Hummus the Dip Everybody Loves

A friend of mine asked me why make home made hummus?  It is pretty cheap and easily available.  He's half right, but home made tastes better and does not have any food additives or preservatives.  It takes about 15 minutes to prepare and this recipe makes enough for two dipping bowls.  The bowl on the left is Roasted Red Pepper hummus and on the right Classic Hummus.  I have made two batches in the last week to share with friends and both bowls came back empty.

Two kinds of Fresh Humms

Classic Hummus
Combine ingredients in a blender or medium bowl:
	1 can (19oz/540ml) Chickpeas, drained and rinsed
	1/3 Cup (80ml) Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
	1/3 Cup (80ml) Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
	2 TBSP (30ml) Tahini
	2 Garlic Cloves
	1/2 TSP Ground Cumin
	1/2 TSP Salt
	1/2 TSP Pepper
Steps:
	1) Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.  If using an immersion blender I would add the chick peas in batches.
	2) Refrigerate until ready to serve.  Serve with toasted pita pieces, baguette, crackers or veggies.

Additions and Variations:

• My wife's favorite variation is to add 1/2 marinated roasted Red Pepper drained and diced and 1 green onion sliced to the hummus.  This also looks festive with the red and green colours.
• My favorite variations is to add 1/4 TSP ground cumin (instead of 1/2 TSP ground cumin) and a 1/4 cup fresh dill.  Thus, you have Lemon-Dill hummus.
• Another variations is to add a 1/4 cup of drained finely chopped Sun-dried tomatoes and again I would add 1 green onion sliced.
• Lastly, if you are looking for a simple garnish than add chopped fresh Italian parsley on top of the hummus before serving.  

Ingredients for Making Hummus

Ingredients Combined prior to adding Chickpeas

Blending in the Chick Peas in Batches with an Immersion Blender

What I learned making this recipe:

• Tahini is a paste made from ground, hulled sesame seeds.  It is often used in North African, Greek, Turkish and Middle Eastern cooking and is found in baba ghanoush and halva as well.  You can find it in a jar at most grocery stores typically next to almond butter and other nut butters. 

Thought? Comments? Suggestions?  Do you have a preferred variation of hummus?

My Prediction for the Canadian Men's Olympic Hockey Team

Once again I will make a consequence free prediction of something that I have no control over.  Frankly you have to think of something while on the throne and multiple neurological studies have demonstrated that the best decisions bubble up from the subconscious to the conscious while in the bathroom.  Apparently, when are brains are distracted with pre-programmed functions it lets are other faculties have time to compute.  Per one podcast I listened to said that one should hold off on making a decision for an hour.  Consume a couple glasses of water and go to the bathroom minutes before you are expected to give your decision.  You are most likely in this circumstance to come up with the best/right decision.

2010 Olympic Gold

My prediction of the 2014 Men's Olympic Hockey Roster:

Canadians make up approximately 60% of NHL rosters and it is often said that we have enough talent/depth to have two Olympic rosters.  However, Russia, Sweden, Czech Republic and the USA all have enough elite talent to challenge for Gold.  In fact Canada has only one twice the Olympic Gold (Salt Lake City 2002 and Vancouver 2010) since they allowed professional hockey players in the 1998 Nagano Olympics.  The Czech Republic won in Nagano and in 2006 Turin Olympics Sweden won.  For the Canadian team it really is a matter of coming together as a team and adjusting to the Olmypic ice hockey surface.

My 2014 Prediction:

Forwards:	Left Winger	Center	Right Winger
Line 1:	Chris Kunitz	Sydney Crosby	Steve Stamkos
Line 2:	Patrick Sharp	Jonathan Toews	Logan Couture
Line 3:	Rick Nash	Ryan Getzlaf	Corey Perry
Line 4:	Martin St. Louis	John Tavares	Patrice Bergeron
Defencemen:	Left Side	Right Side
Pairing 1:	Duncan Keith	Brent Seabrook
Pairing 2:	Shea Weber	Drew Doughty
Pairing 3:	Jay Bouwmeester	Alex Pietranagelo
Goaltenders:	Roberto Luongo
	Carey Price
	Mike Smith

Per the IIHF they are allowed to have a 23 man roster that consists of 3 goalies and a minimum of 12 forwards and 6 defencemen.   So, I'm predicting that they take 1 spare forward and 1 spare defencemen.  My prediction is that they will take Jamie Benn (LW) and P.K. Subban (D).  

I'm not Steve Yzerman the General Manager of the 2014 team, but my logic is rather simple.  For the defencemen take the two best pairs of Canadian defencemen you can find.  Chicago's top pairing is obvious from there recent Stanley cups.  St. Louis pair of Bouwmeester and Pietranagelo arguably the best pair in the NHL at the moment.  That leaves 3 positions for defencemen and I would take the 3 other Canadian players who have been nominated (or won) the Norris Trophy.  

Forwards is incredibly difficult to pick and I imagine my top 9 of my 12 are right.  The players that I'm most unsure of is Kunitz, Nash, St. Louis and Couture.  I'm picking Kunitz because he has great chemistry with Crosby and is playing incredibly well this season.  Similarly, I'm picking St. Louis who has incredible chemistry with Stamkos (who looks on track to return before the Olympics with his broken leg) and St. Louis plays for Yzerman and has played at an elite level for years.  Nash when healthy is one of Canada's elite goal scoring wingers and has missed 14 games due to concussion this season.  He has a strong international playing resume as compared to younger elite wingers such as Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Jamie Benn, Tyler Sequin, and Milan Lucic.  Also, a better commitment to team defense.

Lastly, Couture who has having a great season with San Jose and is now playing better than Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau.  Thornton who is tied for 9th in league scoring and Marleau who is tied  for 13th. There are still many other notable centers such as Mike Richards, Eric Staal, Jason Spezza, Claude Giroux, RNH, and Matt Duchene that are elite Canadian players.  

2010 Men's Olympic Roster:

Forwards:	Left Winger	Center	Right Winger
Line 1:	Rick Nash	Sydney Crosby	Jarome Iglina
Line 2:	Brendan Morrow	Jonathan Toews	Eric Staal
Line 3:	Mike Richards	Ryan Getzlaf	Corey Perry
Line 4:	Danny Heatley	Joe Thornton	Patrick Marleau
Spare:	Patrice Bergeron
Defencemen:	Left Side	Right Side
Pairing 1:	Scott Neidermayer	Chris Pronger
Pairing 2:	Duncan Keith	Brent Seabrook
Pairing 3:	Dan Boyle	Shea Weber
Spare:	Drew Doughty
Goaltenders:	Roberto Luongo
	Martin Brodeur
	Marc-Andre Fleury

Please note that I'am making an educated guess of the forward line combinations from 2010 and the ranking of lines.  I do know that San Jose threesome were a line and that Jarome lined up next to Sydney most of the time.  The defencemen pairings are accurate.

Per my prediction 11 of the 23 players will not be returning from the 2010 roster.  With 2 players who have retired (Neidermayer and Pronger) and with 4 players who's level of play has substantially declined Morrow, Heatley, Iglina, and Fleury.  Thornton and Marleau continue to be elite players at age 34.  Boyle is still offensively dependable at 37.  Richards and Staal continue to be top Centers, but they are pushed down the depth chart behind more elite players.

The scary Truth's of Olympic Hockey:

I'm so looking forward to watching Olympic hockey and I know that Canada winning is not a sure thing.  

• How do you defend a line consisting of Ovechkin and Kovalchuk being centered by either Malkin or Datsyuk? On home ice and Putin is waiving millions of dollars in bonuses at you.  
• Chara!
• The US rightside will consist of Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel and Bobby Ryan.  That is 3 of the top 10 goal scorers in the last 5 seasons.
• A hot goaltender such as Lundqvist, Rask or Miller could carry any team to gold.  It could just take one odd goal to win like Crosby on Miller in 2010.  

Fun Facts:

Scott Neidermayer and a Very Special Boy

• In the 2010 Vancouver Olympics only 2 players actually played on a Canadian team Jarome Iglina and Roberto Luongo the rest of the 23 man roster played on American teams.
• Teemu Selanne is the all-time scoring leader in points at the Olympics with 20 goals and 17 assists for 37 points.  He also has participated in 5 Olympics and most likely a 6th coming 
• Scott Neidermayer who was the Captain of 2010 Olympic Men's hockey team is only player in history to have won a Stanley Cup, Olympic Gold, World Cup, World Jr. Championship and Memorial Cup.  
• The only NHL Player to test positive for a banned substance was Mattias Ohlund (Swedish Defensemen) in 2002 for Acetazolamide a drug he took after getting eye surgery.   He was not suspended for this infraction.  I don't understand how a diuretic is performance enhancing for a hockey player.  I could see someone at the top edge of their weight-class using this to reduced retained water. 

Your thoughts?  Am I more 'Mad' than Mike Milbury?  Please add your comments below.

Distillery District Christmas Market (My Review)

Christmas is coming quick and I find the malls sap my strength and take away my Christmas cheer. However, the Distillery District's annual Christmas Market always puts me in a cheerful mood and in the holiday spirit.  To my knowledge there is nothing like this in the GTA and per a friend it is similar to what one could experience in a town in Germany. We suggest going with friends to share in the merriment and we have gone the last few years without any real complaint.

Distillery District Christmas Market

There is ample shopping with some thoughtful stocking 'stuffer' type gifts from numerous vendors.  Also, many of places to get something tasty such as Oktoberfest sausage, poutine, chocolates and other baked goods.  However, I would not suggest Veal Schnitzel on a bun as it was too thin and lacked a decent bun.

Biergarten Fun

There is also multiple biergartens where you can sit next to a fire and enjoy a beverage.  I personally like hot apple cider, but my friends are big fan of the mulled wine.  Also, various liquor companies were advertising there products and providing cocktail samples.  My two favourites were:

Tasty Cocktail Recipes

My Favourite Things at the Market:

• Brick Street Bakery - Lots of tasty baked goods and treats.  Personally I love there Eccles Cakes and the Olive Loaf.  A great place to get a snack or a loaf of bread.

Eccles Cake (Per Wikipedia)

• The overall ambiance created by the lights, big Christmas tree, and the smell of burning wood.

The Big Christmas Tree

• Soma Chocolate Maker - This store has all sorts of gourmet chocolate treats and is great place to warm up with a Mayan Hot Chocolate.
• Really I can't complain about free samples of booze.

Key Facts:

Runs from Friday Nov 29 to Sunday Dec 15, 2013

Hours:  Monday to Friday - Noon to 9:00 PM
            Saturday to Sunday 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM

For more details see the official website: http://www.torontochristmasmarket.com/

The Address: Google Map of Distillery District

Tips for Enjoying the Market:

• Take the TTC (King Street Car #504 East to Parliament St stop.  Walk 2 Blocks south.  Parking is difficult to find and traffic is terrible in this neighborhood.
• Get to the market earlier in the day on the weekend as it gets very crowded.  Or go on a weeknight.
• Check out the events schedule to see one of the many great free performances at the stage adjacent to the big Christmas tree.
• Dress warmly and wear clothes that you don't mind smelling like a camp fire.  They have many cauldrons to keep 
• Leave the dog at home.  Although they are allowed outside, they will just be underfoot.
• Don't be a Scrooge and try buying the food and supporting the local vendors.

Have you been to the Market? Have a favourite thing or tip?  Please share them below.

Carrot and Dill Soup

This is a great and healthy soup and is perfect on a cold day.  It takes about 15 minutes of prep time to cut the vegetables and 45 minutes of cooking.  This soup can also be made well ahead and reheated for when your guests arrive.  This recipe makes 8 portions and leftovers will easily keep in the fridge for several days.

Carrot & Dill Soup

Carrot & Dill Soup
Combine ingredients in medium bowl.
	2 TBSP of Butter or Olive Oil
	3 Celery Stalks Chopped
	2 Medium Onions Chopped
	2 Garlic Cloves Minced
	1/2 TSP Salt
	1/2 TSP Pepper
Other Ingredients:
	1 1/2 Lbs of Chopped Carrots (5 Cups approx)
	2L or 8 Cups of Sodium Reduced Chicken Stock 1/4 Cup Fresh Dill Chopped
Steps:
	1) In a large stock pot or Dutch Oven, heat butter/oil over medium heat with celery, onions and seasonings.  Stirring often about 5 minutes.
	2) Add Chopped carrots and cook for 4 minutes stirring occasionally.
	3) Add stock and bring to a boil; reduce heat to a simmer and cover.  Cook carrots until tender about 35 minutes.
	4) Using an immersion blender puree the soup until smooth or use a blender and perform in batches.
	5) Add dill to soup and mix through.  Serve.
Simmer soup until needed.
Soup will last up to 3 days in the fridge. When reheating consider adding more water to get to desired thickness. Soup will thicken overtime.

Garnishes:

• Serve with a dollup of sour cream.
• Alternatively, with sprinkle of old cheddar cheese.

Ingredients for Carrot & Dill Soup

Step 1: Frying Onions, Celery and Seasonings in a Stock Pot

Step 2: Adding and Frying the Carrots

Step 3: Boiling the Soup

The Finished Product

What I've learned in making this soup:

• For tips on blending soups see my previous blog on White Cannellini Bean Soup.
• Dried dill does not have the same character as fresh.  However, you could substitute 1/4 cup fresh Dill for 1 TBSP of dried Dill. 

Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?  Please add them below.