Hummus is some of the best stuff on earth. It might look beige and boring in the bowl, but this blend of soft chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic creates a dip that is so much more than the sum of its parts. It’s healthy and it’s packed with flavour.
Why you should eat more hummus? Hummus in moderation may be the superfood for a weight loss diet. Chickpeas are an excellent source of fiber, which not only helps build a healthy digestive system, but also makes you feel full and satisfied. Hummus contains 4 grams of protein per 100 grams, but if it’s added to a hard boiled egg white minus the yolk, the protein content is doubled. This has an impact on appetite suppression that leads to weight loss.
Hummus is a complex carbohydrate that provides time released energy that won’t lead to a spike in blood sugar levels. It is full of protein that fills you up, Digesting and utilizing the glucose found in all beans and starches takes a while, which keeps blood sugar levels stable before they begin to drop again.
Since hummus is so rich in protein, it can help fight hunger cravings and balance blood sugar levels. This could help curb excessive snacking. The iron content in hummus helps boost your energy, which could make you more motivated to hit the gym. The daily consumption of hummus can also help lower bad cholesterol. Chickpeas contain isoflavones, which are antioxidants known to lower cholesterol.
--
Serves 6-8 as a starter
• 400 grams of chickpeas
• 4 tsp tahini
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp crushed pepper
• 3 tbsp quality extra virgin olive oil (plus extra for drizzling)
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Paprika (optional)
• Coriander or parsley leaves (optional)
Instructions
• Drain the chickpeas into a strainer and rinse under cool running water. If time and patience allows, pinch the skins from each of the chickpeas; this will make your hummus smoother.
• Combine the chickpeas, olive oil, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in the bowl of the food processor or blender.
• Process the hummus continuously until it becomes very smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to integrate any large chunks.
• Taste and add more of any of the ingredients to taste. If your hummus is stiffer than you'd like, add more lemon juice or olive oil to thin it out and make the hummus creamier.
• Scrape the hummus into a bowl, top with greens and paprika and serve with pita chips or raw vegetables. Hummus will also keep for up to a week in a sealed container in the refrigerator.
Serves 2-4 as a starter
