By |

 

15 oz can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and liquid reserved
seasoned to taste – salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, etc,
oil for spraying
1/4 cup liquid from chickpeas
3 – 5 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (depending on taste)
1/2 cup tahini
2 – 4 garlic cloves (depending on taste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
Drop or two of hot sauce (optional)
1 – 2 tablespoons olive oil
Parsley, chopped (optional)

Directions for roasting chickpeas.

Preheat oven to 350°.

Evenly spread the chickpeas and garlic cloves (skin on) on a parchment-lined baking sheet with sides.
Mist with oil, sprinkle on the seasonings and stir.
Mist, stir and spread evenly once more.
Roast for 5 minutes. Check for doneness. Do not roast for more than 8 minutes.
Remove skins from garlic cloves
Add chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, and garlic in blender or food processor. Add 1/4 cup of liquid from chickpeas.
Blend for 3-5 minutes until thoroughly mixed and smooth.
Place in serving bowl, and create a shallow well in the center of the hummus.
Add a small amount (1-2 tablespoons) of olive oil in the well.
Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Note: Roasting the chickpeas first intensifies the flavor and texture of the hummus considerably.

By |

4 portobella mushrooms
2 tablespoons spicy mustard
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
½ cup olive oil
Dash of hot pepper sauce
Freshly ground black pepper

Mix together the mustard, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, hot pepper sauce and black pepper.
Brush mixture over both sides of portobella mushrooms. Grill or broil 4-5 minutes on each side.
Serve on a bun with fixings of your choice (tomato, lettuce, pickles, pesto, red onion, etc.)

Serves 4

By |

4 large sweet potatoes, washed well (do not peel)
1/2 cup onion, diced
1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup green pepper, seeded, and diced
1/2 cup Roma tomatoes, seeded, and diced
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
15 ounce can black beans, rinsed, and drained
8 ounce can tomato sauce
hot pepper sauce, to taste

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Using a fork, pierce the skins of the sweet potatoes in several places. Place an oven-proof rack on a cookie sheet and place the sweet potatoes on the rack. Bake for 60-75 minutes or until the sweet potatoes feel soft when gently squeezed. While the sweet potatoes are baking, prepare the black bean chili. In a medium saucepan, sauté the onion in the olive oil on medium heat for 3 minutes to soften.
Add the green pepper and saute an additional 3-4 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Add the tomatoes, garlic, and seasonings, and saute an additional 2 minutes. Add the black beans, tomato sauce, and season to taste with hot pepper sauce, stir well to combine, and simmer the chili for 10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings. Remove the saucepan from the heat. When the sweet potatoes are tender, remove the cookie sheet from the oven and leave the sweet potatoes on the rack to cool for 5 minutes. For each serving, place one sweet potato on a plate or in a bowl, split it open, ladle some of the black bean chili over the top, and serve.

Serves 4