quand même

the non-cheese section

Until the past two days, I wouldn't really say I'd had too many pregnancy-related cravings. I'm not counting ice-cream or chocolate, because those are things I just flat out LOVE...pregnant or not.

But yesterday, I had this real craving for hummus. What I really wanted is at Emilio's in the 'burg--the hummus and pita appetizer. (Incidentally, anyone reading who is still living in the 'burg, please comment and tell me if they're still there on Main St.) But, being as I'm around 3000 miles from there, I would settle for any hummus on a whole-grain baguette.

I was on my way home from work, so I called Samy and asked him to run to the grocery store. Nice guy that he is, he did exactly that. When I got home, I feasted on my hummus. It was good.

Since I knew that this would be something that I'd be needing more of in the near future, I asked him where it was in the supermarket...I'd never seen it before, and rather than having to ask in French, I figured he could just explain it to me, then I could go right to it next time.

Here's how that went:
A: So where do they keep the hummus, anyway?
S: It's not in the cheese section.
A: Well, that's logical...since it's not cheese, afterall.
S: It's in...you know, the NON-cheese section.

Well, I went back today to get more...and somehow, I did manage to walk right up to it. It was, indeed, in the NON-cheese section.

But it is so good, and so deliciously healthy, that I'm afraid that I'm going to have to start making it myself. I'm going to try this recipe (from allrecipes.com. I looked through all their hummus recipes...my requirements were that it be as garlicky as possible and also it HAS to have a sesame taste--so those "easy hummus"-type things with no tahini are out of the question.

INGREDIENTS:
* 2 cups canned garbanzo beans, drained
* 1/3 cup tahini
* 1/4 cup lemon juice
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 2 cloves garlic, halved
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 pinch paprika
* 1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley

DIRECTIONS:
1. Place the garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, salt and garlic in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl.
2. Drizzle olive oil over the garbanzo bean mixture. Sprinkle with paprika and parsley.

Now you might be thinking...well, what if she can't FIND the tahini...THEN what will she do. Don't worry, I've planned for that eventuality. I'll make this one:

INGREDIENTS:
* 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained, liquid reserved
* 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
* salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:
1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, cook and stir the garlic in olive oil for approximately 3 minutes, until tender.
2. Place garbanzo beans in a blender or food processor with approximately 1 teaspoon reserved liquid. Process until smooth. Mix in the garlic, sesame seeds, salt and pepper. Blend to desired consistency, increasing the amount of reserved garbanzo bean liquid as desired. Chill in the refrigerator until serving.

So I think that is officially my first real craving for the bizarre. I'll let you know how it turns out. At least I'm not baking pita bread yet.

Posted by amy at April 15, 2005 12:30 PM