Easy, Good Homemade Hommus

I've tried other recipes but seem to like this one the best. It's from Dr Sandra Cabot's "The Body Shaping Diet". I prefer this hommus recipe to the one she has in "The Liver Cleansing Diet". (The ingredients are the same, but the quantities are different). I purchased "The Body Shaping Diet" when I wanted to get rid of depressing excess baby weight nearly 12 years ago. I was also 27.5kg lighter than I am today.
-300gm cooked chickpeas
-1/3 cup tahini (sesame paste)
-3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
-juice of 2-3 lemons
-freshly ground black pepper
-(I also add some salt - it's no secret, Maldon is my absolute favourite).
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Blend or grind chickpeas until smooth. Add all other ingredients, combine thoroughly. Add more tahini or lemon juice as necessary to suit your taste & to reach a smooth, but not runny consistency. (This hommus has body. It is thick and satisfying.. but also more-ish!). Place in a serving bowl and sprinkle with paprika if you like.. or even sprinkle with something like crushed pistachio's - the highest protein nut? A highly nutritious spread or dip! 2 points per tablespoon.

My own best interests

I've picked an unsuitable time to start this post (as I head out the door)-- but I had to say something. I've not done the updates here that I would have liked recently because of poor health. I will update soon about this.. but, in the meantime.. I had to let you know that things have to change. Things have changed. And of course.. I was dragged kicking and screaming you could say, against my own unhealthy will. Better days to come.. will update more soon.

Iron Chef Maria? :-P

I recently joined a lovely Foodie forum which can be found at a delightful blog called The Leftover Queen

I am excited to be joining the monthly challenges titled "The Royal Foodie Joust". Each month three ingredients are named and challengers must create a recipe including those ingredients. You are then required to post your recipe and photograph/s on the forum so others can see (and vote). We are encouraged to post our dish/recipe on our blogs so that we can then encourage our readers to go to the forum and vote for us! Would you consider supporting me in the monthly Jousts? Winners get to choose the next 3 ingredients & they also win a personalised Royal Foodie Joust Apron! And each time you post at the forum, your winning Foodie Joust Crest follows you like a signature!

There is so much talent @The Leftover Queen forum.. I was blown away by the photographs and previous Joust entries. I'll give you some examples:

One month the ingredients were: Mint, pomegranates, pistachio's and the recipes that were photographed and contributed by forum members were:

Mint Pomegranate Tart
Peppermint Tart with Pomegranate Glaze
Pomegranate Pistachio Dressing
Chicken Pilaf with Pomegranate, Mint and Pistachio's --Winning Recipe
Mint Pomegranate Brownies
Biscotti Feste
Pistachio Pomegranate Chicken
Baked Salmon Tarator
Pistachio-Crusted Lamb with Mint Pistou and Pomegranate Reduction

Another month the ingredients were: Eggplant, lentils & cinnamon - and the entries submitted were:

Lentil Soup & Grilled Eggplant
Eggplant in Lentils and Salsa
Val's Vegetarian Moussaka
Lentil encrusted Lamb
Big, Fat Roasted Eggplant Stuffed with Sticky Lentil-Rice
Aromatic Lentils Purée with Eggplant sticks

Lentil and Eggplant Burgers
Cinnamon Jerk Eggplant & Lentils
Lentil stuffed Eggplant
Eggplant & Lentil Terrine with Morroccan Spices
Lamb Cutlets on a Spiced Vegetable Broth
Lentil Loaf with Roasted Eggplants
Brinjal Rice
Eggplant Lentil Stew with Charred Onions and Yogurt Served over Cinnamon Cashew Couscous
Lentil Soup with Fried Eggplant
Moroccan Style Spiced Lamb with a lentil pilaf and Baba Ghanoush
Lentil fritters with venison chorizo, eggplant sofrito and cinnamon aioli --Winning Recipe

Other three-ingredient combo's have been:

White Chocolate, Lavendar, Pears
Mushrooms, Herbs, Cheese
Chocolate, Chilli, Grains But THIS months challenge, the 1st one I'm participating in asks us to use:

Pork, any variety (Barley can be substituted if you have a dietary restriction)

Citrus (any kind)

Pink or White Peppercorns (with reasonable facsimiles allowed).

I think it'll be so much fun! I already have an idea in mind for this pork/citrus/peppercorn challenge! When I'm done & have documented my entry, I'll make a blog post about it including pictures and the recipe. I'll be turning into an Iron Chef, of sorts.

So as not to overpower my blog with food-talk (and there's been a lot of it lately.. I'll include some personal updates).

*My sister in Brisbane is doing some volunteer work at a local charity store and she has access to and first choice of all new donations that arrive at the shop. Though she volunteers and isn't paid, she does receive vouchers to spend in the store. Tomorrow she is mailing my girl and I: A genuine (not fake) Gucci handbag, a (pink) Louis Vuitton ladies wallet & a Chanel top.

*I can't find my glasses! (Night time driving/movie watching)

*I was diagnosed with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome today in both hands

*Weight Watchers tomorrow. The lady I replaced (in the signing-up new members role) will be back tomorrow (I trained for 3 weeks & did the job on my own for 3 weeks). But the job is mine! I now have confirmation that it will be an ongoing role for me which is great news (the other lady is stepping aside by choice). It will be great on the curriculum vitae, great on the pocket and great for me as a woman and human being to help out in this way. It means so much that my leader had faith in me to do the job... offering it to me without even advertising the position. That is key for me at this time in my life.

Plain and Traditional?

My favourite donut to eat is an Original Glazed Krispy Kreme donut.. why should I be surprised then that I'm now being told I am one?

You Are a Glazed Donut

Okay, you know that you're plain - and you're cool with that. You prefer not to let anything distract from your sweetness. Your appeal is understated yet universal. Everyone dig you. And in a pinch, you'll probably get eaten.

What Donut Are You?

Re: Pizza below --This one doesn't surprise me either.. I'd much prefer an excellent quality crust..and simple, quality toppings.

Cheese Pizza

Traditional and comforting. You focus on living a quality life. You're not easily impressed with novelty. Yet, you easily impress others.

What's Your Pizza Personality?

RE: Cookie below --I was hoping to be something with Macadamia nuts?

You Are a Chocolate Chip Cookie

Traditional and conservative, most people find you comforting. You're friendly and easy to get to know. This makes you very popular - without even trying!

What Kind of Cookie Are You?

Sky High Noodles

Whenever we fly Jetstar, my girl loves to order (Japanese "Nissin") Cup Noodles from the menu ($4) and usually only chicken flavour is on offer.

Yesterday I found the "Jetstar" noodles at our local supermarket (in the Asian food section) & they only had seafood flavour (-about $1.80 on special). Well.. it really does taste like chicken but has the tiniest strips of processed crab meat.

When you buy the noodles inflight they look like this ~with about 60% less meaty, rehydrated goodness on top :-P~

But in the supermarket they look like this:
Does anyone know if we can get Nissin's "Goo Ta" noodles here in Australia? They're a premium instant noodle bowl that come with 4 sachets -being; liquid concentrate soup, dried spice mix, dried chunkier vegie mix and real meat (eg. pork), in a foil sachet, in its own gravy, astronaut-style (ie. not refrigerated). In the U.S. they're about $2.50 a bowl.

I don't mean to insult your intelligence by mentioning that instant noodles can be quite high in points and definitely high in salt and contain lots of food additive nasties. Always check your ingredients (if they're in English). Consume sparingly as a sometimes-treat!

Introducing *Foodie Tips*!

I've decided to introduce a 'Foodie Tip' feature on the sidebar and perhaps a recipe to go with it. The current 'Food Tip' information has also been made into a blog post and saved in drafts. When 'beetroot' (for eg) is removed from the sidebar and replaced with something new, I will publish the beetroot tip & recipe as a blog post for the purpose of having it in archives. So, if you ever want to revisit a tip or recipe you'll be able to find it under the recipe title heading.

Here's something I haven't shared with you..but I will now (quite spontaneously): My youngest sister works for a major newspaper conglomerate in Sydney (the digital arm of it) and I learned she's actually in charge of the wonderful newsletter emails I get from cuisine.com.au

It is the only foodie subscription email I get weekly and my recent trip to Sydney revealed my sister was the boss of it. The website has a feature where you type in a few ingredients (which you may have on hand), click 'search' and the site will search for a recipe using those ingredients. This is all sounding like a shameless plug.. but the truth is, it was unplanned and my sister has no knowledge of this post (yet). I hope you enjoy the new 'Foodie Tip' feature :-)

Maria's Beetroot Crisps

Nearly NO points! (Check note on oil here in recipe)

-Put on some latex gloves to avoid stained hands!-Preheat your oven to around 200C or 400F-Peel and wash some small, fresh beetroot (you decide the quantity)

-Shave beetroot as thickly as you can with a vegie peeler (until you have mounds of beetroot shavings) Or use a vegie slicer or mandolin for round chips

-Blot juices with paper kitchen towel-Place in ceramic or s/s bowl, spray with oil, toss to coat evenly. I like to use peanut oil as it has a high smoking point (-is monounsaturated & doesn't taste like anything). Oil that burns/smokes is unhealthy for you and ruins the flavour of your food. Two teaspoons of oil = 1.5points

-Sprinkle with good quality sea salt (like Maldon) and/or season with whatever spices you like eg. dukkah, cajun, persian seasoning OR even horseradish from a jar!

-Spread out on an oven tray lined with baking paper

-Roast in hot oven

-Taste one after 10-15 minutes. All ovens are different, they should be 'chip' like in texture but not burnt!

There is only 31 calories per cup of beetroot. Cooked beetroot is a great source of folate that can protect against high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s and dementia.

BUYING/STORAGE TIP: Always buy beetroot with (crisp & fresh) leaves attached. Buy undamaged beetroot with unwilted tops. Your beetroot might be woody if it's larger than a tennis ball. Store it in your fridge vegie crisper, but make sure you cut off the leaves first. Only wash them before use because wet beetroot will deteriorate rapidly.

Shellfish & Nanny Diaries

It was a pretty good Feb 14th. Weight Watchers was great! My role there has been easier each week. The lady who I have been filling-in for (my leader's Mum)... is returning from the USA and apparantly hasn't been keen on continuing the job. I learned today that I will be permanently taking over the role (her former role signing-up new members) -so the job is mine! Which means my meetings remain free of charge.. and that will be a huge help to me. Having this position will also add a sparkle to my lacklustre resume. I never would have imagined something like this eventuating at this time.. but I praise God for it as it truly blesses me.

I had no new members sign-up today! We were all surprised! But it takes me half an hour (before the doors open) to set-up my three tables and hang posters and WW signs. I was also the '(friendly) shoe police' for a short amount of time as folk lined up to be weighed. We learned that we must leave our shoes on for weigh-ins (health regulations), no exceptions. All members were encouraged to weigh their shoes seperately also, so we could subtract that from our weight (in our own mind, for peace of mind). My shoes weighed 600grams! Another pair weighed 900grams! The lightest shoes I saw were 200grams. Ignoring my shoe weight... I lost 400grams this week.

I didn't make any purchases today as I went to the meeting with a near empty wallet. No sooner do I do that .. that I notice the new WW magazine is out and a new line of Choc Crisp bars appeared too. Choc Orange! They taste like Jaffa's (1.5 points a bar). A lady during our meeting showed us a Milo Bar snack in her handbag. Not the chocolate confectionary type bar..but it resembled a light muesli bar. That was one point apparantly. She said they weren't that tasty..but they're supposedly high in fibre.

After WW I picked up a DVD (which was preplanned) and headed to my hubby who was having cable internet and telephone installed at the new place. We had to start our lunch with the cable guys hovering about. Oysters.. king prawns... (take a look at the Smilebox Slideshow)! I enjoyed the staying-at-home-alone-together-time. For the slideshow I chose a romantic piano number called "In the heat" or something.. which has "making whoopee" in the chorus. When I previewed it, a couple of times a completely different song played that wasn't even on the list of 3 song choices. It was a generic version of Jennifer Lopez's "My Love Don't Cost A Thing"..which sounded "bleh!" Last I tried, it was working fine for me. If you get the "Love Don't Cost A Thing" song.. please feel free to mute your computer!

Tomorrow (Friday.. I am writing this after midnight so it's technically Friday.. but it's still Thursday night to me).. I am heading with hubby to Ballarat to visit MIL in rehab (recovering from the stroke). Then in the evening.. it's that time again.. "The Marriage Course" (which is the exact title btw). I think we're having Lasagne? And maybe caramelised pears? Another slideshow hint: Each page, at the top has a 'Zoom' button to click on and off. When previewing it, I needed to use the Zoom buttons on each page to have a closer look before moving forward. I hope you all had a nice Valentine's Day.. feel free to share what you did.. or how the day was different in any way :-)

Lunch with friends!

Today's Weight Watchers lunch shared with Cheryl & my girl (who had a pupil free day) was; "Lemon Herb Chicken" from the book "Meals in Minutes". As side dishes we had a salad of rocket, baby spinach, lebanese cucumber & tomato. Then some baked potato (one side coated with pistachio & quandong dukkah) and baked sweet potato with WW sourcream. Two chicken breasts were used for 4 servings.. so though it may look big on the plate, it was all portion controlled. Total meal value: 6 points.

I have a parent/teacher night tonight at 7.10pm, so we should be heading off in a minute. WW tomorrow morning! Below is a pic of my girl with Cheryl's cutey 2 year old Rebekah (or Bekah as we call her often --she calls me "Yah-Yah")!

Outpouring of randomness...

I have had scattered thoughts.. and days of late. Nothing like or resembling the next day or the day before. Often something will happen and I'll make a mental note: "I'll write about that in my blog".. and then it doesn't happen!

Here are some random happenings to update you:

*My mother-in-law had a stroke two Saturday's ago. We praise God for some miraculous improvements in her condition since then. My frail FIL is exhausted staying at middle-son's place and visiting his wife every day. He misses home and her very much.

*I stood on a small-ish shard of glass yesterday.. long and skinny and it went in deep and I screamed (it hurt that much)! The foot is fine.

*In sympathy for my hair straightener, my washing machine has packed it in and won't complete cycles. It's a front-loader that I purchased brand new, late in 2003. Hubby says they're not designed to last longer than that. It was an $800 machine I paid cash for.

*I needed to pick something up from CCCen#ttttr-e-l-i-n*k this morning and in the 10 minutes I was there I heard 3 different people abuse staff and it was only 9.30am. One guy ranted and then called the staff member a "dumb blonde" and walked off. (Odd spelling = Not wanting to attract disgruntled C-l-ink customers to my blog).

*Last Friday @the course.. & at the commencement of dinner.. I started shaking the pepper shaker and the bottom 'plug' thingy fell out! A pile of pepper streamed out all over the table and onto my food (my food was still edible.. however, the shiny, white tablecloth looked like some sand art had vomited over it). Dinner was chicken stroganoff(ish) with rice and salad.. dessert was a very tart, tart. Plum tart.. with an overcooked base. It was screaming for sugar (or more than the tablespoon of cream it came with)! A scoop of vanilla icecream would have been the culinary super glue. Actually frangipane in a plum tart is the best way to have plums in a tart. The creamy, sweet almond filling can easily pass as the main event.. with fruit as the supporting act. In fact, when I was at college, I was given about half a kg of raw frangipane (left over from class.. otherwise it was going in the bin) - and I baked it at home. My then 5 year old and I were licking the crumbs. Below an eg. of with or without frangipane. Each to his own?

*I WON an online competition today.. I was sooooo happy!! $80 worth of stationary for me!!! I receive newsletters from this online stationary store.. and they recently had a competition! They were about to produce a large writing pad and didn't know what to call it. Not wanting to call it "Super Pad".. they asked subscribers to submit potential names. The prize was stationary of your choosing (from the website) and the honour of naming the pad! And I won! The super pad is now called "Big Note" (but won't be on the website until later this week). I might get myself some personalised stationary which is something I haven't had since I was a teenager. They have some cute and even comedic "collections"! I'm chuffed!

*Thanks to all for your kind comments about my last video. I still have plenty of Sydney snaps and video footage... so stay tuned! :-)

Surprise Tickets!

Before I leave for Weight Watchers this morning, I'll post my latest video (made yesterday). It's been a rollercoaster week! I hope you are all well? Catch you soon :-)

No vase? No worries.

I found these lovely Lisianthus waiting for me when I came home from the marriage course tonight. I couldn't stay back and chat/linger much past 9.30pm as I had to pick up my girl from the sitter's and put some fuel in my car. I could imagine the car stalling, in the dead-of-night beside the tree & shrub dense river and abandoned golf-course in Queen's Park. And my mobile phone having no range down in that little valley. So while I was doing my things, hubby had time to nip over to Safeway and grab these before I arrived home! I thought I had some empty glass sauce jars in the cupboard.. but no ...so what to do? A ceramic canister did the trick! (Note: I am aware of the vase on the lefthand side of the picture! It's not really functional. It could fit one or two stems of anything at a time only, due to its ornamental bottle-neck)!

My meal prediction/statement in the previous post was correct by the way! Also refer to "As Live As It Gets" to the left in the sidebar. Next week is Chicken Stroganoff & I think Caramelised Pears? I told one of the course facilitator's (and Pastor) that if I had of known they catered for special dietary needs I would have told them in advance that I only eat lobster. ;-)

Baked Potato Dinner

Our church is offering an 8 week "Marriage Enrichment" course, starting tonight. Eight Friday nights in a row which include a main meal and dessert. I have "inside-info" re: future meal offerings because hubby is lactose intolerant and needed to know what was being served. From memory, tonight we'll be having a baked potato. And is it mudcake also? If not tonight, then another night! When our church has done potatoes in the past, the usual toppings on offer are sour cream, grated cheese, butter, coleslaw and chopped bacon I think? I'm guessing they won't be offering my beloved half-a-point per tablespoon sour cream either?! Ordinary, full-fat sour cream is 2.5 points per tablespoon!

The course is supposed to cover areas like communication, sex... that's all I remember now! We are going to watch a video each week (from memory) and then we work with our spouse to answer q's or discuss topics. No group work involved. The cost is $160 which includes the manuals and meals.

I have a walnut-size blister on each foot today and a sore lower back. Walking in heels for a distance I didn't plan to walk. But prior to that.. I had my first day at WW signing-up new members on my own! It could have potentially been a very busy morning as most school kids were back to the books this week... which usually signifies mass-memberships I was told. But it wasn't the case! It helped that my 1st customer arrived 15 minutes before the doors were even technically open. She sat down and waited for me to finish my jobs (I only had some posters left to hang).. and then I got to it! I signed her up! And at the end of the day my WW leader said I made no mistakes with the paperwork.. so hooray to that! I feel completely confident now doing the job. All up there were only 4 signer-upperers. Ok.. must get ready for the course. I have to travel a few suburbs in one direction to drop my girl off..then backtrack and travel some more to get to the venue where the course is being held. Oh my goodness.. I just realised I need to put fuel in the car too! Byyyyye!!!