Sicilian Girl

Tweet Cece is the Italian name but, you may know this lovely legume by chickpeas or garbanzo beans. I always have cans at hand for hummus, salads and snacks, as well as a bag or two of the dried seeds. If you are only familiar with the canned variety, try cooking them up from their […]

Tweet Traditionally, hummus consists of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), tahini (ground sesame seeds), olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. The beauty of the basic recipe is that you can change it up by adding a red bell pepper or substitute another vegetable, such as, artichoke or eggplant for example. I find raw garlic to be […]

Tweet I didn’t grow up eating hummus. I first tasted this healthy, Egyptian spread while on a family vacation in Egypt. After settling into our hotel, the palatial Mena House, we headed for the terrace for a bite to eat. Gazing out at the breathtaking, so-close-we could-almost-touch-them, Great Pyramids of Giza, we felt blessed to […]

Tweet This fresh tasting, with a burst-of-lemon, salad is picnic-perfect. The star of this dish is the Mediterranean staple known as ceci in Italian or you may know it as garbanzo beans. They are rich in calcium and excellent sources of protein and fiber. I always have cans of this versatile legume on hand for […]

Tweet Whether you call them chickpeas or garbanzo beans, these little legumes pack a nutritional punch. They are low in fat and are an excellent source of nutrients, fiber and protein. Besides being healthy, this recipe is quick and easy to prepare and makes a perfect Lenten meal. This thick and seemingly rich soup is […]

Tweet The tradition of nibbling on salty snacks while sipping a glass of wine or aperitivo (cocktail) and sharing a plate of appetizers with friends is not a recent phenomenon. This custom is deeply rooted in Italian history. Ancient Romans spent many an hour in country osterie (inns) and smoke-filled taverns doing much the same […]