Sprint 2 the Table

Appetites and Adventures

Surprise Blondies

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Last night’s was another Screen on the Green in the park across from my condo.

One of the reasons I love Atlanta

The showing was 16 Candles.  My group was enthusiastic about re-living the 80s on the lawn with bottles of wine.

This is Kathleen’s enthusiastic face. Really.

Our wine of choice was a Malbec (one of my favorite varieties).  I was gifted a bottle of a 2008 Antigal Uno from Mendoza, Argentina.  It was perfect of the slightly crisp evening.

We enjoyed it with crackers and Cypress Grove Lamb Chopper (a creatively-named sheep’s milk cheese).  It was a great pairing!  I could also see this wine being wonderful with pizza or lamb.

Name: 2008 Antigal Uno

Tasting Notes: Lingering juicy blackberry taste, followed with end notes of chocolate.  As it opened up, a hint of spice in the middle.  Satisfyingly smooth ending.

Price: ~$15

Added bonus: the bottle is really neat

One the friends is gluten-free, so I thought this was the perfect time to try out a special recipe for her!  Sadly, she isn’t eating any carbs right now.  Happily, that meant more for me!

I gave her one in a baggie to take home and freeze for when she’s eating carbs again. 🙂

She should have had a bite… ’cause they were really friggin’ good.

Blondie had a bite.

Leggo my Blondie!

For my friends’ benefit, I referred to these as “Surprise Blondies” due to the secret ingredient.

Katie @ Chocolate-Covered Katie shared these “Genius Blondies” a while ago and I’ve had them bookmarked ever since.

Bloggers were raving about how good they are… but sometimes these “trends” turn out to be all hype.  I’ve tried a few and they weren’t realllly all that good (microwave protein muffins down right suck).

Katie’s Blondies? They live up to the hype.

Blondies have more fun

 Katie’s were originally made in a brownie pan.  I would use mini-muffin tins.  That way they’re easier to serve and you don’t need to cook them very long (the faster I can get to my dessert, the better).  You can fill each hole nearly to the top with dough – they aren’t going to puff up a lot (i.e. they aren’t going to turn into muffins).

I used a square “bar” pan.  This pan rocks, btw.

 I made adjustments to 90% of the ingredient amounts and added a couple items, so I’m re-posting the entire thing for ease.  Know that they originated here with Katie.

Surprise Blondies

  • 1.5 C chickpeas (drained and rinsed with skins removed)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 C brown sugar
  • 1/2 packet Stevia
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 C ground flax
  • 1/4 C peanut butter
  • 1/4 C chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a food processor, blend all ingredients (except chocolate chips) until completely smooth.  Hand mix in chips, and scoop into a greased mini-muffin tins.

Bake 15 mins.  You want them a teensy bit under-done so they remain moist and doughy when cooled.

Note: You don’t HAVE to remove the skins from the chickpeas, but it will make the batter much more smooth.  (Same goes for using them in hummus, FYI.)

***

What’s your favorite way to sneak in veggies?

Mine is now Zucchini Oatmeal.  Or these brownies.  And, of course I’m now a Blondie-believer.

Rosebud Veggie Jam

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I woke up late.  My post is delayed.  I’m behind on my blog reading today.  I should have already been in to work.

A sure sign of a successful night!

The 65 degree sunny morning did call my name for a run.  It was the first since my Achilles began acting up last Saturday.  Flat surfaces were ok, but hills were impossible.  A few more days of rest and I’ll be good to go (I hope).

Stats:

  • Distance – 4 miles
  • Time – 32:40
  • Pace – 8:10

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Last night was my second Atlanta blogger meet up.  In attendance:

Thanks to Lee for sharing the pic! 

Left to right:

Somehow I managed to talk one of my favorite local chefs, Ron Eyester, into creating a vegetarian tasting menu for us at the meat-centric Rosebud.

That’s an exaggeration.  Despite his scary Twitter persona, Ron is a great guy who agreed to take on the challenge almost immediately.  (Sorry for outing you as a nice guy, Ron.)

Ron is known more for his meats.  I eat meat and can vouch for the tastiness of his meat-centric dishes.  After tonight, I can also vouch for his veggie-centric dishes.

He introduced the “Veggie Jam” by emphasizing the importance of using fresh, local ingredients and allowing them to shine without “cooking the shit out of them.”  (<– direct quote)

***The details may be a bit off in some of these descriptions, but know that a lot of thought was put into using seasonal, fresh ingredients in each course.***

 

Like all good meals, this one began with a cocktail.

Our cocktail was made of tomato-infused vodka, cucumber shrub, and soda.  It was garnished with mini-heirloom tomatoes.  This drink was tasty, light and paired really well with the first couple of dishes.

1st Course

Pink-Eyed Pea Pate 

This was Ron’s take on a vegetarian pate.  It was made with pink-eyed peas and served atop a crusty toast with radishes.  The radishes set off the pate flavor and the creamy pate was complimented by the crunch of the bread.

2nd Course

Marinated mozzarella, tomato, cilantro, and apricot

This take on a caprese salad was a success.  Rosebud makes their own mozzarella in-house.  It’s more dense than a bufala, which worked well with the spicy-cilantro tomato sauce.

3rd Course

Heirloom tomatoes, pineapple, and sriracha sauce 

Heirloom tomatoes are just beginning to appear and these are some of the first local varieties to come available this season.  They were perfectly red (though you can’t tell from my iPhone photography!) and flavorful.

The pineapple topping was incredible – I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of that combo before!  It was drizzled with a srircha-olive oil mixture and topped with an impossibly fresh piece of parsley.

Course 4

Chilled potato and broccoli soup 

Honestly, this wasn’t my favorite.  It was a bit salty.  The soup was a chilled potato with a scoop of broccoli soup in the middle.

My favorite part was the cheese powder and the local egg.  It was the same cheese Ron uses at The Family Dog (his bar across the street) to make his “Cheetoes.”  Do not miss these if you’re ever at the bar!

Course 5

Brussels with Red-Curry Peanut Sauce 

This course was my favorite.  Brussel sprouts tossed in a red curry-peanut sauce and roasted.  It was mixed with fresh parsley and topped with crispy wontons.  Served with a side of the saucy deliciousness.  It was all I could do to keep myself from licking the plate.

Ron – please add this to the menu.  Immediately. 🙂

Course 6

Mac ‘n Cheese

True to form, Ron cannot simply make a mac and cheese.  This incorporated Midnight Moon aged goat’s cheese, a creamy cow’s milk goat cheese, dinosaur kale, and cauliflower.

It should be noted that at this point I am FULL.  But I’m no quitter, y’all.

Course 7

Yellow filet beans and tempura eggplant

Yellow filet beans – according to Ron – are only in season for a few weeks in the spring.  Now is the time.  If you see them in your local market, I urge you to check them out.  They’re similar to a pole bean, though a bit sweeter.

Ron tossed them with zucchini, fresh oregano (perfect herb compliment for these!), feta, kalamata olives, and a light vinaigrette.  All of this was served over a tempura-battered eggplant and a red curry ketchup.

Course 8

Rice grits with oyster shrooms and baby leeks 

Rice grits are similar to risotto, but they retain more crunch.  In a good way.  These were fantastic with the earthy oyster mushrooms and baby leeks.  Ron told us there were 20 lbs of leeks in our 6 dishes!  The charred leek on the top was my favorite.

Our server brought out a bottle of a California Cabernet that paired well with this dish.  Often people don’t think to pair a “big” wine with a meat-less dish, but with an earth mushroom and a heavier grain it works really well!

Course 9

Blue Cheese + Blueberries

A wonderfully rich blue cheese topped with a balsamic-port reduction.  This was served with simple, plump blueberries.  Their sweetness was amazing and they definitely stole this show!

Course 10

Bruleed Peaches and Salted Caramel Ice Cream

We finished with a salted caramel ice cream from High Road Craft Ice Cream (now being sold locally at Whole Foods!).  This was served with bruleed peaches – topped with brown sugar and cloves.  Note to self: I under-utilize cloves.

Despite being stuffed, I somehow managed to finish my gigantic bowl.  Had I known the other ladies better, I might have asked to finish theirs too.

Ron brought over a very special treat from The Family Dog – locally-made bourbon!  It was great with the peaches and salty ice cream.  I am going to have dreams of it drizzled as a sauce and served over peach bread pudding.

Ron and the local moonshine… errr… whiskey

This a random, but I have to say that I appreciate a guy offering whiskey to a table of ladies (and me).  Thanks for not discriminating – I ♥ whiskey.

Our server, Amber was incredible.  Knowledgeable, the right amount of attentive, and incredibly nice.  I’d have a drink with her anytime… and I like that in a server.  If you are in the Atlanta area, check out Rosebud and ask for her!  Tell her Laura sent you. 🙂

This post would be remiss without giving Rosebud a brunch shout-out – it’s one of my top 5 in Atlanta (and Atlanta has a LOT of brunches).  Order the Big Nasty.  Just trust me.

Ron – when will you be opening a vegetarian restaurant?!

***

Thanks to Ron, Amber, Rosebud, and some awesome bloggers for an evening to remember!

Do you have local blogger/common-interest group meet-ups?  

What sorts of things do you do?

Spinach Squash Soup and WIAW

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Thanks for all the well-wishes about my Achilles!

 

I’m taking it easy. *le sigh*

It still hurts, but the pain isn’t as sharp anymore.  Well, it wasn’t so bad until I tried for a new max set of push-ups (are you doing yours?!).  And then I did this tricep workout (minus the sprints).  I suppose those activities use the Achilles for stability purposes… lame.

 

Back to resting… and entertaining myself by making soup!  I could hardly wait for WIAW to share it. 🙂

Happy #21 to WIAW!

 _______________________________________________________________________________________

Breakfast

I  had to do a repeat!  It’s rare, but the oh-so-good Zucchini Oatmeal lured me in 2x in as many days. 🙂

I was a little sad when the bowl ended

 

 

Lunch

Did you know one sweet potato packs more fiber than a serving of oatmeal?!

 

Brussels, sweet potato with my homemade spiced almond butter, and coconut curry tempeh.

I <3 pretty food

 

Aren’t those brussels pretty like flowers?!  #bigdork

There was also going to be a pile of kale chips… but I burned the you-know-what out of them.  Whoops.

 

Snacks

Avocado Protein Shake with chocolate protein powder (don’t knock it til you try it!)

That’s my chocolate cookie sinking in the middle

The last bit of the orange blob deliciousness – i.e. Butternut Rosemary Hummus:

Still just as good – eaten with spelt pretzels, cherry tomatoes, and celery

Dinner

Have you ever heard of a Delicata Squash?  I had not until a recent trip to the farmer’s market.

 

Further research revealed that it is an heirloom squash.  It is, indeed, delicate.  Small-ish and probably less and 1/2 a pound in weight.  I’d compare it to a butternut squash, as it is on the sweeter side of the squash family.

Like other winter squash, it contains a ton of Vitamin A, carotenoids, and can act as an anti-inflammatory.

I read that you can eat the skin (it’s much more thin that that of a butternut), but I opted to peel mine since it was being used for a soup.

Did you think I’d repeat the entire day?  *Gasp*

 

I made a Spinach Squash Soup!  It was filled with all sorts of vitamins, a little heat, and some fantastic flavors like…

Roasted garlic. The other day I posted about roasted garlic and the secret to always having it on-hand (I roast several heads at once and freeze it).  Today was a perfect example of that idea paying off.  Regular garlic would certainly work here (though I’d cut back to 2-3 cloves), but the depth roasted garlic adds was a perfect accent in this soup.

Served with more socca.  I’m an addict.

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Spinach Squash Soup

(Inspired by this recipe from 101 Cookbooks)

  • 1 T habanero-infused extra virgin olive oil (I use Sweetwater Growers’ version)
  • 4 cloves roasted garlic, chopped
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1.5 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp coriander
  • 1 Delicata squash (~1.5 C), cut into 1 in cubes
  • 1 medium zucchini (~ 1C), roughly chopped
  • 1 C chicken or vegetable stock
  • 2.5 C fresh spinach leaves, loosely packed
  • Juice of 1/3 lemon
  • S+P, to taste

 

In a large, thick-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, add the olive oil.  Add the garlic and onions and saute 1-2 mins, just until soft.  Add in both squash, stock, and water.  Stir to combine, also adding salt, cumin, and coriander.  Bring to a simmer and cook ~15 mins until squash are soft.

Stir in the spinach, allowing it to just begin to wilt.  Stir in the fresh lemon juice.  Remove from heat and puree with a hand blender until smooth.  Taste, adjusting seasonings as desired.  Ladle into bowls, top as desired (I used tomatoes, pepper, and nutritional yeast), and serve.

Note:  If you don’t have habanero olive oil, don’t skip the heat – this soup would definitely be too bland without it.  Add a couple of diced jalapenos (or pepper of your choosing) when you toss in the onion and garlic.

Makes 2.5 cups.  (I wish I’d doubled it to make 5!)

***

What are you eating for WIAW?

Are you a good “patient” when it comes to resting after an injury?

 

Balsamic Asparagus Pizza

By

Have you guys been watching Extreme Makover Weight Loss Edition on ABC?

 

I’m shamelessly addicted.  Watching these people lose massive amounts of weight in a year… I can’t imagine how hard it must be – at 400 lbs – to get started and get it done.

Last night’s contestant, Dana, lost 203 lbs in a year with a torn ACL.  Interestingly, he was already trying to lose by taking water aerobics.  Chris Powell (the trainer) told him that weight-less exercise wasn’t going to cut it and started him on a program that used his body weight to work out.

 

Timely encouragement/reminder that there others dealing with things much bigger than I am.  Why?  Because I think have jacked up (technical term) my Achilles tendon.

It hurts.  Sharp pain walking down stairs. *wine* *whine*

I’m not sure what happened.  I felt fine running Saturday’s ACS 5K race, and then as I was walking down the stairs to my car a few hours later I noticed it was sore… and it has gotten progressively worse since.  Playing ball Sunday probably didn’t help.

 

In hopes of catching it at the beginning I visited the chiropractor on my way home from work tonight.  It didn’t help. I was instructed to take it easy, ice it, and massage the area.  My calf even aches.  Bollocks.

 

Maybe if I take the week off of running (and walking down stair cases) it will be better by the weekend?!

Tonight’s workout was an easy 45 mins of shoulders and P90X Ab Ripper X.  I hate being limited.

________________________________________________________________________________

Good thing dinner was not limited.  It was quite tasty!

 

Yesterday I was craving pizza something fierce.  The opportunity to sate that craving didn’t present itself, so tonight was declared Monday Socca-Pizza Night!

It was late when I got home to eat… pics are going to leave something (i.e. light) to be desired.

My Pizza:

  • Socca base (I used herbs de provence this time)
  • Morels
  • Cherry tomatoes
  • Onions
  • Nutritional Yeast
  • Balsamic asparagus


 

The real stand-out here was that balsamic asparagus.  It is the easiest thing you’ll ever make; however, the balsamic reduction coating it will give it a decadent taste.  I ate the extra pieces standing up over the stove.

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Balsamic Asparagus

  • 1/2 bunch asparagus, hard bottom snapped off
  • 1 tsp good-quality balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 C yellow onion, diced
  • Juice from 1 lemon wedge
  • Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Heat medium skillet over medium heat.  Add in asparagus, onion, and balsamic vinegar, tossing to combine.  Allow to sauté for 4-5 mins, stirring occasionally.  

When the asparagus just beings to soften, remove from heat and top with lemon juice and pepper.

Serves 2.

***

Have you ever injured your Achilles?

Have you been forced to slow down for an injury?

Any advice is much appreciated!!

 

Zucchini Bread Oatmeal

By

I’ve made Blueberry Pie Oatmeal:

Carrot Cake Oatmeal:

Mexican Oatmeal:

Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal (OMG – this was good):

… my oats have been a variety of fun colors!

One thing they have NOT been is green.  Until now.

I like zucchini bread for breakfast.  Zucchinis are in season and especially delicious from the local farmer’s market.  These factors lead me down a path to an obvious breakfast conclusion… Zucchini Oatmeal.

Often I will spread nut butter on my zucchini bread, so I decided to follow suit here with a glob of almond butter…

… but it needed something extra.  Jelly?!

I popped a few blackberries in the microwave and ended up with a blackberry syrup of sorts. Zucchini Oats, PB&J-style.

Much like the bread, the zucchini is seen but not heard tasted.  If you are a fan of a sweeter zucchini bread, try it out with some chocolate chips!  I like to keep my b’fast a little more savory on Monday mornings.  Start the week out with my sweet tooth at bay. 🙂

Zucchini-Oatmeal

Zucchini Bread Oatmeal

  • 2/3 C unsweetened almond milk
  • 1/3 C oatmeal (I used McCann’s Quick Cooking)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • splash of almond extract
  • shake of sea salt
  • 1/2 C grated zucchini
  • handful chopped pecans
  • 1/2 T almond butter
  • blackberry “syrup”

In a pot, combine first 6 ingredients and cook according to your oatmeal’s package instructions.

Just before done (1-2 mins), add the zucchini.  Stir well and cook another 1-2 mins.  The zucchini should add moisture, but if the oats get too dry add a little water or milk.

Meanwhile, place berries in microwave-proof bowl and heat for 20-25 seconds.  This makes a delicious, all-natural berry syrup!  You may want to add some sugar/syrup… but for my taste, the berries were sweet enough without it.

Remove from heat and top with almond butter, berries, or other toppings.

Makes 1 serving.

***

I hit up the Farmer’s Market this weekend and cannot WAIT to have a veggie-filled week.  #thingsineverthoughtiwouldsay

What’s your favorite oatmeal creation?

Do you look forward to getting back on track after a fun-filled weekend?

Get Up and Run

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Get up and run was my mantra this morning.

 

I went OUT last night.  There may have been champagne and a 1am omelet involved. 🙂

Unbelievably I got up this morning to meet Mark for the Atlanta Children’s Shelter 5K.  Thank you to Mark for the encouragement and pics!

I had a teensy headache.  I was SO sore from a killer workout earlier in the week.  However, I always feel better after a good sweat and what better way than a 5K?  You can’t stop if other people are watching.

At the Start Line

We started and I realized my soreness was working itself out and my headache must have sweat itself out.  It wasn’t such a bad run!

With 2 miles to go, I was still feeling strong.  Not winner strong, but I wasn’t slowing.  At the 3 mile mark the finish line came into view.  The finish line clock came into view and it was around 24 mins!  I couldn’t believe it.  I might finish in UNDER 25?!  My previous PR was 25:10!

Total disbelief.  New PR = 24:47


I got a plaque – 1st in my age group!  The plaques were bring presented by a former Falcons football player (Mike Haynes from the Falcons) and Phaedra Parks from the Real Housewives of Atlanta (they were filming the race!).

Phaedra told me I had nice arms!  Cool even if I had no clue who she was.

It’s only 1pm on Saturday and I’ve already conquered a bottle of champagne and a 5K.  It’s shaping up to be a good weekend.

***

I’m off to do some food shopping – it’s the only way to follow up a good race.

What are you doing this weekend?

Do you like running races?  Have you ever surprised yourself with a killer time?

Blue Cheese-Stuffed Bean Burgers

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In Atlanta we have weekly events called “Screen on the Green.”

 

They put up a giant screen in the city’s largest park and project classic films.  Everyone comes out early with their Frisbees, dinner, and bottles of wine.  It’s a lot of fun!

Last night’s movie was Imitation of Life.  My beverage of choice was a beer from one of my breweries – Hitachino.  I noticed on of their beers on a menu at The Porter and had to try it, as I’d never seen a Japanese white ale!  They make a fantastic ginger ale as well – unlike many gingers, it isn’t too sweet for my taste.

Last night I tried the Red Rice brew for the first time.  I really liked it!  It is a light, crisp red beer with a bread-y taste and a refreshing hint of strawberries.  YUM.

It was fun hanging out with my friend and celebrating (almost) making it through another work week.  Too bad we can’t do this every night!

________________________________________________________________________________

Wayyyy back in the day (translation: college), I used to eat burgers weekly.  I also ordered the bacon-blue cheese version.  With fries and a side of ranch.  It’s been a while since I’ve eaten that much red meat in one sitting.  I’ve nearly cut the stuff out of my diet completely.  Way before cutting out the red meat, I did stop the blue-cheese-bacon-bomb burgers.

Fast-forward to the healthier life and I’ve learned to love homemade bean burgers.  One of my favorite parts about a good burger has always been melty cheese and a salty-spicy bacon taste.  I’ve come to realize that my lifestyle change doesn’t mean I can’t still enjoy those flavors!

 

Top 3 Tips for Bean Burger Enjoyment:

  • Use high-quality blue cheese – the flavor is more pronounced, so you don’t need such a massive amount
  • Add paprika for a spicy-smoky taste that satisfies almost like bacon
  • Add other fun flavors to make the bean burger more “fun” – make them spicy, herb-y, Mediterranean-inspired, Italian… beans actually allow added flavors to shine more so than beef does.

My blue cheese of choice?  Montchevre Chevre in Blue.  It was suggested to me by Matt, who has never led me astray in the cheese department!  Roaring 40’s Blue would also be great, or a cheese from another family.  I’m thinking a sun-dried tomato herbed goat cheese…

 

As far as the fries and ranch… I think I grew out of that (ranch now sounds soooo unappealing to me).  I enjoyed my burger with my Butternut Rosemary Hummus and celery.  And a side of work.

Then, after a tricep/chest workout, I went back for Round 2 with a fried egg on top.  Gotta get that protein!

 

Tomorrow I’m going with a side of sweet potato chips to compliment my leftover burger.

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Blue Cheese-Stuffed Black Bean Burgers

  • 1 can black beans, rinsed
  • 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 C walnuts
  • 1/4 C whole wheat flour
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1/3 C cilantro
  • 1/2 C red pepper, chopped
  • 1/4 C onion, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • S+P, to taste
  • 1 oz blue cheese

Preheat over to 400 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.

Pulse black beans, vinegar, walnuts, flour, cilantro, and garlic together in food processor until beginning to stick together. Add red pepper, onion, paprika, salt, and pepper and lightly pulse until just mixed (can also mix by hand).

Form 4 patties, leaving ~1/3 of the mixture behind.  Place patties on prepared baking sheet.  Top the burgers with blue cheese, keeping the cheese closer-ish to their centers.  Add remaining bean mix to the top so that the cheese is covered and press lightly to mold together.

Bake 10-12 mins on one side.  Using a spatula, flip and bake an additional 5-6 mins.

Makes 4 burgers.

***

A few hours to go before fun, sunshine-filled weekend!!!

***Updated to urge you to check out Act Fast Chef and the Friday Edition love she gave me!***

Do you like bean burgers?  

Do you prefer to make your own or order out?


Butternut Rosemary Hummus

By

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone yesterday who shared their accomplishments!  I am sooooo proud for you!  Don’t stop – keep sharing your victories with friends/family/bloggers unless you’s a public figure and it involves questionable pictures.

 

Let’s talk about Maturity.

We all grow up and are expected to achieve a certain level of maturity/self-monitoring.  I tried – really – to be the bigger person and only laugh at the “Weiner” scandal in the privacy of my own home.

I mean, how can you not chuckle at the newscasters trying their damnedest to read the “Weiner-gate” stories off the teleprompter with a straight face?!*

 

You’ll have to excuse me.  In honor of Gay Pride month and my love of irony – I couldn’t pass this up this one.

*Disclaimer: Weiner’s actions are NOT a joke.  He hurt is (pregnant!) wife and is an embarrassment to Congress.  He should be ashamed of himself.

 

Speaking of maturity… 2 days in a row I have gotten out of bed and doubled the mileage I promised myself I’d run!

Stats:

  • Distance – 4 miles
  • Time – 32:48
  • Pace – 8:12

 

I’m a morning runnin’ machine. 🙂

 

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It’s time for the reveal of the mystery glob!  A couple of you guessed the main ingredient – expert foodies!

***cheesy drumroll***

 

Butternut Rosemary Hummus

 

Is hummus without beans still a hummus?  It has tahini.  It has a hummus-like texture.  It involves lemon and a little olive oil.  No beans about it.

Would a hummus by any other name smell taste as sweet?

 

Who cares? This is good.  And it’s mine, so I’m deeming it worthy of the title of hummus.

 

Butternut hummus has a creamy hummus texture, but a lighter feel.  (Read: You could eat the entire container in one sitting.) The nutty tahini taste compliments the squash and rosemary well.  Red pepper flakes and lemon give it a satisfyingly spicy tang.

My recipe calls for roasted garlic.  You could use regular garlic (I’d reduce to 2-3 cloves if using fresh), but I loved the added depth the roasted garlic gave this dip.

Many people avoid roasting garlic due to the time it takes, but I’ve found a great way around that: roast several heads at a time and FREEZE them whole!  They retain all of their flavor and are a great, unexpected flavor-enahncer to have on hand!  (Great tutorial on roasting garlic can be found here.)

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Butternut Rosemary Hummus

  • 1/2 butternut squash, cubed (~2 C)
  • 1 T extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 5 cloves roasted garlic
  • juice from 1/2 large lemon
  • 2 T fresh rosemary, chopped
  • 1.5 T tahini
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • S+P, to taste

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Scrape out the seeds from squash and peel.  Cut the squash into 1 in cubes.  Put the cubes on a foil-lined baking sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle red pepper flakes, and mix to coat evenly.

Roast the squash in the oven for ~40 minutes or until tender, tossing once half way through.  Remove from oven and allow to cool.

Once cooled, transfer squash to a food processor until beginning to smooth.  Add the roasted garlic, rosemary, cumin, lemon juice, and tahini.  Mix in processor until smooth.  Add salt, pepper, and more red pepper flakes to taste.

Makes 8 servings of 2 T each.

Approximate nutrition: 48 calories, 2.4g fat, 6.8g carbs, 1.1g sugar, 1g protein

***

I can’t believe it’s already Thursday!  A week flying by is such a special gift unlike a political sext.

Have you made a “hummus” out of something unexpected?  What was it?

 

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