White Beans Hummus

When we say white beans it refers to three type of beans, navy beans (smaller and cooks fast), great northen beans (bigger, nuttier and takes longer to cook, cannellini beans (Italian navy beans). This one is made with great northen beans.

Category :Vegan, low fat , gluten free, Nut free, high in protein

Preparation Time : 15 min.

Cooking Time: 5-7 Min.

Skill level : easy

Ingredients :

2 c cooked white beans

2 tbs tahini (I used Arrowhead organic sesame tahini)
2 tbs lemon juice
1 ts olive oil or as desired (optional)
4-5 cloves garlic
salt as needed

Garnish : 2 ts finely cut parsley

1. Blend tahini and lemon juice (when you blend water and fat it gives fluffy and light texture tahini = fat, lemon = water)
2. If u like to add olive oil add and blend little more
3. Add other ingredient and blend in to smooth paste.
4. Garnish  parsley.
5. Serve.


You can make Jain version of this recipe - simply omit the garlic.

Harrissa hummus

This hummus goes very well as dip for chips and veggies or as a condiment for falafel sandwich and other Mediterranean dishes.

Category :Vegan,  healthy fat, gluten free, Nut free
Preparation Time : 15 min.
Cooking Time: nil
Skill level : easy

Ingredients :
2 tbs tahini(I used Arrowhead organic sesame tahini)
1 tbs lemon juice (2 if you like little sour)
1 ts olive oil or as desired(optional)
1 tbs harrissa paste
2 c boiled and drained garbanzo beans
salt as needed
Garnish:
 olive oil

1. Blend tahini and lemon juice (when you blend water and fat it gives fluffy and light texture tahini = fat, lemon = water)
2. If preferred, add olive oil, then blend a little more
3. Add the other ingredients and blend in to a smooth paste.
4. Garnish with olive oil and a sprig of parsley. 
5. Serve.


*You can make the Jain version of this recipe by simply omitting the garlic.

Harrissa Paste

Harrisa paste or powder is Tunisia's national condiment and Algeria and North Africa's one of the main condiments. Traditionally it's made with Madhreabian hot chili but if that specific chili can't be found, you can go with dried pulpy chili (hot or mild -as per your desire). Originally it is preserved with olive oil but to cut down on the fat content, but I prefer to go for the fresh one with a smaller shelf life.

Category :Vegan, fat-free
Soaking time : 20 min.
Preparation Time : 5 min.
Cooking Time: nil
Skill level : easy

Ingredients:

10 dry red chilies (stems and seeds removed)
1 ts salt
1 tbs lemon juice
5 olives
4 clove garlic
1 ts cumin, roasted
1 ts coriander seeds
1/2 ts carom seeds
1 ts olive oil (optional)

1. Soak chilies for 20 min.
2. Save the water on the side and put chilies in the food processor,  with the other ingredients.
3. Blend to a semi fine paste or any texture preferred.
4. Store in a refrigerator for couple of days or in freezer for 3 months

Garlic Lassi

Category :Vegetarian, fat free

Preparation Time : 2 min.

Cooking Time: 7-8 min. 

Skill level : easy

Ingredients: 
1 big clove garlic
1" rosemary sprig 
3/4 c yogurt
salt as needed
10 ice cubes

1. Fill the glass with ice.
2. In a blender, blend garlic, rosemary, yogurt and salt.
3. Pour the mix through the strainer and to the glass filled with ice.

Best Almond Milk Ever

This fragrant almond milk is much better than any store-bought almond milk. It's easy and low-costing and definitely very fresh. The cardamom infuses fragrance as well as quite a few health benefits. Dates give it natural sweetness to milk and make the milk thick (making it especially good for desserts).

Category :Vegan, Healthy fat
Preparation Time : 10 min.
Cooking Time: nil
Skill level : easy

Ingredients:
1 c almonds
2 Cardamom seeds
10 dates
4 c water
sweetener if needed

1. Soak the almonds overnight (this will make process easy and improve nutrition as well).
2. In a blender grind almond, cardamom and dates with just enough water.
3. When its very smooth paste, add rest of the water.
4. Blend again at low speed for 1 min.
5. It is thick, so you can fill a glass with ice and pour milk and enjoy, add more water, or enjoy just as is. 

Spicy Chai

Very Fragrant tea with my favorite spice mixture!

Category :Vegetarian, fat free

Preparation Time : 2 min.

Cooking Time: 7-8 min. 

Skill level : easy

Ingredients:
3 tbs water
spice mix

2 ts black tea 

1 c hot milk(I use fat-free)
2 ts sugar 

1. In a pot- add water, sugar and spice mix- on medium heat.
2. When water starts boiling, add the milk and tea.
3. Leave it until it begins to boil
4. Slow down the heat and allow it to cook for a while (Make sure its not sticking to the bottom by stirring in between- this will prevent formation of film too).
5. Turn the heat off.
6. Filter. Serve warm.

*To make spice mix
1 clove 
1/2"  cinnamon 
1/8 ts = nutmeg 
1 all spice

1. Crush all ingredients a little bit.

Cinnamon Chai

Pleasant woody aroma of the cinnamon evokes the body up in the morning. 

Category :Vegetarian, fat free

Preparation Time : 2 min.

Cooking Time: 7-8 min. 

Skill level : easy

Ingredients:
3 tbs water
2" cinnamon

2 ts black tea 

1 c hot milk(I use fat-free)
2 ts sugar 

1. In a pot, on medium heat, add water, sugar, and cinnamon 
2. When the water starts boiling, add milk and tea.
3. Allow it to start boiling
4. Slow down the heat and let it cook for a while (Make sure its not sticking to the bottom by stirring in between- this will prevent formation of film too.) .
5. Turn the heat off.
6. Filter. Serve warm.