This week Bug-A-Boo chose Disney Princess Week. I'm pretty excited about this week because I really miss the Disney Princesses. Now that Bug-A-Boo is a teenager the days of Disney Princesses are long gone. I miss watching the movies and her dressing up in all of her costumes.
JASMINE from Aladdin
The Menu is set:
HOMEMADE HUMMUS
2–4 tablespoons cold water, or more if needed
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
2 medium cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
juice of 1 lemon (2–3 tablespoons)
1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas*, rinsed and drained
optional toppings: extra drizzle of olive oil, chopped fresh parsley, sprinkle of ground sumac or paprika, toasted pine nuts
INSTRUCTIONS
2. Add in the chickpeas. Puree for 3-4 minutes, pausing halfway to scrape down the sides of the bowl, until the hummus is smooth. If it seems too thick, add in another tablespoon or two of water.
3. Taste and season with additional salt, cumin, and/or lemon juice if needed.
INGREDIENTS
1 cucumber, unpeeled and seeded
¼ tsp sea salt
½ TBS white balsamic vinegar
1 TBS lemon juice
½ TBS olive oil
½ tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dill (minced fresh, or dried)
Pinch freshly ground black pepper
MOROCCAN GRILLED CHICKEN
- 1 cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (reduce to 1/2 teaspoon if you don't like heat)
- Zest from one lemon
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from one lemon
- 1-3/4 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2-1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of any excess fat and cut into large bite-sized pieces
- Vegetable oil, for greasing the grill
INSTRUCTIONS
- 1. In a medium bowl, combine the yogurt, olive oil, paprika, cumin, cinnamon, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper and garlic.
- 2. Spoon or brush the marinade all over the meat, coating well. Cover and refrigerate at least eight hours or overnight.
- Note: I used chicken thighs as opposed to boneless chicken breasts because they are more flavorful, and less likely dry out. Additionally, the lemon juice in the marinade will make boneless chicken breasts tougher when cooked.
MOROCCAN COUSCOUS
INGREDIENTS1 tablespoon olive oil
1 shallot, minced
1 teaspoon Garam Masala
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup couscous
1/2 cup currants
2 tablespoons minced fresh mint
2 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheeseINSTRUCTIONS1. In a 12 inch inch skillet add olive oil and set over medium heat.2. When the oil is hot add the shallot and ras el hanout. Saute until the shallot starts to soften but not brown.3. Add in the garlic and saute for another 30 seconds.4. Pour in the chicken stock, turn the heat to high and bring the stock to a boil.5. When the chicken stock is boiling, take the skillet off the heat and add in the couscous, raisins and apricots and stir to combine.6. Add a lid to the skillet and let sit for at about 10 minutes.7. Remove the lid, fluff the couscous, stir in the chickpeas, fresh mint, cilantro and sprinkle the top with feta cheese.
I was really pleased with how everything came out. The hummus and tzatiziki were so good. By the end of the meal there was maybe a quarter cup of the hummus left. The chicken and the couscous were so full of flavor. The currants in the couscous added a little touch of sweetness against the strong flavor and slight heat from the Garam Masala, while the mint and the feta added a freshness. So good!!!





































































