So…vegan…(ism?) I admit, I’m the first one to think I’d be the last one to become vegan. I think my oldest brother (who at one time owned a meat-lover’s restaurant) may disown me. So…the story.
Last year, a friend was diagnosed with cancer. He went through surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatment, and now still has several spots where cancer resides in his body. A few weeks ago, his doctors said the next best option was to eat only whole, natural foods. Aka, vegan + no sugar. Separately, a few weeks ago, beau and I started researching how meat diets effect health. I don’t want to bore you or gross you out with any of the facts, suffice it to say, I am now choosing to lead a mostly vegan lifestyle. Of course, living in America where many of our meals are in restaurants doesn’t always lead to the strictest of vegan diets, but I’m going as close as possible. We’re calling it a “plant-based diet.”
To kick off the new way of life, beau and I cooked for our friend and his wife. This week’s recipe: hummus. It was delicious – and makes a delightful base for wraps. (That recipe will come soon.)
You’ll need:
1 can chickpeas (or garbanzo beans, same thing)
3 T tahini paste (ground sesame seeds, found near peanut butter)
4 T extra virgin olive oil
1.5 garlic cloves
1 lemon
½ t ground cumin
salt & pepper
paprika for garnish
Drain and rinse the chickpeas
and put in a food processor along with the garlic and tahini paste. I didn’t have a big enough food processor, so I used a blender. It worked perfectly. Blend until it is very smooth. Add the salt and pepper, juice from the lemon, and cumin.
Be careful with the cumin! I let a little too much fall in, and it was way to kickin’! I had to mellow it with more tahini since I didn’t have any more chickpeas. So, don’t do that. Blend the mixture for another 2-3 minutes.
Taste to see if it needs more salt. Mine did, so we threw a bit more in, then blended once again.Plate and garnish with the paprika. We used blue corn chips, but you could also eat it with vegetables, or crackers – or use it as a spread! However you eat it, enjoy!
