A few of my favorites include hummus with whole wheat pita and crudites. Another favorite in our house are baked corn tortilla chips with shredded 2% cheese (melted in the broiler), salsa and black beans. Spinach salads with feta and balsamic vinaigrette are also one of my favorites. Don't forget to toss in strawberries, pears, walnuts, carmelized onions, or anything else your little heart desires. The nachos and salad are pretty much self-explanatory, but the hummus recipe is really worth trying, and you will save so much money by no longer buying prepared hummus, plus you can flavor it however you like, and create your own little Baskin Robbins of hummus flavors. Oh yeah.
Fresh Hummus
In your food processor, process together:
- 1 15 oz. can of chickpeas, drained (reserve liquid)
- 3 tbs. lemon juice
- 1-3 cloves of garlic
- 1 1/2 tbs. Tahini (can be increased or decreased, depending on potency of tahini)
Hummus mixture may be garnished with olive oil, paprika, and parsley, but I have been known to eat it directly out of the food processor. Can also be blended with roasted red pepper, pitted kalamata olives, roasted garlic, oregano, dill, pine nuts, leftover roasted eggplant, bottled artichoke hearts, or dark chocolate. Just kidding about the dark chocolate. Some things are just too delicious to ever meet each other.
These five minute meal ideas are meant to inspire. Many find the idea of making homemade hummus too daunting, or the idea of strawberries and spinach in the same dish repulsive. The point is, it is incredibly important to have a few standby meals that are quick to prepare ready at all times. Doing this will significantly reduce the number of times you go out to eat, which will put more money in your wallet, which will give you more money to spend in your thrift kitchen. Case closed.
