Lemon & basil hummus

Hope you are enjoying your summer!  We have some great post coming soon. 

I love using seasonal ingredients and what screams summer more then fresh lemons and basil. I am not sure why I did not make this recipe earlier, maybe I just needed to perfect it.   It only takes 15 minutes to whip up! Enjoy it with snap peas, carrots or pita chips. 

1-15oz can organic garbanzo beans (drained)

5 Tbs lemon juice (about 2 medium lemons)

¼ Cup organic EVOO 

1 Tbs Tahini (sesame seed paste)

4 cloves of garlic 

3- springs of fresh parsley

3- springs of fresh basil

Pinch of sea salt

*Pinch of Cheyenne pepper (optional adds a little kick)

Rinse and drain garbanzo beans, juice 2 lemons and slice garlic.  Add all ingredients to food processer (garbanzo beans, lemon juice, EVOO, tahini, garlic, parsley, basil, salt and Cheyenne.) Pulse in good processer for about 3 minutes.  If it is a little chunky add more lemon juice or a small amount of EVOO. Dish out garnish and enjoy! 

XoXo

ML

Best Pesto (dairy free, gluten free & paleo friendly)

It’s only Wednesday and I am looking forward to a weekend of festivities.  The first being the largest American sport, which I only really enjoy on this one particular day *the Super bowl.  The other a great volunteering opportunity, I will be styling hair for a photo shoot.  The models are not big and famous, they are quite the opposite, small, brave and strong special needs children.  This photo shoot will be on display during a fund raising event Saturday March 2^nd 2014. 

With this coming weekends activities I wanted to make sure I was prepared for all the cooking I will be doing on Sunday.  I secretly love making appetizers; they make the best dinner too!  One necessity is pesto, use it to dip veggies, top chicken or pizza and blend with pasta.  I have been known to bake some crostini’s and top them with pesto and fresh ricotta cheese, Amazing!

Ready set Pesto!

Pesto (diary free, gluten free & paleo friendly)

2 Cup Fresh basil

4 Cloves garlic

¼ Cup EVOO

½ teaspoon Black pepper

¼ teaspoon Sea Salt

¼ Cup Chopped walnuts

2 teaspoon Lemon juice

Rinse the basil; break off any stems and pat dry.  Place basil, garlic, pepper, salt, walnuts and lemon juice in food processer, pulsing for about 30 seconds. Add in EVOO and pulse until well blended and smooth.

*In the market for a food processor find a great selection at Macy's click HERE to see my favorite.  Unless you are blending large quantities look for one that holds 4-7 cups, that will be large enough for daily use.

XoXo
ML