BBQ Hummus

Hi squad. Happy 2017. How are we feeling about this year so far? Are you a resolutions type of person? I'm not, but I think it's just because I make goals for myself constantly, so making even more at the start of a new year seems almost redundant. But anyway, this little paragraph is probably redundant, since the year started 18 days ago. Whoops.

But anyway, this year so far: I baked quite possibly the best thing I've ever made about a week ago now. It was this babka from How Sweet Eats and oh my goodness. I didn't make it into muffins but kept them in little swirls like cinnamon rolls. They were buttery and chocolate and fluffy in all the best ways. I'm sort of in love with dough right now. Bread doughs are fun for me because they need just a bit more finesse than other stuff, and I like having my hands busy. I've made cinnamon rolls in the last week and I'm not slowing down. Sorry. Recipe to follow.

In other news, I watched my first anime all the way through and I don't know how I feel about it, but I can definitively say that Yuri on Ice was really good and made me feel things. Also on the TV topic, I'm watching Series of Unfortunate Events and WOW. It was basically my favorite book series growing up and I love the Netflix adaptation so much. NPH as Count Olaf originally made me nervous but he nails the characterization perfectly. I'm on a nostalgia high like no other.

Last few things: I'm trying to pick guitar back up, which currently involves a whole lot of sounding like crap while one of my friends "teaches" me, which mostly involves him making fun of me. I spoke Spanish to a customer at work for the first time yesterday and the look of gratitude she gave uncomfortable, awkward me made it so worth it. I was given almost 20 pounds of flour recently, so baking will not be slowing anytime soon. Buy me flours, not flowers, friends. Sorry.

BBQ Hummus
Ingredients
2 cans of chickpeas (only drain one of them)
2 tbsp garlic, minced
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp cumin
2 tbsp olive oil, plus more for the onion
1 small onion, cut thin
3 tbsp BBQ sauce

1. Put the onions in a pan with a bit of oil over medium low heat. Saute until translucent.
2. Meanwhile, Combine the other ingredients (minus BBQ sauce) in a blender or food processor until smooth. Place in serving dish.
3. Once onions are translucent and soft, add BBQ sauce, removing from heat when totally combined.
4. Top the hummus with the BBQ onions, or stir them in if you'd prefer. Serve with chips or anything else you'd like.

South of the Border Hummus

I love hummus. I love the stuff out of the container. The plain, the roasted garlic, the lemon. I love it on crackers, on tortilla chips, with veggies, with chicken, on potato chips (is that weird?). I just love it.

So, of course, I topped it with veggies and beans and other things that reminded me of southwest-y flavors. You get it, right? That's how our friendship works. I make (sometimes weird) stuff. You look at it. You don't judge me. It's perfect.

South of Border Hummus
Ingredients
2 cans chickpeas
juice of 1 lime
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tbsp garlic, minced
1 avocado
1/2 tsp salt
1 tomato, diced
1 ear of corn, removed from the cob
1/4 cup black beans
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1. Using a food processor, blend together the chickpeas, lime juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and avocado until smooth. You may need slightly more oil.
2. Add the hummus to the bowl, or whatever serving vehicle you plan on using. Top with the tomato, corn, black beans, and cilantro. Enjoy with chips or crackers or anything else you want!
   
   
   

Bruschetta

So. Let's talk about High School Musical. 

There was the ten year reunion recently, which I didn't watch for whatever reason. But I mean, Zac didn't even show up, so how was that going to be worth my time?

That being said.....it's junior year of college, and as I write this it's a Sunday morning, and my best friend and I are sitting on the couch watching High School Musical. I have no regrets. This movie is a work of ART.

Let me just say, this movie has so many weird little quirks. For example, WHY DON'T THEY HAVE BACKPACKS?! It is their junior year of high school and you NEED actual supplies during junior year of high school. WHY IS THERE A COMPLEX SUMMATION ON THE CHALKBOARD?! That nonsense is stuff I learned to solve in Calc 2 at the University of Florida, not a little high school in Albuquerque. More importantly, why is there a larger-than-life poster of Troy? Also, their theatre department is hella well-funded even though they have an award winning sports team. That doesn't happen in real life.

The characters and one-liners in this movie are GOLD. Like, freaking Jason with his oblivious "how was your break, Ms. Darbus?" I can't. Also, Troy has a random line about pink jelly which I'm still confused by. There's also Ryan with his flagrant gayness that none of us managed to pick up on when we were ten years old. Ms. Darbus with her anti-cell phone tirades. Beautiful.

Anyways. High School Musical is great. Eat this bruschetta while you watch it with your friends.

Bruschetta
Ingredients
1 loaf Italian bread (or French or Cuban)
3 tomatoes on the vine
1/4 red onion, chopped
2 tsp garlic, minced
4 tbsp balsamic vinegar
salt
2 tbsp olive oil

1. Chop the tomatoes into half-inch chunks. Salt liberally and add to a bowl.
2. Add onion and garlic, then gently toss with the vinegar. Let sit, preferably in the fridge.
3. Slice the bread into inch-thick pieces, then drizzle with the olive oil. Toast in a toaster oven or under the broiler. This goes fast (only a couple minutes), keep an eye on it!
4. When bread is toasted, let it cool. Spoon tomato mixture on top. Enjoy!