Last week I wrote about our Family Dinner tradtion and your responses we so kind and positive. Many of you asked for the recipes and I am only too happy to share them with you.

Hummus

• One can of chick-peas
• 4 large serving spoons of Tahini
• 1 to 2 tsp of lemon juice
• 1 large serving spoon of  yogurt
• 1/4 cup of water, more if needed

This is the quick version of this recipe. If you would like to make hummus from dried chick=peas, just soak the chick-peas over night in water with 1 tsp of baking soda. In the morning boil them for 15 minutes in water. Drain them, throw them in an ice bath, peel the skins off and proceed as follows.

1. Rinse your chick-peas really well.
2. In a blender mix the chick-peas, tahini, lemon juice, yogurt, and water.
3. Pulse for a few times and let the blender run for about a minute or so. If the mixture is too thick add small amounts of water at a time.
4. Place in a bowl, make a well and drizzle some extra virgin olive oil on top.

This tastes so good with warm pita bread.

Next let's make Lentils and Rice

• 3 onions
• 1 1/2 cups Lentils
• 1 cup of Uncle Ben's Rice
• Cumin, salt and pepper
• Olive oil and corn oil

1. Saute one onion in the bottom of the pot you'll be using to cook the dish in.
2. After the onion is getting brown, place the lentils on top.
3. Add enough water to cover the lentils 1/2  an inch. Bring to a boil, turn down to medium and let boil for 15 minutes.
4. Add 1 tsp of cumin, salt, and pepper.
5. Add the rice.
6. Add more water, covering 1/2 inch above the rice. Place on medium and let cook until the rice is done. You may have to add more water and that's ok. Add just a little bit at a time. Another trick I use is to place a lid and pull it off the stove to let it steam the rest of the way done.
7. As your lentils and rice are finishing up, dice the remaining onions and saute them until crunchy brown. Though they may look burnt, they aren't. They'll taste very sweet. Remember not to salt your onions or they won't crisp up.
8. Place your lentils and rice in a serving dish and pour the crispy onions on top. Ta dah, you're finished. My family loves to eat this with yogurt as well.

Add a salad and you have dinner Bon Appetit!