Thursday, September 30, 2010

Hummus



When I was little I didn't have a cell phone.  Nor did I have an iPod.  I actually had to get up and walk to the tv to change the channel.  And as for the phone (the one attached to the wall), I actually dialed it... with a real dial!  Today, when the power went out I didn't have a whole lot of sympathy for the kids and their lack of ability to use their current electronics!

What to do??  The cell hone wasn't charged up so she couldn't text.  The iPod player didn't have batteries so he couldn't play music while doing his math homework (shouldn't be listening to music while studying geometry anyway!), and the computer, well, it was just a blank screen.

Oh, the complaining I heard!  "What are we supposed to do now?"  Hmmmm... read a book?  Do your homework?  Go outside, even though it is sprinkling and you might get a bit damp.  Play with a puppy?  

For me the issue was the oven... I had a nice new recipe for Cranberry Orange Scones sitting next to some already softened butter.  Flour had even been measured and was patiently waiting to be combined with the baking powder and orange zest.  However, no power + no oven = no scones.   

With hunger pangs increasing, and no microwave available for a teenaged boy to heat up his burrito, the kids began to worry about how we would eat!  Dire circumstances indeed.... but as luck would have it we happened to have a fresh batch of creamy hummus in the fridge.  When combined with a bag of pita chips and a head of broccoli they were going to be just fine!

Hummus

An easy to make, healthy dip for your crunchy pita chips or vegies.  Greek yogurt adds a slight tang along with a nice creaminess.  Cayenne gives a slight punch that lingers on the tongue and makes you reach for more!

1 can garbanzo beans (chick peas), rinsed
2-3 cloves of garlic, chopped
2 Tbs lemon juice
3 Tbs Tahini
2 - 3 Tbs olive oil
generous 1/4 tsp cumin
1/8 tsp cayenne
2 Tbs Greek yogurt
1-2 Tbs water
salt to taste

olive oil and paprika for garnish

Place all ingredients (with the exception of the garnish) in a food processor and process until desired consistency.  Add water 1 tablespoon at a time, using more if the hummus is too thick.  

Spoon into a serving dish and top with a swirl of olive oil (garlic oil works well!) and a sprinkle of paprika.  Serve with pita or tortilla chips or crisp vegies.

21 comments:

  1. I just discovered how much I love hummus about three years ago...I don't like garbanzo beans, but I was served some hummus as a freebie starter at a restaurant and ate it not knowing what it was! I loved it, and now I'm hooked...but I've never made it at home. Maybe I should!

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  2. i've never bought store bought hummus ever since i started making my own. the flavor is so much better! this looks really good!

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  3. Sorry about your power being out. I am sure that my kids will be the same 10 or maybe even 5 years from now. Who knows what gadgets will be out there? Hummus is one of my favorites! YUM!

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  4. I love hummus! yours look so creamy and delicious!

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  5. I never get tired of hummus--it's such a healthy, filling, delicious dip. I've never tried adding yogurt to mine--I bet it makes the hummus creamier. Good idea.

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  6. Yes, I remember that era when I dialed and had to walk to change channels. Iphone? What was that? You reminded me of so many things long forgotten. It is amazing how easily we move from all these hard to do things to easy going life and then we forget about it. Hummus is an all time classic. I love it!

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  7. Hahaha... love your kids' reactions! It was RAINING?!?! Too much technology these days, I tell ya! I want to make some hummus now. If only I didn't give my mother back her food processor... perhaps my contraption that slightly resembles a Magic Bullet will suffice :-) Where do you obtain Tahini? Although, I'm not sure that I'm a big fan of Tahini, anyway.

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  8. Hummus is one of my favorite snacks. What a great spin on a simple recipe. I love your website btw.

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  9. Funny about the electronics, I can only relate. Walking to the tv - what a concept!

    I am really glad you posted this recipe because that something I was planning to make for the weekend. So you saved me a recipe search, not that hummus would be that hard to find. There are subtle variations, but I like your yogurt addition.

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  10. LOL, kids today have no idea.....great recipe, a little different than ours, we make it all the time, I might try it with the yogurt next time, thanks!

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  11. Now, you've thrown down a challenge - it's SO easy to get the trio of three flavors at Trader Joe's! My problem is I buy the tahini and it always spoils before I can use it all.

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  12. Wendy, the first time I had it I didn't know what it was either... but I loved it too! It's really easy to put together, I'm eager to try new flavor additions.

    Lime, I don't think we'll be going back to the store either!

    Sommer, good point! In 5 years the electronic devices will be a whole new world!

    Thanks Dimah and Jean!

    Katerina... guess that says something about our ages! =) I know I've gotten used to all those electronics too (but I didn't tell the kids that!)

    Hester, yep... it rained all day, and right after I had the windows cleaned too! I get my Tahini at Trader Joe's, and I'm also not a big fan of it. I would still add some, maybe just reduce it.

    Thanks Torvie!

    Ken, it's one of ours too. Thanks for the kind words!!

    SSP, LOL! They looked at me like I was crazy..."You actually had to get up to change the channel??" Imagine! I really liked the addition of the yogurt... add a nice creaminess.

    Tiffany, nope they don't! This was my first try, I'm eager to try other recipes too.

    Judy, I know!!! I love that trio. Have you actually tried the TJ's brand Spicy version? I love it! Didn't know how to incorporate that into my own, but will be working on that! Can't wait to see what you come up with!!

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  13. I love hummus. I have also made it white (cannelini) beans instead of chick peas. A little different texture but still delish!

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  14. When I moved to MN (decades ago), there was no hummus here and was on withdrawal and made it all the time. After the foodie revolution hit the country, it appeared and I stopped making it. You are reminding me with your scrumptious hummus that it's time.
    P.S. We still have our dial phone. Once-upon-a-time, the kids thought it nerdy. Now they think its cool.

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  15. I grew up on hummus since we lived overseas and it's a staple in our house. I can't imagine being without it and it's even our four year-olds favorite snack. Your recipe is a bit different than mine, but it looks fantastic.

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  16. Never seen a hummus recipe that uses yoghurt before. Might have to experiment with that. You just cannot beat hummus!! :)

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  17. I completely agree with you! Once you make it yourself, you can't go back to buying from the store. Lovely presentation! Yum...

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  18. Yum yum yum! I love hummus and I have been looking for a hummus recipe and actually saw one the other day, but I love this one even more! Thanks so much for sharing it, I can't wait to try it!

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  19. Can never pass up on a hummus post. My daughter was in shock when I told her I did not have an ipod, cell phone, or even cordless phone growing up... but can we really blame them? lol

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  20. Oh my goodness I love hummus. We all love hummus here at our house.

    Whenever me or my other half start going on and on about what we DIDNT have growing up I can see the kids eyes glaze over.

    A few weeks ago the power went out for no apparent reason and my little girl just lost it. "Mom, how are we going to LIVE???!!!"

    One moment at a time honey girl...we'll be just fine.

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