Gameday Dip

Hummus might just be the "original dip". Versions of it date back to biblical times. Chickpeas, the main ingredient in hummus, were plentiful in Southeast Turkey—thought to be the place of the chickpeas origin. Hummus has made itself into a household name..not so widely known when I first became a chef. 

The Chickpea, as it known around the world: Bengal gram (Indian), Chickpea (English), Garbanzo (Latin America), Hommes, Hamaz (Arab world), Nohud, Lablabi (Turkey), Shimbra (Ethiopia)

Whether you are rooting for New York or New England this dip will make the fans happy!

BTW- Tahini, included in my Hummus Recipe is a paste made from sesame seeds and is a good source of zinc and calcium.

George's Hummus 

makes four servings | Recipe by Chef George Hirsch 

Serve as a dip or spread. Either way, it's a great healthy way to snack!

1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained
3 cloves Caramelized Garlic (get this recipe)
1 Tablespoon tahini paste (optional)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon hot sauce
juice of 1/2 a lemon
3 Tablespoons plain lowfat yogurt

Puree chickpeas in a food processor. Add garlic, tahini, cumin, hot sauce, lemon, and yogurt. Mix all ingredients well. Allow to set for 30 minutes prior to serving.

Serve with toasted pita and raw vegetables.

MORE DIP: Caramelized Garlic and Tomato Dip

Croque-Monsieur

Think savory French toast meets toasted ham and cheese sandwich; which makes one heck of a lunch, or snack. Cut up into quarters for game day apps!

There are so many versions of this classic Parisian sandwich dating back to 1910. Classically you would use a béchamel or cream sauce over toasted bread with ham and cheese. But seriously, who makes cream sauces today, never mind for a sandwich?

Here’s my version, sans le sauce; so don't have a tizzy all you classical foodie folks! Mine version is simple, easy and well from the many empty plates I’ve seen, I report not one complaint to date!

image, Hirsch Media

Croque Monsieur

by George Hirsch | Makes two sandwiches

4 slices good quality firm textured sliced bread; I used an oatmeal bread for texture and flavor
4 slices of thin sliced good quality smoked ham
4 slices of sliced gruyere or emmental cheese, or good quality swiss
4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
Dijon mustard, enough to serve with sandwich

For The Batter:

2 eggs, beaten
2 Tablespoons milk
4 Tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese
Fresh grated black pepper

Mix eggs, milk, Parmesan cheese and pepper in a shallow bowl.

Assemble sandwiches with bread, 1 slice cheese, 1 slice ham, 1 slice cheese and top with slice of bread. Repeat for second sandwich. Press sandwiches lightly.

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees.

Pre heat a large sauté pan to medium high heat.

Add 2 Tablespoons butter to sauté pan. When butter stops sizzling add each sandwich to sauté pan. Allow to cook for one minute or until bread is nicely browned. Add additional 2 Tablespoons butter, turn and repeat on second side. Remove sandwiches to an ovenproof pan and heat in oven for five minutes. Serve immediately with Dijon.

Patio Fiesta

This week Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated worldwide honoring Mexican heritage; marking the defeat of the French Army after invading the Americas. But believe it or not, this commemorative holiday is celebrated by more people in California than Mexico. And, many festive ways are used to mark the occasion beyond cervesa and tequila. Dances and music mark the occasion to preserve & educate the public of its historical significance and culture.

Make any day a fiesta on your patio with a few easy steps and don’t be afraid to use vibrant colors. There is more to having fun than hanging a piñata!

-       Use terra cotta planters filled with pants such as begonias, dahlias, begonias, nasturtiums, and sunflowers

-       Cushions, throws, tablecloths, and napkins of hot yellow, turquoise green, and burnt orange

-       Set flower pots on tables with traditional herbs used in Mexican cooking like Cilantro, oregano, and peppermint

-       Serve foods and beverages on plates and glassware with bold bright colors

-       Hang out door lighting for mood

-       Turn up the volume and spin Maraichi and Latin music

-       Set up a hot sauce and salsa station

Get recipes for patio entertaining:

George Hirsch patio Entertaining from GHL
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Major League Snack

MLB's opening night is Wednesday April 4th, and opening day is Thursday April 5th.

Today eating in ball parks goes way beyond the 20 billion hot dogs consumed in MLB ball parks. Fans have unanimously agreed that AT&T Park in San Francisco tops the list with the best offerings of stadium food. Who could refuse a Dungeness crab sandwich with homemade garlic fries tossed with fresh garlic? That does not mean that good BBQ ribs in Kansas City and sushi have replaced the old standby Cracker Jack. Although now sold in bags instead of boxes, they are still available in all 30 Major League parks, with Boston's Fenway Park tossing a thousand bags a game to munching fans. So what makes CJ's so special?

Cracker Jack is so much more than candy caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts. There is also that special little surprise in each box which still brings smiles to faces on kids of all ages. Did you know these one-of-a-kind prizes are sought after by collectors fetching north of 50k dollars? Hey that’s cool! - which by the way is the meaning behind the term ‘Cracker Jack’ in the 1890’s. I do think the name Cracker Jack is fitting, somehow ‘Cool Jack’ just doesn't have the same ring.

Watch this classic TV commercial from the 1960’s featuring Jack Gilford.

 

Power Pantry

Winter is a good time to take inventory of how many of these power foods you have on hand, restock and remind you to incorporate them into your daily diet. I also take this as a good opportunity to go through non perishables + canned goods to give to my local food pantry.

Almonds: good fiber, protein good for your heart. Go ahead and go nuts!

Apples: Vitamin C and soluble fiber and helps keep the doctor away.

Beets: rich source of folate as well as natural red pigments that may be cancer fighters; save fresh stems for salads for a double bonus.

Blueberries: big plant compounds to prevent chronic diseases. Toss in cereal and yogurt to get your day started right.

Broccoli: missed your O.J. today? Have a glass of broccoli; it’s powerhouse of calcium, potassium, folate, fiber, Vitamins A & C. 

Red Beans: excellent source of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, thiamin, and copper, low fat low cal source of protein and fiber. A complete meal with steamed brown rice.

Spinach: Vitamin A and C folate. Good source of riboflavin, vitamin B-6, calcium iron and magnesium. Boost your immune system and keep hair and skin healthy. Seemed to work for Popeye.

Salmon: Omega-3 fatty acids, aids in keeping blood from clotting, good source of protein. Need more reason, just try this tasty recipe for Cedar Planked Salmon.

Sweet Potatoes: high in antioxidant beta-carotene which can slow the aging process. Good fiber, fat free, and under 60 calories per tuber.

Swiss chard: a leafy green vegetable packed with carotenoids that protect aging eyes. Sorry, the DMV still requires an eye test for drivers license even if you eat your Swiss chard.

Pumpkin seeds: the most nutritious part of the pumpkin. Full of magnesium; high levels of the mineral are associated with lower risk for early death. Helpful in the dugout during a Game Day too.

Sardines: high in omega-3’s, loaded with calcium. They also contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese as well as a full complement of B vitamins. Enough said.

Turmeric: more than just a yellow color to paella, it contains anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

Wheat Germ: great boost to your immune system and cardio health. Go ahead treat yourself to an ice cream topped with wheat germ, you are doing yourself good. 

Vegetable Juice: when choosing, select a low sodium version because it’s filled with lycopene, an antioxidant that reduces risk of heart attack and prostate cancer.