Crudites Platter

Have you guys been watching American Idol lately. O me gee! It’s Hollywood week, and the auditions, the stressful sudden death eliminations, the missed high notes, the badly un-choreographed choreography( oxymoron?) the really cool new judge, and Simon Cowell’s brutal (yet funny)honesty, has all been too much. It’s had my heart pitter pattering, and I know if I’m anxious just watching it, the contestants living through it much have been hyperventilating. It’s just crazy

But back to food – tonight while I watch the judges on American Idol tell 17 more contestants that they’ll be in the top 24, instead of munching on some salty, greasy, fatty chips, I’ll be enjoying my very own Crudites (kroo-di-tey). Simply put crudites in an appetizer, consisting of a bunch of raw sliced veggies served along side a vinaigrette or dipping sauce. My dip of choice tonight: hummus. It’s a middle eastern dip made from cooked chickpeas(garbanzo beans) pureed with olive oil and spices. This snack is vitamin packed to the max, and high in iron and fiber. Plus I’m getting in a serving of vegetables! So not only does it taste good, it’s good for me.

Ingredients:

You can put WHATEVER you like on your crudites platter, but here’s what’s on mine. This makes one serving to munch on for the duration of American Idol.

2 celery stalks washes and cut into 2 to 3 inch slices

2 small carrots cut into 2 to 3 inch slices

1/2 large cucumber, thinly sliced

1/2 red bell pepper, washed seeded and thinly sliced

1 yellow squash, washed and thinly sliced

Hummus

1 (15 oz) an of garbanzo beans

3 tablespoons of tahini

2 cloves of garlic crushed

1/3 cup of Extra virgin olive oil

1/4 cup of lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons of chopped flat leaf parsley

( roasted red bell pepper, pine nuts, olive oil -for garnish, optional)

After all ya chopping and and prepping is done all you mainly have to do make the hummus:

In a food processor, mince the garlic. Add in garbanzo beans, tahini, and lemon juice. Process until pasty, add in parsley, turn on processor, and drizzle in olive oil through top. Continue to process until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

February 17th, 2010 | ChefShauniece | 1 Comment |