Mistakes. errors, failures, and flops.

Pin It A few days ago while I was procrastinating and not studying for my eight chapter chemistry test (typical me), I decided to do some experimenting with garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas).  I have been emailing my uncle back and forth about somethings and he suggested that I try and cook my own beans instead of simply opening up a can.  At first I thought he was crazy...there was no way I'd find time to sit around and let the beans first soak in water and then wait another 1-2 hours for them to cook.  Not too long after he suggest it though, I found myself taking on the challenge and cooking up some garbanzo beans.  Soaking and cooking your own beans is for one cheaper than buying canned beans and two a lot healthier because you get rid of all the added salt.  After cooking my beans, I decided to make one of my favorite dips/spreads: hummus.  I love dipping vegetables in hummus and spreading it on my sandwiches, so I thought I'd give a hand at trying to make my own.  Of course though as I was looking through a few different hummus recipes, I realized I didn't have any of the right ingredients.  So what did I do? Make up my own recipes. 
Some of them turned out good.  Some still need modifications.  Some not so good.  Everyone has probably experienced a flop while cooking at some point in their life. Let me tell you...I've had plenty, but thats one of the many reasons I love cooking so much. I love the thrill of taking that first bite to find out if it was a flop or not. What is even more interesting to me is to see people's reactions to my cooking concoctions. I once tried making a Spinch Greek Pizza for a couple of my friends. It turned out disgusting if you ask me, but everytime the story comes up one of my friends claims that she actually liked it. I'm not even sure if she was just saying this to be nice...I think she actually liked it? Haha. It all just goes to show that everybody has different tastes buds, likes, and dislikes.
Knowing that here are the recipes I created.... make and modify them at your own risk. :) Let me know your trials and errors in making your own hummus!

Note: I had to get creative with my ingredient choices because I didn't have much to work with in my pantry.  Oh the life of a college kid. Haha.

Garlic Hummus
Ingredients
1/2 cup garbanzo beans
1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp water
1/2 tsp garlic powder (you may want to increase this)

Mexican Hummus
Ingredients
1/2 cup garbanzo beans
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup salsa (you may want to increase this and decrease the milk)
1/3 tsp chili powder

Cookie Dough Hummus
Ingredients
1/2 cup garbanzo beans
1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp water
Couple drops butter extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 stevia packet
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp baking powder (for cookie flavor)

PBJ Hummus
Ingredients
1/2 cup garbanzo beans
1/4 cup milk
1 tbsp water
1/2 packet stevia
1 tbsp natural peanut butter (next time I would add more)
2 tbsp plum jam

Directions For All

1. Place everything in blender/food processor/magic bullet/ninja.

2. Puree till smooth.

3. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts
(per tbsp)
Garlic Hummus
Calories: 20
Total Fat: 0.3 g
     Sat. Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0.2 mg
Sodium: 4.8 mg
Potassium: 44.9 mg
Total Carbs: 3.3 g
     Dietary Fiber: 0.8 g
     Sugars: 0.9 g
Protein: 1.2 g
Vitamin A: 0.4%
Vitamin C: 0.3%
Calcium: 1.5%
Iron: 1.7%

Mexican Hummus
Calories: 17
Total Fat: 0 g
Sat. Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0.1 mg
Sodium: 56.3 mg
Potassium: 61.2 mg
Total Carbs: 3.1 g
Dietary Fiber: 0.8 g
Sugars: 1 g
Protein: 1.1 g
Vitamin A: 1.2%
Vitamin C: 0.6%
Calcium: 1.4%
Iron: 1.6%

Cookie Dough Hummus
Calories: 20
Total Fat: 0.3 g
Sat. Fat: 0 g
Cholesterol: 0.2 mg
Sodium: 18.6 mg
Potassium: 43.7 mg
Total Carbs: 3.3 g
Dietary Fiber: 0.9 g
Sugars: 0.9 g
Protein: 1.2 g
Vitamin A: 0.4%
Vitamin C: 0.4%
Calcium: 2.6%
Iron: 1.9%

PBJ Hummus
Calories: 36
Total Fat: 1 g
Sat. Fat: 0.1 g
Cholesterol: 0.1 mg
Sodium: 10.1 mg
Potassium: 34.3 mg
Total Carbs: 5.5 g
Dietary Fiber: 0.7 g
Sugars: 3.1 g
Protein: 1.3 g
Vitamin A: 0.3%
Vitamin C: 0.2%
Calcium: 1.2%

Iron: 1.4%