Recipe: Mambo Italian Hummus

Another version of Hummus with pine nuts Image via Wikipedia

From Denny: Folks from Lebanon moved to Louisiana a good 150 years ago, with some additions in the past few decades. Locals here love their Lebanese food as much as the Cajun cuisine and there are plenty of small family restuarants to prove it true!

Heidi Chustz, a local nutritionist recently featured in our local newspaper had this to say about the health benefits of cooking with fresh herbs:

• Mint — Soothes digestive tract and reduces the severity and length of stomach aches. The antifungal properties of mint are thought to play a role in the treatment of asthma and other allergy conditions. It may prevent some cancers such as colon, skin and lung cancer.

• Lemon grass — Studies have shown that lemon grass has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Mixed with pepper, it’s a home therapy for menstrual troubles and nausea. When drinking it as a tea, it can be an effective diuretic.

• Oregano — Known to have strong antibacterial properties.

• Parsley — Excellent source of some nutrients, such as vitamin C, vitamin A, folic acid and iron, that are important in preventing many diseases.

• Basil — Oil in basil has been shown to inhibit growth of several types of bacteria, many of which have become resistant to antibiotics. It is a good source of vitamin A and magnesium.

She does caution the following for those with compromised immune systems and old age:

"Anyone who is taking cardiac medications, diuretics, calcium channel blockers, blood pressure medications, psychotherapeutic medications, diabetes medications and certain over-the-counter medications to talk to their doctors, pharmacists and dietitians regarding possible drug-herb interactions."

Aside from that herbs are fabulous for your health and a tasty joy to add to your every day cooking!


Mambo Italiano Hummus

From: Rebecca Mason

Serves: 8

Ingredients:

2 cans cannellini beans

Juice of 1 large lemon

1/4 cup chopped parsley

2 tbls. chopped fresh oregano

1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomato

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

Sprig of fresh oregano

Directions:

1. Purée beans in food processor until smooth; add lemon juice while processing beans.

2. Remove from processor and put in bowl and set aside.

3. Purée herbs and sun-dried tomato in processor. Slowly add oil until it makes a loose paste.

Video: Money-Saving Meals from Sandra Lee

From Denny: Chef Sandra Lee from the Food Network has launched her new show about Money Saving Meals. She is a creative person AND a joy to watch while she figures out how to save us money and make it taste good!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Here are the recipes from NBC:

Slow-cooked orange margarita tacos

Throw a cheap but fabulous party by making margarita tacos

From: Chef Sandra Lee
Makes 10 servings$14.03, $1.40 per person

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 8 hours

Inactive prep time: 5 minutes

Ease of preparation: Easy

INGREDIENTS

1 medium onion, chopped

1/2 cup margarita mix with orange liquor added

1 10-pound bone-in pork shoulder picnic

Salt and pepper

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1 cup orange marmalade

20 corn tortillas

DIRECTIONS

Place the onions and margarita mix and liquor in the bottom of a 5-quart slow cooker. Season the pork roast with salt and pepper. Stir together garlic and soy sauce and rub all over pork roast. Place the roast in the slow cooker and spoon marmalade over the top. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

When meat is done, remove from slow cooker, let rest for 5 minutes then shred or break up with a fork and arrange on platter. Strain sauce and stir 1 cup into shredded pork.

Warm tortillas slightly in a 250° F oven or in microwave. Set out pork and tortillas with red cabbage slaw and have guests assemble their own tacos.

*****

Simple red slaw

From: Chef Sandra Lee

Makes 10 servings$2.89, $.29 per person

Prep time: 10 minutes

Ease of preparation: Easy

INGREDIENTS

1 small head red cabbage

4 medium carrots, coarsely grated

1/4 cup cider vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

Fresh-ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

Finely shred cabbage with a sharp knife. Mix cider vinegar, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Toss, add cabbage and carrots and toss to combine.

Use as topping for pulled pork tacos.

*****

Grilled corn and bean salsa with baked corn chips


From: Chef Sandra Lee

Makes 10 servings$4.29, $.43 per person

Prep time: 10 minutes

Ease of preparation: Easy

INGREDIENTS

4 ears corn, shucked or 4.5 cups frozen corn kernels

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 teaspoons chili powder

1 can (28 ounces) diced tomatoes (well drained)

1 can (15 ounces) black beans (drained and rinsed)

1/2 medium red onion, diced

1 minced jalapeno

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

2 tablespoons lime juice

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

DIRECTIONS

For salsa:
Set up grill for direct cooking over medium heat.

Brush corn with oil and season with chili powder, salt and pepper. Place on hot grill and cook 8 to 12 minutes, turning frequently. Remover and let cool. When cool enough to handle, cut kernels from the cob. Place corn in a bowl with tomatoes, beans, onion, and jalapeño. Whisk together lime, garlic, cilantro. Pour over vegetables and beans and toss to combine. Season with salt & pepper.

Optional indoor roasted corn: Preheat oven to 400°. Cut corn kernels from cob and place on baking sheet. Drizzle with oil, chili powder, salt and pepper. Roast in over for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove and let cool.

For chips:

Preheat oven to 400°

Cut each tortilla into 8 triangular portions. Arrange in a single layer on a sheet pan. Spray with canola oil cooking spray, sprinkle with salt and bake until crisp and lightly browned, about 10 minutes.

Allow to cool and serve with salsa.