Roasted Red Pepper-Tomato Pesto Hummus

ot much of a story this time, just wanted to combine two of my favorite things in one i.e. pesto and hummus.

I love hummus. My love affair with hummus started a couple of years ago. Since then, I’ve made a few different types including of course the traditional hummus. Hummus means chickpea in Arabic. It only requires a few ingredients and about five minutes to make. It pairs wonderfully with fresh vegetables, pita bread, and pita chips. This is one snack that you don’t have to feel guilty about eating! 

Roasted red peppers add a delicious twist to hummus, plus they give it some extra nutrition. If you like hummus and if you like the sweet smoky flavor of red bell pepper you gotta try this. Now pesto - I am a die hard fan - love the concept, taste everything. It can jazz up everything- so today I added some left over homemade tomato pesto in the hummus and bingo - the creamy dip with a hint of mild smokiness and taste of bell peppers, some Indian spices, tanginess of the tomato pesto and the kick of lots of garlic and evoo... yummmmmmmmy... my kinda stuff!! Perfect for dipping. Also can be used as a spread for a savory sandwich. I love all kind of hummus as a dip with baked pita chips (which I am totally addicted to). You can also serve it with cut up veggies.

Here's how I make it.

Read more »

Curried Chickpea Pita Sandwich

reek cuisine caught my attention only recently, about a little over a year ago. Growing up Greek and Mediterranean cuisines we mostly alien to us but coming to the US I started hearing a lot about it. When hubby and I tried it at one of our local restaurants, I was blown over. What really got my attention was the fabulous use of spices that made me feel right at home.

Since then I have tried a few variations of Greek food especially by way of fusion with Indian cooking. This dish is in the same genre. It is so well liked by hubby and I alike, that I mostly keep pita pockets handy so I can quickly put together a quick fix lunch or dinner especially at those times when you are craving spicy Indian flavors but you would rather not go through making an elaborate meal.

When you take a bite into it, you get the fresh taste of the tangy yogurt mint chutney combined with the fresh lettuce and the veggies. As you chew on that, the spicy chickpea taste takes over like an explosion of flavors in your mouth. The bread helps bind it all together into a cohesive meal. The spiciness of the curried chickpeas combined with the clean fresh flavors of the yogurt and veggies gives this sandwich a very unique and fabulous flavor profile that you would want to go back to again and again... like we do.

Read more »

Baked Falafel pita sandwich

I had my first taste of falafel a few years ago.. taking the first bite I just thought it was very close to indian fritters, crispy n yum. I was also getting faint taste of coriander n cumin, I liked it.. very much.. looked for the recipe on the net... found out that despite having so many healthy ingredients chickpeas, cilantro, garlic, spices, these little beauties are best deep fried... ahhh! The obvious thought struck me 'will they taste as good if I bake them instead?' And then I tried it and to my delight they turned out great, crispy, healthy n tasty. Not having to deal with the mess of frying is an added bonus. I often make these for weekend lunches, just mix and blend all the ingredients and bake, stuff inside a whole wheat pita pocket, pour some hummus, cut some veggies, done. Wholesome and hearty... and did I tell you, guilt free. My hubby, he loves it when I come up with these ideas :-) I also add some indian masala to add a desi twist!

Read more »

Artichoke Hummus

If you like hummus and if you like artichokes you gotta try this.. the creamy dip with a hint of mild tartness and taste of artichokes, some Indian spices, lots of garlic and olive oil.. yummy... my kinda stuff!! Perfect for dipping also can be used as bread spread. Heres how I make it.

Read more »