Ahhhh, Valentine’s Day. What better way to spend a holiday than feeling a sense of obligation and bitterness toward that special someone, or lack thereof, right? Now, I know that sounds a little cynical, but think about it... Half the population is consumed with spending money on and buying gifts for their significant other while the other half is left feeling pessimistic and lonely because they don’t have someone to buy them things. Why does there have to be one specific day dedicated to doing something nice for someone you care about? Moreover, why does that something nice have to consist of buying gifts and other material things? ...Exactly. It doesn’t.
A few years ago, a new concept emerged along the lines of a Valentine’s Day “remodel,” if you will. This concept, called Generosity Day (celebrated on February 14th), involves celebrating “love in its purest form” through acts of kindness and selflessness. I think that is a pretty powerful concept and I would certainly rather celebrate Generosity Day than Valentine’s Day. Click here to read more about Generosity Day and its history.
Ok, enough with the rant, and on to the food...With Valentine’s Day so near, I am sure there will be countless decadent chocolate recipes popping up (that likely serve two, of course). So, I decided to make something a little out of context (with lots of garlic) for this “holiday.” Enjoy!
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| Oven-roasted onions and mushrooms |
Roasted Garlic and Daikon Hummus
Ingredients:
- 1 medium daikon radish, peeled and sliced into ½-inch rounds
- 4 large button mushrooms, chopped
- ½ yellow onion, chopped
- 8 whole cloves garlic, peeled
- 3-4 Tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup almond butter
- 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
2. Toss the daikon slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Spread in an even layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. Repeat with onions and mushrooms on a separate baking sheet.
3. Create a small nest for the garlic cloves out of aluminum foil and cover them about halfway with olive oil. Place the garlic packet on one of the baking sheets and put both baking sheets in the oven.
4. Remove the onions and mushrooms from the oven after about 20 minutes. Leave the garlic and daikon in the oven for an additional 20 minutes (for a total of 40 minutes).
5. Allow all the vegetables to cool slightly, then add the daikon, garlic (with the olive oil), almond butter, lemon juice, cumin, salt and pepper to a small food processor. Purée until smooth.
6. Roughly chop the onions and mushrooms, mix them into the daikon hummus and serve.
I am spending February 14th at home with my friends and family...What are your plans for Generosity Day?
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