CRAVING SWEET AND SALTY

DINING ON THE PRAIRIE

I have never and I mean NEVER ate red grapes and green olives together until I was ransacking my brain thinking what is there in the house to snack on and still stay on my diet?  Grapes and olives came to mind.  SO I ate equal amounts of these together enjoying the combination of tastes.  Sweet and salty.

ON DAY 5 of this Daniel Diet, I had a very bad hankering for something salty and sweet.  Organic Red Grapes and organic Kalamata Olives fixed the craving.  It was delicious to eat together.  Very satisfying.  My Husband asked me if I were pregnant.  Yes, I answered with a smile.

If I can remember to redirect my cravings to organic foods that I can mix together instead of munching down on high carbs like potato chips or Cheetos, cheese and crackers, I'll be better off. It worked and the calories aren't empty ones or full of bad fats.  

I'm celebrating that day 6 is here.  Almost a week into this.  This happened the last time I did the Daniel Diet, I started thinking about what I will eat after the 21 days is up.  Ice cream came to mind.  So did tacos and meat loaf.  Chinese food.  

After 21 days, my reward will be to eat Chinese food like Lemon Chicken.  Our local Chinese Restaurant closed last year.  It's been about a year and a half since I ate Chinese food.  I know so much of it is loaded with MSG, so I will need to watch it when we finally do go eat at a Chinese Restaurant.  Maybe we'll dine in Topeka or Manhattan.  

For now, I am contented to eat cold red grapes and olives.  Never crossed my mind that someone could roast them to make a side dish or appetizer, but I found this on the internet.

ROASTED GRAPES AND OLIVES

Roasted grapes and olives are some of the best easy appetizers. Red grapes and green olives are roasted together for a flavorful tasty snack that is perfect for entertaining or on a charcuterie board!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ½ cups red seedless grapes, washed and stems removed

• 1 ½ cups green olives, drained

• 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 lemon, juice and zest

• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

• ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 375° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. In a medium bowl, mix together grapes, olives, olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, thyme leaves, salt, and pepper. 

3. Place grape and olive mixture on the prepared sheet pan and roast in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the grapes start to shrivel and the olives start to lightly brown.

4. Cool completely and serve at room temperature or chilled.

Will wonders never cease?

~d 👵