Hummus Recipe Variations and Hummus Nutrition Facts

Hummus is a very versatile and nutritious food choice. For a great healthy lunch try - the red pepper or simple hummus spread on a wheat wrap or whole wheat bread w/grilled chicken, LTO, sprouts (chipotle sauce for added spice). Use hummus as a dip for veggies, bagel chips or crackers! Hummus is also great on a pita. There are so many easy different hummus recipe choices and it's cheaper than buying already made hummus. The best hummus recipe is spicy red pepper hummus (see recipe below). Most hummus recipes have chickpeas, other recipes have different vegetables or tofu instead. I like hummus so much I like to close my eyes while consuming and enter a semi-meditative state as I hum - humminahummminahummina hummus. Not really (or do I, haha) but it is a wonderfully healthy treat that makes me feel energized. Hummus nutritional value: low calorie/fat, folic acid, fiber, protein and Vitamin B6 and C.

Red Pepper Hummus Recipe

2 (15 oz. cans) chickpeas* aka garbanzo beans - drained
6 oz. jar roasted red peppers
2 cloves garlic (I like buying the jars of already minced garlic)
1 tbsp olive or canola oil
3 tbsp tahini (sesame paste)
½ tsp honey
½ tsp ground cumin
½ tsp curry powder
½ tsp kosher salt and black pepper (to taste)
Juice of 1 lemon or lime

Blend all ingredients until smooth. Serve immediately or chill. Store covered in fridge for a couple days.

Spicy Red Pepper Hummus - Follow red pepper hummus recipe and add:
(more or less per your taste) ½ tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tbsp red pepper flakes and jalopeno peppers.

Simple Hummus Recipe

(15 oz. cans) chickpeas* aka garbanzo beans - drained
2 cloves garlic (I like buying the jars of already minced garlic)
2 tbsp olive or canola oil (virgin olive oil is your healthiest choice)
2 tbsp tahini (sesame paste)

Blend ingredients until smooth. Serve immediately or chill. Store covered in fridge for a couple days.

*Sprouted chickpeas (2 cups) instead of canned is even more nutritious!

Simple Pumpkin Hummus

Substitute chickpeas with 2 15 oz. cans pumpkin puree; add 2 tsp. ground cumin, 1 ½ tsp ground red pepper, 2 tbls lemon juice to Simple Hummus Recipe above.

Simple Sweet Potato

Substitute chickpeas with 1 1/2 lb. cooked sweet potatoes; add 3 tsp brown sugar, 1 ½ tsp cayenne pepper, and 1 tsp ground cumin to Simple Hummus Recipe above.
Optional: Before serving, lightly sprinkle w/crumbled feta cheese and toasted pistachios.