happen to like flowers.

Mostly Guiltless Hot Artichoke Dip
Recipe courtesy of Cate O’Malley

1 cup 2% fat Greek yogurt (I use Fage)
1 cup low-fat or Canola mayo (I use Hellmann’s)
1 14.5 oz can quartered artichoke hearts in water
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
whole wheat bread crumbs

Drain the artichoke hearts and chop in bite size pieces.  In a bowl, mix the yogurt, mayo, artichoke hearts and Parmesan cheese until well blended.  Put in small casserole dish (mine was a little smaller than 8×8) and top with thin layer of whole wheat bread crumbs.  Bake at 375 until the top is golden brown (about 30 minutes).  Serve with bagel chips or crackers.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: artichoke dip, Fage, Greek yogurt, healthy dip, Hellmann's

Comments

  1. Casey says

    May 31, 2011 at 7:46 pm

    That dip sounds yummy! I have an unhealthy version of it…….must try this one!

    Reply
  2. claire says

    May 31, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    Ha!!! Madeline is quite the character.

    Reply
  3. Karen says

    May 31, 2011 at 10:20 pm

    I am making that dip this week! Yummy.

    My sister is a Nanny for 2 kids (ages 7 and 5) and they ask questions galore! I spend a lot of time with them and they prefer asking me stuff instead of their parents or my sister. The other day at the farmer’s market the 5 year old asked me how long he was going to be black. (The kids are bi-racial.) I responded, “Um. Pretty much forever buddy.” And said, “Well, I am not sure I like that.” People all around were looking at us a little funny.

    Reply
    • Cate says

      June 1, 2011 at 1:50 pm

      Karen – too funny! That tv show wasn’t off-base, kids really DO say the darnedest things!

      Reply
  4. Aggie says

    May 31, 2011 at 11:09 pm

    Thank you for posting this dip! I need dip like this in my life…with Greek yogurt! Yum!

    Reply
  5. Sarah Caron says

    May 31, 2011 at 11:16 pm

    Healthy artichoke dip? You are my hero. Making this. Perhaps tomorrow.

    Reply
  6. Joanne says

    June 1, 2011 at 5:21 am

    Oh my god, I was in hysterics while reading this! Although, i had a boyfriend in elementary school also and we totally bought each other valentine’s day presents…but we also totally couldn’t stand the thought of even holding hands.

    This healthy artichoke dip sounds fantastic! Perfect for the myriad of summer parties we’ll all be attending or throwing!

    Reply
  7. Kris #40 says

    June 1, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    What?! No feta in the dip? Not even lowfat? Looks so good though!

    Love that conversation!

    Reply
    • Cate says

      June 1, 2011 at 1:50 pm

      Dude – low-fat mayo and low-fat yogurt! no love?

      Reply
  8. Kris #40 says

    June 1, 2011 at 12:42 pm

    ps – Where’s the bonus photo?

    Reply

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Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef

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Last week when I met the owners of the new French Last week when I met the owners of the new French bakery in town, I told them how happy I was that they were opening … because now I had an endless source for gifts for my mom’s future birthdays and Christmases. She was born in Paris and we’ve grown up with a healthy appreciation for French things … starting with their pastries and baguettes, but so much more. My daughter took her first trip to Paris last year and thoroughly enjoyed the croissants there and she deemed the ones at @chocolatinenj just as perfect. No surprise there since the owner is a French pastry chef! If you’re local and haven’t been, do make a point to stop in and visit. They’re open Wednesday through Sunday and have a wide selection of sweet and savory items and a few French retail selections as well. We’ve tried the macarons, the Croque Monsieur, the croissants, the tomato tarts, the baguette … basically we’re working our way through their display case in due time. Don’t miss this one - enjoy!
People complain about how much time is spent on ph People complain about how much time is spent on phones sometimes, but if it wasn’t for phones. I wouldn’t have these awesome little snippets of them growing up. I only wish I had more. Appreciate and document the little mundane things, for they are the very fabric of your life.
happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’v happy Spring, friends! Y’all know how long I’ve been waiting for the seasons to change and I’m so excited that Mother Nature was on board today! ☀️ There is nothing like the energy from the sun and it makes me happy. Hope you got some today!
Weekend photos in review, old school style. Contex Weekend photos in review, old school style. Context: 1) saying goodbye until Easter, 2) sending him back with good bagels, 3) sunlight charging station, 4) the sun was out all day yesterday and it was glorious, 5) hitting the farmers market for my favorite garlic butter, 6) make a wish, 7) sun patterns, and 8) my sous chef
I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I I don’t eat French fries often, but when I do, I’m going to make it count. Doo Wop Eats opened a few months ago in downtown Denville and their fries are LEGIT. They are hand cut and taste the way fries should … like potatoes! I add a sprinkle of salt and dunk them in a side of their special sauce and they are pure perfection. You can order a small bucket or a large one (better for sharing!), or as a side item with one of their other delicious menu items like their cheeseburgers, fried chicken sandwiches or cheesesteak. I do believe they’re the best fries in town. I said what I said. Doo Wop’s menu celebrates all your favorite Jersey shore boardwalk treats, including Fried Oreos, clam strips and milk shakes and has a fun vibe for kids and families. 😍
The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that The Grinder Salad, a recipe I found on tiktok that takes all of your favorite ingredients from a grinder (or sub) sandwich and makes it into a delicious chopped salad. It’s as easy as putting everything in a bowl and chopping it up. Perfect for busy days and lazy nights, light meals and warm weather choices. Ingredient list below. Enjoy!

One bag or arugula
One container of cherry tomatoes 
Quarter pound of hard salami
8 Oz of fresh mozzarella
One small red onion
1/3 cup banana peppers 
Handful of fresh basil
Half cup Italian salad dressing
3 T Kewpie mayo
2 T red wine vinegar 
Sea salt and black pepper

Chop it all up, add a half box of ditalini pasta, cooked. Mix to combine.

Recipe from GrilledCheeseSocial.
We had a fun little board party this week and the We had a fun little board party this week and the delicious whipped Brie I shared earlier was front and center. If you haven’t heard of board parties, it’s when every guest makes a different type of food board and brings it - so much fun noshing ensues! With toasted baguette slices, cornichons and local honey, this was mostly a French-inspired board. So simple to pull together and totally my kind of meal.
Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We Lunch date with one of my favorite people. 😍 We popped into Cafe Crevier downtown and I finally got to try one of their burgers. It was thick and juicy and cooked to perfection. Love that the lettuce was shredded, and that the bun was toasted and slightly crispy. If you’re local, pop in and give them a try - don’t miss the fries!

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