what i had for dinner last night

two posts in one day???? yes, because i feel compelled to share with you my newest culinary obsession: the chickpea salad. i know, i know. chickpeas again! they are like my favorite food ever.

this is crazy simple and phenomenally delicious.

2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed

3/4 c thinly sliced heart of celery, including some of the leaves

1/2 red onion

3 tbs chopped italian parsley

4 or 5 chopped peppers (peperocini or similar, found in a jar)

1 clove garlic, minced

6 tbs extra virgin olive oil

1 tbs white wine vinegar

sea salt

i serve it as a side or over a bed of fresh baby spinach and top with grated parmesan. pour a glass of bourbon and sprite and you have yourself an AMAZING light summer meal.

my favorite food

if you follow me on twitter, you've most likely heard of my intense obsession with hummus. i could eat it all day every single day. give me hummus, wine, and sour candy and i'll be set for LIFE. i've been making my own for a while now. it's cheaper, tastier (in my opinion :) and healthier. so i thought i'd share with you guys just how i make the magic happen.

i buy a bag of dry chickpeas. i used to do the prepared ones in the can, but didn't really care for the extras in there from the processing. plus, i need my chickpeas in bulk. i soak them overnight in my crockpot so they'll be ready to go in the morning. the next day, i drain the water and fill with fresh to cook them. i set the crockpot on high and let go for about 6 hours. then i drain that water and let them cool.

here's where the recipe gets a little confusing. i don't measure anything, it stresses me out. so i really do everything to taste. you'll need:

lime or lemon-squeeze all the juice

salt-probably about 2 tsps (also salt the the chickpeas as they cook)

garlic-i cheat and use the minced (1 tsp) or 1 or 2 cloves

ground cumin-generous amount

ground coriander-generous amount

tahini paste-about a tbsp

olive juice-2 or 3 tsp

water-just enough to make it creamy

food processor

i just dump everything in the food processor and let her go. then give it a taste test. if you like it, then you're done! i cook the whole bag of chickpeas at once but only prepare about half at a time. i go through a bag in a week, easy. this might last you guys a lot longer. but seriously, i am not a good cook and i get so many compliments on this dish. it is my very favorite food.

i have recently been diagnosed with celiac (gluten intolerance) so i can no longer eat pita bread or really anything at all with wheat. so i buy rice crackers (sooooooo gooooood) to pair with my hummus or spoon it on my salad or eat with carrots and other veggies as a snack. i will also take some of the cooked chickpeas and put it on my rice pasta. those little things are pretty fantastic :) if you try it, let me know!!