Men in spandex pants. Errrr-I mean football.

Football. The quintessential American fall sport that every household watches as a family while they wear their team colors, right?  Not so much for this little lady. I grew up in a household full of women, with a father who didn’t much care to spend an entire afternoon watching grown men wear spandex and chase after an odd shaped ball.  However, as I grew older I realized that people actually do spend entire days and even weekends watching said sport.  So I adapted the best I could and decided I wouldn’t pretend to be in love with the sport rather I would be the person to provide the perfect tailgate menu. OF COURSE! (I have applied that talent to any sporting event, truth be told..).
So, needless to say, I am heading to a friends house tonight to watch some football. And what am I going to do? Cook.  I am going to drink some fantastic wine and prepare some delicious food. Chive spike hummus, vegetable and 3 bean chili with cumin whipped greek yogurt, charred cheddar cornbread And I couldn’t be happier to be in the kitchen doing my own thing while cheers and whoops and sighs come from the living room while my friends all watch men in spandex chase after an odd shaped ball.

Chive and Spinach Spiked Hummus
Makes 2 cups
·      1 15-oz. can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
·      2-4 T. tahini
·      ½ avocado
·      1 cup loosely packed chopped spinach
·      ½ red onion, diced
·      zest and juice of 1 lemon
·      ¼ cup olive oil
·      warm water (about ¼ cup, but you may wish to add more depending on the thickness of hummus)
·      2 T. chopped fresh chive
·      hefty pinch of salt and pepper
Add all ingredients from beans to olive oil to the bowl of a food processor.  Blend together and add ¼ cup warm water.  Add more depending on how thick or thin you would like your hummus.  Scoop into a bowl, add the fresh chive and salt/pepper.  Mix to combine and taste for seasoning.  Adjust with more salt, olive oil or lemon juice as you see fit and enjoy with your favorite vegetables or whole wheat pita!