Garlic Hummus Heals

Bad breath is not something anyone likes to have. But sometimes (only sometimes), the cause of it, is soooo well worth it. After all, you can chew gum, eat a mint or go wash your mouth afterwards, right?

That was such a bad intro.

I love healing foods and snacks. Take this hummus for instance. Your mouth will reek of garlic when you’re done, but you’ll be so satisfied you won’t even care you’re mouth’s on fire.

When I was still living in the DC area, I used to entertain about 3 times a month. A good friend and her husband were my serious food buddies. After church, we’d get together at someone’s house and tear food apart for hours, until the sun set. I was always eager to bring something, Latin or not. On other occasions, I’d have M & P over for Sex and the City recaps. I kind of wanted Carrie Bradshaw’s extravagant life, sans the wreckless sex. I think she had over 30 partners in the 6 years on air.

That’s disgusting!

Anyway, M used to make the best salmon cakes ever!

But I’m here now, all alone and don’t have much of a reason to entertain in my home. Hell, I can barely entertain myself, let alone invite people over. No TV in my living room, by the way. Plus if I host a dinner party, greedy people like to show up empty handed, and quite frankly, that’s tacky and gets on my nerves.

As I sat at my computer today, thinking about what I’m going to wear for the Emeril taping (and talking myself out of eating for a week), I got hungry. I’ve been staying away from bread, dairy, rice and ice cream, but I needed something to satisfy me.

Few things do these days.

So, I threw on some booty shorts, a Brooklyn zip-up hoodie, shell toe adidas’ and drove to Publix to pick up garbanzo beans. I almost forgot to get lemons, but I was in the produce section long enough to remember. I had to walk over to the bakery and ask if they had fresh Cuban bread; French was ready but not Cuban. Drats. Went to the bread aisle but had a vision of looking 20 pounds overweight on TV so I dashed back to the produce and got celery instead.

Geisha (whose new middle name is DIOR!!) was in the car bearing the 80 degree weather, so I was quick.

I was panting by the time I got home. Separated my ingredients and got to blending.

This recipe is so easy, really fast and damn good. I won’t tell you how healthy it is because if it had 300 calories, it’d still be worth it! Make it for a snack, serve it as an appetizer at your dinner parties or even add it to your favorite sandwich as a spread! Not once has it failed me in pleasing my guests. Even the geeky members of the string quartet I recently quit, loved my humus. I make a variety of other hummus’ that I’ll share over time.

Once taping is over, I’ll be eating hummus with pita bread or chips again. I like celery and all but prefer the starchy stuff! 🙂

Sitting here writing inspired me to go for the crazy and get the shoes I decided to wear for Emeril! Ergo, I am healed from the mental agony of “do I buy, do I eat, do I buy, do I eat!!!” Zappos was totally sold out, Nordstrom too, but they special ordered them for overnight delivery!! Eat your heart out Diane! This is for you, girl!

Eat well, love unapologetically, pray with true intention, and take care of yourself.

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Enjoy

Garlic-Infused Hummus

Ingredients:

• 1 can GOYA Garbanzo beans (chick peas), drained in part
• 1/4 virgin olive oil
• 1/2 squeezed lemon
• 1 tbsp. oregano
• 1.5 tbsp. cumin
• 3 garlic cloves, minced*

Method:

Add can of garbanzo beans to blender. Squeeze lemon and add all other ingredients. Blend on high/fast speed for about 3 minutes or until completely smooth. If mixture is still a bit too chunky, add a bit more olive oil or juice for can of beans. Garnish with a drop of olive oil, fresh oregano or roasted garlic

Serve with celery sticks, pita tips, chips or spread on your favorite sandwich. Refrigerate and keep for 3 days, tops. Serves 8.

* if you want a more smoky flavor, lightly brown garlic in olive oil on high heat. Substitute for raw garlic.