Creamy Dill-a Dip

Some friends and I tried BBQ portobello mushroom burgers for the first time and this dip made all the difference!  It made it unbelievably tasty -- plus, it only takes a couple minutes to prepare. 

This dip is creamy and bursting with a fresh tangy flavour.   It is ideal for a range of foods, such as a dip for veggies, chips, yam fries or on burgers, Portobello mushrooms, wild salmon, potatoes, sandwiches…it adds a tangy, nutritious zip to all these foods. 

Ingredients:

1 avocado
4 fresh basil leaves
1 tsp fresh parsley
2 Tbsp fresh dill
1 tsp pure maple syrup
1 garlic clove
1 tsp Dijon mustard
Juice of 1 small lemon
2 Tbsp water
Ground pepper & unrefined sea salt to taste

1.        Combine all ingredients in bowl and blend with hand blender or can use food processor, until smooth.  Can prepare a head of time as it keeps well in the fridge for a couple days.

Enjoy!

  
     Whole Food Sneak Peak:
                     Dill

Dills name comes from the word dilla, meaning “to lull.”  Appropriately, dill was used to calm the stomach and intestines and to help sleepiness. 

Dill comes from the same family as carrots, celery, fennel and parsley.  It’s fernlike leaves are aromatic, provide nutrition and has a soft , sweet taste.   The ancient Greeks and Romans considered dill a sign of wealth and it was highly regarded for its healing properties. 

Dills prime health benefit is in the elimination of flatulence and digestive disturbances. 

It is also shown to have some anticancer and antimicrobial effects in its active compounds – the monoterpenes and flavonoids.  Dill is also useful in promoting detoxification in the liver. 

Dill is best used when fresh.  Store fresh dill in the fridge  wrapped in damp paper towel or with its stems placed in a container of water.  Dill is a popular flavour thanks to the popularity of dill pickles.  It is a very versatile herb and combines well with vegetables, fruit, poultry and fish.