Hummus (v)

I love that you can get pre-packaged hummus at pretty much any grocery store, but if you can make it yourself, do it.  Chick peas are only 79 cents a can, and homemade hummus beats the pants off of the grocery store stuff any day.  It is a staple in my fridge all summer long.  It makes a great light and easy meal, not to mention it's healthy and cheap to make!  I always use tahini that has been roasted, so be sure to look for that kind, and if you can find it, get it.  The brand I use is called Joyva and comes in an orange and white can.  Unroasted tahini is fine, but the flavor is a lot different!  I make hummus constantly throughout the summer.  Don't limit yourself to chick peas, other beans make great hummus dips too!

this is the good stuff

Hummus

In a food processor combine and blend well:

1 can chick peas, drained

juice of 1 lemon

1 Tbs. olive oil

1/4 cup tahini

1/4 tsp. salt

1 clove garlic

Blend until creamy and well combined.  You may need to add a little water to help blend.
Transfer toa serving dish and top with a splash of olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika.

This is the basic recipe.  I always add something to this, cumin, black pepper, oregano; but my favorite addition is a jar of roasted red peppers, drained.  You can also add a jar of artichoke hearts or chopped black olives.  Possibilities are limitless, really. 

Grandma's Bean Salad (v)

My Grandma Poovey can cook.  But one of my favorite recipes of hers really isn't cooked at all!  This is one of my favorite summertime meals.  Just bean salad.

 

Grandma's Bean Salad
Dressing:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
Cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.  Cool completely.  Add 2 Tbs. olive oil or flax seed oil

Salad:
Drain and completely rinse in cold water:
1 can red kidney beans
1 can green beans
1 can yellow corn, with no salt added

Once dressing has cooled, mix together with the beans and corn.
Yep, that's it.  Simple and delicious.