Peanut Butter Hummus

Bring out the veggies or pita chips—try this irresistible combination of peanut butter and hummus . . . with a spicy kick!

For dip:
2 C low-sodium garbanzo beans (chick peas), rinsed
¼ C low-sodium chicken broth
¼ C lemon juice
2–3 Tbsp garlic, diced (about 4–6 garlic cloves, depending on taste)
¼ C creamy peanut butter (or substitute other nut or seed butter)
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (or substitute paprika for less spice)
1 Tbsp olive oil

Asparagus Tips in Puff Pastry Lemon Butter Sauce

serves six as a first course

Ingredients for the asparagus and puff pastry:

• 18 to 24 asparagus spears (depending on size)
• 2-3 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon minced scallions or shallots
• salt & pepper
• 6 puff pastry rectangles, about 2½ by 5 inches, ¼ inch thick (6½ by 13 cm, ¾ cm thick)
• egg glaze (1 egg beaten with 1 teaspoon water)

Ingredients for the lemon butter sauce:

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons dry white vermouth
• salt & white pepper
• 1 stick chilled butter (115 gram), cut into 12 fingertip-size pieces