Easy Hummus

2 15oz. cans of chickpeas

1/3 cup fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup tahini

1 Tbs of toasted sesame oil

2 gloves garlic, chopped

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp salt

paprika and olive oil for serving

Reserve 1/4 cup of liquid from 1 can of chickpeas. Rinse remaining chickpeas in colander. Process chickpeas, reserved liquid, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, sesame oil, cayenne, salt in a food processor until smooth! Refrigerate covered for up to one week. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of paprika!

Portobellos with Leeks and Spinach

Salmon with Escarole and Lemon

Quick Healthy Oatmeal Cookies

These are so good! Don't let the healthy scare you away! These are a staple around my house for snacking, and sweet tooth attacks!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour (spooned and leveled)

• 1/2 cup all purpose flour (spooned and leveled)

• 1 t  baking powder

• 1/3 cup vegetable oil (canola is best)

• 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar

• 1 large egg

• 1 t pure vanilla extract

• 1/2 cup rolled oats (not instant or quick cooking)

• 1/2 cup dried raisins or cranberries

• 1/2 cup nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds, or a mix)

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 350F

• In a large bowl whisk together oil, sugar, egg, and vanilla. Add flour mixture with baking powder and stir to combine. Mix in oats, raisins, and nuts.

• Roll 2 T of dough into ping pong ball shapes and place on parchment lined baking sheets 1 1/2 inches apart.

• Bake until lightly browned, 15 to 17 minutes.

• Cool 5 minutes on sheet, and then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely!

Smart Baby Back Ribs

This is a fool proof method for doing killer ribs any time of the year!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup packed dark-brown sugar

• coarse salt and pepper to taste

• 1/4 cup Cajun seasoning

• 3 T sweet paprika

• 1 1/2 t cayenne pepper

• 1 1/2 t ground mustard

• 2 racks baby back pork ribs

• Chipotle BBQ Sauce (see below)

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 300F

• Trim the tough rubbery membrane on underside of ribs.

• Combine brown sugar, salt, pepper, Cajun seasoning, paprika, cayenne, and ground mustard.

• Working with 1 rack at a time lay a large piece (8 inches longer than the rack of ribs) on a work surface. Place rack on foil and liberally coat both sides of rack with prepared rub. Lay a second piece of foil (the same size) over the seasoned rack, and fold over all sides, crimping to form a sealed packet.

• Repeat for second rack.

• Place both racks on a rimmed baking sheet, and palce in center of oven. Bake for 2 to 2 1/2 hours. 

• Remove ribs from oven, and open top of packets to expose the rack. 

• Brush with Chipotle BBQ Sauce, and place under broiler until sauce is bubbling, and ribs are lightly charred (about 5 minutes).

• Remove ribs from broiler and slice between ribs for serving.

Chipotle BBQ Sauce

Stir together 1 bottle commercial chili sauce with 1/2 cup chopped chipotle chilies in adobo and 4 tablespoons honey.

Potato Crusted Tilapia

Here's a recipe for that last quarter of the potato chip bag!

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup plain potato chips, chrushed
• 1/2 cup Parmesean cheese grated
• 1/2 t paprika
• 1/4 t cayenne
• 2 T olive oil
• 4 tilapia fillets, boned, and skinned (6-8 oz. each)
• Vegetable cooking spray

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 450F.
• Combine bread crumbs, chips, Parmesan, paprika, and cayenne in small bowl. Toss with olive oil!
• Place fillets on baking sheet, spray with cooking oil, and press crumb mixture onto each fillet.
• Bake 20 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with fork.

Zucchini Fries

When summer zucchini is plentiful here is how to use it as an excellent side!

Ingredients

• 3 zucchini (cut into 3 in. logs, then quartered lengthwise)
• 2 egg whites
• 1/4 cup milk (or fat free buttermilk)
• 1/2 cup ground parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• Pinch of cayenne pepper to taste (or omit)
• Vegetable cooking spray

Preparation

• Preheat oven to 425F
• Whisk egg white in a small bowl with milk.
• In another bowl combine parmesan, panko, and cayenne pepper
• Dip zucchini fries into egg white mixture, and then roll in breadcrumb mixture.
• Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray, and place zucchini on sheet, and spray lightly with cooking spray.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.