Roasted peppers are one of the most versatile ingredients to have on hand and also one of the easiest to make yourself. (You can buy jarred roasted peppers, but it’s much more cost- effective to pop some raw peppers into the oven.) And since most bell peppers are pretty big, one roasted pepper can go [...]
Roasted garlic is the perfect example of how one inexpensive ingredient can become an unbelievably flavorful gourmet-level ingredient. All you need is 45 minutes of hands-off time and a little bit of knowledge. And a sheet of aluminum foil. After you’ve roasted your garlic, you can use it immediately or keep it in the refrigerator [...]
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One thing I always have in my pantry: chickpeas. One thing I always have in my refrigerator: tahini. Why? Because hummus is my go-to staple, no matter if I need a last-minute appetizer, a dish to take to a party, or a quick dinner. You just can’t go wrong with hummus. (I omitted garlic and [...]
Holidays = parties = dips. And bringing along a classic dip that you know everyone will like is a sure-fire bet. It’s also fun to add a little something extra to that kind of dip, something that will be just different enough to make people ask you for your recipe. It occurred to me that [...]
I used to think that hummus was a great dip. Then I moved on to thinking it was a great condiment and dip. These days, I’ve given up trying to categorize hummus — I’m willing to try it with darned near anything. (And I’m usually glad I did!) Somehow, that combination of smooth, creamy chickpeas [...]
The only thing better than getting your hands on a fancy new kitchen gadget is realizing that you can use an old kitchen gadget to do the same job. (Thus saving you $$ to buy more new kitchen gadgets.) Enter the potato masher. Not only does it do its eponymous job, it mashes anything else [...]
Although John Montagu–the 4th Earl of Sandwich–probably didn’t invent one of the staples of modern-day American cuisine, he certainly ensured its popularity. What other eighteenth-century dish is served in almost every restaurant in the country? The sandwich is truly an elegant solution: it allows for extreme creativity in both base and toppings, it’s a great [...]
Call it the next incarnation, call it fusion cuisine, or call it for what it is–a vague version of falafel that became glorified hummus. Being a big chickpea fan, I was pleasantly surprised by the result. This would be a great high-flavor, low-fat dip to bring to a party! 1 15-oz. can of chickpeas, drained [...]
Whole-wheat pita pockets make a great alternative to white-bread lunches. All you need are a few fresh veggies and a topping (such as hummus, cheese, balsamic vinegar, or honey) to make an easy and healthy lunch! Here’s a basic recipe to get you started: 1/2 zucchini, sliced in thin rounds or long sticks (or any [...]
Once you have tahini (sesame paste) this Middle-Eastern classic is easy to make. (Tahini can be found in a Middle-Eastern specialty market or the Middle-Eastern section of a well-stocked grocery store.) I’ve found that sautéing the garlic gives the dip a slightly nutty, not-so-overpowering flavor. 1 can (2 cups) chickpeas, drained 1/2 cup sesame or [...]
