Meals in 30 Minutes or Less

A Guide so Easy a Complete Idiot Could Succeed!

by Joi

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Meals in 30 Minutes or Less

I have nothing but crazy wild love for the Complete Idiot books. I have so many of them that some of my bookcase shelves are entirely orange! I was recently sent a few of these consistently wonderful books to review on the food blog, causing me to do a happy dance across the kitchen floor. One of these books was the one you see pictured above, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Meals in 30 Minutes or Less.

This priceless 450+ page  book contains more than just 500 recipes you’ll use again and again, it also has great tips and tricks of the trade dispersed throughout under the headings of…

  • Definition. Cooking terms you may not be familiar with are defined and explained.
  • Minute Morsel. Information that makes cooking even more fun.
  • On the Clock. Tips for making something simpler, quicker, faster, and easier.
  • Time Waster. Alerts for things to watch out for – mistakes, misunderstandings, and potential hazards.

One of the recipes I’m most anxious to try is the Fast Spinach and Artichoke Dip.  My own Spinach and Artichoke Dip recipe, which I make OFTEN (to the delight of all involved) takes about 1-1/2  hours to make – including baking time! I also notice that it would… cough, cough… appear to be a much healthier, calorie-friendly recipe than my own. So, I can’t wait to take this one for a test drive.

Fast Spinach and Artichoke Dip

2 cups fresh baby spinach leaves
1 (14 oz) can artichokes, drained
1 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese
1/2 cup light cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1/2 cup nonfat plain yogurt
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 tsp. chopped garlic
Dash hot pepper sauce
Tortilla chips or wheat crackers

  1. In a food processor fitted with a metal blade, process spinach, artichokes, Parmesan cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, yogurt, mozzarella cheese, garlic, and hot pepper sauce until thoroughly combined but still very chunky.
  2. Scrape mixture into a microwave-safe serving dish, and microwave on high for 2 minutes or until bubbling.
  3. Stir and serve with tortilla chips or wheat crackers.

Seriously??? You could practically do this on a commercial break!  Sounds delicious.

About the Author

Food and wine writer Tod Dimmick is the author of four cookbooks. His work has been mentioned in the New York Times and the Boston Globe, and can be found on bookstore shelves from Boston to Sydney. Since a book project in 2005 oriented around healthy eating, Tod has increasingly focused his food writing on topics related to a healthy diet, and the evolution of produce purchase decisions from those based on price to those based on quality and provenance. For 1000radishes, the Will Work For Food Project, and for the Powisset Farm CSA, he supplies recipes and suggestions for local, in-season produce. On the more indulgent side, he also creates recipes for the Phantom Gourmet television show. The Phantom crew films these recipes in Tod’s kitchen outside of Boston.In 1991, he founded Tasting Times, the food and wine publication for busy people on a budget. The Tasting Times Wine Hotlist and Wine Minute blog have an international following. In 2000, he agreed to design and write The Busy Person’s Guide to Gourmet Cooking on a Budget web page for WZ.com, the well-known online guide site. In less than a year, subscribership to his email newsletter of the same name grew from 0 to over 75,000.

Before you even get to all of the recipes, you have a couple of very informative (and creative) chapters:

  1. “Faster and Better” – You’re reminded of the importance of good meals and reassured that cooking meals quickly doesn’t compromise the taste or the quality.
  2. “Stocking Your Pantry” – Learn the essential ingredients you need to have in your pantry at all times. These “go to” ingredients are the ones no cook wants to be caught without. You’ll also learn more about herbs and seasonings, fun foods to have on hand, and a very convenient primer on substitutions.
  3. “Essential Equipment” – Pots, pans, tools, knives, technological marvels that’ll get you in and out of the kitchen in less time than I’m spending on this review!

Recipes Included in this Awesome Book:

  • Healthy Buttermilk Waffles
  • Quick and Healthy French Toast
  • Light French Toast with Fresh Strawberries
  • George Ames’s Blueberry Muffins
  • Raspberry Crunch Yogurt
  • Breakfast Yogurt
  • Frozen Berry Shake
  • Italian Herb Omelet
  • Baby Shrimp Omelet
  • Scrambled Eggs with Sun-Dried Tomato and Sweet Onion
  • Apple and Toasted Pecan Salad
  • Chickpea Salad
  • Three Bean Salad
  • Jean’s Oriental Cabbage Salad
  • Barry’s Taco Salad
  • Tuna-Cannellini Salad
  • Hearty Chili
  • Vegetarian Chili
  • Grilled Chicken and Sweet Onion Sandwiches
  • Tuna Salad Wraps
  • Vegetarian Wraps
  • Chicken, Mozzarella, and Roasted Pepper Bites
  • Corned Beef Cornucopias
  • Quick Crab Balls
  • Boiled Mushroom Caps with Fresh Mozzarella
  • Garden Salsa
  • Salsa Verde
  • Grilled Hummus Triangles
  • Crab Ricotta Dip with Roasted Red Peppers
  • Red Pepper-Parmesan Dip
  • Mozzarella, Almond, and Spinach Wraps
  • Sun Dried Tomato Spread
  • Tofu Salad Spread
  • Mexican Chili Dip
  • Baked Sole
  • Crisp Fried Haddock
  • Whisker-Licking Good Catfish
  • Grilled Shrimp Scampi
  • Lightning Seafood Stir-Fry
  • Quick Crab Cakes
  • Drumroll Chicken
  • Buffalo Wings
  • Quick Home-Style Barbecued Chicken
  • Orange Chicken
  • Aunt Jean’s Dijon Chicken
  • Chive Chicken
  • Mustard-Glazed Chicken Breasts
  • Chicken Paprika
  • Grilled Apple Chops
  • Steak and Onions
  • Beef and Broccoli Stir-Fry
  • Fast Stuffed Peppers
  • Ratatouille
  • South-of-the-Border Eggs
  • Stuffed Tomatoes
  • Sizzling Tofu and Asparagus Stir-Fry
  • Vegetable Stir-Fry
  • Portobello Pizza
  • Red Beans and Rice
  • White Bean Salad
  • White Beans with Olive Oil, Gorgonzola, and Sage
  • Italian Farmhouse Stew
  • 20-Minute Tomato Sauce
  • Fettuccini Alfredo
  • Linguini with Hot Pepper and Oil
  • Roasted Red Pepper and Artichoke Pizza
  • White Pizza with Olives and Fresh Mozzarella
  • Feta and Black Olive Pizza
  • Orange French Toast
  • Light and Fluffy Pancakes (calls for unsweetened applesauce!)
  • Secret Cheeseburgers
  • Meatballs
  • Quick Tacos
  • Chicken Quesadillas
  • Pepperoni Pizza Dip
  • Garlic Toast with Tomato Dipping Sauce
  • Onion Rings
  • White Beans and Dark Greens
  • Balsamic Green Beans
  • Baked Cauliflower
  • Broccoli with Cheese Sauce
  • Steamed Asparagus
  • Fried Tomatoes (green or red!)
  • Baked Acorn Squash
  • Skillet Parmesan Artichokes
  • Sauteed Spinach
  • Garlic Mashed Potatoes
  • Fast and Easy Scalloped Potatoes
  • Quick Chinese Cabbage Stir-Fry
  • Sauteed Cabbage with Bacon
  • Bacon, Eggs, and Rice
  • Spaghetti Carbonara
  • Penne Pasta Salad
  • Carol Ann’s Tortellini Salad
  • Garden Bruschetta
  • Skillet-Baked Cornbread
  • Buttermilk Biscuits
  • Scones
  • Peach Yogurt Parfait
  • Strawberry Cheesecake Cupcakes
  • Blueberries and Cream
  • Almond Piecrust
  • Mixed Fruit Betty
  • Dad’s Baked Fruit
  • Velvet Fudge
  • Mocha Mousse
  • Chocolate-Chip Cookies
  • Almond Chocolate Parfaits
  • Almond Oatmeal Cookies
  • Grandpa Phil’s Pudding
  • Lightning Strawberry Shortcake
  • Grammalane’s Lemon Pie

And those are just the ones I’ve marked to make this month!

I LOVE everything about The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Meals in 30 Minutes or Less, but I’m especially excited about the SCADS of breakfast recipes and tips. There’s a very small window of opportunity to put breakfast on the table (or in a hand as it rushes out the door). These recipes will come in… pardon the pun.. very handy.

Click through one of the links or the picture for more information. You’re going to love this one!

*** Footnote: I have absolutely NOTHING against microwaves – I love and use mine with pride – but I just had to add this: You’d be surprised how few of the recipes in this book use the microwave!

How to Make Cake Pops and Doughnut Holes: Perfect Every Time

Turn Your Kitchen into a Bakery!

by Joi

Cake Pop and Doughnut Hole Baker

The cutie above is the Nostalgia Electrics JFD-100 Cake Pop & Donut Hole Bakery and, let’s face it, it’s a dream come true.  Who doesn’t LOVE cake pops and doughnut holes – in fact, I love them so much I’m officially dying for some of both right now.

Product Features

  • Make up to 7 donut holes or other baked treats quickly and easily
  • Non-stick coating for easy cooking and clean-up
  • Comes in injector for making jelly or cream filled donuts and more
  • Recipes included for donuts, muffins, brownies bites and more
  • Great for baking both sweet and savory treats of all kinds

Product Description

Now you can cook delicious donut holes and other pastries at home without even turning on an oven. Make jelly donuts, puff pancakes, mini cinnamon buns and more. It’s great for snack time, party time or anytime! A handy injector is included to give your donuts a variety of fillings such as jelly, cream or caramel. Delectable appetizers and h’ordeuvres are ready in minutes. Use your imagination and have fun!

Click through the link or image above for more information. The Nostalgia Electrics JFD-100 Cake Pop & Donut Hole Bakery would serve up countless smiles – the ear to ear variety!

More For Cake Pop Fans:

Bobby Flay’s Guacamole Recipe: Just the Right Amount of Heat

From the New Food Network Magazine

by Joi

Bobby Flay's Guacamole Recipe

The May 2012 issue of Food Network Magazine is one you’ll want to grab. You can’t miss it – there are three HEAVENLY looking tacos on the front cover that’ll catch your eye right away. Inside the magazine, in addition to gazillions of recipes, tips, and tools of the trade, there are 50 delicious and creative ways to make/serve a family favorite: Tacos!

The first recipe I tried from this issue was a Guacamole recipe from Bobby Flay. It was, as you’d expect, exceptional.  Normally, this avocado fanatic just likes her guacamole with avocado and a little lime or lemon – maybe a little salt.  Avocados are so amazing it’s really all I want to taste.

However… this recipe has won me over to adding different ingredients to compliment the avocado.  This particular guacamole recipes is one of the best I’ve ever tried. It’s outstanding.

Bobby Flay’s Guacamole

4 ripe Haas avocados, peeled, pitted and chopped
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced
Juice of 2 limes (about 1/4 cup)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Combine the avocados, red onion, jalapeno, lime juice and cilantro in a bowl and gently mix to a chunky consistency. Season with salt and pepper.

Along with this guacamole recipe, there’s a recipe for Bobby Flay’s Cumin Dusted Tortilla Chips. Be sure to grab the magazine and check that out!

Guacamole Bowls:

Heart Healthy Recipe: Red Beans and Tuna Fish Salad

Trust Me, You'll Love Every Single Bite

by Joi

Red Beans and Tuna Fish Salad

A Heart-Healthy Recipe: Red Beans and Tuna Fish Salad

There’s really nothing quite like a beloved family member having to undergo open heart surgery to make you think (long and hard) about heart health, heart healthy foods and drinks, heart healthy activities, and heart healthy recipes.

I’ve been researching the most heart healthy foods lately.  I found a great list of the 25 Top Heart Healthy Foods on WebMd.  Some of the foods listed are:

  • Tuna
  • Brown Rice
  • Blueberries
  • Spinach
  • Salmon
  • Broccoli
  • Tomatoes
  • Cantaloupe
  • Dark Chocolate
  • Tea

I hope you’ll click the link above and see the rest. Even more importantly, I hope you’ll write the list down and add the recommended foods and drinks to your daily diet.  Even if you just add a few to your everyday routine, the benefits will improve your heart’s health.  Don’t wait until you’re sitting in front of a grim-faced doctor before you do something about your heart’s health!

I’m kicking off a new category here on the food blog dedicated entirely to heart health.  I’ll have heart-healthy recipes, foods, heart healthy food reviews, foods to buy and foods to never buy, etc. I’m kicking things off today with a recipe I whipped up for lunch.  I have my uncle (the beloved family member in need of open heart surgery) very much on my mind this week.  I’m also thinking about the rest of my beloved family members – and thinking of ways we can, hopefully, protect ourselves from heart disease.

Naturally, I’m beginning to experiment wildly with heart-healthy foods.  I want to add a lot of recipes to the food blog that are heart-healthy, simple, economical to make, fast and easy, and (as often as possible) made with ingredients you probably already have on hand.

The first recipe up is one I actually just made and enjoyed. Naturally, feel free to add more garlic, or less if you’re so inclined. In fact, add more or less of any of the ingredients – custom fit it to your own tastes. Made as I did, here, the tuna fish flavor is delightfully front and center. Just be sure to leave in the lime – it adds a beautiful little kick.

Red Beans and Tuna Fish Salad

15.5 oz can Red Beans
5 oz. can Chunk Light Tuna in water
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
1 chopped green onion (white and green parts)
A couple of cloves of garlic, minced OR 1/4 tsp Garlic Gold Sea Salt Nuggets
Juice from 1/2 a lime

Combine all of the ingredients and eat to your heart’s content. Literally. I used 1/4 tsp Garlic Gold Sea Salt Nuggets (review of Garlic Gold products and recipes coming tomorrow) in my recipe, but you could substitute minced garlic.

If you’d like a little crunch, add whole wheat croutons.

THE Perfect Gift for Mothers who Love Chocolate and Diamonds?

Azature Fine Chocolates: Diamond-Shaped Chocolates, of Course!

by Joi

Azature Black Diamond Chocolates

Consider my little chocolate-loving brain cells officially popped. They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but when THIS girl hears or reads the word “diamond,” I think of a baseball diamond and spending the evening with my husband and cat Alexa watching baseball on television.

Now, thanks to Azature Fine Chocolates, the word diamond will also conjure up chocolate perfection: Diamond-shaped chocolate candy! FINE chocolate, even.

If your mother is as big a chocoholic as I am, you simply have to get her diamonds this Mother’s Day… chocolate diamonds, that is.

From AZATURE Chocolates.com:

The origins of AZATURE chocolates developed from the sentiment of gratitude and appreciation. It was from the first box created as a thank you to AZATURE jewelry clients that AZATURE fine chocolates were born. Approaching the gift from the same philosophy of innovation and unique design, AZATURE created the first collection inspired from the precious gems that are featured in his fine AZATURE jewelry collections.

Now available in eight different flavor formulations, the chocolates have much in common with his signature AZATURE black-diamond pieces. Take the “Black Diamond – Wild Treasure Cocoa” for example, like its black diamond counterpart, it is inspired by its exclusivity. The chocolate begins with the rare “Wild Treasure” cocoa bean that grows in the Amazon basin of Bolivia to create a luxurious chocolate base for all of the confections. The infused flavors and delicate recipes are applied with care and creativity to create fresh taste all while applying the signature AZATURE gem design. Like fine jewelry, these pralines are a luxurious indulgence that we hope you will take the time to truly savor. From AZATURE and the chocolatier team, thank you as we are incredibly proud to share these handcrafted confections with you.

Visit Azature Fine Chocolate‘s website and make this Mother’s Day a day she’ll never forget. Trust me, she’ll be bragging about her chocolate diamonds all year long!

Azature Black Diamond Chocolates

Hungry Girl’s Sweet and Spicy Tuna Tacos

All Recipes from the Hungry Girl are Winners

by Joi

Hungry Girl Recipe: Tuna Tacos

Hungry Girl Tuna Taco’s Recipe: Just in time for Cinco de Mayo!

One 4.5-oz. pouch StarKist Sweet & Spicy Tuna Creations®
1/4 cup salsa
4 corn taco shells (flat-bottomed shells, if available)
1 cup shredded lettuce
1/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup diced tomato
2 tbsp. chopped cilantro

Directions:

In a medium bowl, mix Tuna Creations® and salsa.

Evenly fill shells with lettuce, Tuna Creations® mixture, onion, tomato, and cilantro. Yum!!

YIELD: Makes 2 Servings
PER SERVING (2 tacos): 224 calories, 6g fat, 577mg sodium, 28g carbs, 3g fiber, 6g sugars, 15g protein

The Hungry Girl Cookbooks:

If you’ve never watched Hungry Girl on television or tried her cookbooks and recipes, promise me you’ll do so. You’ll fall fast in love AND find yourself eating a lot healthier to boot? Win, Win.

Guacamole Recipe for Garlic Lovers

Isn't That Just About All of Us?

by Joi

Guacamole Bowl
Progressive International Guacamole Bowl

My family loves avocados so much it’s a wonder we aren’t all a delightful shade of green. One of my favorite ways to enjoy an avocado is to slice it in half, remove the peel and the pit, and squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the fruit.  Then I like to fill the holes with a prepared mixture of finely chopped tomatoes, cilantro, pinch of salt, and olive oil.  Optional additions (depending on my mood) are finely chopped onion, cilantro, and/or chopped jalapenos.

The recipe, below, is one I’m very anxious to try. It’s from Knorr.  My husband is the biggest garlic lover in the world, so I’m pretty sure this one will make his mouth water.

Guacamole Recipe

2 medium avocados, peeled and mashed with a fork
1/4 cup seeded and finely chopped tomato
1/4 cup chopped green onions, rinsed and drained
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
1 Tbsp. lime juice
1 Knorr® Garlic MiniCube, crumbled

Combine all ingredients in small bowl. Garnish, if desired, with additional chopped green onions and serve with tortilla chips.

I can’t tell you how wild I am about the Guacamole Bowl (shown at the top) and the Salsa Bowl (shown below)! They’d make adorable gifts (Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Christmas…) and would look crazy cute in your own kitchen. I can’t wait to welcome them into my own kitchen.

Salsa Bowl
Progressive International Salsa Bowl

Szechuan Veggie Tacos Recipe

Vegetarian Tacos That'll Satisfy Even Meat Lovers

by Joi

Szechuan Veggie Tacos

Vegetarians don’t have to miss out on the fun and flavor of tacos. Far from it! Recipes such as this healthy recipe from Canola Info.org’s Street Eats Collection prove that vegetarian tacos can be as flavorful as any meat-filled taco.  Click the link for tons of other equally delicious and healthy recipes.

Daikon Salad:

  • 2 cups shredded daikon
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 tsp sugar, granulated
  • 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
  • 2 Tbsp chili garlic sauce

Szechuan Stuffing:

  • 1 Tbsp canola oil
  • 1 sweet onion, sliced
  • 1 red pepper, sliced
  • 1 purple eggplant, sliced in half moons
  • 1/2 package (14 oz) firm tofu, cubed
  • 2 Tbsp chili garlic sauce
  • 2 Tbsp black bean paste
  • 16 tortillas (6-inch/15 cm) flour or white corn
  • 1 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions:

  1. To make Daikon Salad: In medium bowl, combine all salad ingredients.
  2. To make Szechuan Stuffing: In wok, heat canola oil over high heat. Add onions and peppers and saute 2 minutes, then add eggplant and stir-fry 1 minute. Add tofu and saute 1 minute. Add chili garlic sauce and black bean paste; saute 1 minute. Remove from heat and prepare tortillas.
  3. Heat tortillas on both sides using griddle or frying pan. Remove and divide Szechuan Stuffing between each tortilla, then top with 2 tbsp Daikon Salad and cilantro. Serve.

Yield: 16 tortillas. Serving Size: 1 tortilla with 1/4 cup Szechuan Stuffing and 2 Tbsp Daikon Salad.

G.H. Cretors Popped Corn: Addictively Delicious, and No Gluten!

Kettle Corn and Chicago Mix Review

by Joi

G.H. Cretors Popped CornG.H. Cretors Popped Corn: Absolutely Amazing

The wonderful people at G.H. Cretors Popped Corn sent me bags of what can only be described as Popped Corn Heaven.  Although they, in the process, created a couple of brand new addictions in my family, I am forever indebted to them for their kindness, generosity, and stoopidly delicious popped corn.

I guess you can tell that this G.H. Cretors Popped Corn review is going to be a ridiculously positive one.

G.H. Cretors Kettle CornI’m a bit of a Kettle Corn addict, to begin with, so the first bag I tore into was the G.H. Cretors Kettle Corn.  If you aren’t familiar with Kettle Corn, let me lay it on the line for you: Kettle Corn is what all popcorn would be if it had a choice.  Kettle Corn is so additively delicious that you’ll find yourself going at it with both hands. G.H. Cretors has the best Kettle Corn I’ve ever tasted – and, believe me, I’ve been around the Kettle Corn block a million times. Okay, a billion times, but who’s counting?  At times, while deliriously throwing in G.H. Cretors Kettle Corn in, I forget to breath – let alone chew.

I keep reminding myself, “Pace yourself. No one’s taking it away from you.”

At one point, my husband (a new Kettle Corn addict – unaccustomed to its power) handed me the bag and told me, “Put it away before I kill myself.”   Oh I put it away all right.

From G.H. Cretors:

Today we make our Kettle Corn just like Great Grandpa did – with four simple, natural ingredients: popcorn, sunflower oil, cane sugar, and sea salt. That’s all it takes to bring you the perfect combination of sweet and salty – the tastiest fluffiest popcorn – with a little surprise in every kernel. From our kitchen to yours, enjoy!

All Natural…Naturally!

  • No artificial flavors or colors
  • No gluten ingredients
  • We use natural sweeteners
  • We use locally grown Non-GMO popcorn
  • Just four simple ingredients

G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix: Popped Cheddar and Caramel CornG.H. Cretors Chicago Mix

Equally delicious is G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix Popped Corn. Hold onto your seat for this one.  This is a delicious mixture of Cheddar Cheese popped corn and Caramel popped corn. My youngest daughter Stephany loves this particular variety so much I seldom see her without a bag in hand.  I can’t blame her, whatsoever, because this mix is out of this world.

Although I’m obsessed with cheese popped corn, oddly enough I’ve never been much of a caramel popped corn fan. For some reason it’s just too sticky for my taste.  I realize that some people live for that sticky caramel texture, but I’m not into it.  I was THRILLED that G.H. Cretors caramel popped corn doesn’t have that traditional stickiness. Somehow it keeps all the caramel flavor without making your teeth feel sticky and weird.

I love it for that.

From the Website:

Today we make our Caramel Corn just like Great Grandpa did- in old-fashioned copper kettles, one batch at a time. Then we mix it up the Chicago way, with our rich, creamy, Aged Cheddar Cheese Corn to create the perfect combination of Sweet and Salty. You don’t even have to come to Chicago to try this special treat. From our kitchen to yours, enjoy!

All Natural…Naturally!

  • We use Brown Rice Syrup
  • No artificial flavors or colors
  • No gluten ingredients
  • Made with fresh creamery butter
  • We use natural sweeteners
  • We use locally grown Non-GMO popcorn

 G.H. Cretors has the following varieties of Popped Corn:

  • Kettle Corn
  • Chicago Mix (Cheddar and Caramel)
  • Cheddar
  • Caramel
  • Caramel Nut Crunch

Each of these varieties should come with warning labels – these people know their popped corn like no one else.

G. H. Cretors Popped Corn is available on Amazon:

In addition to Amazon, G.H. Cretors is available in many stores across the U.S.  We don’t have any such stores in my area, so Amazon will be my source of deliciousness. Click HERE for the store locator.

G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix Popped Corn

G.H. Cretors Chicago Mix: Cheddar Cheese Popped Corn and Caramel Popped Corn: Unbelievably delicious!

 

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Recipe from Ellie Krieger's Comfort Food Fix

by Joi

Ellie Krieger Comfort Food Fix

Not only do I passionately collect cookbooks, the first section I head for at the library is the cookbook aisle.  I’m obsessed with recipes, cooking, and everything remotely connected to food.

Could you tell?

The wonderful thing about checking cookbooks out at the library is you get to take them for a “test drive” and see if they warrant a trip to Amazon.   With some cookbooks, I only find a couple of recipes that interest me, so I simply jot them down on a recipe card. However, other cookbooks, such as  Ellie Krieger’s cookbooks (each and every one!), send me to Amazon.com faster than payday sends me to the store. With speed that breaks the sound barrier.

The most recent cookbook to pass the “test drive” was Ellie Krieger’s Comfort Food Fix: Feel-Good Favorites Made Healthy.  I realized there wasn’t enough ink in the house to record all of the recipes I’d want to make in this particular cookbook, so I put my pen away and told Ellie’s lovely face I’d see her on Amazon.

Soon.

The first recipe I made from this cookbook was the Roasted Red Pepper Hummus.  Like all results from an Ellie Krieger recipe, the hummus was phenomenal.

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

1 larger roasted red pepper, drained and rinsed if jarred
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
One 15 oz can chickpeas, preferably low-sodium, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons tahini
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus 1 teaspoon for garnish
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons water

Finely chop 1 tablespoon of the roasted red pepper and reserve for a garnish. Coarsely chop the remaining roasted red pepper.

Using the broad side of a knife blade, mash together the garlic and the 1/2 teaspoon salt to form a paste.  Place the garlic paste, chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of the oil, the cumin, the water, and the roasted red pepper into a food processor and process until smooth.  Season with additional salt to taste.

Place the hummus into a serving bowl and garnish with the reserved red pepper.  Drizzle the remaining 1 teaspoon oil over the top.  Hummus will keep for about 1 week in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Yield: 8 servings

Food Processors

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