Healthy Mediterranean Cooking

If you like dips, you have to try hummus! Hummus is a healthy way to snack because it is full of fiber, protein and flavor!

Creamy Hummus

4 garlic cloves
2 cups canned chickpeas, drained, liquid reserved
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/3 c tahini (sesame paste)
6 TBLS freshly squeezed lemon juice (2 lemons)
2 TBLS water or liquid from the chickpeas
8 dashes hat sauce
100% whole wheat pita, warmed
Raw veggies, cut into sticks

Turn on the food processor fitted with the steel blade and drop the garlic down the feed tube; process until it's minced. Add the rest of the ingredients to the food processor and process until the hummus is coarsely pureed. Taste for seasoning, serve chilled or at room temperature. Serve with warmed pita and raw veggies for dipping.

I would need to add more hot sauce and serve with green, yellow and red peppers!! A classmate added roasted red peppers (more hot sauce) and said it was delicious. Sarah-Jane suggested rinsing the chickpeas (or any canned veggie) to remove sodium.

Think it's too expensive to have gourmet, fresh and healthy salmon for supper for a family of four? Think again! This recipe is delicious, feels fancy and only takes about 25 minutes from start to finish. The added bonus is that it's healthy and costs about $4.00 per person.

Salmon and Confetti Couscous

Olive oil
4 (4oz) pieces of salmon (skin removed)
Lime
salt, pepper, and garlic powder
1 box Near East brand Whole-grain Wheat Couscous, Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Flavor
1 box grape tomatoes, slice in half
1 c crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese
1 bunch green onions (green parts only, about 1 cup)
1 12oz bag frozen broccoli that can be steamed in microwave

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Add a drizzle of olive oil to glass pan and place the salmon. Squeeze the juice of 1 lime over the top of the salmon and sprinkle to taste with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cover with foil and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Serve on a bed of the confetti couscous (see below).

Confetti Couscous

Prepare couscous according to package directions. Meanwhile steam broccoli in microwave according to package directions. Fluff couscous mixture with fork. Add steamed broccoli, tomatoes, crumbled feta, and green onions to couscous. Can be served hot or cold.

This salmon was delicious. We usually cook ours with lemon juice and onions in tin foil, which is very good also. Sarah-Jane cooked the couscous in low sodium chicken broth instead of water; which added a great taste. I know that this couscous recipe is going to be a family favorite. Remember that any veggie can be added.

Triple Chocolate Cookies

1/4 c butter, softened
1/2 c dark brown sugar
1/4 c granulated sugar
1/4 c canola oil
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c whole wheat pastry flour
1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder (not Dutch processed)
1/4 c tsp salt, optional
1/3 c coarsely chopped dark chocolate (2oz)
1/3 c coarsely chopped milk chocolate (2oz)
2/3 c chopped pecans, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large bowl, mash together the butter and sugars with a fork until well combined. Add the oil and egg and beat until creamy. Mix in the vanilla.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flours, cocoa powder, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix well. Stir in the dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and the pecans and mix well. Using a tablespoon, scoop the batter unto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 12 minutes. Transfer cookies to a cooling rack.

Not much more to say about these cookies, only that they were absolutely wonderful