Posts Tagged ‘Chickpea’

Mr.CBB’s Tomato Salad With Potato,Green Beans and Chick Peas

Posted: September 9, 2012 in Mr.CBB's Frugal Kitchen
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
14

Tomato Salad with Potatoes, Green Beans and Chick Peas is perhaps one of our favourite salads in the summer time. We always bring this as a healthy side yet frugal dish to any backyard bbq’s we may go to and it’s a hit. This tomato potato salad is a heart healthy dish and we like to serve it along side a protein such as lamb which we marinate and grill on the bbq.

If you don’t already know from my many garden posts we grow an abundance of varieties of tomatoes such as …..

  • Roma Tomatoes
  • Beefsteak Tomatoes
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Plum Tomatoes
  • Grape Tomatoes

Originating in South America the tomato often called a “vegetable” is actually a fruit although most consider it a vegetable. There is nothing better than organic tomatoes ripened on the plant for easy summer salads. Tomatoes are also popular in a myriad of other dishes and condiments such as …..

  • Tomato Soup
  • Sun-Dried Tomatoes
  • Tomato Juice
  • Pasta Sauce
  • Ketchup
  • Salsa
  • Pizza
  • Tomato paste
  • Beverages such as the Bloody Mary

Some people even enjoy slicing tomatoes, breading them and frying them in vegetable oil until crispy on the outside. You can top these little treats with fresh mozzarella and melt it under the broiler.

I always keep our tomatoes out of the refrigerator as I find it affects the taste and texture of the tomato. When we make a fresh tomato salad we always let it sit for about 30 minutes to absorb the spices and extra virgin olive oil. It also helps to build flavour and juices (great for dipping with my Olive Bread). If you pick tomatoes that are not yet ripe simply leave them on a counter at room temperature and eat with-in 2-4 days for optimal taste.

Believed to be beneficial for the heart tomatoes also offer carotene lycopene one of the most powerful antioxidants you can find. We take pride in our tomatoes and enjoy them while we can but if we have more tomatoes than we can eat we simply scald them in hot water, peel them and freeze them in a freezer bag for later use.

Other Variations of Tomato Salads you might enjoy are….

What types of tomatoes do you grow? What is your favourite kind of tomato salad?

Mr.CBB’s Tomato Salad With Potatoes, Green Beans and Chick Peas

Feeds: 6-8 side salad

Prep Time

  • 15 minutes to boil potatoes in salted water until cooked but firm
  • 15 minutes to boil the green beans then soak in ice cubes and water
  • Soak Dry Chick peas overnight then boil until cooked then chill in water in the refrigerator (or use canned chick peas)
  • 10 minutes to make salad
  • 30 minutes to let the flavours come together

Tools

  • 3 pots
  • cutting board
  • knife
  • 3 large bowls
  • strainer

Ingredients

  • 1 cup dry chick peas
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup of red onion minced
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • dry oregano
  • fresh garlic
  • fresh basil
  • 4 large tomatoes
  • 4-6 potatoes
  • 1/2 lb fresh green beans
  • 1/2 fresh lime

Preparation

  • 4-6 medium-sized potatoes peeled, cubed and boiled in salted water then chilled in the refrigerator
  • 1/2 fresh green beans boiled in salted water until cooked but still firm, drain then chill in the refrigerator
  • Boil in salted water 1 cup of  dry chick peas soaked over night until cooked then chill
  • On your cutting board cut 4 large tomatoes into wedges and put in a bowl, juices, seeds and all.
  • Add in 1 tablespoon of dry oregano
  • Add in 4 cloves of minced fresh garlic
  • Add in 6-10 leaves of fresh basil rolled and chopped (2 tablespoons)
  • Add in 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
  • Add in 1 teaspoon of pepper to taste
  • Add in 1 tablespoon of salt to draw out the flavours and juices
  • Add in the juice of half a lime
  • Add in the minced red onion
  • Add in the cooled potatoes
  • Add in the cooled green beans
  • Add in the cooled chick peas
  • Mix the salad, taste for flavour
  • Let sit for 30 minutes
  • Serve you Tomato Salad!

Are you NEW to Canadian Budget Binder?

If you are new Start here!

Do you have a Question for Mr.CBB please click HERE to ask him!

You can Follow Canadian Budget Binder on Twitter HERE or Facebook HERE and Pinterest Here. 

You can also subscribe to Canadian Budget Binder so you don’t miss a blog post. Fill in your email address on the HOME page of the blog off to the left where it says “Subscribe Via Email”- No Spam, I promise!

Are you on Mr.CBB’s Blog Roll? Check HERE… if not and you want me to check out your blog and add you to my ever-growing blog roll simply click here and fill out the form. Introduce yourself and lets LINK UP!

Related articles
About these ads

Mr.CBB’s Creamy Garlic Hummus

Posted: September 2, 2012 in Mr.CBB's Frugal Kitchen
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,
12

 

Hummus simply means “chickpeas” in Arabic. What I have created is an easy creamy garlic hummus recipe that anyone can make in minutes in a food processor for around $1.50. While shopping the other day we noticed the cost of this frugal dip coming in at a whopping $4.50 for a 500 g tub.

You can find Tahini paste down the ethnic section at your local grocery shop for around $4-6 for a large container. Although this cost seems high for the paste it will last you for many recipes. The Tahini (sesame butter) is what turns this chickpea spread into a creamy delight and makes your taste buds tingle.

If you are a hummus fan you must try this easy garlic hummus recipe before heading out to the grocery store to pay premium price for something you can easily make at home.  If you are a fan of roasted garlic you could easily substitute the fresh garlic in this simple hummus recipe for roasted garlic. Sometimes I even like to toss in some fresh basil from my garden to kick it up a notch in the flavour department.

Roasted Garlic- Peel your garlic to expose the outer layer skin of the individual garlic cloves. Cut a thin layer off the top of a fresh bulb of garlic (I do about a 1/4 inch), add extra virgin olive oil,salt, pepper and wrap in foil. I like to put mine in my muffin tin so it has its own little bathtub to sit in.

Put your garlic in the oven at 350- 400 degrees for about an 35 mins to an hour or until the garlic is soft and fragrant. This garlic will be almost candy like and sweet to taste. It will give your hummus a whole new taste which you will love. When done, squeeze the lovely garlic out of the shell (peel or bulb) and into the processor in place of the fresh garlic.

What is Hummus?

Hummus is an Arab dip or spread made from mashing chick peas, lemon juice, spices, Tahini paste, olive oil, salt, pepper and lemon juice. There are many variations of this popular summer time dip that many eat all year-long. It’s an easy recipe to bring to your next frugal pot-luck or frugal back yard barbeque party. Hummus is great to dip vegetables, fruits and crispy pita chips or to use in place of other spreads on your meats and sandwiches.

You can easily make pita chips simple by cutting your pita into triangles and putting them on a baking sheet and baking in an oven until crispy at 300 degrees. You can also spice up your pita with a bit of olive oil and your favourite flavours before you bake. I like to flip my triangles half way through the cooking so they bake crisp on both sides.

Another great way is to make your own Spinach,Plain or Wheat tortillas  and cut them up, add your favourite spices a splash of olive oil and bake them in the oven until crispy. Hummus is very popular around the world and prevalent in cuisine in the Middle East.

Health Benefits of Hummus

Hummus is high in Iron, Vitamin C with high levels of Folate and Vitamin B6. It’s a nice light zesty dip that’s hard to put down.

  • Chick Peas are high in fibre and protein and fill you up so you are not starving an hour after you eat. Chick Peas may also help with your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease.
  • Garlic- naturally powerful antibiotic effective against bacteria, viruses and fungus. Garlic also promotes heart health and helps reduce blood coagulation. It may also lower your blood pressure, LDL Cholesterol ( the stuff you don’t want) and more.
  • Olive Oil- is a mono-unsaturated fat (the good stuff) but high in calories so use in moderation.
  • Tahini (ground sesame seeds)- used to boost thiamine known as  B-1 which influences your muscles, nervous system and digestion. There are also carbohydrates, protein, phosphorus and copper.
  • Lemon- Indigestion, constipation, fever, dental care, hair care, skin care, burns, internal bleeding, Rheumatism, Weight Loss, Respiratory Disorders, Cholera, Foot relaxation, Corns, Throat Infections and High Blood Pressure.

Some other variations of Hummus that I have made are:

  • Egg plant and Garlic Hummus
  • Roasted Garlic Hummus
  • Ginger Garlic Hummus
  • Sun Dried Tomato Hummus
  • Greek Yoghurt Hummus
  • Olive Hummus with Lime
  • Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Tools:

  • Food Processor
  • Measuring spoon/cup
  • Mixing spoon
  • Pot to boil chick peas if you use dry beans (soak over night in water then boil until tender in salted water)
  • Strainer to strain chick peas when boiled

Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups of dry chick peas or 1 large can of  chick peas (2 cups)
  • 1/4 liquid from boiling the chick peas or from the can
  • 3-5 tablespoons of Real lemon juice (the good stuff ) or the juice of 1 fresh lemon (the best) -Depends on taste and how much lemon flavour you prefer here.
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 6 cloves of garlic (*see above if you want to use roasted garlic)
  • 3 tablespoons of Tahini paste
  • 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil

Preparation:

  • In a food processor or blender add your chick peas, and reserved water and blend
  • Add in the Tahini paste, garlic, salt, pepper and a lemon juice and while you are blending stream in the extra virgin olive oil from the top
  • Blend until creamy
  • Add lemon and salt until your desired taste is achieved
  • Enjoy!

Are you NEW to Canadian Budget Binder?

If you are new Start here!

Do you have a Question for Mr.CBB please click HERE to ask him!

Are you on Mr.CBB’s Blog Roll? Check HERE… if not and you want me to check out your blog and add you to my ever-growing blog roll simply click here and fill out the form. Introduce yourself and lets LINK UP!

If you are new to Canadian Budget Binder LIKE or Follow Mr.CBB on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest or you can also sign up for email notifications here.

Related articles

 

Older Entries