The Simple Delights

Having a quick healthy snack in the fridge- ready to grab when hunger hits is so important! One of my very favorite, go-to snacks is black bean hummus. Black beans are high in both protein and and dietary fiber (packing 15 grams of each per cup)!! This version of hummus is totally oil free and I would say even creamier and more delicious that any store bought brand! Typical store bought hummus has 80 calories and 7 grams of fat per two tablespoons. This version has 39 calories and 1 gram of fat…while still packing a protein and fiber punch!

I love this hummus with cucumbers, carrots and red peppers…but I also love to top salads and flat bread pizza with this yummy dip.

Black Bean Hummus
39 Calories in 2 Tablespoons

2 cans black beans, drained **PLUS 2 T of juice from can
2 T tahini
1 cloves garlic
1/2 t sea salt
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/2 t ground cumin

Place all ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth

It feels like just yesterday I was ringing in the New Year with Gavin, my brother and Katie…and here we are about to do it all over again! This year was FULL of wonderful adventures, great times with friends and family, lots of travel and tons of yummy food! So, in honor of this lovely year ending (and to stick with the theme of every stinkin’ TV show, website and blog) here are my favorite recipes from 2011.

Baked Eggs in Ham Cups

Braised Brussel Sprouts

Family Recipe Tomato Sauce

Toasted Zucchini Israeli CousCous

Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Chili Verde

Butternut Squash Soup

Lemony Blueberry Muffins

Oatmeal Carrot Cupcakes

Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes

“Fried” Green Tomatoes

Carrot Ginger Dressing

Pumpkin Apple Stew

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Pablano Corn Chowder

Pumpkin Cheesecake Torte

Baked Apple Cider Donuts

Fancified Deviled Eggs