Hummus

This basic Humus recipe is very easy to make. It will last you three days and can be used with pita, on a toast or serve as a tapas dish with a drizzle of olive oil.

Ingredients:

 1  (15-ounce) can chickpeas  

·         2 tablespoons lemon juice

·         2 tablespoons yogurt

·         1 1/2 tablespoons tahini

·         A small bunch parsley

·         2 cloves garlic (optional)

·         1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper

·         1/2 teaspoon cumin

·         1/2 teaspoon  sumac

·         1/2 teaspoon zatar

·         Paprika (as garnish)

·         2 tablespoons olive oil (optional)

Directions:

Drain chickpeas. In a food processor, combine tahini, yogurt and lemon juice and process for 30 seconds.

Combine remaining ingredients in the food processor. Blend until thoroughly mixed and smooth. Taste, for seasoning. If the hummus is too thick, pulse in 1-2 tablespoons of water or olive oil.

Serve, drizzled with the olive oil and sprinkled with a bit paprika and sumac.

Chicken Thighs, Vegetables and Farro

Ingredients

• 1 pound bone-in chicken thighs
• 2 yellow squash, chopped  
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon ginger, chopped
• 1 cup mushrooms, chopped
• 1 small bunch cilantro
• 1 cup farro 
• 2 1/2 cups of water or stock
• 1/4 cup trader joes soyaki sauce
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

 Direction:

1.  Put one cup of farro with 2 1/2 cups of water or stock, bring to a boil and simmer. Cook for around 30-35 minutes.

2. Sprinkle chicken with salt, pepper and paprika. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and add the chicken pieces, skinned-side down. Cook until browned on one side.

3. Once the chicken is brown add the yellow squash, mushrooms and cilantro stems. Cook for 4 minutes then add garlic, ginger, and soyaki. Cook for another 2 minutes and to finish add frozen peas and sprinkle some chopped cilantro.

Irish Soda Bread

You can make soda bread in a mixer or just by hand. It very fast and easy to make. If you don't have buttermilk, use regular milk instead and add a teaspoon of cream of tartar.

Ingredients

• 4 1/4 cups white whole wheat flour  
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 1 egg 
• 1 cup dried cranberries or raisins
• 1/4 cup walnuts (optional)
• 1/3 stick cold butter, cut into 1 inch dice (optional) or coconut oil 2 tablespoons 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, fennel seed, and salt in the bowl of the mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Add the butter (optional) or coconut oil and mix on low speed until the butter is mixed into the flour.

Lightly mix the buttermilk and egg together in a small bowl. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the buttermilk and egg mixture to the flour mixture. to finish add the raisins and walnuts (optional) and mix.

turn dough out onto floured surface. Knead until dough comes together. Place the loaf on the prepared sheet pan and lightly cut an X into the top of the bread. Bake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool for 10 minutes.

Peanut Butter Granola

4 cups rolled oats
1 cup mixed nuts such as: sunflower seeds, chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds.
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup peanut butter
1 /2 cup honey or maple syrup

1 banana (optional)

1. Heat the oven to 300°F. In a bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, cinnamon, salt, and sweetener.

2. In a small food processor mix the peanut butter, honey or maple and the banana if using. Spread evenly on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes or a little longer, stirring occasionally. The mixture should brown evenly.

3. Cool on a rack. Transfer to a sealed container.

 

Green Pear Smoothie

2 cups coconut water or water

2 cups spinach

2 pear, peeled and cored

1 tablespoon flax seeds

small piece of ginger, peeled and minced

1 tablespoon honey to sweeten

Directions

Blend spinach and water together for 30 seconds. Next add remaining ingredients and blend until creamy. If it’s not sweet enough for you, add more honey.

Apple-Turkey Meatballs

Ingredients

1 lb ground dark turkey meat

1 green apple grated

1 carrot grated

1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

1 tsp. oregano

1 tsp. thyme

1 tsp. worcestershire sauce

2-3 sprigs of fresh mint, chopped  

salt and pepper

1/3 cup breadcrumbs

1 egg

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 15 oz can of tomato sauce

Directions
In a large bowl add the ground turkey, apple, carrot, egg, mustard, worcestershire, oregano, thyme, mint, bread crumbs, salt and pepper.

Mix together and make into small meatballs (around 18-22). Drop into a large skillet over medium heat and cook for 8 minutes, then add tomato sauce and simmer for 15 minutes. Serve with pasta, rice etc.

 

Orange Almond Muffins

Ingredients:

·         1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flower

·         1/2 cup almond meal

·         1/2 teaspoon baking soda

·         1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

·         1/2 cup caster sugar

·         1/2 cup raisins

·         1/2 rolled oats

·         1/4 cup shredded coconut

·         1 orange, zest of

·         1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice

·         1/2 cup buttermilk or milk

·         1/3 cup vegetable oil

·         1 egg

 

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375.

2. Combine the flour, almond meal, baking soda, baking powder, sugar, raisins, oats, coconut, and orange zest in a large bowl.

3. In another bowl mix the oil, egg, orange juice, and milk in a bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in the egg mixture. Stir until just combined. Divide the batter evenly into 12 muffin cups.

4. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 25 minutes