Hummus

A new family favorite in the house is homemade hummus.  We used to buy the ready-made stuff at the store, but it is a bit pricey.  When you figure that it is made up of mostly garbanzo beans (chickpeas) it is a fairly inexpensive thing to make.  We like it with tortilla or pita chips, fresh veggies.

HUMMUS

• 2 (15 oz) cans chick peas, one drained, one with liquid
• 1/4 cup raw sesame seeds (or tahini)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 cup lemon juice (about the juice of one lemon)
• 1 garlic clove, peeled
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• salt to taste
• handful of fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)

Process all ingredients except the fresh herbs (if using) in a blender or food processor.  Once smooth add herbs a process just enough to mix them through (If you blend too much, your hummus will turn green.  Trust me; I know this from experience.)

You can get creative and flavor your hummus with roasted red peppers, spinach, or other herbs.  Use your imagination.

Also found here.

Granola Bars

Scrapbook page by me using digital supplies from www.cottagearts.net

Richhart's Favorite Granola Bars

This recipe is based on a well reviewed recipe called Playgroup Granola Bars.  It is tripled because we can go through these quickly.  Our favorite version is with chocolate chips.

6 cups rolled oats
2-1/4 cups packed brown sugar
1-1/2 cups wheat germ
2-1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
3 cups all-purpose flour
2-1/4 cups raisins, craisons and/or chocolate chips
2-1/4 teaspoons salt
1-1/2 cups honey
3 egg, beaten
1-1/2 cups vegetable oil
2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Generously grease TWO 9x13 inch baking pans.
In a large bowl, mix together the oats, brown sugar, wheat germ, cinnamon, flour, raisins and salt. Make a well in the center, and pour in the honey, egg, oil and vanilla. Mix well using your hands. Pat the mixture evenly into the prepared pans.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until the bars begin to turn golden at the edges. Cool for 5 minutes, then cut into bars while still warm. Do not allow the bars to cool completely before cutting, or they will be too hard to cut.