Better Than Sabra Hummus

Published Monday, February 1st, 2016

Mommy Perfect takes on that deliciously smooth all-purpose Mediterranean dip and offers up a recipe that’s better than Sabra hummus.

Just when you’ve barely gotten started with your “New  Years Diet”, along comes the Superbowl to tear you away with all its wings, dips, and diet-crushing snack foods that we all should rightly be avoiding.  With New Years diet resolutions in mind, but still wanting to partake of the Superbowl snack foods, the dip at the top of the list is hummus.  The tangy, smooth, Mediterranean condiment isn’t just deliciously addicting, it’s a certifiable health food (in moderation of course). Hummus is loaded with protein so it curbs hunger, has no cholesterol, and it might even help to prevent some forms of cancers.  Possibly best of all, my kids love it!

Hummus has become hugely popular in North America in the last few years, with Sabra being the most popular brand and rightly so: it’s very tasty and available in the deli section of most supermarkets.  However, it’s not cheap.  A small container of Sabra costs several dollars and won’t last a single sitting for one (also, it might give you listeria).  For roughly half of the retail price you can prepare twice the serving size at home in under 5 minutes.

The friction from your blender or food processor will warm up the hummus, so I suggest refrigerating for an hour before serving, but its certainly edible right away.  Serve with dipping vegetables, chips, pretzels, or toasted pita bread wedges.

Using this base recipe you can get creative with additional flavors.  Try adding one of the following for a twist: avocado, artichoke, sun dried tomato, grated Parmesan cheese, roasted red peppers, chipotle peppers, or try replacing the lemon juice for lime juice.

Jalapeno Creamed Cornbread

Published Friday, January 22nd, 2016

Jalapeno Creamed Cornbread cast iron slice Mommy Perfect

Spice up your barbecue or party with Mommy Perfect’s Jalapeno Creamed Cornbread recipe. I promise it’s not too hot.

Cornbread and BBQ go together like apple pie and ice cream.  On Superbowl Sunday I like to fire up the Weber and grill up ribs or wings, and my cornbread always has a place at the table.  We use honey, buttermilk, and creamed corn to add body and sweetness, and the jalapenos don’t present too much heat (just a touch) but it really livens up the dish.  For the record, I have a low tolerance of spicy food — I enjoy a touch of heat, without the pain.  I find this jalapeno creamed corn cornbread recipe to meet that perfect balance that I enjoy.  Plus it’s an absolute cinch to make.

You can bake this in a cast iron pan or bake with terra cotta pottery, which actually works better in my opinion (but not everybody has terra cotta in their kitchen).  I suggest an 11″ diameter saucer (about an inch deep).  The important thing to note about baking with terra cotta pottery is to allow the ceramic to preheat sufficiently in your oven before putting the food into it.  It adds a bit of time to the preheat process, but the results are better.

This Jalapeno Creamed Cornbread recipe also pairs really will with my Low-Carb Low-Fat Tex-Mex Chili.

Be sure to also try my Best (easy) Baked Beans Ever and for your party or barbecue.  They are a crowd favorite as well.

Jalapeno Creamed Cornbread terra cotta Mommy Perfect