Classic Hummus Recipe

The hummus you buy at the market will never be as good as the hummus you make at home—so why do dat?

No-Frills Hummus Recipe

1 15oz can CHICK PEAS (Garbanzo Beans)
2 cloves GARLIC
2 Tbsp EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL
2 Tbsp TAHINI
2 Tbsp LEMON JUICE
SALT (to taste…I use about ¼ tsp)
WATER (as needed)

directions:
Drain and rinse one 15oz can of chick peas (also called Garbanzo Beans—they’re the same thing) and place in a food processor. I use canned beans because it’s easy and—to my mind—taste the same (maybe even better). Add 2 cloves of garlic or perhaps even 3 if you’re a garlic freak, but start with only 2 cloves because your friends and family will appreciate it. Add oil, tahini, lemon juice, and salt to taste. Water can be added and the amount really depends on the consistency of the hummus you’re trying to make. Start with a ¼ cup and add more water if needed. Blend ingredients until desired chunkiness or smoothness is attained.

Garnish with extra olive oil, paprika, parsley or cilantro, etc.

There’s no end to the types of hummus you can create. All manner of ingredients can be added to the basic recipe above. ROASTED RED PEPPERS make a tasty addition, especially those from a jar as they blend readily, but forego adding water since the peppers will have plenty.
Also try adding cucumber, hot peppers, cumin, dill, curry, green onions, etc.
The subtle flavor of the chick peas will pair nicely with most ingredients.

Serve hummus with warm pita bread, pita chips, crackers, or raw fruit and vegetables. It’s great in wraps and sandwiches. Hummus on a hamburger? Why not. It’s inexpensive, easy to make, delicious, and a healthy dining choice…so it’s a no-brainer, too.

Bon appétit!

Awesome Seafood Pancake

A pancake for dinner is a good idea as long as it's a cool pancake.

ingredients:
6 oz SEAFOOD (shrimp, scallops, squid, etc.)
5-6 GREEN ONIONS (cut into 1” lengths)
1 tsp HOT PEPPER (finely chopped)
½ cup ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
½ cup cold WATER
1 EGG (beaten)
2-3 Tbsp cooking OIL

sauce:
2 Tbsp SOY SAUCE
1 Tbsp RICE VINEGAR
1 tsp SESAME SEEDS
--optional1 tsp HOT SAUCE (chili garlic, pepper sauce, etc.)

directions:
Mix sauce ingredients in a small dish and set aside.

Cut GREEN ONIONS in half and then lengthwise, then cut into 1” pieces. Finely chop 1 tsp of HOT RED PEPPER—a hot green pepper will do—but a red pepper makes the dish look yummier (also, add a little red bell pepper for color, if desired.)

Chop SEAFOOD (seafood is ideal for this dish because it cooks quickly—use shrimp, squid, scallops, clams, etc.)

In a bowl, mix ½ cup ALL PURPOSE FLOUR with ½ cup COLD WATER. Mix well until a thin batter is formed (add a drop more water if needed—the batter should be thin enough to coat the veggies and seafood thoroughly and spread evenly when poured into the skillet)

Add onions, peppers, and seafood to the batter and mix well.

Heat a skillet on MEDIUM HIGH heat and add OIL. When oil is heated, add batter and spread evenly. Cook for 4-6 minutes until the edges of the cake begin to brown—but before the edges brown, add 1 well-beaten egg to the top of the cake (tip: shake the skillet to spread the egg evenly over the cake). When the cake has cooked to a light brown on one side, turn and cook approx. 2 minutes on the other side (it won’t take long—be mindful to not burn the egg, but a light crispness makes this dish delicious)

Remove and serve immediately with the dipping sauce.

Bon appétit!

Linguine with White Clam Sauce

This is a tasty linguine dish for those times when you feel like rewatching The Sopranos.

ingredients:
1 pkg LINGUINE (about 13oz)
3 cans chopped CLAMS (drain and reserve liquid)
½ stick BUTTER
½ cup OLIVE OIL
½ cup chopped ONIONS
4-6 cloves finely chopped GARLIC
1 cup dry WHITE WINE
½ qt CHICKEN BROTH
RED PEPPER FLAKES to taste (2-3 tsp is what I use)
1 tsp dried OREGANO
1 tsp BLACK PEPPER
1 Tbsp PARSLEY (fresh chopped or dried)
¾ to 1 cup PARMESAN CHEESE (grated)

directions:
Open canned clams (approx. 20 oz) and separate liquid from clams. Heat a large skillet on medium and begin melting butter, add olive oil. When all is melted, add onion and garlic. Cook until garlic begins to color, mind cooking temperature to avoid burning (lower temp if needed).
Add white wine (dry, not sweet) and simmer 5-10 minutes to reduce. Add chicken broth, clam juice reserved from cans (an additional 8oz bottle of clam juice can also be added, if extra clamminess is desired). Add red pepper flakes, oregano, parsley, and black pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes.

While sauce is simmering, prepare linguine according to package directions.

After sauce has cooked for 20 minutes, stir in clams and turn off heat. Add linguine noodles to sauce (don’t drain and rinse noodles, just take them right from the pot and mix them with the sauce). Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and serve (if desired, top with fresh parsley to add a little color).

And toast up some garlic bread, too.

Bon appétit!