Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Hummus 101



Hummus 101


While growing up in northern Illinois, my family had Greek friends who lived near Chicago and would often babysit me.   Staying in their home was literally like a scene out of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.  To this day, food plays a very important cultural role among Greek families, and is therefore constantly in the forefront.  I vividly remember a pitcher of olive oil that sat on the kitchen table for everyone to drizzle the contents onto whatever was served that day.  They even used it for suntan oil, which I would not really recommend for cost and "aroma" reasons.  

Among the many skills I learned from our Mediterranean friends, was how to use olive oil to fashion a simple, quick and healthy hummus.  I've always had a fondness for various forms of the dip, and my husband couldn't get enough of the stuff when deployed to the Middle East.  Serve it with some pita bread, pita chip or veggies, and your family will love it as well.  While the store-bought brands are ok, there is nothing cheaper and better for you than making it yourself!  


1 16 oz. can garbanzo beans (chick peas) - partially drained
1/4 C tahini  (seasame paste found in international aisle) 
1 clove garlic, crushed
Juice from 1/2 a lemon
1 T olive oil
Chopped parsley

Blend first five ingredients in a food processor until smooth.  Top with chopped parsley.  

**You can make other varieties of hummus by adding items such as roasted red peppers or more garlic.  Play around with this one, and come up with your favorite combination!

"Like, you never just have a minute alone, just to think, 'Cause we're always together, just eating, eating, eating! The only other people we know are Greeks, 'cause Greeks marry Greeks to breed more Greeks, to be loud breeding Greek eaters."  
Toula - My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Friday, January 10, 2014

All In the Pot Shrimp Pasta



All In the Pot Shrimp Pasta





Are you super busy like me?   I do not currently work "outside the home", and often get asked:  What do you do all day?  Let's see, in between juggling my three children's school and sports schedules, laundry, grocery shopping, taking care of the dog, cleaning, cooking, running errands, managing household finances/investments, volunteering and moving every couple years, I do find a bit of time to work out, eat, sleep and write this blog!  

If you are overloaded and overcommitted like me, then this simple one pot pasta dish is a life saver!  Feel free to try new ingredients or substitute them to your taste, because like most moms....it is flexible!  

12 oz. of your favorite pasta shape - I used Penne
1 28 oz. canned diced tomatoes
2 C chicken broth
1/2 medium yellow onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 T oregano
1/3 C basil leaves, cut or torn into strips
1/3 C white wine
2 t kosher salt
1 T olive oil
1 6 oz. package baby spinach
1 lb. raw shrimp (you could also use cooked smoked sausage or turkey sausage cut into 1 inch slices)
Parmesan cheese


Place first 10 ingredients in order into a Dutch oven or large stock pot.  Cover and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.  Reduce to medium-low, and cook covered for 10-12 minutes or until pasta is al dente, stirring every 5 minutes.  

Remove from the heat and stir in spinach and shrimp.  Cover and let stand for 10 minutes.  Stir and top with grated Parmesan.  





"We used to want it all, now we just want to go to the bathroom ALONE!"