Hummus bi Tahina

This is a wonderfully simple recipe - there is no need ever to buy Hummus it is cheap and easy to make.

225g tin of chickpeas
juice of 2 - 3 lemons
3 cloves garlic
100 mls tahina paste
salt
olive oil
paprika

Drain the can of chickpeas and rince with cold water and allow to drain.
Put the chickpeas, lemon juice, garlic and tahina paste into a food processor, and puree until smooth.
If the mixture is too dry add a couple of teaspoons of boiling water and puree again.
Season with salt and mix thouroughly, check for seasoning adding more salt and /or lemon juice.
Spoon into a serving bowl, drizzle a little olive oil over the top and speinckle with paprika.
Enjoy with fresh bread or chopped raw vegetables as a dip.

Gujerati-style green beans

This is a wonderfully simple recipe from 'Madhur Jaffrey's Indian Cookery' I recommend all her recipes. I use frozen green beans rather than fresh and use them straight from the freezer.

450g frozen whole green beans
4 tbs vegetable oil
1 tbs whole black mustard seeds
4 cloves garlic - crushed or grated
1/2 - 1 dried red pepper crushed or chilli flakes
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar

Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium heat.
When hot add the mustard seeds, as soon as they begin to pop add the garlic
Stir the garlic until lightly golden.
Add the green beans and stir.
Add the chilli flakes, salt and sugar.
Stir fry the mixture for about 4 -5 minutes until the beans have warmed through and the flavours have been absorbed.
Serve either hot or at room temperature