The temperatures are starting to heat up and if you’re like me, you probably won’t feel like doing a lot of cooking for the next couple of months. And for sure you don’t want to turn on your oven! Hummus is a favorite thing to eat during the summer months.
What exactly is hummus?
Hummus is a creamy sauce made from garbanzo beans (chickpeas) and is perfect for spreading and dipping.
The word hummus is Arabic and means “chickpeas”. Various places in the Middle East claim to be the originators of hummus. It is a staple food in many places, such as Palestine, and Jordan. And according to Wikipedia, hummus has been named the unofficial “national dish” of Israel.
Is hummus good for you?
Full of plant-based protein, hummus is super good for you! In addition to protein, it’s a great source of fiber and it includes a wide variety of vitamins and minerals such as iron, magnesium, phosphorus, B-vitamins, and manganese.
Lots of options with hummus!
Making your own hummus is the way to go! The variations are limited only by your imagination (and the ingredients in your cupboard). You can go with the basic garbanzo bean variety or use any sort of bean. Change the flavor by just switching out a few ingredients. It’s easy to get creative by adding things like spinach, olives, lots of garlic, sundried tomatoes, and spicy peppers.
It’s difficult to find hummus in a store that doesn’t have a bunch of oil in it. So, another bonus with homemade hummus (besides the cost of less than one dollar per batch) is you are in control of the fat content. You can add tahini or other nut butters or you can leave them out entirely. Adding oil is simply not necessary.
How do you eat hummus?
Hummus with fresh veggies, hummus on top of salad, hummus on bread, hummus on pita or tortillas, hummus on roasted veggies (from the grill), hummus on a baked potato, etc., etc…
Lots of hummus recipes! Including traditional, olive tapenade, spinach, pesto, and red beet!
Hummus is inexpensive and super easy to make. It’s really good for you, very tasty, and the perfect addition to your summertime meals!
My favorite hummus is full of tahini and garlic inside a pita with rice, lettuce, kalamata olives, and tomatoes. What is your favorite way to eat hummus? I’d love to know – please comment below. 😎😊
