LENTIL & SUN-DRIED TOMATO HUMMUS WRAP

LENTIL & SUN-DRIED TOMATO HUMMUS WRAP

I'm all about quick and easy when it comes to eating. Sometimes I don't mind more intensive recipes in the kitchen but for the most part, I like to keep it simple. Today's recipe is just that. About as simple as it gets while satisfying my hunger and leaving my taste buds happy. I simply used pre-cooked steamed lentils like the ones Trader Joe's carries (Melissa's also carries steamed lentils if you can find them in your grocery store). They have tons of flavor and don't need much of anything. I'll even top them on a big bed of leafy greens, drizzle on something spicy and be happy as can be. Done and done! Here the lentils worked well with this sun-dried tomato hummus. I imagine plain, garlic or red pepper hummus would be delicious! Hummus is a great spread that lends creaminess to the wrap. You won't miss that there isn't any cheese.  Adding some leafy greens to the wrap gives some freshness, and of course a little spice from the red pepper flakes completes my wrap. I'm a sucker for red pepper flakes and most things spicy. Plenty of protein and flavor in this wrap. I hope it inspires you to gather your ingredients and roll up your own. They also make for great brown bag lunches!

If you're interested in a few quick sweet treat ideas, I just updated my Raw Hemp Bites and Raw Ginger Snaps. They are both no bake, no added sugars and amazingly delicious!

LENTIL & SUN-DRIED TOMATO HUMMUS WRAPLENTIL & SUN-DRIED TOMATO HUMMUS WRAP

Start by making your hummus...

LENTIL & SUN-DRIED TOMATO HUMMUS WRAPLENTIL & SUN-DRIED TOMATO HUMMUS WRAP

Layer everything as you see here and roll, gently but tightly, starting from the fullest side (in this case I rolled from left to right).

LENTIL & SUN-DRIED TOMATO HUMMUS WRAP

LENTIL & SUN-DRIED TOMATO HUMMUS WRAP


Ingredients
  • lavash bread (whole grain pref.) or flour tortillas
  • 1/2 cup cooked lentils, per wrap
  • leafy greens (I used romaine)
  • red pepper flakes
  • mineral salt

Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh cooked garbanzo beans (chickpeas) or 1 can (15oz) garbanzo beans
  • 2 - 3 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons tahini
  • 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika (I used smoked)
  • 1/2  teaspoon mineral salt, or to taste
  • juice of 1 lemon or 1 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/4 - 1/3 cup water, as needed

For the hummus:

If using packaged sun-dried tomatoes, soak your tomatoes in water for about 15 minutes to soften, reserve water. Use the remaining water as needed when adding it to the hummus. If using bottled in oil sun-dried tomatoes, use as is.

Place all ingredients into food processor/blender, except for the water. Blend until creamy, about 3 minutes or so, adding water as needed to thin. I used about 1/3 cup water as I like my hummus on the moist, thin side.

Assemble your wrap:

Lay your lavash bread on a flat surface. Spread a nice layer of hummus over 3/4, top with about 1/2 cup lentils over top, sprinkle with red pepper flakes and mineral salt, add leafy greens over top, roll gently but tightly as you can. Slice in half and enjoy!

Notes: 

Feel free to play around with the tahini and olive oil adjusting to suit your taste. You may like more tahini, or you may not have any on hand and can use olive oil in its place.

If you're looking to make this virtually fat free, use water in place of the tahini and olive oil.

Store hummus tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to six days. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.

Try this hummus with warmed corn tortillas or fresh sliced cucumbers, zucchini, carrots, bell peppers, etc. Thin a little more and use as a crema for tacos, enchiladas, and burritos. You can even use it in your salads! Hummus is so versatile and my new nut based cream replacements whenever possible!



CUBAN BLACK BEAN SOUP

Cuban Black Bean Soup

Was a nice weekend to do some cooking. I decided to make a black bean soup that I've been wanting to do. Black beans are a 'superfood' containing good amounts of fiber, protein and other trace minerals so important to good health. I want to incorporate more of them into my diet and this is great recipe for that. This is a dish that you will need to begin a day ahead but I have also included a shorter version for those who would rather have it within an hour. Although using the dried beans does take longer to put together, it's simple and so very good. It's especially good with the cashew cream's. I'm finding many uses for these. I have it pictured here with a Cashew Sour Cream, but feel free to use this Lime Cilantro Cashew Cream or Paprika Cashew Crema that would be just as well adding some great flavors.

Cuban Black Bean Soup

CUBAN BLACK BEAN SOUP

Ingredients
  • black beans, 1 lb. dried or 3 cans (15 oz.), rinsed and drained (see notes)
  • 2-3 bay leafs
  • 4 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 -2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 large white onion, chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 medium carrots, chopped
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • 3 cups water or vegetable broth
  • juice of one orange + remainders
  • himalayan salt and pepper to taste

    Soak beans: The night before, rinse beans in colander with cold running water. Pick through and remove any broken or shriveled beans. Place beans in large pot with 5 or 6 cups water and cover to soak overnight.

    Cook: Next day, drain beans and rinse again. Place beans back in pot, add water, bring to a boil and simmer covered for 1 hour. Add in the remaining ingredients except juice of the orange. Bring to a boil, simmer for 40 minutes to one hour, or until beans and vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Add extra water as necessary.

    Puree: Once beans are tender, remove orange halves and bay leaves. Use an immersion blender to blend soup to desired consistency. I blended about 3/4, leaving some chunkiness. You could also use a food processor/blender (this method may take two batches to complete). Blending is optional, you may like it chunky as is. Add orange juice and cook another 5-10 minutes.

    Serve alone or over a bed of cooked buckwheat, farro or brown rice. Top soup with a dollop of Sour Cream, Lime Cilantro Cashew 'Sour Cream' or Paprika Cashew Crema. You may also like to top it with diced onion, tomatoes, bell peppers, avocado, jalapeno's, a squeeze of lime and cilantro. Serves four to six.

    Notes: 

    If you decide to use canned beans, be sure to drain and rinse them. Put ingredients in pot as in the instructions for Cook but only use 2 cups water to start, bring to boil and simmer for 40 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Add more water as needed. Continue with step 3. You may also decide to saute your onions, celery, carrots & bell pepper first on medium high heat using oil of choice for about 5 min before you start with your canned beans.

    Enjoy!

    Blackened Tofu, Stir Fried Kale & Quinoa


     My new favorite way of eating kale is stir frying it in my wok. I actually crave this stuff and make a whole bundle and eat it all by itself for dinner. I know I eat a lot of things some people would think is weird but this is really delicious in my book! I also know many of you who have a love of kale will just love this stir fry. For tonight's dinner I decided to serve it with some blacken tofu....now we're really cooking! Blackened tofu, kale and quinoa....I'm loving these Superfoods. :)

    Let's begin with the kale...the king of the leafy greens!


    Stir Fried Kale

    Ingredients
    • kale, I used 10oz organic package from Trader Joe's
    • 2 tablespoon of nutritional yeast, fine ground
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
    • salt to taste
    • sesame seeds to garnish

    In large wok or saute pan heat oil on medium high. Add kale and stir fry for about a minute. Sprinkle nutritional yeast and garlic powder over top, turning and moving the kale around to get all the spices mixed well throughout the kale. Continue stir frying for another four to five minutes. You may leave a cover on for a minute here and there in between stir frying to help soften the kale. When kale turns bright green it's about ready to be removed from heat. Test a piece and see if it's too your liking, if not stir fry a little longer. Some may like it crisp and some may like it softer. Serve with a sprinkle of sesame seeds on top.

    On to the blackened tofu that was such a nice accompaniment...


    Blackened Tofu

    Ingredients
    • one block firm or extra firm organic tofu
    • 2 tablespoons tamari, bragg's liquid amino's or soy sauce
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil

    Spice Blend
    • 2 teaspoons paprika
    • 1 teaspoon black or white pepper
    • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon thyme
    • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

    Open and drain tofu. Slice tofu into slabs, whatever size you prefer. Press tofu between paper towels or cloth to remove excess moisture. In a shallow dish place tofu and tamari, bragg's or soy sauce and let set a few minutes, turn after a few minutes to let the other side soak.

    In medium size bowl, combine all spice blend ingredients and mix until blended. This is fairly spicy so you may consider using less black pepper and/or cayenne.

    In saute pan, heat oil on medium high heat. Place tofu pieces in spice blend, press gently to get a good coating, turn and repeat on the other side. Place coated tofu onto saute pan and cook a few minutes on each side. They will  blacken nicely as they should and be so tasty! Serve with quinoa, rice, kale or anything that calls to you. Serves four. I used half a block and kept the spice measurements the same.

    Let's do some quinoa, another Superfood! I finally got the right way to cook it that I like...


    Quinoa

    Ingredients
    • 1 cup quinoa, I used tri-color from Trader Joe's
    • 1 1/2 cups water
    • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
    • salt to taste

    Rinse your quinoa under cool running water for about a minute or two to remove any dust. If you forego this step your quinoa will have a bitter taste. Well worth the step. In medium to large pot add quinoa and water, bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 15-20 min. Once done stir and let set for 10 minutes uncovered to rest and soak up any excess water. Stir once again before serving. It will be a perfect quinoa, fluffy and sprouted.

    I love quinoa, it can be eaten alone or served with so many other veggies and fruits. Season for the dish you are serving it with, or don't use any seasoning at all...it's really good all by itself. The other day I had some left over quinoa and black beans in the fridge and decided to mix them together and serve it cold with lots of strawberries in the mix....sounds weird but it was so good! Anyhow tonight it is served with blackened tofu and kale. :)


    Enjoy !

    Blackened tofu inspired by this recipe at Daily Garnish....Great visual instructions as well!

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