How can he tell her he’s failed another interview? He leaves the manager’s office and fumbles back out into the mall. So much want – bright lights, everything shiny, everyone craving, buying, gorging themselves in the food court. Two cans of Dollar Store chickpeas wait at home, maybe a bedraggled onion and a bit of bread. His stomach aches, but not from hunger.

He wants to give her the world – always has and someday by God he will. Suddenly he looks up. The food court, an entire geography! In Vietnam, he fills two little plastic lidded cups with garnish sesame seeds and thanks the server so profusely she gives him some lime wedges. At home he digs out the Cajun spice mix, from back when meat made the menu, and gets to work on a coupling of flavours, textures, hearts, and worlds. She comes home that night to his excitement – and it’s enough.

Easy Onion Hummus
1 can chickpeas (reserve liquid)
1/3 – 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
1/2 lime (juiced)
2 tbsp any neutral oil
salt and garlic powder (optional) to taste

Blend chickpeas, lime juice, and oil. Add reserved liquid until prefered consistency. Transfer to bowl. Add chopped onion and salt (and optional garlic powder) to taste.

Spicy Cajun Chickpeas
1 can chickpeas (drained)
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning blend (Club House brand is primo)
2-3 tbsp any neutral oil

Heat oil and Cajun seasoning spice mix in non-stick pan on medium high. Add chickpeas and roast until bits of char begin to appear. You’ll need to keep an eye on them!

Plate easy onion hummus with spicy chickpeas and garnish with a ring of sesame seeds. Enjoy with any type of bread or veggie.