The Secret To Tasty Hummus

I've had quite a few different kinds of hummus in my day, many of which, to be quite honest, are pretty funky. I could never really put my finger on what I didn't like, until I tried making it myself. It seems to me that the problem lies in balancing the strong nutty flavor of the garbanzo beans with that of the other ingredients. Here is my basic recipe, edited from one I found online which basically just includes a lot more lemon - simple, but effective.

Tasty (Non Funky) Hummus

-2 garlic cloves minced
-1 15oz can of garbanzo beans drained & rinsed
-1/3 cup tahini
-the juice of 1 1/2 lemons or to taste
-1/4 cup water
-1/8 cup olive oil
-1/4 teaspoon salt

Blend all ingredients in your food processor and enjoy.

Tasty tip: Add a handful of cilantro for extra awesomeness. And maybe more lemon. Yum.

Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese

Zack and I had our first taste of bacon wrapped dates around Christmas time last year while visiting family in New York. We've both had them on our minds since then and at last we made them on Mother's Day to take to a family BBQ. They were a big success.



The recipe is as easy as it sounds and you can make as many or as little as you want.

BACON WRAPPED DATES STUFFED WITH GOAT CHEESE

-bacon (I prefer applewood smoked)
-dates
-crumbled goat cheese

Preheat oven to 500. Cut a slit through the side of each date, lengthwise and stuff a few crumbs of goat cheese inside. Then wrap half a piece of bacon (cut horizontally) around the date and pin with a toothpick. The recipe I used didn't mention a toothpick, but I found that it helped keep the bacon in place while providing an easy way to pick up the sticky, greasy, delight.
Also, some recipes recommend stuffing a toasted almond inside the date as well which I think I might try next time.


The weather has finally warmed and I am basking in the golden sunlight and fresh campy smells on walks through the neighborhood. WALKS!

Mother's day was spent at my half brother John's house. No, my mother was not there, but his was along with my sister Genevieve, Roberto the little priest, Zack, and a shelf full of liquor. I wish more family events involved martinis and cosmos. I guess that's why I moved to Oregon.

Here are some photos from the day, in abstract::