homemade hummus

cheers to my first singapore "try-this" post!

it feels oh-so-good to have my

supplies/appliances finally here and to be

 back up-and-runnin in the kitchen!

hummus costs $9.00 in the grocery store here and it's blake's favorite food.

so, to keep him happy(and me) and not break the bank, 

i decided to try making it myself.

i got this recipe from becky daynes, a friend from our ward here in singapore.

it was easy as pie...i threw the ingredients in the blender, and voila!  

there we have it...delicious hummus.

you MUST try!

HOMEMADE HUMMUS

2 cups chickpeas (garbanzo beans)  

2 tsp salt

6 garlic cloves

3/4 cup lemon juice - or more if you like it kinda sour

1/2 Cup tahini paste

1/2 Cup chopped parsley

Drain the chickpeas and puree in blender.   Blending the canned beans.  Crush the garlic with the salt, then beat in the tahini and lemon juice.  Stir in the chickpea puree and mix very well.  Garnish with pinch of cumin, chopped parsley and olive oil.  

Serve with pita triangles or veggies.

addictive

grab a bag of this kettle corn at your nearby whole foods.  you'll thank yourself.

this treat only has 110 calories and 1.5 grams of fat in 1&1/4 cups.

it's the perfect balance of sweet and salty.

warning: be prepared to eat the whole bag!

not your mom's brussel sprouts

since when did anyone actually want to eat their brussel sprouts?  

well, yesterday, i did! 

 liz, you tipped me off on this idea, so you take all credit for this post.  

i don't eat brussel sprouts much and don't remember loving them as a kid, but i decided to give em' another try.  

i bought a bag at tj's, (you can buy them at any grocery store) and drizzled them with this little combo:

juice from 1 lemon

olive oil (about 2 tbs)
sea salt

and

cracked pepper

put in oven at 350 degrees, for 35-40 minutes until sprouts are soft and tender 

i was happy with the result...

super healthy & surprisingly full of taste!

warm apples+yogurt

so you want a quick and healthy snack?

but it's cold and you want something warm(er)?

just dice up an apple (i prefer the fuji's)...

cover the diced apples (with a plate) and cook in microwave for 1 minute or so...

and then toss in some greek yogurt.

okay, usually greek yogurt makes me want to hurl IF

i don't add a little sweetener.

i use stevia from traders (a natural sweetener)...

it counter-balances my diet soda addiction.

add a little cinnamon...

and you've got yourself a protein-full, healthy snack.

sometimes i add a little fiber one cereal or walnuts to add some cruncheroo!

thank you very much.

atkins chocolate granola bar

ya know how we are always searching for the "perfect" protein bar?

well, i tried this puppy today and was actually really impressed.  it didn't taste chalky or artificial, and it's super low on sugar too...

atkins chocolate chip granola bar

8g fat
17g protein

200 calories

1g sugar

amanda's granola

on the girls trip, we talked about what a great gift this would be for neighbors for christmas, or whatever.  i haven't tried making this yet, and when i do, i'll definitely post a pic!  

amanda's granola

12 C Quick Oats
2 C brown sugar
2 C coconut (I like the raw, shaved kind at Whole Foods)
1 tsp salt
2 C nuts (Use whatever you like.  I use pepitas, sliced or slivered almonds, pecans,
walnuts or cashews).
11/2 C canola oil
2/3 C water
3 tsp. vanilla

Stir sugar and oats until mixed.  In separate bowl, mix coconut, salt and nuts and mix in oil, water and vanilla.  Add to oats and mix well.  Spread over two large cookie sheets.  Bake for 2 to 21/2 hours at 250 degrees.

*I find that my granola only takes about 11/2 hours to cook.  Watch the granola because you don't want it to burn.

*I press it into the pans really well because I like it to form together and break into big chunks.  I love this granola to snack on, eat with yogurt and as cereal with milk.

banana chocolate chip cookies

sister kate made me a cookbook for my newlywed life.  looking through it, i found this recipe.  

it's the cookie that's got all my favorite things:

banana, oatmeal and chocolate

and 

even better

it is a weight watchers recipe, so they're actually pretty low-cal...

weight watchers banana chocolate chip cookies

2 cups flour

3/4 rolled oats(not quick oats)

1/2 tsp salt

6 tbls solid veg. shortening

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup mashed banana (add more to be moist)

1 large egg white

1 tbls vanilla 

1 cup chocolate chips

1. position rack in center to 350 degrees.  spray baking sheet w/ non-stick spray.

mix flour, oats, and salt in medium bowl and put aside.

2. with electric mixer, cream shortening and sugars until light and fluffy, 2 minutes.  beat in banana, egg white and vanilla.

3. drop by flat tbls onto baking sheets.  bake until brown, about 12-14 min.  cool for 2 min.  cool baking sheet for 5 min before baking more.

(i used whole wheat flour in my batch...and they still tasted great)

zucchini bread

last week, i saw that my friend sarah, had made this bread.  it looked fall-ish and good so, i walked to the ferry building farmers market,  bought zucchini, and decided to make: 

carolyn's zucchini bread

from favorites cookbook(pg. 51)

3 cups of flour (i used whole wheat)

1 tablespoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

3 eggs, beaten

1 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1 tablepsoon vanilla

2 cups peeled and grated zucchini

mix flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda and baking powder together.  set aside.  beat eggs, sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil and vanilla.  slowly mix in dry ingredients.  blend in grated zucchini.  pour into 2 greased and lightly floured 8'x4' loaf tins.  bake at 325 degrees for 60-70 minutes.

blake added cool whip to his piece and took this picture...looks pretty good, huh?

butternut squash

can't get enough of this lately. i've been using it with everything.  

it's perfect with cinnamon, brown sugar, in a soup, or just as a snack.  

i don't care how, just use it!