Green Bean, Potato, and Tuna Salad

Green Bean, Potato, and Tuna Salad
Originally uploaded by kel h

I donated blood today, and wanted to make myself something with a good amount of protien. I had yukon gold potatoes instead of red (which i think would have held their shape better) and i didn't have tomatoes, but this was a mighty tasty lunch!

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds slender green beans, trimmed, halved crosswise
3 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
2 large red potatoes, diced
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
8 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
9 ounces canned tuna packed in oil, drained
Directions
Cook the green beans in a large pot of boiling water until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Using a mesh strainer, transfer the green beans to a large bowl of ice water to cool completely. Drain the green beans and pat dry with a towel.

Add 2 teaspoons of salt to the same cooking liquid and bring the liquid to a simmer. Add the potatoes to the simmering liquid and cook until they are just tender but still hold their shape, about 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the potatoes to the ice water to cool completely. Drain the potatoes and pat dry with a towel.

In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice, garlic, oil, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Place the tomatoes, basil and parsley in a large serving bowl. Add the tuna and toss gently to combine. Add the green beans and potatoes and gently combine. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.

Balsamic BBQ tofu over brown rice and broccoli

Balsamic BBQ tofu over brown rice and broccoli
Originally uploaded by kel h

So, I moved to a new apartment, one that has cable! I've been watching a lot of food network, especially Alton Brown and Giada DeLaurentis. This is a recipe that she made (only she did chicken instead of tofu)

Ingredients
For the Balsamic BBQ sauce:
1 cup balsamic vinegar
3/4 cup ketchup
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions
Combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and stir until all the ingredients are incorporated and the mixture is smooth. Simmer over medium heat until reduced by 1/3, about 15 to 20 minutes.

I poured it over some firm tofu that I pressed and sliced into "tenders" and baked at 375 for about ten minutes (could go longer I think)

Fetet Hummus

Fetet Hummus
Originally uploaded by kel h

(made at the cooking class at Yasin's for Teri's Birthday)

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups cooked chick peas (reserve 1 c broth)
1/2 c lemon juice
4 tbsp tahini
2-3 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 tsp syrian red pepper (aka aleppo pepper)
1/4 c parsley
2-3 tbwsp butter
1/2 tsp salt
1-2 large pita, toasted
1 head broccoli cut into small pieces

in blender puree 1/2 c chickpeas, 1 cup broth, and the lemon juice. Transfer to bowl and mix in tahini, garlic, half of the pepper and half of the parsley. it should look like super runny hummus

melt and brown the butter

crumble the pita into quarter size pieces.

layer as follows

bottom layer: crumbled pita
on top of that: broccoli
on top of broccoli: chickpeas
on top of chickpeas: pour the tahini sauce (aika runny hummus)
pour the browned butter over the whole thing, then sprinkle the rest of the pepper and the parsley