About Me

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San Diego, CA
Self-taught baking goddess takes on the world, armed only with her kitchen-aid mixer.
Showing posts with label garbanzo beans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label garbanzo beans. Show all posts

Friday, March 22, 2013

Bulgar & Feta Salad

In the midst of the madness that my life sometimes becomes, I am always grateful for certain things that simplify my world. Some of these things are probably the kinds of things that all kinds of people appreciate--pre-sliced English muffins, coffee to go and Lean Cuisines. And while I could go on for days about all the weird things I'm obsessed with, I will only highlight a few.

First, there is the wonderous world of songza. Songza figures out what time of day it is, you pick your mood and it gives you a myriad of playlists. Sounds simple enough, right? That shit is life changing. I promise. You can thank me later.

Second, automatic sprinklers. Yes, I live in San Diego. Yes, we probably have the best weather on the entire planet. Yes, I own a hose. But do I have the memory capacity to remember to water my lawn? If my garden from last summer is any indication, the answer is no. I bought my house because I wanted a yard. I didn't think about the pesky things you have to do with a yard, like water it. And mow it. When someone invents a roomba for your lawn, please let me know. That would be epic.

Finally, make up removing wipes. After anywhere from 9-12 hours at work, a work out and chores, the last thing I can be bothered to do is wash my face. I know. it's probably disgusting to even admit that. But sometimes? You're just that tired. And this is where the wipes come in... One swipe, and you're done. Even better yet? They remove your sins, too.

This winter, after a string of break-up fueled poor choices and a spree of self-depricating behavior, I was visiting with a friend. We had just gone for a run (or maybe we just woke up? I can't remember... you can draw your own conclusion as to why), and I needed to wash my face. I grabbed a face towelette from the pack in my friend's medicine cabinet and scrubbed it across my face. Seconds later, my cheeks were on fire. My eye brows tingled. My forehead felt like it was being stretched in 87 different directions. In short, my face? It was on fire.

I was in shock (and pain). I had used these same face wipes weeks before, without a similar reaction. Between whimpers, I accused my friend of tampering with her bathroom products to try and melt my face off. Her simple response? "Oh honey, it hurts to wash the whore off."

And now, those face wipes are forever dubbed, "Whore Wipes." Which sounds like a completely different personal hygiene product.

Along with whore wipes, I also have a great appreciation for things that I can throw together one day and continue to enjoy for the rest of the week. I like things that are easy, don't require a lot of my attention to establish in the first place and aren't a lot of work to maintain or preserve (sounding more and more like a case for needing another kind of whore wipe, I suppose).  And that's where this recipe comes in---it's quick, simple and easy. No complaints here.

Bulgar Wheat and Feta Salad
Adapted from Everyday Food
Easy and delicious. Could you really ask for much more?

Ingredients
1 cup bulgar
2 cups boiling chicken stock
1 can chickpeas
1 bell pepper, diced
1 jar artichoke hearts, chopped
1 tablespoon lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup crumbled feta
1/4 chopped dill

Directions
1. In a large bowl, combine the bulgar with the boiling stock. Cover and let sit for 20 minutes.

2. Drain the bulgar and place in a large bowl.

3. Rinse and drain the chickpeas.

4. Add chickpeas to the bulgar. Drizzle with olive oil. Toss.

5. Add remaining ingredients. Toss.

6. Serve hot or cold.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Sundried Tomato Hummus

1. I am a tornado in the kitchen. I do not keep a tidy workspace. It looks like a bomb went off. BUT!!! there is a method to my madness.

2. I like to cook in my bathing suit. This is a recent development and I attribute it to the scorching temperatures that have been plaguing my life lately. BUT!!! if you haven't tried it, I highly recommend it. Just not when there is grease or splashback threats involved.

3. You can never have too many spatulas. I was beginning to question my collection, thinking it a bit obsessive. BUT!!! let me tell you, there is always more room in your life (and kitchen drawers) for spatulas. I am actually now considering expanding my collection.

4. I've come to look at my kitchen appliances like children. And I totally play favorites. Today, I am in love with my magic bullet and food processor. Enamored with them, really. They get the gold stars for the day. BUT!!! that doesn't mean I don't still love my Jolly Green Giant. He is green, after all.

5. My food processor is probably older than I am. My dad passed it down to me and I'm thinking it may have been a wedding present that he and my mom received in the 70s. The pictures on the box and in the owner's manual are quite telling. As is the stylish brown tinge of the mixing bowl and base. BUT!!! that thing works like a charm. It's seen more action in the last month than it has in its entire lifespan, I think.

photo by Jessica Y.
There isn't a thing I don't love about this guy. 
His 70s style is charming.

So, where is all this going? TO HUMMUS, OF COURSE!!! We are off to a 4th of July BBQ and my guest etiquette tells me I cannot show up empty handed. It's too hot for cupcakes (and I'm out of butter) and I have a jar of tahini paste that's been taunting me, begging to be used, for weeks now. This also leads me to confession #6...

6. I am really, really bad at following directions. Ask any of my teachers--I much prefer to do things my own way. If you don't believe me, ask Mr. MacLaughlin about my 25 page report on the state of Russian prisons and the correspondence I started with a felon, in the name of research. I was 14. BUT!!! not following directions (or recipes) usually lands me in a world of something delicious that I can call my own. And now I can share it with you.

The "Don't tell me what to do" Hummus
2 cans garbanzo beans
1/2 c tahini paste
2 T olive oil
1/4 C dried basil
1/4 C fresh basil
1 jar sundried tomatoes
1 T sea salt
1 T balsamic vinegar
1 clove of garlic
1 strip of bacon (yes, if you know me, you know this is not my style... but trust me, ok?)
2 T lemon juice
pepper to taste
1. Drain the beans and dump them in your food processor. Add the olive oil. Blend until smooth.

2. Add the tahini and basil. Pulse until well mixed.

3. Add the tomatoes, vinegar, garlic and lemon juice. Blend until fully combined.

4. Add everything else. Mix well.

5. Use a spatula to scrape the sides of the mixer and along the bottom of the bowl. Blend for about 30 more seconds. 

6. Serve and enjoy!

photo by Jessica Y.
Get your veggies and pita chips ready!

7. I am dying to go on Cupcake Wars or the Next Food Network Star. I watch these shows (more than I should) and I sit there thinking, "I could do that!" Until they do something fancy, or hard, or with a French name. Then I get scared and am knocked back into reality. I also have this unsettling fear that I would a) Choke and make a fool of myself and/or b) be the personality on the show that everyone hates. So I'm keeping it in my kitchen for a while... BUT!!! I may have a project for NEXT summer... :)