Low Calorie Lemon Pepper Hummus

It's been a while, but I am getting the urge to blog again. My husband and I have been busy, busy, busy getting ready to build a house, so while I've been cooking and loving it, I haven't really been measuring or writing it down! I missed my little blog, so here I am, here to serve you and hopefully give you some inspiration for your own kitchen!

Now, let's get to it - let there be hummus!

I love hummus, oh so much, so I experimented by cutting out the oil and adding a savory substitute - lemon juice! It is simple, rich in flavor, and did I say simple? Plus, it's a whole lot cheaper to make it then buy it.

The cast of characters:

1 can garbanzo beans - aka chick peas

1 tablespoon lemon juice

A few shakes of lemon pepper - to taste

Put garbanzo beans in the food processor, blend.

Add lemon juice & lemon pepper, blend again

Sample with your favorite dipper - carrots, pita, your finger, etc, etc.

Refrigerate and try not to eat all in one sitting!

Double Bean Fire Roasted Salsa

In honor of Cinco de Mayo (or as we called it in college - Cinco de Drinko) I am making salsa!
Pour yourself a shot of tequila or grab a Corona and let's get started.

What you need:
1 lb can of peeled tomatoes
1 lb fresh tomatoes
2 jalapeno peppers
1/2 red onion
4 corn cobs
1/2 can black beans
1/2 can black eyed peas
Cilantro to taste, chopped
1 tsp of lime juice or fresh limes
Dash garlic powder
Dash of cumin
Dash of oregano
Dash of liquid smoke (if you aren't using BBQ to cook veggies on)

This dish is best made on a BBQ - I am making mine on our Traeger smoker. But, if you don't have access to a BBQ (or your run out briquettes),  you can probably heat the veggies just fine in your broiler.
You will see in pictures I am using a grill basket. They work  great, but if you don't have one, you can use aluminum foil doubled over for a surface to place your veggies.

First thing is first, let's get chopping!
Oh, wait, I forgot, first thing is to preheat your grill or broiler to high
Alright, now let's get chopping!

Chop your tomatoes and half onion
I chop the onion fine and the tomatoes chunky ... but that's just me ... chop as you prefer to eat

Put the tomatoes, onions, and drained can of tomatoes in your grill basket or aluminum foil "boat"
Chop cilantro and place onto of tomatoes and onions

Chop jalapenos in half, seed (or leave seeds in for a spicier salsa)

Husk corn
Drain beans
Put half cans of black beans and black eyed beans in saucepan on stove
Cook on low just enough to tenderize the beans

Take a shot of tequila or pull of your Corona - you will need your stamina!

Carry all the the above out to your grill
Place the corn and jalapenos directly on the grill

Place the grill basket or aluminum foil "boat" on the grill
Let it cook for 10 minutes, then check, turn or stir as needed
Wait another 10 minutes, repeat
If jalapenos start to burn on the skin, turn or remove from heat early, they may not take as long to cook as the rest of the veggies
I went another 10 minutes, but depending on your grill you may need to go more or less time

Once veggies are removed from the grill, let them cool until they are bearable to touch
Chop jalapenos finely
Use a sharp knife down the side of your corn to cut the kernels off
Chunk up or mash the canned whole tomatoes (if needed)
Add lime juice, cumin, oregano, and garlic powder
Add liquid smoke *only if you aren't cooking the veggies on a BBQ or smoker
Stir to mix well

Place in the refrigerator for at least an hour before eating
Salsa will keep for 4 or 5 days in airtight container, or it cans great

British Cucumber Sandwiches

Because of "Royal" inspiration, I am making cucumber sandwiches! It seems I too have caught the Royal Wedding Fever! It excites me to watch a piece of history as it happens. This memorable event isn't war, natural disaster, or economic distress; but a positive piece of history we can happily look back on as a true fairy tale, a so called "commoner" becomes a princess.

So here we go, my first attempt at making cucumber sandwiches. From what I read, they are traditionally served with tea ... but ... I am opting to pair it with a Riesling tonight!
Traditional? No! Tasty? Yes.

I found this recipe online, I'll admit it's not an original!

What you need:
Cucumber, washed

1/2 c cider vinegar

1 c water

8 ozs of cream cheese, room tempreature

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 t garlic powder

1/4 t onion salt

Dash Worcestershire

1 loaf sliced white bread

Dash of paprika

First thing is first, you grate your cucumber down the sides with a fork to create indented lines. I am sure there is an official term for this technique, but we will call it "pretty fork lines"!

Next, slice the cukes very thinly
In a bowl, mix water, vinegar, and add cucumbers.
Let cukes sit in liquid for 30 minutes

In the meantime ...

Open your wine! Oh, or pour your tea, it's your call!

Also in the meantime, mix the remaining ingredients together for your spread. I mixed by hand, but a hand mixer would probably be easier

  Set the spread aside
After your cucumbers have soaked for 30 minutes they will be slightly pickled
(as will you if you drank that wine)
Drain the cucumbers, place between 2 paper towels to soak up excess liquid
Spread your cream cheese/mayonnaise mixture on all slices of bread, you want it on each side of the sandwich
Layer the cucumbers on the spread, put your sandwich together

Important: Cut off crusts! Liberate the inner crust hating child in you!

 Slice sandwich into quarters, triangle shaped
Sprinkle with paprika

Toast with your tea, wine, or whatever you pair this delightful, refreshing sandwich with, and enjoy!

Kid Friendly Protein Broccoli!

Kid Friendly Protein Broccoli

I love broccoli, I guess my parents were lucky I consider it a comfort food. So ... you want your kids to love it too? Here you go, they can't resist this!

1 bag frozen broccoli
1 pack ranch dip mix

1 24 oz tub 2 % cottage cheese

Mix all ingredients together
Bake @ 400 for 30 minutes
You can also broil for a crunchy brown finish
Healthy Twist: Add chopped cauliflower!

 Enjoy!

To make even more kid friendly add ground beef, chop broccoli fine, or add parmesan cheese on top.

Date Night! Bacon Wrapped Dates!

Cimmiyotti's Inspired Bacon Wrapped Dates

This Sunday I had dinner at a great restaurant and tried a new combo I couldn't help but recreate. Bacon and dates, it's that simple.

What you need:
Bacon
Dried, pitted dates
Toothpicks

I cut bacon into thirds, placed the date on the end, wrapped and stuck it with a toothpick.

I cooked mine on our Traeger smoker, medium heat until the bacon was browning and getting crispy and the date begins to caramelize.
You can also BBQ or broil this.

 

These are great alone as appetizers; or as I first tried them, toothpick removed in an anti-pasta salad. No matter how you eat them, there is no denying they are delicious and rich!