Food For my Students/How to introduce a fast food nation to plant based goodness!

October 10, 2012

 

 

Tonight I made food for the Weight Management class I teach at our local Community College.  We will watch the DVD called "Sweet Fire" http://www.marytoscano.com/sweetfire/about/ and while my students are watching, they will be treated to some plant based food.

 

Whether they change their diet to a plant based diet or not, I want my students to understand the amazing nutrients found in a plant based diet.  I want them to taste and experience delicious nutritious food that is enjoyable and makes them feel amazing.

 

I made a hummus based on my friend, Laurie's recipe (I think Laurie may have one of the best names around and she spells it so well!).  You can see her blog at laurieslittlekitchen.blogspot.com/

 

The hummus is in the lump/pile on the side of the plate and it tastes much much better than it looks in this photo!

In addition to the hummus, I will be serving my students a simple quinoa salad.  I cooked 5 cups of quinoa, rinsing it first, then roasting it a bit over an open flame in my big heavy skillet.  I added about a cup of chopped raw cashews, a can of kidney beans, a cup of chopped parsley, a couple big handfuls of chopped spinach, two chopped carrots, and a pint of orange cherry tomatoes sliced in half.  I dressed the salad with a simple vinaigrette of olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, nutritional yeast, dried oregano, dried dill, and some dried thyme.  That will sit overnight and all the deliciousness will mix and soak in.

Here's how I made the hummus.  Remember that I made a huge batch, so reduce the amount of each item if you want less.

3 cans of garbanzo beans
5 - 6 cloves of garlic
juice from 4 - 5 lemons
4 tablespoons of olive oil
3/4 cup of tahini
salt
pepper
two huge handfuls of spinach
a cup or so of chopped parsley
1/2 cup or more of sun dried tomatoes soaked in hot water for at least 20 minutes
the liquid from the tomatoes
3 tsp paprika

25 years ago I was given a cuisinart as a wedding gift.  This has been one of the best kitchen tools I have ever owned! 

Throw the lemon juice and garlic into the cuisinart and blend a bit.  Then add everything else but the tomato liquid.  As the cuisinart is doing magic, add the tomato liquid bit by bit until the desired consistency is met!

This has got to be the best hummus I have ever made and oh so simple.  Thanks Laurie for the amazing inspiration!