The following recipes were a big hit.  Nice and cooling for summer too.  Enjoy!

 Easy Hummus

• 1- 15oz can of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinse
• 1 clove garlic
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 T fresh lemon juice
• 2 T tahini (optional)
• 1 t ground cumin
• Salt to taste
• ¼ t paprika (to garnish)

1. Put all ingredients except paprika in food processor and blend until creamy
2. Put in bowl and drizzle with olive oil and paprika
3. Option: add sprinkles of fresh rosemary and/or pine nuts
4. Serve on crackers, chips or veggies (red & yellow bells add nice color)

Note: Make tahini from scratch: Put toasted sesame seeds in food processor and drizzle with olive oil until pasty.  Did you know sesame seeds are a good source of calcium?

 Tuna-friendly Salad

• 1 – 15oz can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained, rinsed
• ¼ cup eggless mayo (Veganese is good)
• ½ red bell pepper
• 1 carrot
• 1 stalk celery
• 1 T fresh parsley
• ½ cup walnuts
• 3 green onions
• ½ T Dijon mustard
• 1 T fresh lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Drain and rinse chickpeas well.  Put into food processor and mix until flakey, put aside in bowl
2. Put red bell, carrot, celery into food processor separately to get the chunkiness you like.  Put into bowl with chickpeas
3. Chop walnuts in food processor and add to bowl
4. Add remaining ingredients to bowl, stir;  Add salt/pepper to taste
5. Serve on romaine, on salad or on bread.  Enjoy!

Note: chickpeas are high in fiber, protein, iron and low in fat (and no mercury)!

This recipe originated from the book “The 30-Day Vegan Challenge” by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.  I made a few changes…

  Chocolate Mousse

• 1 cup cacao chips (vegan – no dairy)
• 12 oz silken tofu
• ½ cup nondairy milk
• ½ t vanilla extract
• 1 banana (optional – creamier and sweeter)

Note: cacao powder and cocoa butter can be substituted for cacao chips.  If so, sweeten with some soaked dates and extra banana.

1. Melt cacao chips on stovetop over low heat
2. Put all ingredients into blender and blend until smooth
3. Serve with berries (optional)
4. Experiment with other ingredients:  berries, peanut butter, coconut, etc.