Homemade hummus & making your own tahini {Secret Recipe Club}

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It’s Secret Recipe Club time again! This month I was assigned the blog The Freshman Cook. I had trouble deciding on just one recipe (as usual) since there were so many to choose from. I liked the sound of the southwestern egg rolls, and because you know how much I love Cincinnati Chili….I can’t wait to try this Skyline chili dip. Eventually though hummus won out because I’ve been craving hummus ever since we were on the Daniel Fast last March. Even though I made falafel patties then (which I still need to share with you guys), I can’t believe I didn’t get around to making hummus. I love hummus!

I make my own tahini instead of buying it because it’s so easy, and it’s much more cost effective that way. You know I’m a thrifty gal! πŸ˜‰ All you have to do is toast your sesame seeds, and then blend them up with some olive oil. My ratio was 1/2 cup sesame seeds to 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil, but I don’t think that’s a hard and fast rule.

My girls and hubby were happily devouring the hummus, and I kept thinking it tasted a little different than my hummus….not bad, just different. I soon realized I didn’t add lemon juice like I normally do. Though it was definitely tasty “as is”….I added the juice of one lemon because I missed that zing. The only other changes I made were to add a little bit of cumin and crushed red pepper.

If you’ve never tried your hand at homemade hummus, give it a go. It’s SO easy! All you need to do is add your chick peas, olive oil, garlic and spices to the food processor and give it a whirl. In no time at all you’ve got a dip ready for all your veggies, pita chips or crackers. You can also change it up by using roasted garlic, roasted red peppers, olives or sun dried tomatoes. Mmm…. And you can use other types of beans like white beans. Really the skies the limit. Hummus is one of the easiest recipes to get creative with in the kitchen! What’s your favorite hummus flavor? Have you tried making hummus at home?

Hummus {Secret Recipe Club}
Author: 
Recipe type: Dip, Appetizer
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6-8
 
Ingredients
  • 2 15 oz. cans chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
  • ¼ cup tahini (I made my own ½ cup sesame seeds toasted & ground with 1½ Tbsp extra virgin olive oil)
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • ½ tsp pepper
  • ** I ADDED:
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • EAT WITH:
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Pita chips
  • Croutons
  • Naan bread
  • Mini toasts
  • As a sandwich filling or in a lettuce wrap
Instructions
  1. TO MAKE TAHINI:
  2. Toast sesame seeds in a skillet over medium head stirring frequently. In blender puree them with olive oil. You may need to make a double batch for them to properly blend. It didn't work in the food processor. I used my coffee grinder which worked well, but I had already put in the olive oil so was a tad worried about that. πŸ˜‰
  3. Add chickpeas to food processor. Add in tahini, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, pepper, cumin, water, crushed red pepper, and lemon juice.
  4. Blend until you achieve a smooth texture.
  5. Serve as a dip or to add into your sandwich or wrap.

If you enjoyed this post or recipe, please pass it along! There are many ways you can SHARE. One of the most popular options is to PIN it on Pinterest or to LIKE it on Facebook. It really makes my day! To make sure you don’t miss a post or recipe you can either follow Creative Kitchen on Facebook or Pinterest. Or subscribe by RSS subscription or Email in the sidebar. It’s FREE! Thanks for reading….I love having company in the kitchen!

** Don’t forget to take some time and visit all the blogs below participating in the Secret Recipe Club. It’s a great way to find new blogs to follow!

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Proud to be a Walkers Shortbread Blog Ambassador!

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Last month I was contacted by Walkers Shortbread to find out if I wanted to be part of their Blogger Ambassador program with a few other select bloggers. To say I was beyond thrilled is an understatement! I love Walkers Shortbread….I mean can you imagine a more perfect match to my afternoon cup of tea? In fact I usually stop to take a long look at their delectable buttery shortbread cookies everytime I’m in the United Kingdom pavilion at Epcot. I’m sure most of you are familiar with the tartan plaid Scottish background on their cookie packages, and would recognize their cookies anywhere. But did you know that Walkers Shortbread is the leading brand of food exported from Scotland today?

When I receive an offer to get involved with a brand, I start my research. You see….I’m very particular when it comes to standing behind a brand or product. I take my interest in “real food” seriously, and I’m not about to preach to you to buy this or that if it’s something I wouldn’t buy and feed my own family. So what did I find out? I shouldn’t have been surprised when I learned that the classic Walkers Shortbread cookie is made with only 4 pure and simple ingredients. I mean shortbread is a simple recipe….so why would you need to add in dyes, preservatives and sugar in 5 different forms? Thankfully Walkers doesn’t. πŸ˜‰
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Get this: Walkers Shortbread contains only quality butter, unbleached flour, sugar and and a touch of sea salt. That’s it!! No shortening, no hydrogenated fats, no GMO’s…..no dyes, no preservatives, no artificial flavors or additives. I was impressed! I don’t have to tell you how hard it is to find ingredient labels that aren’t a mile long!Walkers Shortbread cookies are also 100% vegetarian, certified Kosher and contain no growth hormones or antibiotics. Alll of these things are very important to me and many of you all. And the icing on the cake……the butter they use in their recipes is made from free-range, grass-fed dairy cows. I was sold!

I also hadn’t realized that Walkers Shortbread is still a family owned and run business that started out over 100 years ago in the Highlands of Scotland, or that Walkers Shortbread cookies are still made in small batches with the finest and freshed ingredients obtainable. I should have known….but didn’t…..that the Walkers Shortbread cookie is THE Scottish shortbread, or that Walkers Shortbread is the classic shortbread by which all others are judged.
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My husband’s family has Scottish roots and we’ve always dreamed of one day visiting Scotland. How neat to know that when we do, we’ll be able to stop by and visit Joseph Walker’s original retail shop which is still in operation today in the small secluded village of Aberlour. Isn’t that cool? I love food and travel, but especially love when my travels are filled with meaningful foodie adventures.

So yes….I’m excited about this partnership! I’m excited to share with you guys a brandΒ we can trust. Over the next 7 months I’m privileged to share with you all various product reviews, exclusive discounts and promo codes and recipes I develop specifically with Walkers Shortbread products. We’ll get the first peek at new Walkers products and more than likely a giveaway. I was surprised at the variety of shortbread products Walkers sells (lemon! Ginger! oh my!), and though they sent me free cookies to sample….as always, all opinions are my own. I’m not being compensated for this post or future posts, just sharing my love of Walkers Shortbread.
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Walkers wanted to share a special promotion for you all…..from now until May 24th, you can order your own Walkers Shortbread cookies online at the Walkers website and receive 20% off with the promo code #CKSPRING (sales items excluded).

Do you have a favorite Walkers Shortbread cookie? Which cookie would you most want to try? Were you surprised at their all natural quality ingredients?

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On marriage

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It’s been an amazing couple weeks here in my household. I’m in awe of the things God is doing in my family, and feel so blessed to live the life I live. Words can’t do it justice so it’s almost too hard to even try. A couple weekends ago my hubby and I were fortunate enough to attend a Marriage Encounter weekend. We have a good enough marriage, but we both strive to make it better, and this weekend encounter with each other went above and beyond anything we could think or imagine. If you ever have the opportunity to attend….do so!! It’s now a ministry we are excited to be a part of, and plan on serving other couples in the future. It also really ties in with our other ministry and mission. We are excited to see what the future holds!
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On May 3rd hubby and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary. I can truly say we are both more IN LOVE with each other today than on the day we married. Instead of that being a sad statement….I think it’s something all couples should strive for. It means there is growth. Things are always improving and getting better. We are maturing as a couple. And though love can be gushy, and should still give us butterflies on occasion, it’s the day in…day out realness of working as a team. The real life in the trenches that form us, make us and build us into the ONENESS of flesh God desires of all married couples.
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If things seem tough for you now, take heart….all marriages go through ups and downs, peaks and valleys. It’s your conviction and commitment to each other that will carry you through. And not to be simplistic…give it to God and pray for your spouse and your marriage. Nothing is too hard for Him. Ask Him to give you new eyes for your spouse and a heart tender enough to receive wisdom from above….even if the wisdom reveals you are the one to do some changing (and often that’s the case ;). We will always be asked to work on ourselves first….become the spouse you want to be married to and you’ll be surprised and what happens in your spouse.
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Writing is a funny and personal endeavor. I started off this entry with the intent on sharing the dairy-free pancakes I made the other day. But it’s clear to me now something else was bubbling up to be shared this morning. I hope you don’t mind the pancakes will have to wait for another day. Please don’t give up on me….I have so much to share, so many recipes waiting in the wings including a few juice recipes as well. Can’t I just add a couple hours into my day? Don’t you want that too? I miss sharing here more, and maybe after these busy last few weeks of school wind down I’ll find that time. I crave the writing time. I need it. It’s my hope that some of my writing touches some of you. Don’t be shy….let me know if you’re out there listening. It’s been so quiet here lately I sometimes feel as if I’m writing just for me. In some ways I am, but I also pretty sure you’re out there too. πŸ˜‰
 

If you enjoyed this post or recipe, please pass it along! There are many ways you can SHARE. One of the most popular options is to PIN it on Pinterest or to LIKE it on Facebook. It really makes my day! To make sure you don’t miss a post or recipe you can either follow Creative Kitchen on Facebook or Pinterest. Or subscribe by RSS subscription or Email in the sidebar. It’s FREE! Thanks for reading….I love having company in the kitchen!

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Why we juice {Juicing Journey}

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As hubby and I have started on this new juicing journey, we’ve been getting many questions. Curiosity has arisen, and juicers have made their way out of friends’ cupboards. We are excited about juicing, and this has spilled over and become quite contagious. And we’re glad! Because when you stumble onto hidden treasure, you can’t wait to share the good news. And you also can’t wait to share the wealth with others! Juicing is hands down the best thing you can do for your health.

Why we juice:

My number one reason for juicing is:

1) INCREASED ENERGY!! I already mentioned this a couple weeks ago, but it’s incredible how much energy I feel when eating or drinking “live” foods. Raw fruits and vegetables will also give you this energy, but think how much more so juicing will. When you juice, the pulp is removed which means the juice is able to go straight to your bloodstream….no waiting for it to digest. Which means instant pick-me-up. Juicing raw vegetables and fruit is the ultimate ENERGY drink. As one who knows the boost from caffeine and sugar well, let’s just say that with juicing you get that boost…and it’s even better because you don’t have to worry about the drop or coming down later as you do with any caffeine or sugar high.

2) ANTI-AGING – Juicing gets all those nutrients and vitamins into your body quickly. When juicing everyday, your body begins to operate at the level it was meant to. Over time your skin will begin to glow, and clear up if you have skin issues. Look up juicing testimonials on You Tube, and do a bit of your own research. You’ll soon see the differences yourself. I feel 10 years younger….and maybe if I keep juicing, I can be like the others and start looking younger. πŸ˜‰

3) Meets your daily VEGGIE and FRUIT QUOTA – Every diet or meal plan you hear of is quick to point out to eat an abundance of vegetables and fruit. No matter the other differences…they all agree that fresh, raw produce should be the bulk of your food intake. We all know this is true, but how to go about it? When you juice everyday…even just one juice, you can be sure you’ve hit your target.
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4) WEIGHT LOSS & REDUCED CRAVINGS – Juicing and eating a plant strong diet keeps me satisfied with food that’s good for me. When you fill up with real, live veggies and fruit, you aren’t hungry for the other foods that aren’t as good for you. I’ve heard it over and over now during my research on juicing and raw foods…that because your body is finally getting the NUTRIENTS it’s been craving your body will quit craving the junk. It’s true!! We got our first taste of that when we started the Daniel Fast….when you aren’t eating sugar and white flour the cravings vanish.

5) REPLACES unhealthy habits & addictions – For my hubby….that means he’s finally off of diet soda!! We hope for good. He was a habitual diet soda drinker…as in we had to be fully stocked. All day, every day. As a real food blogger, buying and stocking diet soda for my hubby went against everything I believe in. I’m SO grateful that God brought juicing into our life, and that hubby LOVES the juice even though he hates eating green veggies or most veggies. I’m convinced this has saved his life! His beverage of choice is now green juice and coconut water straight from the coconut. Love that man!!
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There were definitely a lot of misconceptions I’d had about juicing, but to clarify…we are juicing mostly vegetables in our juice which keeps your blood sugar from spiking. I also still love my Vita-Mix and green smoothies are still a part of our lifestyle. The frugal part of me never want to waste all that pulp. πŸ˜‰ Stay tuned…coming up next I’ll be sharing my favorite green juice recipe with you!!

If you enjoyed this post or recipe, please pass it along! There are many ways you can SHARE. One of the most popular options is to PIN it on Pinterest or to LIKE it on Facebook. It really makes my day! To make sure you don’t miss a post or recipe you can either follow Creative Kitchen on Facebook or Pinterest. Or subscribe by RSS subscription or Email in the sidebar. It’s FREE! Thanks for reading….I love having company in the kitchen!

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No bake nutella cookies {Secret Recipe Club}

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It’s my favorite time of the month….Secret Recipe Club time. I had the pleasure this month of reading through Christina’s blog Oven Adventures. Christina is a mom of 2, loves to bake and lives in a suburb of Vancouver, Canada. She has so many tasty recipes that you’ll definitely want to check out: breads, muffins, cookies, cakes, pies, tarts, truffles, holiday treats, brownies, blondies, quick breads and so on.

I’m sure you might be surprised to see a cookie recipe here today, as many of you know I’ve been off sugar for well over a month now. We’ve also just purchased our first juicer, and have been busy juicing everyday. So I found it quite funny that on day 4 of my juice fast, I scrolled through her recipes only to tempted by sweets that I can’t eat right now. My middle daughter came to the rescue and picked out these no bake Nutella cookies. And I couldn’t have been happier! No bake….so hubby and I didn’t have to smell them baking, and Nutella which is surprisingly something I can take or leave.

As you can obviously see, dark cookies, brownies or anything with chocolate is a food photographer’s worst nightmare. Nothing I could do but snap a bunch and pick the best. Try not to let the image fool you. Though I couldn’t taste test them, my 3 girls devoured them over the course of 2 days. I’m sure they’d have finished them in one if I’d let them. They were also the perfect thing for my kids to whip up….quick, easy and only a few ingredients.

No bake nutella cookies {Secret Recipe Club}
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert, Cookies
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 24
 
A great treat for the kids especially if you're avoiding sweets, and don't want the temptation of the smell of cookies baking.
Ingredients
  • ¼ cup butter, diced into small cubes
  • ¼ cup milk
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa
  • ¼ cup Nutella
  • almost 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1¾ cups oats
Instructions
  1. Line 2 baking sheets with wax paper.
  2. In a medium saucepan, melt butter and sugar. Stir in cocoa and and milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly. After a boil has been achieved, continue stirring for 3 additional minutes. Constantly stir to avoid scorching.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in Nutella.
  4. Add in oats last, and stir well.
  5. Drop by tablespoons full onto wax paper to harden. Refrigerate to speed the process.

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If you enjoyed this post or recipe, please pass it along! There are many ways you can SHARE. One of the most popular options is to PIN it on Pinterest or to LIKE it on Facebook. It really makes my day! To make sure you don’t miss a post or recipe you can either follow Creative Kitchen on Facebook or Pinterest. Or subscribe by RSS subscription or Email in the sidebar. It’s FREE! Thanks for reading….I love having company in the kitchen!

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