Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Hummus is one of those easy to make foods that can be extremely versatile!   Plus, it's great for your body so how can you go wrong?  I tinkered around and came up with my favorite roasted red pepper version.  Also, it's kid approved.  

 

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

 

1 15 oz can garbanzo beans drained and rinsed

2 cloves garlic or ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

1/3 cup jarred roasted red peppers

2 tablespoons Tahini (optional)

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

½ teaspoon cumin

¼ teaspoon onion powder

1/8 teaspoon chili powder

¼ teaspoon sea salt or to taste

¼ teaspoon pepper or to taste

 Combine all ingredients in food processor until smooth.  Serve with veggie sticks, tortilla or pita chips.  This is also great in pitas or on sandwiches.  Happy Hummussing!

Fiesta

For the fiesta weekend I ate way too much food. What's new? I was also very disappointed to find out about this holidays NON-meaning. Cinco de Mayo really doesn't mean much to Mexico but it's still a good reason to party I suppose. Here is some Mexican inspired food I made and stuffed my face full of!

The Pepito! Toasted bread smeared with re-fried beans and melted mozzarella with marinated flank steak and avocado. I also made these adorable sombrero cookies with Rolo's, butter cream frosting and sprinkles. OLAY! I used THIS butter cream frosting recipe but cut it in half as I knew I wasn't going to need much. I put it all in a plastic bag and cut a small hole in the corner to pipe just enough under and around the Rolo as well as on the edge of the cookie. I then "sprinkled" my sprinkles on. I would pipe 5 and sprinkled 5 at a time because otherwise the butter cream would harden before the sprinkles had a chance to grab on for dear life. See recipes for the Pepito's HERE...and sombrero sugar cookies HERE. This recipe called for white sugar but I used natural sugar and it tasted amazing. Hope you had a great weekend as well!

Edible Arrangements

Here in Italy, the US and many other countries is a fabulous company called Edible Arrangements. They make the most delicious and beautiful arrangements of fruit I have ever seen! This is a great gift for a loved one, a colleague or friend. I ordered one for my mother on mothers day she LOVED it! A great alternative to flowers! It's also a great gift for the person who has EVERYTHING! They are sure to devour it and share with friends. You can either have them delivered or pick them up directly from the store. My personal favorite is the chocolate dipped pineapple. The price varies and is fairly affordable. Click Here to link to Edible Arrangements site! Feel free to send me one :)

Ciao bella!

I MISS........

Moving to Italy has been an amazing experience that has lit up my soul and senses! I do miss the United States, however, and it’s hard for me to admit what I miss most (besides family of course). I miss MEXICAN food. I miss the cheap joint down the street with frozen margaritas and a white sauce to die for. I miss the crunchy salty chips and flour tortillas. I miss the refried beans and mystery cheese on top. Well to quench my thirst I have to make my own at home because you won’t find Mexican food in Italy! This recipe is amazing and given to me by a friend that shares the Mexican love! Try this one at home!

Rachel says:
After a week of eating out I need a change of pace. Mexican is always my go to when I'm in a pinch. This fresh recipe for Tostadas Salsa Verde comes from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food back in 2006. It's a favorite in my house and perfect to make if you have left over chicken. Mix up a margarita and enjoy!

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/tostadas-salsa-verde

Sauerkraut Icecream?!?

Yep, it exists and people eat it too. I would probably pass on that one, but I might actually enjoy bacon ice cream! There are a world of different flavors that people enjoy that you might never think of. Click HERE to read this interesting article about it!

An Afternoon with Grandma

One memory, from what seems like eons ago, that I treasure from my childhood is baking peanut butter cookies with Grandma! There was nothing like getting my hands sticky and sweet, filling the house with the aroma of sugary peanut butter and wrapping my lips around the warm creamy cookies. It was the perfect way to spend an afternoon with grandma. They are simple to make and not overly time consuming.

1 cup peanut butter, creamy or chunky..however you prefer!
1 cup sugar, plus more for rolling
1 egg

1. Heat oven to 375F, Stir together peanut butter, sugar and egg in large mixing bowl.
2. Roll dough into 1 inch balls. Put some sugar on a plate and roll balls in it to coat. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Press each ball down with a fork to make a crisscross design. Bake for 10 minutes or until cookies just start to brown on the edges. Remove from the oven and let cool on wire racks.

I usually double the recipe and share with neighbors and friends!

Citrus Sunday

Most Sundays you will find me elbow deep in lemons and limes. Especially in the summer, there is nothing better than lounging on the back porch with a glass of sweet but tart freshly squeezed lemonade. Living in Italy I find that the people waste not and want not! So I use the lemon and lime rinds to create an an amazing potpourri that fills the house with a fresh sweet smell!

First: squeeze the juice of 6 lemons and 2 limes (you can filter or not depending on your preference on pulp).



Second: Make a simple syrup by combining 2 cups sugar and 2 cups water on the stove. Stir until completely dissolved!
Third: Mix 1-2 liters water with juice and add syrup to taste. Everyone likes their lemonade a little different. You may want less water and more syrup depending on how tart or sweet you want it. I usually have syrup left over and stick it in the fridge to add to my tea later. I bottle the lemonade in one liter bottles and put them in the refrigerator as well.



Fourth: Put the rinds into a pot, add water and 1/4 cup olive oil. Make sure water covers rines so they do not burn. From this point you can leave as is or as I like to do, add fresh or dried rosemary. Sometimes I also put in a splash of Vanilla extract. It truly depends on what fragrances you prefer. I have done this with grapefruit and pineapple rinds as well. Leave on the stove at low heat for as long as desired. Make sure to add water if it evaporates!




Cin Cin! Happy Sunday!

Happy Weekend!

Nothing starts a weekend off better than ICE CREAM :) Starbucks has a mocha frappuccino pint that is to die for! A little strong on its own...I mixed some Breyers vanilla with cookie dough in with mine, don't you just love summer? :)