Quick and Easy Hummus (No Tahini version)

 Hummus is such a treat in our home, but once you learn how to make it yourself it is so quick and easy to throw together, you can enjoy this healthy treat all the time! I ran out of Tahini, Sesame seed paste, so I experimented with Sesame Oil instead and it works just as deliciously. Win! This recipe makes the equivalent of 2 shop bought tubs, so I like to divide it and flavor the second. Have fun trying with different flavours!

Ingredients:

1 tin drained Chickpeas (reserve 1/4C liquid)

1 clove crushed garlic

1 Tbsp Sesame seed Oil

1 1/2 Tbsp Lemon juice

1/8C Olive Oil

1/2 tsp Ground Cumin 

Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Place 1/3 tin chickpeas and garlic into the food processor and blend until the garlic is fine. 

2. Add the remaining chickpeas and all ingredients except for the reserved liquid. Blend until chickpeas are fine.

3. Add little bits of liquid until desired consistency is reached. We like ours really smooth and creamy.

4. Do a final taste test for salt, pepper or lemon.

5. Optional: divide this in half and flavour 1 with 1tsp Paprika and 1 tsp chili paste.

Delicious served with crackers or veggie sticks at a Picnic or a Braai

Day 17 - 30 Day Bran Muffins

These 30 Day Bran Muffins are a fantastic staple to keep in your fridge. Mix the batter up once and only bake as many muffins as you need at a time. This means freshly baked muffins every time! The Bicarbonate of Soda allows the mixture to rise in the oven, even days after mixing.

Photo Credit: Tasty Kitchen.com

30 Day Health Muffins

Ingredients:
2 Eggs
1/2 C Oil
1 1/2 C Soft brown sugar
2 C Milk (DF: Rice milk)
2 C Cake flour
1 1/2 C  Wheat Bran
(or 1 1/2 C Flour plus 2 C Whole Wheat flour aka Nutty Wheat)
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Vanilla Essence
2 tsp Bicarbonate of Soda
1 C Raisins, or fruit cake mix, or 1 grated apple plus 1/2 C Raisins

Method:
1. Whisk eggs, oil and sugar together.
2. Add remaining ingredients and mix until combined.
3. Pour the mixture into an air tight container and allow to stand in the fridge overnight.
4. Spoon into Silicon muffin cups, filling each two-thirds full.
5. Bake in a preheated oven at 180*C for 20-25 minutes.
6. Serve fresh and hot with butter!

Makes 48

Belinda's Health Rusks

Photo credit: biscuitbarrel.wordpress.com

This is another treasure, also from Belinda Buckland. Once you have tasted these fabulous, typical South African Rusks, you won't go back to buying rusks from your store. You'll be hooked! And guilt free!

Belinda's Health Rusks

Ingredients:
500g Margarine, melted (I use Stork bake)
#5 Cups Nutty Wheat
#2 Cups Sugar
#1 Cup Coconut
#3/4 Cup Sunflower seeds
#1/4 Cup Linseeds
#1/2 Cup Sesame Seeds
#8 tsp Baking Powder
#1/2 tsp Salt
2 Eggs, beaten
500ml Buttermilk
2 tsp Cream of Tartar
1 tsp Baking Soda
5 Cups Flour

Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180* C
2. In a LARGE bucket, combine all the # ingredients.
3. In a jug mix Buttermilk, cream of tartar, and baking soda.
4. Add the melted margarine to the bucket and mix.
5. Add the eggs to the buttermilk jug. mix.
6. Add the jug contents to the bucket contents and mix.
7. Add the 5 Cups flour and knead to form a stiff dough.
8. Spread the mixture onto 2 or 3 baking trays, using a rolling pin to flatten and smooth out.
9. Bake for 45 minutes, swap the trays around half way during baking time to ensure even baking.
10. As they come out the oven use a sharp knife to cut the rusks.
11. Gently lift them onto the oven shelves, leaving space between them so that the air can circulate.
12. Turn your oven down to between 60*C and 100*C and allow the rusks to dry. This may take up to a day and you might want to turn them over to ensure even browning.
13. Now reward yourself with the fruit of your labour! Make a cup of tea, sit back and relax as you sink your teeth into a gorgeous crunchy, healthy rusk! Well done!!!

Belinda's Healthy Bread

It has been ages since I've baked a bread, but when the desire hit me, I knew exactly which recipe to use. This is my good friend, Belinda Buckland's recipe. It contains wheat so unfortunately I cannot join the family, but seeing their faces melt in pure delight made it all worth while. This recipe is suitable for my Russell Hobbs bread maker. You could also let your bread maker mix your dough for you, and then bake your bread in bread tins in your oven. (if you don't want to fuss over the paddle :))

Belinda's Healthy Bread

Ingredients:
310ml Warm tap water
1 tsp Salt
200g Brown bread flour (I love using Nutty Wheat flour from Snowflake)
250g White bread flour
2 tsp Yeast
2 Tbsp Sunflower seeds
3 Tbsp White Sesame seeds
2 Tbsp Linseeds

Method:
1. Put the ingredients into the bread maker tin, in the order that they appear.
2. Set it to the Wholewheat program, Light Crust, 750g.
3. Enjoy fresh with butter and Marmalade!

(I often add 1 egg and 2 tsp sugar, for better flavour)