What? Two Posts in One Day? You Betcha!

Well, this weekend we are two for two... I've been methodically working through the "best lists" of movies this year and we've seen some really good movies lately (City Island) and some really, in my opinion, horrible movies (Solitary Man) but this weekend I was able to get two really good movies from the public library.

Last night we turned out all the lights and watched Let Me In.  Totally creepy, totally my kind of horror movie. I also love how the movie stayed true to the early 80's.  I love the idea that this movie was taking place around the same time I was watching Salem's Lot for the first time.   Chloe Moretz was the perfect blend of innocence and evil.  Love her!

This afternoon I thought I would throw another movie in while I got a few things done around the house, but I had to ditch that plan when Animal Kingdom completely sucked me in.  I wish I would have seen this movie before I turned in my official Oscar ballot for this year... Jacki Weaver totally deserves the award for supporting actress.  And who doesn't want to spend a couple hours with Guy Pearce?

Next on my play list for this week, The Town and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.  I'm hoping we keep the winning streak going!  If I haven't said it here before, let me say it know... My library card is my best friend.  Who needs Netflix when you have a public library?

My New Favorite Gadget (and a bonus Hummus Recipe!)

Okay, so Mom pointed out that the last time I posted anything was at Christmas, so I guess two full months of not blogging is just unforgivable.  So, I'm going to share my new favorite kitchen gadget, the Oxo Good Grips Citrus Juicer.

A while back I broke my favorite lemon reamer / press from William Sonoma and wasn't sure I wanted to get the same kind since, obviously, I'm just too strong and don't know my own strength.  So, I went out to Target and bought a couple different kinds, including the Oxo model. 

It has three pieces that fit together and the main reamer part flips between a smaller reamer for lemons and limes and a larger side for oranges.  

I love that I can really get all the juice out of the lemons and the bottom cup has marks to let you know how much juice you have.  The center catches all of the pulp and seeds.

The lid has a notch that lets you pour your juice without getting any seeds in your bowl.

The pieces pop apart and are dishwasher safe.

Makes my hummus sooo easy to make.... (not to mention homemade Skinny Girl Margaritas!)

Here's my new favorite hummus recipe, tweaked a bit from one my Mom gave me a while back.  I still love my "Holy Moly Hummus" recipe for it's depth of flavor, but that one requires a few more ingredients and a couple extra pans, so this one is just quicker and easier.  I throw everything in the food processor and blend.  It's fairly smooth, so it's best for dipping, rather than a sandwich filling. 

Ingredients:

• 2 cans chickpeas (I prefer Bush's chickpeas)
• 1/4 cup reserved liquid from canned chickpeas
• 1/3 cup lemon juice (for me this is usually about 1 and a half lemons)
• 1/4 tahini
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (Mom's recipe calls for 1/8 tsp. but I like the heat)
• Pinch of course salt (Mom's recipe calls for 1 1/4 tsp. but I like less)
• 2 TBS of extra virgin olive oil 

Throw it all in the food processor and blend until you get your desired thickness.  Add more olive oil if you like.  Sprinkle with Paprika.