Trio of Hummus

Delicious and healthy snacks to enjoy on long dark cold evenings is always a good thing.

Hummus is nutritious and filled with natural proteins and vitamins and when you add healthy fats and flavours, they are a great healthy choice for an evening snack as well as a sandwich filler, dipper and a side to many salads.  HOW DO YOU ENJOY YOURS?

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (keep the brine in a bowl to the side)
• 4 tbsp tahini
• 1/4 cup chickpea water
• juice of 1 or 2 lemons, to taste
• 1/2 – 1 tsp cumin (optional)
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (optional however adds a nice smokiness)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• good pinch of Himalayan salt, or to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Method

1. Place all ingredients in food processor and blend until desired consistency.
2. Taste for flavor adding anything here and there that you like

Alternatives

• Toppings:  I love to add something crunchy and nutty to the top.  2 of my favourite options are a) roasted chickpeas (baked in the oven at 200C with a little sprinkling of oil and some smoked paprika and great eaten on their own as a healthy snack)     b) toasted pine-nuts (toasted in a dry oven on medium/high heat until browned
• Beetroot Hummus:  add 2 medium beetroots to the main ingredients for a delicious tasty ingredient and a vibrant colour.  I bake mine in foil in the oven at 170C for 1 hour, then remove the skin and add too the hummus mix)
• Basil Hummus:  add 1/2 cup of fresh basil leaves to the main ingredients and mix for a vibrant green colour and full of goodness.
• Coriander Hummus:  add 1/2 cup of fresh coriander leaves to the main ingredients and mix for a vibrant & fresh green colour.
• Garnish:  fresh herbs (parsley, basil, coriander, thyme), fresh nuts of your choice (pine-nuts, walnuts, spices of your choice (smoke paprika, chilli flakes, coarsely ground black pepper, drizzling of fresh olive oil, squeeze of fresh lemon or lime)
• Sun-dried tomato Hummus:  add 1/4 cup of sun-dried tomato to the main ingredients and mix, producing a vibrant red colour and very tasty and tangy.

Enjoy with…..

• Toasted pitta bread / sourdough, crackers
• Fresh vegetable crudités
• In sandwiches
• As a side to salad
• Tortilla chips

Storage

Store in airtight container in refrigerator for up to a week or so.