The song birds have begun their annual melodies of sweet tunes announcing the arrival of spring.
Each morning, at the break of dawn, It sounds like a festival of little bird choirs outside my window.
Making me smile as I slowly wake, I listen quietly to the mini concert. Thinking to myself how much joy such simple sounds bring.
Spring feels like a second chance. A new beginning. A do over.
I think you get the picture. 🙂
I’d like to think it’s a second chance at making this new growing season the best yet. And although the weather still hasn’t warmed enough to start planting, I can’t wait to begin my annual dig in the earthy sweet soil.
Always striving to improve my green thumb, I’ve decided it was time to invest in some farming classes. So I’m going to Farm School. It just seems a natural progression. Culinary school. Farm School.
It’s my friend Janelle’s fault. She’s an Urban Farmer Extraordinaire and one of my culinary hero’s. She’s been talking about farm school for a while now and of course, I caught the bug.
If you don’t already follow Janelle’s blog, Talk of Tomatoes, head on over and check it out. Pure food and urban farm love!
I leave you with this little celebration of spring. Something I imagine my little song birds would love to feast on. Or probably “in” as it’s served in bowl.
Delicious Wishes and Loads of Love,
Karista
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Lemon Cilantro Hummus. Enticing flavors of fresh cilantro and lemon swirled in homemade hummus with a spritz of my favorite olive oil. Simply served with blue corn chips, pita chips, veggies or fresh bread or slathered on your favorite sandwich. My sister loves hummus in a wrap with sliced apples and arugula or add smoked sliced turkey for a little extra protein.
Lemon Cilantro Hummus
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
2 – 15ounce cans chickpeas or garbanzo beans
½ cup of liquid from the beans/chickpeas reserved
2 lemons, one zested, both juiced (about ¼ cup lemon juice)
¼ -1/3 cup tahini (sesame paste)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, a little extra for drizzling
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro (if you aren’t a fan of cilantro, sub with fresh basil)
Directions
Drain the chickpeas or garbanzo beans making sure to reserve at least ½ cup of the liquid. Add the chickpeas or beans to a food processor with the lemon juice, tahini, garlic, salt, ¼ cup of reserved liquid and olive oil. If the hummus feels too dry, continue adding a tablespoon of reserved liquid until you reach the desired consistency.
Once pureed and smooth, fold in all but a teaspoon of chopped cilantro and most of the zest, reserving just a bit for garnish.
Taste for seasoning and then drizzle with additional olive oil and top with garnish. Serve with warm pita bread, blue corn chips, fresh sliced veggies or use it as a spread for sandwiches, wraps or layer in a salad of fresh spring produce. During the summer months I love to serve it with a platter of grilled veggies.
Inspired by many sources.
Related articles
http://www.alaskafromscratch.com/2012/07/02/cilantro-jalapeno-hummus-baked-tortilla-chips/
http://www.alaskafromscratch.com/2012/10/16/sweet-potato-hummus-with-baked-flour-tortilla-chips/
http://www.inquiringchef.com/2012/10/05/bruschetta-with-white-bean-roasted-garlic-and-rosemary/
http://www.inquiringchef.com/2011/01/06/whole-wheat-pita-chips/
http://www.mountainmamacooks.com/2011/01/my-favorite-hummus/
You know I love hummus! This sounds zingy and delicious. I’m as excited for spring as you are!
Thanks Ksenia! Now I’ll have to search your blog for hummus recipes. I too love hummus. I especially like it with roasted red peppers. I know that sounds boring but I totally love those two flavors together. 🙂
I just recently posted a butternut squash one:) I love red pepper too and just simple ones like garlic.
Wow, that’s a good looking, perfect hummus. Felicitations!
Thanks Rosemary 🙂 It was nice and creamy… I believe due to the delicious olive oil I put in. 🙂
So lovely, Karista. I could eat a whole bowl of this. And thanks for the ping backs, too. 🙂 Hugs.
I almost ate the whole bowl just taking pictures! And you are so welcome. Hugs back at ya!
I love this recipe! I am so excited to try it!! Thanks 🙂
You are so welcome Lilly Sue. Now… what kind of beer would you pair with this hummus? 🙂
I’m so looking forward to the arrival of spring. Right now…all I want it to do is stop snowing. Your citrusy hummus will certain brighten a day.
Karen I keep hearing about all your snow! I’m so sorry. It’s March so it’s got to end soon. Although when I lived back east in the 90’s it snowed in April! Wishing you a wonderful (and warmer) weekend.
There’s always something delicious coming from your kitchen, Karista! This lemony hummus sounds perfect to welcome spring. I’m loving the birds in the morning, too! Although,they get my chickens clucking earlier than usual which has me sleepily stumbling into the backyard to let them out. And you’re going to Farm School!! I’m envious. I saw that Janelle is going, too. You will have such a fabulous time and I can’t wait to hear all about it. I’m off to make your hummus for my boys’ after school snack. Thanks for sharing!
Hahaha! Hannah, I cannot tell you how many times I’ve flown out of bed because I heard my chickens clucking. We’ve had a few hawks around the neighborhood and then with all the birds on the forest stage performing, my chickens start early too. I think you should join Janelle and I at Farm school. 🙂
Gorgeous! I love the apples-and hummus combination as well. I can’t wait to hear more about farm school!
Thanks Emmy! I have to say the apples, hummus and arugula wrap is one of my fave lunches. Happy almost weekend. 🙂
Delicious!
Thanks Darya!
Count me in for Farm School!! Hopefully Debbie and Anne can go too! Could you send me the details? Delicious looking recipe Karista! Spring CANNOT come fast enough!!!
Whoo Hoo! We’re goin to Farm School. 🙂 Maria I am beyond excited!
What bright and fresh flavors for hummus!
It’s a lovely light citrusy cilantro flavor that’s perfect for dipping or sandwiches. Or walking by the frig and grabbing a spoonful. 🙂
Looks wonderful!!
Thanks for stopping by! Happy almost weekend 🙂
Looks amazing! I need to take your cooking class!
Thank you Anastasia! You can take my class if you teach me how to make all your delicious Russian food. 🙂
I’m inspired by this. It sounds refreshing! Have fun at school 🙂
Thank you Tandy! I hope to share my adventure with you all 🙂
Your hummus is so creamy and dreamy. Now just need some carrot stick to dip mine into.
I’ve been dipping celery sticks into it all morning. LOL! Ranger Craig juiced all my carrots. 🙂
This looks delicious! X
Farm School sounds like a blast! Be sure you take lots of photos to share, so I can pretend I got to go too 😉
Your hummus sounds great…spring-y, for sure…and we could use all the spring we can get right now!
I love your hummus – it looks delicious! Thank you for the link to farm school – love that idea! I will check it out.
Happy weekend to you Karista!
Tell me more about this farm school!! Where? When? How long? You girls are going to have SO much fun!
Love the bright pictures! You are right, spring feels like a second chance as everything blooms again. I am so excited about spring time, as it is the time of year when I cook the most.
Yum, that looks gorgeous Karista! I just made hummus yesterday, actually…. with amped up lemon and chilli. Love the idea of adding herbs like cilantro. Looks delicious!
Delicious and tasty looking stuff there, you definitely had me at the lemon & coriander (two of my all time faves!) I look forward to seeing how farm school goes, it makes total sense as they don’t call it ‘paddock to plate’ for nothing. No doubt those sweet little chicks shall benefit enormously from your studies, as will the rest if the family too 🙂
Wow, Farm School? I am so intrigued! I have been very slightly cracking my bedroom window the last few weeks so i too can enjoy the morning birds – it is awesome!
I’ve had all the ingredients for hummus and been planning on making some for weeks now. I’m on my way to the market and will get some cilantro…I’ve made this similarly with parsley, but can see how the cilantro would add a whole different deep flavor, and I want to try it, thanks!
I practically live on hummus..I have several recipes and love this one! I love lemon and cilantro, so I can imagine how delicious this is!!
Pancakes and hummus today. Can do.
What farm school are you going to? Do you know Quilisascut? I’m having a virtual love affair with that place.
I’ve got loads of little starts begging me to take some pics. Maybe you should come out to Orcas for a little farm tour and take home some brassicas and baby tomatoes (like very baby- they are just getting their true leaves now).