hummus platter and pancakes (not together)

it's been a while, but i've been saving a few recipes to post. but before i post a recipe, i just wanted to say how much i enjoyed Trader Joe's Gluten-Free, Dairy Free Pancakes. I made them last weekend for breakfast with a blackberry sauce that i threw together. Very tasty :)


for the sauce i simmered the blackberries, some agave nectar, and some arrowroot starch and then poured over the pancakes.

the other recipe i wanted to share is a rather simple one but one of our very favorites. i know everyone has a hummus recipe they love, but this one has proved to be our favorite and we make it about every week :) it's based on The New Best Recipe cookbook's one, but adjusted to our tastes.

Hummus:

1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 medium garlic cloves, pressed through garlic press
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
3 Tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup tahini
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup water
pine nuts

Process all the ingredients in a food processor until smooth (about 40 seconds). Mix in some pine nuts to taste (we use a lot). If you can wait, transfer to a dish, cover, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes to let the flavors settle and chill. Enjoy!

to make a meal out of it, i add spinach on top that i cooked quickly with salt and pepper (can do it in the microwave if you please) as well as grilled chicken. for the chicken:

i coated chicken breasts in olive oil, then sprinkled cumin, coriander, chili powder, salt, pepper, lemon pepper, and cayenne pepper onto both sides. i have a great grill that i use for chicken all the time (Cuisinart GR-2 Griddler Express Contact Grill). i threw them on there for a few minutes and then cut it up into pieces. layered the chicken on the hummus (you can sprinkle some paprika and olive oil on top of the hummus as well), then the spinach, and a few more pine nuts for garnish, and voila! a simple, but very tasty meal.