Showing posts with label How To. Show all posts
Showing posts with label How To. Show all posts

Friday, 24 June 2011

How to make Hummus: part 1


Reading Andie's blog post on her favourite healthy foods, she made me think about my favourite health kick these days and I came up with: chickpeas!

You can make....


Or ... a million different types of hummus! Maybe some of you don't know this, but hummus is made with chickpeas, pureed chickpeas to be precise. And then you add whatever you feel like adding, that very moment.
As I know that a few of our readers are beginning cooks, I thought to have a little cooking series especially for them. This series is about 'how to make hummus'. We start of with part 1, making a very simply classic hummus. Then while we proceed in time, we are going to add spices, herbs and other kind of things to make hummus even more exciting.
By the end (if there is such a thing with cooking) you will be dreaming how to make hummus, and most of all, you will be craving hummus at a weekly base like I do.

Ingredients:

  • one can of drained chickpeas 
  • 2 tablespoons of tahini (sesamepaste) --> invest in this one as you will be needing it during the course!
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 0,5 clove of garlic 
  • 1 tablespoon yoghurt
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • pinch of chilipepper
  • pinch of salt
How to make it:
It is the most easy thing ever!
Make sure you rinse the chickpeas after having washed them to take away most of the sodium that accompany canned foods.
Chuck everything in a high container.
Blend it down to a puree....taste.... add whatever YOU feel is missing... blend.....

Outcome: classic HUMMUS!!!

Get ready for part 2 next week or so; we will be adding some more exciting spices!


Hummus

Buon Appetito
Chef Steph

Thursday, 21 April 2011

How to clean Artichokes

It's easter time... which means: asperges, salmon, lamb, strawberries and artichokes! All of them will be on the blog sooner or later this week...

Who else has major problems cleaning artichokes like me? I think I have thrown away a dozen in forms of pasta and risotto just because I hadn't managed to clean them well.... And really, the tough leaves of the artichokes are NOT good!
But as you know, I do not give up easily so I called in some 'professional' help! So I called Chef Stefano who taught me some tricks and tips on how to clean artichokes

How to clean artichokes:


1. Cut of the top of the artichoke
2. Tear off all the hard and green leaves - you will have to tear off many many leaves!
3. Tear off the leaves until you reach the soft and white leaves.
4. Using a sharp little knife, cut off the stem in an oblique way
5. Your artichoke is ready for use...

If you have time, let the artichokes soak in lemon water (water with a couple of lemon slices in it) for 30 minutes. This will soften the artichoke heart even more.

You can do many nice things with artichokes....
  • risotto
  • pasta
  • souffle
  • quiche
  • broiled with herbs and lemon
  • steamed with lemon vinaigrette 
  • stuffed porkribs 
  • salads
  • and many more...
Stay tuned for 'How to's'...
Buon Appetito
Chef Steph