Hummus has become a staple of American diets over the last few years: as a snack, on a sandwich, or as an hors d’oeuvre at parties. Vegetarians and vegans love this Middle Eastern dish, and you can dip carrots in it, so it should be healthy right?
Fresh, homemade hummus IS super good for you! But like most prepackaged food, store bought hummus can be loaded up with salt and often preservatives as well. That’s not to say it isn’t still a better option than a lot of other snacks and dips, but if you have the time, make your own! It’s healthier and tastes even better, too!
Chickpeas, which are the basis of hummus (in arabic, the word hummus means “chickpeas”) are a really excellent source of protein, especially for vegans and vegetarians. They also provide tons of fiber, iron, and as much potassium as a small banana.
Hummus also contains tahini, which is made from sesame seeds, and has lots of good fats and omega-3s. It also has calcium, and more protein. So eat up!
It’s fairly simple to make, and stores well, so you could make a batch and snack on it all week. Buy organic ingredients if you can, and try to buy canned chickpeas with low sodium. You can also make these with dried chickpeas, you just have to soak them for a few hours before hand.
The next party you attend, offer to bring an appetizer- this one won’t disappoint!
Ingredients
1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
1/4 cup tahini
1/4 cup olive oil (may need a bit more depending on texture you want)
2 medium-sized cloves of garlic
2-2 1/2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 Tablespoon cumin
Salt and Pepper to taste
1. Throw everything in the food processor or blender and mix until smooth. (Tip: Garlic can be used either raw or you can roast it for a minute or two in a pan first. This will help prevent super obnoxious garlic breath, but for more of a zip, I like to use it raw.)
2. You can add more olive oil to make it a bit more creamy, depending on your preference.
3. Scoop into a bowl, drizzle with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle with paprika (optional). Eat with some pitas, or your favorite flax chips!
Enjoy!
xo 
