We are officially back in the Bean Town and I am soaking up these last few days of break before heading back to school next week. Today I had the luxury of an early morning run with a friend followed by a mid-morning nap (while said friend had to go off to work... bwahaha.) I spent the morning on the couch with my Today Show friends while attempting to write lesson plans... which is not the most efficient way to write lesson plans, but much more fun.
I actually surprised my Business Man and got some housework done this afternoon - clean sheets on our bed and the guest bed, clean dishes, and a reorganization of some kitchen cabinets. Progress!
And now I bring to you a recipe for hummus. Hummus is a delicious dip made up of ground chickpeas, tahini (sesame seed paste), garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and other spices. Hummus is yummus! And yes, I'm a dork.
This recipe serves a double purpose.
First of all, it's a fabulous appetizer that would be perfect served at a New Year's Eve gathering. Grab a bag of pita chips and some sliced veggies and you're all set!
Second, if you're looking for a lighter recipe to kick off the new year, this is one of them!
Not only is hummus a delicious (and nutritious) snack, but it is really delicious on sandwiches, in quesadillas, on pizza, .... the list goes on and on.
It's super easy to prepare if you have a food processor. And so much more cost-efficient! At our local supermarket, hummus usually costs $4.99 for an 8-oz. container. I can make it homemade for about $1.25... and it makes twice as much. (The tahini is originally a bit pricey, but one jar will last awhile. And chickpeas are only $0.59/can.)
Process remaining chickpeas, garlic, salt, cumin, and cayenne in food processor until almost fully ground, about 15 seconds. Scrape down bowl with rubber spatula. With machine running, add lemon juice-water mixture in steady stream through food tube. Scrape down bowl and continue to process for 1 minute. With machine running, add oil-tahini mixture in steady stream through food tube; continue to process until hummus is smooth and creamy, about 15 seconds, scraping down bowl as needed.
Transfer hummus to serving bowl, sprinkle with reserved chickpeas and cilantro. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand until flavors meld, at least 30 minutes. Store in refrigerator.
I actually surprised my Business Man and got some housework done this afternoon - clean sheets on our bed and the guest bed, clean dishes, and a reorganization of some kitchen cabinets. Progress!
And now I bring to you a recipe for hummus. Hummus is a delicious dip made up of ground chickpeas, tahini (sesame seed paste), garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and other spices. Hummus is yummus! And yes, I'm a dork.
This recipe serves a double purpose.
First of all, it's a fabulous appetizer that would be perfect served at a New Year's Eve gathering. Grab a bag of pita chips and some sliced veggies and you're all set!
Second, if you're looking for a lighter recipe to kick off the new year, this is one of them!
Not only is hummus a delicious (and nutritious) snack, but it is really delicious on sandwiches, in quesadillas, on pizza, .... the list goes on and on.
It's super easy to prepare if you have a food processor. And so much more cost-efficient! At our local supermarket, hummus usually costs $4.99 for an 8-oz. container. I can make it homemade for about $1.25... and it makes twice as much. (The tahini is originally a bit pricey, but one jar will last awhile. And chickpeas are only $0.59/can.)
Hummus
Servings/Yield
About 2 cups.- 3 tablespoons lemon juice, from 1-2 lemons
- ¼ cup water
- 6 tablespoons tahini, stirred well
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 14-oz. can chickpeas, drained & rinsed
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- pinch cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
Method
Combine lemon juice and water in a small bowl. Whisk together tahini and 2 tablespoons oil in second small bowl. Set aside 2 tablespoons chickpeas for garnish. (If you don't care about garnish, just use them all in the processor.)Process remaining chickpeas, garlic, salt, cumin, and cayenne in food processor until almost fully ground, about 15 seconds. Scrape down bowl with rubber spatula. With machine running, add lemon juice-water mixture in steady stream through food tube. Scrape down bowl and continue to process for 1 minute. With machine running, add oil-tahini mixture in steady stream through food tube; continue to process until hummus is smooth and creamy, about 15 seconds, scraping down bowl as needed.
Transfer hummus to serving bowl, sprinkle with reserved chickpeas and cilantro. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand until flavors meld, at least 30 minutes. Store in refrigerator.
Source: from Annie's Eats (originally from Cook's Illustrated)
In other news... I just have to share my two favorite Christmas gifts.
Thanks to my parents-in-law for the most awesome new running top! It is so warm. And makes me excited to go running in the dark cold winter mornings.
And to my momma & dad for this wonderful panini maker. No more bricks in the kitchen! I foresee a blog series of panini sandwiches in the very near future...
Got any great panini recipes? I will be on a mission to re-create some Panera favs, and to work my way through a cookbook of 200 Best Panini Recipes. Can't wait!
Comments
@Talen- if you don't have a food processor, I wouldn't try it. It's probably nearly impossible to grind up chickpeas without one. :) You can come to Lima and eat hummus tho!