{Homemade Hummus}

I decided to make homemade hummus. Not only b/c it's a lot cheaper to make your own than buy it, but also b/c it's healthy for you AND because i needed a better alternative other than ranch dressing. We always dip our veggies in ranch. Well, not anymore. Hummus is now our choice of dip. This stuff is good! :) You must try making your own! You can dip veggies in it, you can use it as a spread on your sandwich instead of using mayo OR you can dip pita bread in it(toast your pita bread to make pita chips).

Ingredients:

water

1 lb. garbanzo beans(chickpeas)

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil or canola oil

1/2 tbsp. minced garlic

1/2 tbsp. + 1 tsp. kosher salt

*You will need a food processor or blender

Directions:

I used dried chickpeas, which takes awhile b/c they have to soak for hours and then cook for awhile. But i get more chickpeas for a better price than i do buying canned chickpeas. You can buy canned if you want. You just mix all the ingredients together in the blender or food processor. If using a blender, put all the liquid in first so that it can mix up. You add water depending on how thick or not so thick you would like your hummus. I like mine with a bit of a thicker texture. It will be kind of slow, and you might have to turn it off and stir it up a bit in the blender and then turn it on again(a few times). I had to do it in two separate batches in order for it to work. Then i just combined it all in a bowl and mixed it up.

*Also, if you would like to add a certain spice to give it a taste of your choice, then do it. I like cumin so i added probably 1/2 tsp. of cumin. It tastes good!

Source: cilantropist.blogspot.com

{Fresh Salsa}

This is a great salsa recipe. I have been wanting to try a different one for awhile. So, when i try a salsa that is better than this one, then i will be sure to post it for you! Meanwhile, enjoy!

Sorry, no pictures!

Ingredients:

28 oz. can of canned tomatoes(crushed or stewed)

1/2 tsp. sugar

2-4 fresh tomatoes(i would use plum tomatoes)

Onion, to your liking

2 cloves of garlic

Can of green chilies

1/2 green pepper

1/2 jalapeno to taste

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cumin

Juice of 1 lemon

Fresh Cilantro to taste

Fresh Parsley to taste

Directions:

Chop the onion and pepper and tomatoes to the size you want them. I cut mine tiny. You can also food process it if that's the way you would like it. The longer you let this sit in the fridge, the MORE tasty it becomes! So, i would at least fix it a few hours before you are ready to eat it. Remember that you can add as much or as little as you would like of any of these ingredients. It just depends on your taste!

Source: A college roommate, jessica paris

{Grilled Pineapple Guacamole}

Sorry, no picture!

Ingredients:

3 1/2-inch crosswise slices fresh pineapple

3 medium ripe avocados, halved, seeded, and peeled

1/4 cup finely chopped red onion

2 tablespoons pineapple juice or orange juice

1 tablespoon snipped fresh cilantro

1/2 tsp. salt

1/8 to 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Directions:

For a charcoal grill, grill pineapple slices on the greased rack of an uncovered grill directly over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes or until browned, turning once halfway through grilling time. For a gas grill, preheat grill. Reduce heat to medium. Place pineapple on greased grill rack over heat. Cover and grill as above.) Core and chop pineapple. *Side note: I just used my george foreman grill.

Place avocados in a medium bowl. Use a potato masher or fork to mash avocados. Stir in chopped pineapple, red onion, pineapple juice, cilantro, salt, and cayenne pepper.

This is a fantastic guacamole! SOOOOO good. Enjoy!

Source: Better homes and gardens