Berry-licious!

I know I usually only post recipes...but I couldn't resist this link. Very interesting berry that makes you taste everything very sweet (says it makes goat cheese taste like cheesecake!). I want one!

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/28/dining/28flavor.html?_r=1&ref=dining&oref=slogin

Yum Yum Hum...mus

In an attempt to do some healthy snacking...my husband and I have become fans of la sabre's tahini-hummus mix with pita. I was excited when my recent issue of Cooks Illustrated tested hummus recipes to give the best one for hummus they could find. I was pleased.

Restaurant style Hummus
(Cooks Illustrated, May/June 2008)

3 tbsp lemon juice (from 1-2 lemons)
1/4 cup water
6 tbsp tahini, stirred well
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 (14 ounce) can chick peas, rinsed and drained
1 small garlic clove, minced
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp cumin
pinch cayenne
garnish of minced cilantro or parlsey

1. Combine lemon juice and water in small bowl or measuring cup. Whisk together tahini and oil in another bowl.
2. In food processor, combine chick peas, garlic, salt, cumin and cayenne until almost fully ground about 15 seconds. Scrape down sides. Run machine and add lemon juice/water mix in steady stream through tube feed. Scrape down bowl. (about 1 minute) Again run machine and add tahini-oil mix through tube feed. Process until hummus is creamy and smooth, about 15 seconds.
3. Transfer hummus to serving bowl and sprinkle with garnish.
4. Serve with warm pita. Enjoy!

Spring has sprung!

I love to try to eat seasonally. Fresh food always taste the best and doesn't need a lot of embellishments to be delicious. I make these sammies when we are hanging around the house on a lazy spring Sunday.

Radish and Cucumber Sandwiches

4 radishes, cleaned
1 hothouse cucumber
Thin white bread
Course Salt
1/2 cup cream cheese
Butter
Few sprigs of fresh dill

For Cucumber sandwiches:
1. Peel cucumber and slice into thin rounds.
2. Spread thin layer of cream cheese on 2 pieces of bread.
3. Top bread with cucumber slices in a single layer. Top with fresh (or dried) dill and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

For Radish Sandwiches:
1. Slice radishes into thin slices (rounds).
2. Spread bread with thin layer of butter.
3. Top bread with radish slices in single layer. Top with course salt and pepper.

Beautiful Soup....

Make this when asparagus is in season. The potato adds creaminess without any of the fat of cream.

Roasted Asparagus Soup with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Parmesan Croutons
From Robin Miller (Foodnetwork)

4 slices bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
Cooking spray
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 leeks, rinsed well and chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon dried thyme
Roasted asparagus, chopped, about 4 cups
1 baking potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
6 cups reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1/2 cup diced oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes

Special Equipment: Immersion blender, optional

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.Arrange bread cubes on prepared baking sheet and spray with cooking spray. Sprinkle cubes with parmesan cheese. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

While the croutons are baking, heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add leeks and garlic and cook for 2 minutes, or until soft. Add bay leaves and thyme and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant. Add asparagus, potato and broth and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium, partially cover and simmer for 10 minutes, or until potato is fork tender. Remove bay leaves, and using an immersion blender, or a regular *blender working in batches, puree soup until smooth. Ladle soup into bowls and top with sundried tomatoes and croutons.

*When blending hot liquids: Remove liquid from the heat and allow to cool for at least 5 minutes. Transfer liquid to a blender or food processor and fill it no more than halfway. If using a blender, release one corner of the lid. This prevents the vacuum effect that creates heat explosions. Place a towel over the top of the machine, pulse a few times then process on high speed until smooth.