Spring Cooking classes are under way and I am so excited about what we are going to be creating over the next 6 weeks! Its a multicultural cooking class and I have a vibrant group of students who are excited to be in the kitchen.
Last week we made a wonderful Middle Eastern Mezza spread! Yummy Hummus, homemade pita chips and a savory Greek cucumber salad.
I am going to include the recipes here for those of you who would like to try out these simple yet tasty recipes. I think you will agree…………its hmm, hmmm Good ! Make a splash with your friends and family and check out these cultural recipes that will make your mouth spin! Enjoy the flavors of the Middle East and Greece, until next time when we visit the Orient and some Asian Flavors next week!
Middle Eastern Hummus
- 15 oz can of chickpeas
- 3-4 tbsp of tahini
- 2 small lemons or 1 large lemon juiced
- 3 garlic cloves ( roasted garlic works really well)
- 1 tsp of coarse salt
- 2 Tbsp of Olive Oil
- Pinch of paprika
Peel and chop the garlic and squeeze the juice from the lemons into a bowl. Careful there are no seeds when you squeeze the lemons. Remove seeds with a spoon if they get into your bowl. Drain the chickpeas, saving the juice from the can for later.
Put all the ingredients except the paprika into a blender and blend until smooth.
Add a little water from the can if its too thick.
Pour into a shallow dish and sprinkle with paprika and a dash of olive oil.
Serve dip with pita wedges or home made pita chips!
Home Made Pita chips
Preheat oven to 350, cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with canola cooking spray.
Ingredients:
- 4 pita bread rounds (split in half)
- 4 tbsp of melted butter
- 2 cloves of crushed garlic ( or 2 tsp of garlic powder)
- Salt and pepper and dash or oregano
Cut each pita in half and then into 3 wedges per side.
Melt butter in a glass bowl in the microwave for 20 seconds.
Add, garlic and spices to the melted butter and mix.
Place pita wedges cut side up on a lightly sprayed baking tray covered in foil. Brush with butter and garlic mixture.
Bake in preheated over on 350 for about 12 minutes until golden and crisp.
To make cheese chips……..add 4 Tbs. of grated parmesan cheese mixed with 2 tbsp of chopped fresh basil to the top of these chips before baking……..great snacks for after school! Save extras in a sealed plastic bag for later!!
Fresh Greek Salad with Cucumber
- 1 medium cucumber
- 1 med. Red onion, Thinly sliced
- 1-2 c. grape tomatoes
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 c. pitted kalamata olives
- ½ c. shredded basil
- ½ lb. crumbled feta
- 1/4 c.extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp. Ground pepper
- 1/4 tsp coarse salt
Directions
- 1. Mix the first 5 ingredients in medium bowl and top with the feta, olive oil and fresh pepper and toss together in a bowl.
- 2. Take a break and buy yourself pitted black olives. Extra virgin olive oil is a must – use a good quality one and the flavor will be amazing. Once you blend the ingredients let the salad stand for a few minutes in the refrigerator so the flavors mingle. Yummers!