Simple Hummus Recipe (5 Minute Hummus)

Jun 11, 2019 | Basic Hummus, Hummus Ingredients, Hummus Recipe Ideas, Middle Eastern Dips, Recipes, Types of Hummus

Simple Hummus Recipe (5 Minute Hummus)

This simple 5 minute hummus recipe can be prepared so fast, we call it five minute hummus! There are so many variations and so many people have tweaked the recipe to suit their tastes, that most of the ingredient amounts are more of a guide. Some people like more lemon, some like less. Some like fresh lemon (yes please!) while others prepare lemon juice from a bottle. So with this in mind, our simple recipe is a good place to start and you can build on it as you go.

All hummus contains chickpeas as it is a chickpea dip and guess what? It’s super healthy so you will find this dip will go with more types of diets or weight loss programs. And with so many ways to make this your own, you will find yourself going back to this dip every time.

Whether you go for a thicker or more watery consistency, we recommend you use entire cans of chickpeas and you can play with the other ingredients to taste. For example you can add more lemon or less tahini if you are using it. If you begin with a definite about of chickpeas then you have a good starting place and can add or subtract from there.

When you are making it, try using some of the juice from the can, as this can give it a bit more flavor and most people find the taste agreeable. There are also endless ways to present it depending on where it will be eaten. Now, let’s get ready to make it!

Ingredients

1 x can of chickpeas – drained and rinsed – Keep a portion of the juice to use in the dip.

2 x small cloves of fresh garlic – We prefer fresh but you can use prepared garlic if you prefer.

Olive Oil – Half for the dip and the rest for a garnish

Half a Lemon – or you can use a tablespoon of lemon juice from a bottle

2 x Tablespoons of Tahini dip if you are using it

½ teaspoon of ground cumin – you can use less or more depending on your taste

½ teaspoon of paprika or sumac – you can use less or more depending on your taste

Pinch of salt – depending on your taste, you might want to leave this one out.

Method

Mix all ingredients (except olive oil and sumac) in your food processor and slowly add olive oil to get a good consistency. Add a little bit of water if you prefer it thinner.

Transfer dip to a serving bowl or plate and smooth over the top with the back of a spoon. Sprinkle sumac over the top for a nice contrast.

Pour olive oil over the entire top of the dip.

Serving Tips

Serve with some black olives and flat breads or with some chopped fresh parsley and some whole chickpeas for decoration.

Baba Ghanoush: An Appetizing Appetizer

Aug 25, 2018 | Baba Ghanoush, Dip Recipes, Middle Eastern Dips, Recipes, Sauce Recipes

The culinary world is as diverse and unique as the nations where the dishes originate from. It carries the traditions and flavors from various places and puts it conveniently on a plate. Delicacies from the Middle East, such as tahini, tabouli, and hummus, are some of the most interesting ones. Today, we’ll talk about yet another Levantine dish – baba ghanoush, an appetizing appetizer.

What is Baba Ghanoush?

Baba ghanoush, also known as baba ghanouj or baba ganoush, is taking both fine dining and home settings by storm. It is widely recognized as a dish mainly made of mashed, cooked eggplant combined with several seasonings, tahini, and olive oil.

Baba ghanoush is a delicacy that has a distinct smoky taste. The ideal serving of this dish is as a cold or room temperature spread and it goes incredibly well with pita bread. Although, some enjoy it on it’s own, and that’s absolutely fine!

How to Prepare Baba Ghanoush at Home

You don’t have to go to a restaurant or visit the grocery in order to enjoy a piece of heaven that is baba ghanoush. You just need a few ingredients and you can easily whip up this Levantine dish at home! This includes the following:

– One large eggplant

– Garlic cloves

– Pinch ground cumin

– Olive oil

– Brine-cured black olives

– Tahini

– Fresh lemon juice

– Flat-leaf parsley

– Salt to taste

As far as cooking necessities, begin preparing a charcoal grill and an oven. The first step is to grill the eggplant until the outer skin turns black and you see a soft flesh, which is usually done within 10 to 15 minutes. After which, bake it in the oven for around 15-20 minutes until very soft.

Once that’s done, allow the eggplant to cool a bit and then peel the skin. Mash the eggplant in a bowl and then mix the other ingredients together, with variations in salt, lemon juice, and tahini according to your taste. Drizzle olive oil, sprinkle some parsley, put some olives on the sides for presentation, and voila! Enjoy!

The Battle Between Baba Ghanoush and Hummus

As far as nutritional value is concerned, baba ghanoush and hummus are often compared with each other. So which one is better? It really depends on what you need.

When talking about similarities, both hummus and baba ghanoush have no cholesterol content. As a matter of fact, they both contain unsaturated fats, which are instrumental to cardiovascular health through low cholesterol levels and decreased inflammation.

When talking about differences, baba ghanoush has more potassium content, which is essential to regular heartbeat and optimal nerve and muscle function. On the other hand, hummus has more B-vitamin content for energy and lesser risks of cardiovascular problems. Either way, both are good for you.

So, ready to whip up a healthy dish of baba ghanoush? You know you want to try it!

White Beans as a Chickpea Alternative

Jul 23, 2018 | All About Hummus, Hummus Variations, Middle Eastern Dips, White Beans

Everyone loves hummus. It’s great as a dip or as a standalone dish by itself. However, there are some of us who are allergic to chickpeas – a major component of hummus. Does that mean you give up on this Levantine dish? Not really, because you can substitute white beans as a chickpea alternative! There are plenty of varieties of white beans and each one has it’s own health benefits.

While chickpea is the ideal ingredient when making hummus, you can always pick other varieties of white beans as a substitute. You may use equal amounts like you would do with chickpeas and you’d still get a delicious tasting hummus.

Which Type Should You Pick?

When you shop for this type of bean, you will notice that there are more than one type – as a matter of fact, there are four kinds! These are the types of white beans and how to distinguish one from the other.

Navy Beans/ Pea Beans – these are small, oval-shaped beans that have the most fiber out of all the variants, with 19 grams per cup to be exact

Great Northern Beans – these are medium-sized beans popular for its firm flesh and nutty flavor

Cannellini Beans – also known as white kidney beans due to its shape, it is the largest of the bunch

Baby Lima Beans – these are known as small creamy beans with a buttery texture, thus the moniker “butterbeans”

The truth is, however, that you can use them interchangeably, so depending on your taste, you can choose one of them as a substitute for chickpeas.

Benefits of White Beans

White beans are bursting with fibre, and if you eat them, your bowels will thank you. You can check out our guide below which will help you choose the right bean for your next dip. With flavors ranging from nutty to meaty, white beans are useful in so many dishes, not just dips.

Just because you make your dip with other beans doesn’t mean its any less nutritious! Some of the health benefits of white beans include the following:

– They are high in plant-based protein, which is essential for muscle building

– It is great for bone development because of its high calcium content

– It promotes regular bowel because it is a natural source of fiber

– White beans can help regulate sugar levels while boosting energy

– It also has a decent amount of vitamin C, potassium, and folate

So you see, there are plenty of ways to enjoy hummus. Not a fan of chickpeas? Then white beans are your best bet.

4 Types of White Beans Infographic - For the Love of Hummus

Chickpeas: Why You Should be Eating Them

Jun 29, 2018 | Hummus Ingredients, Middle Eastern Dips, Sides, Types of Hummus

We’ve talked about various Middle Eastern dips in the past, such as tahini and hummus, and they both have one thing in common – deliciousness!. And they are both healthy! There’s plenty of benefits you can get from eating chickpeas, and every self-respecting vegetarian knows how important they are! Chickpeas are a staple in a vegan diet and have been on plates for centuries.

Today, let’s look a little closer at chickpeas and why you should be eating them.

What are Chickpeas?

Chickpeas, also popularly known by the name garbanzo beans, are a type of legume. These beans were originally found in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. It’s common variant is seen as round and beige, although black, green, and red versions are not unheard of.

Benefits of Eating Chickpeas

Similar to lentils, beans, and peas, chickpeas pack a punch when it comes to nutritional value. That alone is more than enough reason why its popularity has been widespread throughout the globe.

Here are some of the benefits you can get from eating chickpeas.

Promotes Feeling of “Fullness”

The combination of protein and fiber found in chickpeas makes it a great appetite regulator. So, in a manner of speaking, if you’re looking for ways to control your calorie intake by fooling your system that you’re already full, eating chickpeas is the way to go! These are idea for those looking for weight loss and overall health.

Rich in Plant-Based Protein

Some of us would like to get protein from sources other than animals for individual reasons. With that in mind, chickpeas have been found to be rich in plant-based protein. That’s why vegetarians love having them in their diet.

Helps Manage Blood Sugar Levels

Chickpeas particularly have low glycemic index (GI), which means it shows gradual increase in blood sugar rather than a sudden spike. That means it is essential in blood sugar control, and is safe for diabetic people. As a matter of fact, it can help towards preventing diabetes development in those who don’t have it!

Improves Digestive Health

Because of their fiber content, chickpeas help in cleaning the digestive tract. Harmful bacteria and other substances that are stuck in your system are easily flushed with fiber. By including chickpeas in your diet, you ensure your fibre needs are met, and chickpeas are a great source.

Helps Prevents Cancer and Heart Diseases

Chickpeas promote health in many ways, specifically protecting the cardiovascular system. They have been shown to help prevent cancer formation in some instances. For starters, the omega-3 fatty acid content helps protect the heart and reduce occurrences of inflammation. Antioxidants, on the other hand, seek out free radicals and assist in the prevention of mutation that can bring about cancer.

And those are just five of the many benefits you can get from chickpeas. Doesn’t that make you want to include them in your diet?

Tahini: Everything You Need to Know

May 29, 2018 | Hummus Ingredients, Middle Eastern Dips, Sauce Recipes, Tahini Recipes

We all know the famous hummus dip, with it’s different versions all over the world. But did you know that it has one ingredient that is famous in it’s own right? Everybody’s favorite, tahini to be specific! Let’s talk about tahini and everything you need to know about it.

What’s Tahini?

Tahini, also known for various names like Tahina and Ardeh, is a toasted ground hulled sesame seed-based condiment. It is famously used in a lot of well known Eastern Mediterranean cuisines, but has also gained popularity in China and other Southeast Asian nations.

Basically, the tahini can be used as a standalone dip, which is a must-have in most Mediterranean dishes. Although it is also a major ingredient of hummus, halva, and baba ghanoush. Those are already famous appetizers, so take that popularity and the tahini can make a name of its own.

Everything You Need to Know About Tahini

Now that we know a bit of what tahini is, let’s delve deeper into this delectable dip/spread/ingredient and discover things you might not have known previously about it.

It’s Versatility is Endless

We already know that you can use tahini as a dip or even as a component to the widely-known hummus. But more than than, there are various ways you can enjoy this yummy substance. It can be used as a base for sauces due to its creamy texture, try it as a salad dressing, transform the way you enjoy pasta, and even create a tahini-based ice cream! Your imagination is the only limit to the way you can use it.

Tahini is a Healthy Addition to Any Dish

One compelling reason why people choose to experiment with tahini is not only because of its delicious taste, but also the health benefits it can bring. It is known to pack more protein that most nuts and milk. It even has various vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins for brain function and energy, vitamin E for lesser risks of stroke and heart disease, plus calcium, iron, and magnesium. That’s a lot of great things from a humble condiment!

Creating Homemade Tahini is Easy as Pie

If you thought a dish this beneficial can only be bought in stores, you’re wrong. You can make your own tahini at home with white hulled sesame seeds, grapeseed or olive oil, an oven, and a food processor! And the best thing is that it takes only 20 minutes to create your own version, with prep time and cooking time combined. Easy and cost-effective!

It is Going to Have its Own Film

If you still don’t believe the impact of tahini in your life, then perhaps a documentary will? A “Tahini the Movie” is in the works, which pays homage to this healthy dish. Coincidentally, the same team that made “Hummus the Movie” is working on it. What are the odds?

We could go on and on, but let’s leave it at this bite-sized information for now. Interested to try it out?

Basil Hummus Recipe

Mar 23, 2017 | Hummus Ingredients, Hummus Recipe Ideas, Hummus Variations, Middle Eastern Dips, Sweet Hummus Recipes, Types of Hummus, Vegetable Hummus

A Basil Hummus Recipe is a good way to use up the extra basil that everybody usually has in the fridge. We realise that everybody loves hummus and everybody loves basil, and what’s not to love? The good thing about hummus is it’s ability to lend itself to a multitude of ingredients like basil and they all taste amazing. Using fresh and natural ingredients can really give your dip the ping it needs to set itself apart from the other boring dips at the party. This recipe uses tomato paste which gives it a very interesting taste which most people will enjoy.

Basil and Chickpeas? Really?

Yes really Tiffany. This combination of hummus and basil is great for any occasion and is suitable for vegetarians. You can pick the basil leaves fresh from your plant if you have one.
It’s easy to prepare and pretty cheap. If you’re looking for a unique hummus perfect for vegetarians, this Basil Hummus Recipe is a must try. It goes well with bread sticks, pita wedges, crackers and heaps of other good foods. This is the best alternative for your standard dip.

Ingredients

1/4 cup pine nuts
2 cups sweet basil leaves
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 500 gram cans garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon tomato paste
Several dashes Tabasco

Method

In a small pan at medium high temperature, heat the pine nuts. Stir them when they start to become brown. When most of them are lightly browned, transfer them to a bowl to cool.
In the food processor, put the basil leaves and minced garlic. Pulse till they are finely chopped.
Add the garbanzo beans, most of the pine nuts, olive oil, lemon juice, tomato paste, salt and few dashes of Tabasco to the food processor.
Pulse many times until the hummus is smooth.
Depends on your liking, add more Tabasco, salt of lemon juice to taste.
Add water to achieve your desired consistency.

Transfer the hummus into a bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Don’t forget to sprinkle the remaining pine nuts on top to make it look more inviting. Serve with pita wedges and carrots cut into sticks.