Homemade Hummus

The other night at enrichment we had the most delicious Greek appetizers. Pita bread, Pita Chips, Manzanilla Olives, Hummus, Feta Cheese, Walnuts and Grapes. At the end there was so much left over I got to take a great deal of it home with me. I didn't get to take any hummus home so I decided to make my own for lunch the next day. I have tried to make hummus before but it has never been a good as I wanted it to be. I now think I'm onto something though! Below is my latest recipe for hummus. Also pictured is warm feta. I drizzled olive oil over it, wrapped it in tin foil and baked it. Next time I will try sprinkling a little lemon pepper on it though.
Hummus

1 can Garbanzo Beans (Chick Peas)
1 T. sesame seeds
1-2 pinches of dried mint
1-2 T olive oil
1-2 T lemon juice
salt, to taste
water

1. In small pot bring beans (with juice), sesame seeds, and about 1/2 can of water to a boil. Boil for about 10 to 15 minutes until beans are soft.

2. Drain water and add beans and sesame seeds to a food processor or blender.

3. Add olive oil, lemon juice, salt and mint and blend until a smooth paste is created. You may want to add more olive oil, lemon juice or water to create the taste and texture that you desire.

4. Serve warm or cold with pita chips or pita bread.


*note* - Most hummus recipes ask for tahini paste which is a sesame seed paste. The boiled seeds are a substitute for the tahini. I have tried the seeds raw and it does not have the same effect. You can find dried mint at some grocery stores but you will for sure find it at a foreign foods store, or you can just call me and I will send you some. :) This is also a great dish for babies. Mags loves hummus. She gets the protein she needs and it is easy to chew and swallow.

Tips Wanted

I am looking for closet organization ideas. In our apartment we have two huge storage closets. One is in the entry way of our apartment and one is in the hallway and is the whole length of the hall. This is a GREAT storage area, but it is overflowing with stuff and has little organization to it. I hate opening it because it looks terrible. I know I need to reorganize, but I don't have tons of money for storage bins and am looking for any tips you organized ladies may have. What do you do to keep your closets organized?

Oreos

I found a fabulous recipe I have to share! This isn't your typical homemade oreo...this recipe is from a bakery in New York and the cookie is a hard cookie, not soft. The best part of this recipe is that it doesn't have any weird ingredients...they are all ones I always have on hand. Tom isn't a big cookie guy. When I make cookies, he will eat a couple right when they come out of the oven, but that is usually it. Not these cookies! He ate them until they were completely gone. The only downside to this recipe is that they take a while to make, but they are worth it!! I made another batch last night so Tom has them in his lunch today.
FOR THE DOUGH:
1 1/3 c. cocoa powder
1 1/2 c. flour
1/4 t. salt
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
2 c. sugar
2 large eggs
1 t. vanilla

FOR THE FILLING:
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 c. shortening
3 c. confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 t. vanilla

1. Prepare the dough: Sift together the cocoa powder, flour, and salt in a large bowl.
2. Using a mixer, cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla, incorporating each ingredient before adding the next. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula.
3. Divide the dough into 2 pieces; place on piece on parchment paper (wax paper works fine too) and roll into 1/4 in. thick rectangle. Repeat with the other piece of dough. Refrigerate both rectangles, covered with parchment sheets, until firm, at least 1 hour or up to several days. (The second time I made this I used the freezer, not the fridge - the dough is super sticky, so I found it easier to work with when it was harder.)
4. Using a 2 in. round cutter, cut the dough into 64 circles. Place the cookies about 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheet and chill for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 325.
5. Bake the cookies until they are set and darker around the edges, about 20 minutes. (I found 20 minutes too long. I did 15 this last time and it was perfect for me.) Cool completely on wired racks.
6. Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Using a mixer, cream the butter and shortening until fluffy. Bean in the confectioners' sugar and vanilla.
7. Flip half of the cookies upside down and top each with 1 level tablespoon of filling (I did more and using a frosting bag to fill evenly and make them look prettier). Press the remaining cookies on top to make sandwiches.

Fabric Pennant and Mini Hot Chocolate Pin Cushion

Thanks to some etsy sales, I just got myself a new pair of pinking shears so of course I had to use them immediately. Here is a cute fabric pennant banner I made with fabric, felt and double sided interfacing. My true love Cricut helped me cut out the template for the letters. These pennants are mini pennants and will be perfect for Mags' future play kitchen or home based business. It case it is too small to read the banner says "lemonade". This was so easy and so fun to make. I am now going to make them for every occasion. Here's a tip though: when you iron on the letters don't iron the side with the felt. Flip it over and iron the back side. It will melt funky if you do it the other way.

This little guy is a mini hot chocolate (it really looks like espresso but since I don't drink coffee I'm calling it hot chocolate). These pictures do not do this pincushion justice. It is adorable and only about 3 inches tall. It is teeny! This is made using vintage fabric (thanks mom), felt and fleece and was put together using a sewing machine and some hot glue. I think in the future though I will use felted wool instead of fleece because it is a little harder to get the pins to push through the fleece. The whiped cream is held on with a pin.

What Happens When Husbands Play Computer Games...

This is the result of a husband who plays video games with his brothers on a Saturday night instead of taking his wife on a date! To be honest, I loved the extra time to craft.

50 Nifty United States Travel Crayon Roll

Julie inspired me with her travel bag so I had to go out and get the same fabric to make this cute crayon roll.

Fabric Lunch Bag

This cute little Americana lunch sack is for my mum.

Vintage Cowboy Crayon Roll

The fabric isn't vintage but the style is. I just couldn't pass this fabric up.

Hair Clip Holder

This hangs on the wall and holds all of your hair clips. Now, no more searching the house wondering where that hair clip went.

The holder folds up and buttons. The handle allows you to carry the holder and the clips with you to your slumber party or to Grandma's house. A must have for any southern girl.