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Flavour of the Month

These snacks for the festive season give you just a few food entertaining ideas. The three recipes featured this week, Hommus, Guacamole and Pita Crisps are incredibly easy to make.  It is worth experimenting to  learn how to make these dips from 'scratch'.  The Pita Crisps are a hit with kids and adults alike.  For a interesting  variation try making the Spicy Cheese Pita Crisps. Enjoy! 

Hommus (Chickpea Dip)

Ingredients

2 large garlic cloves, peeled

400g chick peas, drained and rinsed
canned or dried and boiled

2 tablespoons plain low-fat yoghurt

2 tablespoons lemon juice
or juice of 1 lemon

1 tablespoon sesame tahini

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ teaspoon ground cumin

salt

pepper

Method

Blend chick peas using a blender/ potato masher until smooth.

Add yoghurt, lemon juice, tahini, oil, cumin, salt and pepper to taste, blend/ mash until smooth.

If necessary thin out the hommus with some of the reserved chick pea liquid, or more yoghurt or oil if preferred, to obtain a smooth consistency. Taste, and adjust seasonings.

Health Tip

Chickpeas are an excellent source of fibre

Yoghurt helps to increase calcium content

Cooking Tip

If you want to use dried chickpeas, remember they must always be soaked before cooking. Soak chickpeas in water to cover by 5 cm (2 in) for at least 8 hours, or overnight. Discard the soaking water, and rinse. Place the chick peas in a large saucepan and add enough water to cover by 2.5 cm (1 in). Cook chick peas in fresh water for 1 ½- 2 hours.

Guacamole

Ingredients

3 large avocados, peeled and mashed

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed

1 or 2 medium tomatoes, diced

juice of 1 lime

1 tablespoon chopped coriander

1/4 teaspoon paprika/ chilli powder

freshly ground black pepper

Method

Peel and mash avocado.

Add onion, garlic, and tomato.

Mix well and add lime juice, coriander, paprika, pepper and mix again.

Serve with pita crisps.

Pita Crisps

These crisps made with pita bread (pocket bread) are a great low-fat alternative to ordinary potato chips or corn chips. There are two variations to this recipe with both very easy to make. You can eat these crisps on their own or serve with them with dips. These crisps can also be made in advance.

Ingredients

4 pita bread rounds

Variation

Spicy Cheese: 90 g grated Parmesan cheese, chilli powder, paprika and dried mixed herbs.

Method

Split pita rolls in half then into bite-sized triangles.

Place on a baking tray.

Add spices if making Spicy Cheese Pita Crisps.

Bake in a hot oven for 10 minutes until crisp.

Allow to cool and store in an air-tight container.

Health Tip

Pita Crisps are a low fat alternative to corn chips

View Recipe Archive



Last updated on December 20, 2007 .