Recipe Review: Tahini Salad

Recently I discovered Tahini Salad. I had it as a side at Pita De' Novo. It was so good! It is very similar to Shepherd's Salad but instead of feta it is dressed with a tahini dressing. I really like the nutty, creamy dressing with the fresh cucumber, tomato and herbs. Well after having this new experience I started looking for recipes. I found one at Ziyad Brothers. I followed this recipe as close as possible. I did have to use garlic powder because I had used all my fresh in another recipe. I was a little skeptical about adding warm water to the dressing, so I waited to add it last. I just knew it would water down the tahini. Well let me tell you when I put the tahini into the lemon juice it was like a science experiment went off. It got really thick and almost fluffy as I stirred. So weird? But when you add the warm water it was the consistency of dressing. I searched to see if this was normal and yes others report the reaction too. So don't be surprised. You can use it as a party trick on your friends. Tahini Salad is not only delicious but entertaining as well. I hope your give it a try.

Tahini Salad

Serves 8

Ingredients

2 English cucumbers, diced

4 tomatoes, diced

1 bunch green onions, sliced

1/3 tsp. garlic powder

3/4 cup Tahini sauce

1/2 cup Lemon juice

1/2 cup water, warm

1/4 cup Olive Oil

1 bunch Parsley, chopped

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped

Directions

Dice cucumbers, tomatoes, and green onions and mix together in bowl. In a small bowl, mix together garlic powder, Tahini sauce, lemon juice, warm water and olive oil. Pour over cucumber mixture and mix well. Sprinkle with mint leaves and parsley, stir well. Serve chilled.

Linking to:
Ms. enPlace: See Ya in the Gumbo
My Pinterventures: Summer Salads Party

Traditional Hummus

Recently I learned that there are techniques for making really smooth hummus. I stumbled upon a My Fitness Pal message board where people were almost raging against grainy hummus. I thought really? Isn't this being a little picky? I mean a little grainy textured hummus is better than no hummus at all? Then people started offering suggestions. This is where it got interesting. Some swear you had to start with dry garbanzo beans and cook them until very soft. Others said you have to peel the canned garbanzo beans. Then one or two others said you had to cook canned garbanzo beans in water until very soft. Well I have to admit I really was not interested in all that work. I like my hummus now? But then my dear sister commented on the last batch of hummus I made. She said you got it smooth like I like it. What? I did not know that is what she was looking for in hummus. I guess everyone but me cares about the smoothness of hummus. So let the experimenting begin.

I decided to try to peel the garbanzo beans and share my basic hummus recipe with you. The recipe is one I copied from the WW recipe review board. The poster said it was the traditional way to make hummus. It is the recipe I use as a base for all my flavored hummus recipes. I think adding the reserved liquid from the can helps make the hummus smooth too. I always garnish the way one of the Greek restaurants here presents it. Drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with spices. So pretty! As far as the experiment goes, it actually works. Now this is the first of the methods I tried. I really don't know if I am qualified to say it is perfectly smooth hummus, since I did not have a problem with my hummus recipe before. But I can tell you it is really smooth, there is a definite difference. Dear sister thought it was great, so consider it one smooth hummus fan approved. I will try cooking the canned beans next. So stay tuned for more experiments and another hummus recipe.

Traditional Hummus
Makes about 1-3/4 cups

Ingredients

1 can garbanzo beans (drained, reserving liquid)(peeled optional)
3 Tbsp tahini
juice of 1 lemon (3 Tbsp)
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 to 1 tsp kosher salt, or to taste*

Directions

Add can of garbanzo beans, 1/3 cup of the liquid from the can, tahini, lemon juice, garlic and salt to the food processor. Blend until smooth. Add more liquid depending on how thick you like it. 

To serve: I spread 2 Tbsp on a plate. Make a moat in the hummus with the back of a spoon. Drizzle moat with olive oil. Sprinkle with paprika and chili powder. In the very center place a black olive (kalamata is best) and finely chopped pickled jalapeno. It looks like something from my favorite Greek restaurant. Serve with pita or veggies for dipping.

*Note: About salt, I usually eat hummus with vegetables and I find that you have to season the hummus with a little more salt. If you use it as a sandwich spread you should reduce the salt because deli meat is well seasoned. Be sure to adjust the salt to your taste or for your purpose.

Linking to:

Ms. enPlace: See Ya in the Gumbo
Food of the World Greece

Wasabi Hummus

This hummus transports you to the sushi bar. When I first read about the idea of adding wasabi to hummus I thought well that could go either way. I was sure it would be too spicy or a little odd. I never thought it would be this great. I LOVE the soy and wasabi combination. The tahini, ginger and garlic are delicious too. I should have known the sesame flavor of the tahini would be great with these flavors. I have to admit, this is the first time I wanted to add food coloring to a recipe. If it taste like wasabi, I wanted it to look green like wasabi. I fought that urge and went for a full on sushi garnish assault. I used wasabi peas so you know there is wasabi in the hummus. I also used black sesame seeds, pickled ginger and toasted nori snacks. You can garnish with one or all of the garnishes. Or play a trick on your family and friends, and just put it out as plain hummus. SURPRISE! But don't be afraid of the amount of wasabi it is not too spicy. If you love the sinus clearing heat of wasabi you may want to add even more. I served this hummus with cucumbers, carrots and sugar snap peas. I think I liked the cucumbers the most. My next experiment will be using it in a veggie wrap. I also want to bake some wonton wrappers too. But I have to go back to the store first. I think sesame wonton chips would make great dippers. I hope you will give it a try. It is really a great low cal snack.

Wasabi Hummus

Makes 2 cups, Serves 16 (2 Tbsp. serving)

Ingredients

15 oz. can garbanzo beans (drained, reserving liquid)

3 Tbsp. tahini

2 Tbsp. lemon juice

2 Tbsp. light soy sauce

3 tsp. wasabi, or to taste

1 clove garlic, minced

1 inch fresh ginger, minced

Directions

Add can of garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, soy sauce, wasabi, garlic and ginger to the food processor. Blend until smooth, adding reserved liquid a tablespoon at a time until desired consistency (about 4 Tbsp.) Serve with veggies, oven baked wontons, or on sandwiches and wraps.

Garnish with wasabi peas, black sesame seeds, pickled ginger or toasted nori snacks.

Nutritional Information per serving*: Calories 54, Total Fat 2 g, Total Carbohydrate 7 g, Dietary Fiber 1 g, Protein 2 g, Calcium 1 g.

WW P+ 1

*Information from the Myfitnesspal calculator. NI may vary depending on the brand or size of the ingredients used to prepare it.

Linking to:
My Plate of Crumbs: Random Recipe Roundup
This Gal Cooks: Marvelous Mondays
Ms. enPlace: See Ya in the Gumbo
The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen: Show Me Your Plaid Mondays
Anyonita Nibbles: Tasty Tuesdays
Dizzy, Busy & Hungry: Wine'd Down Wednesday
Buns In My Oven: What's Cookin' Wednesday
Turnips 2 Tangerines: Four Seasons Blog Hop
It's Your Life: Tuesdays with a Twist

Miz Helen's Country Cottage: Full Plate Thursday

Smoky Three Pepper Hummus

After preparing the Grilled Shrimp Nachos, I had leftover grilled peppers in the refrigerator. I decided to experiment with a new hummus recipe. To my usual hummus recipe, I added one half of a grilled poblano and one half of a grilled green bell pepper. For some spice, I added some pickled jalapenos. Hence the name three pepper hummus. The grilled peppers give it a great smoky flavor too. I used lime juice instead of lemon because I think it really complements both peppers and grilled food. It turned out great. It was perfect with veggies and pita. I tried it with tortilla chips and it was delicious. I would suggest cutting back on the salt if you plan to serve it with tortilla chips. This hummus recipe is definitely a keeper.

Smoky Three Pepper Hummus

Makes 2 cups

Ingredients

1/2 grilled bell pepper

1/2 grilled poblano pepper
(click here to see how to grill peppers)

1 Tbsp. pickled jalapeno slices

1 can garbanzo beans (drained, reserving liquid)

3 Tbsp tahini

Juice of 1 lime (3 Tbsp)

2 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 tsp salt, to taste

Minced cilantro (to garnish)

Directions

Add bell pepper, poblano pepper, jalapeno, garbanzo beans, tahini, lime juice, garlic and salt to the food processor. Blend until smooth drizzling in about 1/3 cup of the liquid from the can. Add more or less liquid depending on how thick you like it.

To serve: I spread 2 or 3 spoonfuls on a plate. Make a moat in the hummus with the back of a spoon. Drizzle moat with olive oil. Sprinkle with minced cilantro. In the very center place a slice of pickled jalapeno. Serve with pita, tortilla chips or veggies for dipping.

Linking to:
Ms. enPlace: See Ya in the Gumbo
Jam Hands: Recipe Sharing Monday
Love Bakes Good Cakes: All My Bloggy Friends
Plaid & Paisley Kitchen: Tasty Tuesdays
Miz Helen's Country Cottage: Full Plate Thursday
Carole's Chatter: Food on Fridays - Leftovers

Spinach and Artichoke Hummus

I really like traditional Hummus at my local Greek restaurants. But one day I discovered all the different variations chefs are out there creating. In an issue of Food Network Magazine I learned about The Wild Pea. They are creating unusual flavors like Buffalo Wing Hummus and Pizza Hummus. Both wonderful, the recipes were in the magazine. This inspired me to start experimenting with my own flavors. Below is my recipe for Spinach and Artichoke Hummus. It is lighter in texture than most hummus. The flavor is great, a little like hummus, a little like artichoke spread. Great with veggies or warm pita. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Spinach and Artichoke Hummus

Makes 2-1/2 cups; Serves 10

3 Tbsp of tahini

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 can garbanzo beans (drained, reserve liquid)

1 can artichoke hearts (drained, and squeezed to remove liquid)

Handful of baby spinach leaves

Juice of one small lemon (3 Tbsp)

Pinch of red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp. kosher salt or to taste

Drain can of garbanzo beans, reserving 1/3 cup of the juice from the can. Add the beans, tahini, artichokes, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and red pepper to food processor. Blend until smooth adding reserved liquid. You can adjust the amount of liquid depending on how thick you like it.  Add spinach and process until you see little flecks of green. Serve with pita or veggies for dipping.

To serve: I spread hummus on a plate or platter. Make a moat in the hummus with the back of a spoon. Drizzle moat with olive oil. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes. In the very center place a half of a artichoke, two garbanzo beans and one baby spinach leaf.