Sun Dried Tomatoes Hummus with Cucumbers

Last weekend I was back home in Hamburg to see the family. Now everyone in my family is a huge foodie. They can have hour long conversations about how to make a steak perfect or at what temperature a  turkey or better yet a goose becomes just right. Even I find it to be tedious at times. Now this weekend my parents had a couple of friends from Rotterdam visit. They are connaiseurs of food and are used to gourmet molecular tiny peppeles of frois gras menues. Needless to say Momma dearest and I were slaving away in the kitchen to make the entire menu.

For hors d'oeuvres I made my famous hummus. I have been making hummus for a good 10 years, but this times I decided to venture out of the traditional tahini, garlic, lemon hummus and mix it up a bit. It's easy, it's delicious and for us europeans it is something that you just don't get every day. So here in Germany, it is gourmet!

You will need
1 Can of chickpeas
Juice of one fresh lemon
2 Tbsp Tahini
Salt
Pepper
Good Olive Oil
2-3 Tbsp of Yoghurt (try to use 3,5% Fat or Greek)
5 Sun dried Tomatoes with oil
1 Tsp cumin
Water

1 cucumber


Drain the chickpeas and put them into the food processor. Pulse them a couple of times, so they look well chopped. Add the lemon juice and tahini. Mix it all up again. Add salt and pepper. While you mix those ingredients, slowly pour in the olive oil. The Hummus should be really nice and smooth. So you have to do it by feel. Add the yoghurt to give it some more tanginess. Then chop up the tomatoes and add them to the mixture. Add the cumin. Depending on how chunky or smooth the dip is add water until the desired consistancy is reached.

Pour the hummus into a bowl and sprinkle a bit of olive oil and paprika on it for garnish. Peel the cucumber and cut it into sticks. Use these for dipping.

Enjoy!

Stuffed Red Bell Peppers with Tomato Sauce

My roommate and I have been very social and have been cooking together now on almost a daily basis. Next to our usual habit of making artichokes (recipe to follow), we have found are old love to stuffed peppers with hamburger meat in a delicious tomato and basil sauce. This recipe is so easy to make, it is almost shameful to write a post about it.

2 Red bell peppers
2/4 Lbd of Hamburger Meat. I used a mix of pork and beef. But any type of minced meat will do.
1 Egg
1 Small red onion chopped
1 Tsp tomato paste
Salt
Pepper
Pinch of Chilipowder
Tabasco
Dried Herbs such as Parsley, Dill, Oregano

1 can of crushed tomatoes with basil
1 Tbsp of heavy cream
1 Cup of low fat grated cheese such as gauda, emmenthaler or mozzarella

Preheat the Oven to 180 Celsius or 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

 Wash the peppers and cut of the top. Cut out the seeds and white parts. Put aside.Mix the meat, egg, onion, tomato paste and the spices and herbs. If you want to taste the mixture, just fry up a bit in a pan and taste it. If need be you can add some salt or other herbs. Lowfat Fetacheese is also a delicious option.

Stuff the mixed meat into the peppers and set aside. In a casserole dish pour in to crushed tomatoes and mix in the cream. Set the peppers into the sauce and top off everything with the grated cheese.

Put the dish into the oven and bake for about 30-45 minutes.

Serve this with rice or a nice fresh salad.

Enjoy!