NYC Update & Hummus Pasta! GF, V, MD!

Hey Guys! I thought I’d give you all a bit of an update about NYC!

yum-tastic!

Pretty much, same old – just adjusting to the new life, and trying to keep my stress level down for my Ulcerative Colitis. I am very protective of my health – something that I’ve definitely had to learn how to do. I’m making sure to slow down, making time to keep my eating patterns regular, and keep the stress to a minimum. Also – getting enough sleep and not being too much of a party animal:) But in all seriousness, I’m protecting my health and putting it first….important and necessary.

So on the acting front, I got my headshots taken last week by the wonderful Sam Khan, and am just waiting to get the hard copies so I can start submitting them to casting directors. I have a pretty exciting audition coming up next week, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get there:)

So many gorgeous colors! Red Green and Purple! — Eat the rainbow everyday!

So tonight, I thought I’d share another favorite recipe of mine. Hummus Pasta!

what a delicious forkful!

It’s Gluten Free and Vegan and completely delicious!

A scrumptious, creamy and decadent pasta sauce that’s light, yet satisfying. How??

With Hummus.

the basil brings it all together!

Yes, the humble chickpea got the starring role in this yummy pasta sauce. Hummus is packed with protein and delicious creamy flavor, without the heavy aftermath of say, an alfredo or cream sauce.

decadent and creamy, yet guilt free!

Here’s what you need:

Hummus:
1 can of chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
1 clove of garlic, roughly chopped
juice of 1 lemon
2 Tbsp Tahini (sesame seed paste — found at most supermarkets)
salt to taste — probably 1/2 – 3/4 tsp
about 1/4 cup water — to reach desired consistency
dash of paprika
scant 1/4 tsp cumin

Fire up your food processor for this hummus! This first step is totally *optional* — Peel your chickpeas. Chickpeas have an outer shell-membrane that comes off if you pinch the bean. I find that the consistency of the hummus is much smoother and creamy like Sabra Hummus if you take the tedious time to do this. But it is completely optional! OK — Put everything –minus the water– in your food processor and give it a whirl for about 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides every 30 seconds or so. While it is whirling away, slowly drizzle in your water. Add enough to get to your desired consistency. It will be smooth and luxurious!

Let that hang out while you cook your pasta and prepare your veggies.

the velvety hummus sauce beautifully coats the pasta and veggies

Here’s what you need:

1 zucchini, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 red pepper, chopped into bite-sized pieces
6 mushrooms, sliced
1/2 red onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 big handfuls of spinach, chopped
splash of veg stock
dried basil
fresh basil
reserved pasta water — 1/2 – 3/4 cup

Saute your onion in 1 tsp EVOO with salt, pepper, and dried basil. Let that soften for about 4-5 minutes. Then, add your mushrooms and let them cook down and release their moisture — about 4-5 minutes. Then, add your zucchini and peppers. Allow them to cook for about 6 minutes, until they become slighty tender, but still with a firm bite. Then, add your garlic and stir for a minute. Finally, add your spinach and a splash of veg stock to wilt the spinach. Stir in your cooked pasta and hummus. Thin out the hummus with about 1/2 cup of the reserved pasta and toss everything to coat.  Reseason with salt and pepper. Serve garnished with fresh basil. YUM!

mmmm!

This meal was delicious! It had a wonderful, almost Greek flavor with the garlicy hummus. It was so enjoyable with the bright zucchini, sweet peppers, earthy mushrooms and fresh basil! The sauce was creamy and velvety — simply luxurious if you ask me! The zucchini was wonderful in this because it was almost juicy! When you bit into it, there was a fresh, succulent explosion of sweet zucchini that beautifully complimented the thick, creamy, garlic hummus sauce.

gluten free AND vegan!

What’s your favorite way to enjoy pasta? Spaghetti? Lasagna? Mac and Cheeze?

Until tomorrow!

Need a food processor? Here's mine!