Lemon Garlic Yummus

Okay, so I wasn't expecting my first post to come so soon but a good friend of mine came over today and we took a nice walk in Buttermilk Creek Park -- where we were attacked and chased (and bitten) by a WILD DINGO!  But that's beside the point --

Before we went out, I made us a little lunch.  I didn't have a lot of interest in cooking anything because it's been so hot but I wanted something with decent protein and, of course.. it had to be delicious.  I don't follow recipes very often and this was no excuse so what I'm going to give you will be approximations.  Lunch ended up being a couple of falafel, some whole grain crackers and homemade lemon garlic hummus.. or Yummus as I like to call it.

The falafel we got at Costco -- for three pieces, I think there was something like 11gms protein.. easy prep.. heat in the microwave.  The crackers.. a serving was 9gms protein.  The Yummus, I don't know the exact protein content but I'll tell you what i know from the can of garbanzo beans -- and NO I didn't measure how much I put on my plate.  I'm trying to determine how much I eat by when I feel full -- so when you're eating, are you checking yourself for that deep breath?  The one you take in the middle of the meal that most of us ignored our whole lives?  Yeah.. when you're in the middle of eating a meal, pay attention to when you take a deep breath.. like a sigh..  that's a signal from your body that you're getting full.  When you do that, set your fork down and let what you've eaten settle.  If you're STILL hungry, then have some more.. but you have to teach yourself (or re-teach yourself) to recognize when you're full.

So.. this was a great use for my baby food grinder that I bought for my first months post-op.. ideally, I would have used my Magic Bullet food processor but I couldn't find the right blade.

here are the ingredients I used:

1 regular size can of garbanzo beans
1 large clove of garlic
a dollop of Tahini (if you don't have this -- and I know you probably don't -- just grind up some sesame seeds, olive oil and salt til it's smooth)
1 lemon *juice AND zest*
about a 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
large pinch of salt

I usually start out grinding the sesame seeds if I don't have tahini.. then I add the garlic and about 1/3 of the garbanzo beans.  Squeeze the juice of the lemon into the mixture and blend some more, grate the zest directly into the mixture then add in some olive oil and more garbanzo beans until all the beans are blended in.. the mixture should be the consistency of a thick pudding.  TASTE it.  Add salt to fit your taste. 

I also like to add fresh herbs.  I grow parsley, dill, chives and basil in my yard so if it's in season, I'll pull a few sprigs of each, chop them up and add them but this stuff is great even without the herbs.  I recommend you  try it both ways and don't be afraid to try different things -- if you want to add onions or you really like rosemary, try it!  Savory flavors will go well in this dish.  You can also substitute plain water for the lemon if you're not a fan. 

Part of the key to finding peace with your food is to make what you put into your mouth more satisfying and full of FLAVOR so you don't have to satisfy yourself with quantity.  Discover what flavors go well together on your pallate.. find what makes your mouth water.. open your jars of spices and sniff them.  Taste what you're cooking and immediately sniff a spice you might like to try with it..  above all, don't be afraid of flavors you've never had before.  I'm not going to make you go try chocolate covered bacon (though, it's pretty dang good even if it sounds gross).. but I will challenge you to taste new things and make your own flavor combinations.  You will surprise yourself.

Trust me! I've been eating my whole life!!