Tasting the Mediterranean

Ingredients:

• 2 cups canned garbanzo beans, drained, reserving 1/2 cup liquid
• 1/3 cup tahini
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more as needed
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 pinch paprika
• 1 teaspoon fresh parsley, minced

Directions:

1. In a blender, combine garbanzo beans, tahini, and reserved liquid from beans. Blend for a few seconds.
2. Add olive oil and blend again until ingredients are well mixed.
3. Add the lemon juice and garlic. Blend once more until mixture is thick and creamy.
4. Sprinkle with paprika and garnish with parsley.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water, warm (110 degrees Fahrenheit)
• 1 tablespoon instant yeast
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, combine water, yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. Whisk thoroughly, then let bubble and thicken for about 20 minutes in the bowl.
3. Mix in flour with a wooden spoon, then knead ingredients together. Cover dough with a clean towel for about 20 minutes.
4. On an even surface, dust dough with flour. Then roll the dough over the flour, shaping it into a ball.
5. Cut the dough into several equal pieces, then flatten each piece into a disc.
6. Place the discs on parchment paper and brush with oil.
7. Heat the pieces in a pan on medium-high heat, then panfry for 3-4 minutes on each side.

Ingredients:

• 2 vine tomatoes
• 1 large cucumber
• 1 sprig cilantro
• 1 sprig mint
• 1 or more cloves garlic (to your taste)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Directions:

1. Chop tomatoes, cucumber, cilantro, and mint; mince garlic.
2. Mix all ingredients in a bowl, then dress with oil, vinegar, and lemon juice.
3. Toss the salad thoroughly.