Edamame Hummus

Do you like hummus? I remember a time when I had never heard of hummus, when it was some exotic-sounding dip made with mysterious beans and spices. Now, that time seems long ago, and you see hummus everywhere: on grocery store shelves, sandwiches, and the appetizer table at every dinner party. It makes a great snack when paired with carrots sticks or pita chips, but like anything you eat all the time, sometimes it starts to get...boring.

Last week, I set out to try a new and exciting twist on hummus: edamame hummus. I LOVE edamame--those delicious soybeans that you get as an appetizer at most Japanese restaurants--so when I saw this recipe for lemony edamame hummus, I knew I had to give it a try. And it was, as I suspected, an awesome new take on hummus that made my daily snacktime ritual exciting once again. Make sure you don't skimp on the lemon juice, and feel free to experiment with your own ratio of edamame beans to chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans). And, if you are one of those people who hate cilantro with a passion, just substitute for fresh parsley or another green herb.

Ingredients:
1 cup edamame, shelled
1 cup canned chickpeas (garbanzos) or butter beans
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup water
1/2 tsp salt
1 lemon (the juice)
1/2 cup packed cilantro (leaves and stalks)
1/4 cup tahini (sesame seed dip)
1/4 cup olive oil

Directions:

1. Defrost your edamame beans if using frozen and remove soybeans from the shells.
2. In the bowl of a food processor, combine the edamame beans, chickpeas, garlic, cumin, water, salt, lemon juice, cilantro and tahini.
3. Blend for about 30 seconds or until fairly well blended. Then, with the motor of the food processor still running, pour in the olive oil in a slow, steady stream. 
4. Blend for 10-20 more seconds or until the dip is creamy and well combined. Test with a pita chip and add more lemon, salt, or seasonings if desired!

 I found the edamame pre-shelled at Trader Joe's, which saved time during preparation.

 The photo didn't truly capture the beautiful, fresh green color of this dip. It's almost a light "pesto" green color.

 Top it off with a drizzle of olive oil, grab the pita chips, and dig in!

Dinner at À Côté

Happy Saturday everyone! I know you haven't heard from me for two whole weeks and that is because I am a little behind on life lately. However, I am excited to belatedly share with you the amazing meal that my family and I enjoyed at À Côté  restaurant in Oakland two weeks ago. This was a very special meal as we were (1) with my Aunt and Uncle celebrating their 34th wedding anniversary, and (2) just about to depart for vacation in Hawaii. I basically felt like I was on vacation already that whole weekend!

À Côté is a tapas restaurant located in Oakland, CA. I had a hunch this was going to be a good meal because I just LOVE tapas (you get to share and try everything -- no need to choose one dish!!), and this was one of my aunt and uncle's favorite restaurants in the area. My Uncle Todd just so happens to be a chef who has worked all over the world, cooking in places like Thailand, Switzerland, Hawaii, San Francisco, and beyond. Hence, he understandably has very high standards for every restaurant and every bite of food that goes into his mouth. So when they suggested À Côté, I was ready.

 We started with the Antipasto plate, featuring Prosciutto di Parma, White Bean Crostini with Green Garlic & DeCiccio Broccoli

 

Lollo Rosso Salad with Baby Chiogga & Golden Beets & Hazelnut-Chevre Dressing

House Smoked Trout with Celery Root-Apple Remoulade & Frilly Red Mustard

 I am not a beer person, but I loved stealing sips of this Belgian beer that Stuart ordered! I found a bottle recently and it is chilling in my fridge as we speak!

 The people of the party, Uncle Todd & Aunt Debbie

 Mussels with Pernod, from the Wood Oven

 Cheers! That's my mom and dad - love them to pieces.

 Tasty fish dish, although I forget what kind as the restaurant's online menu has changed

 This was some sort of Duck Confit Flatbread

 

Lemon Chess Tart with Strawberry-Elderflower Sauce & Candied  Meyer Lemon Zest

 Warm Chocolate Melting Cup: Coffee Ice Cream, Nutella-Espresso Toffee Sauce & Candied Hazelnuts

As you can probably tell from the photos, fancy dish titles, and smiles over multiple bottle of wine, this was a memorable meal. If you ever in the Oakland area, I suggest that you check out À Côté for a special occasion (reservation recommended). 

I almost can't admit to this, but right after we finished the meal above, my family went to eat...ice cream. Yes, you read that right. After we consumed ALL of that food you see above (and more dishes which were not even pictured) we went to eat...more. But it's ice cream people. As my sister would say, your stomach's "dessert compartment" is never empty. And this was no ordinary ice cream outing, this was the famous Fenton's Creamery of the Pixar movie UP. I recommend you go there now, and get the Black and Tan sundae.