Monday, March 24, 2014

Best Hummus Ever -- Easy Peasy and Springy Green!!!

 

I love making hummus and am always trying new recipes, but mostly I wing it on my own.  But for my Indian dinner party on Saturday, I was looking for some creative hors d'oeuvres.  I forgot to grab a picture of mine, which was an even more lucious green than pictured here.  I served it with carrots and pita chips instead of regular pita because I love the crunch of the chips.

I doubled the recipe for 8 people but had plenty left over for two more people to have some the next day.  I didn't double the olive oil (I did 1.5) and I didn't double the peppers which leads to the only warning about this recipe.

If your guests do not like spicy food, they may not like this.  I didn't double the peppers because I had one pregnant woman coming and one person who doesn't like spicy foods in general, but it was still a little too spicy for both of them.  For the rest of us, it was perfect though!  I think it would have been too overpowering if I had doubled the peppers though. It would have definitely overwhelmed the delicate sesame flavor.

Also, in the video below Manjula adds water when it was a little dry.  I added more lemon juice which I highly recommend. 

Finally, this is the first hummus I think I have made without Tahini.  You put in whole toasted sesame seeds and the olive oil instead.  It's much lighter and more refreshing.

And, man oh man is this easy to throw together in a food processor -- 10 minutes all in!  And it's super healthy with all that spinach and very little oil. 
 

Click here for Manjula's Recipe  and to watch her make it!  Or click here for youtube video only to Watch Manjula Make the Hummus!!!

Namaste!

Thursday, March 13, 2014

LAUGHTER Comes in Very Handy When Your Ass is Being Kicked



The second time I came up from behind to pass this guy I had to take a picture of him because he won BEST MARATHON BIB!  If you can't read it, it says "ADELE NAZEEM" in honor of the Travolta Oscar epic snafu. 

I wish I had had the fortitude to take more pictures the entire way, but I was listening to music and accidentally calling and Face-timing people so I thought it best to keep my sweaty palms away from my phone as much as possible.

There was a guy running in a Gumby suit.  It looked hilarious but made me want to cry for him because it was so hot. 

But had to share this most entertaining best signs along the route by the hilarious and fun spectators:

  • Remember 4 months ago this seemed like a GREAT IDEA!
  • Don't forget:  you PAID for this!
  • I don't know you. You are a complete stranger. BUT, I know you can do it!
  • 1 out of 100 people crap their pants.  Smile if you are 1 in a 100.
  • Smile if you pee'd a little.
Thank God, the last two did not apply to me -- only I'm sure via the miracle train I was on that also had me not have a single injury or blister!

And, just for good measure, the most heart-warming moments: 
  • Little girl - 3 or 4 years old -- with her teeny tiny hand held out for us to high-five her.
  • Little girl -- 5 or 6 years old -- blowing bubbles on us.
  • Women and men alike who held my gaze toward the end and really meant it when they said "Bridget, you've got this!"
  • People standing alone just constantly applauding the runners, like it was their duty. 
  • The Taiko drummers who were doing marathon drumming with all their hearts and souls - non-stop, high energy -- with beaming smiles on their faces!  BEAMING!
So the purpose of this post:  if you ever wanted to run a marathon, do it because there is a lot of laughter out there to feed your Energizer bunny battery.