Healthy Ingredients

Store-bought hummus can contain many unhealthy ingredients, including added oils, preservatives, or excess salt. You won’t have to worry about them when making your own hummus because you can use the healthiest ingredients possible.

Keep it Fresh

Being in control of the ingredients you’re using will also allow you to keep them as fresh as possible. Your hummus will have a fresh and irresistible flavor when there are no added preservatives involved, and you can experiment with new seasonal veggies every time you make it.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rae A., MS CN – Vegan Recipes (@raepubliceats)

Flavor Combos

Speaking of experimenting, making your own hummus will inspire you to try delicious new flavor combinations. The sky is your limit since you can add new ingredients to the mix and adjust the flavor to your liking.

Quick & Easy

You don’t have to be a cooking pro to make delicious homemade hummus. It’s a quick and easy process that will yield great results, especially since you can store your homemade hummus for later use.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jennifer Segal (@onceuponachef)

The post 4 Reasons Why You Should Try Making Homemade Hummus appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Beetroot Hummus

Beetroot is incredibly healthy and is an amazing addition to hummus. Not only does it add a lovely earthy flavor, but it also brings a stunning pink color to the dish. Simply add some cooked beetroot to a basic hummus recipe before blending.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dr. Harsha Hirdyani (@dr.harshahirdyani)

Broad Bean Hummus

Broad beans are a wonderful ingredient. They’re packed of vitamins and minerals, while also being high in protein and delicious. They’re a perfect substitute for chickpeas in a tasty dip, so simply cook some to use in your hummus.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Riverford (@riverford)

Red Lentil Hummus

Another incredible legume that’s not only super healthy but also very tasty. If you want to compliment the subtle savory flavor of the lentils you could add some sundried tomatoes to the hummus before blending as well, and this will bring out the pretty red color even more.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kathryn Alexandre | Vegan Recipes (@tastythriftytimely)

The post Here are 3 Delicious Varieties of Hummus to Try Making at Home appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
• 1 /4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons almond butter
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons coconut milk
• Crushed cookies

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Plant-Based Juniors (@plantbasedjuniors)

Instructions:

1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas and put them in a blender. Pulse for 10 seconds.
2. Add the almond butter, brown sugar, coconut milk, ground cinnamon, vanilla bean paste, maple syrup, and salt. Blend on high speed for 45 seconds.
3. Scrape down the sides of the blender with a spatula and blend for another 30 to 45 seconds.
4. Scoop the hummus into a serving bowl.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kara Corey, Registered Dietitian (@karacoreyfitlife)

The post Your Guide to Making Snickerdoodle Hummus appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Skip Store-Bought Hummus

If you have a tendency to always go for store-bought hummus, consider putting aside a little bit of time to make your own. The best thing about homemade hummus is that you’re in total control, and it’s up to you to make a healthy spread that doesn’t contain any artificial flavorings.

Moderation!

Just like any other healthy food on the market, hummus is only healthy when you eat it in moderation. Mindless dipping won’t do you any favors, and you can avoid it by serving smaller portions with healthy veggies such as carrots and cucumbers.

Mix of Ingredients

Most people can’t imagine making hummus without chickpeas, but there are many alternatives that you can try. If chickpeas don’t suit your nutritional needs or you simply don’t like them, try replacing them with black beans, beets, edamame, or even sweet potatoes.

The post 3 Useful Tips for Making the Healthiest Homemade Hummus appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

If you want to get a delicious green hummus, spinach is the perfect ingredient. It can be combined with other healthy add-ins, such as avocado and peas, but you should try the basic recipe first before giving them a go.

Ingredients:

• 400 grams canned chickpeas
• 225 grams spinach
• 50 milliliters lemon juice
• 50 milliliters water
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1½ tablespoon tahini
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• fresh mint (optional)

Instructions:

1. Run the chickpeas from the can under running water and let them drain properly. Fresh chickpeas can also be used, but they have to be cooked and drained beforehand.
2. Wash, drain, and chop your spinach. Peel the garlic and chop it into smaller pieces.
3. Place all the ingredients inside a blender and pulse until you get a thick and smooth mixture. Take breaks if needed to scrape the hummus of the blender, and add more water if needed.
4. Pour your hummus inside a jar or other sealed container and store it in your fridge.
5. When serving your hummus, decorate it with fresh mint leaves, and use it as a dip or a spread.

The post Tasty and Healthy Spinach Hummus is Just the Thing You Need This Spring appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Sure, it’s pretty easy to buy hummus at any old grocery store, but making it at home lets you have it fresher, healthier, and more attuned to your own preferences. Convinced? Okay, here’s how to do it.

Ingredients

• Food processor
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 – 3 tablespoons of cold water

Instructions

Process the tahini and lemon juice in your food processor for a minute. Add the olive oil, garlic, and salt. Process for one more minute. Add the chickpeas. Process for one more minute. Add cold water until you reach your desired consistency. Taste and add more salt as desired.

While this is pretty much as simple as a hummus recipe can get, you can always jazz yours up to your taste with seasonings and additions like paprika, cumin, sumac, pepper—whatever your taste buds tell you. Enjoy!

The post How to Make Your Own Hummus appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Here are 3 ideas to get you started experimenting with hummus.

Red Pepper Hummus

To make red pepper hummus, simply empty 2 can of chickpeas into a blender or food processor. Chop up 1-2 red peppers, and add to the chickpeas with salt, pepper and coriander. Blend them all up and serve with carrot sticks or celery.

Hummus Tart

Buy some thin-bake pastry and line a small greased baking tray with it. Put it in the oven for 10-15 minutes while you puree some chickpeas—and your choice of herbs and spices. When the pastry has turned golden brown, fill the pastry with your herby hummus.

Roasted Vegetable Hummus

Simply chop up your choice of fresh vegetables into small chunks and roast them in the oven for 10-13 minutes. A good choice will be something like red onions, peppers, garlic, eggplant, mushroom and zucchini. Puree chickpeas and mix together with salt and pepper.

The post 3 Delicious Hummus Ideas appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Chickpeas Choice

Hummus is incomplete without chickpeas, and it’s extremely important to pick the right ones for your recipe. The flavor of your homemade hummus will be much better if you avoid using canned chickpeas and go for dried ones instead.

Baking Soda

Most people don’t use baking soda while cooking their chickpeas, and this is another common mistake. Adding a bit of baking soda to the water will soften the skins of your beans and ensure your hummus has a rich, soft texture.

Tahini

If you’re replacing tahini with sesame oil in your go-to recipe—it’s time to stop. This dish is incomplete without good tahini, and its taste will depend on the amount and the brand of tahini you’re using to make hummus.

The post Perfect Your Hummus Recipe by Avoiding These Mistakes appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

We love sandwiches that incorporate hummus into them, which is why we want to share this delicious recipe for a cucumber hummus sandwich with you. It’s vegan, super filling, and very healthy. Let’s learn how to make it!

Ingredients

• 1 piece pita bread
• ½ cucumber, sliced
• ⅓ cup hummus
• Paprika

Instructions

Start off by placing the pita bread in a toaster and heating it until it becomes soft and the outside is slightly crip. After you’ve done this, use a knife to open up the bread so that it forms a “pocket.”

Next, slice half of a cucumber and place it on the inside of the pita bread. After this, you’ll want to spread a 1/3  cup of fresh hummus into the pita bread so that it is evenly spread out.

Finally, sprinkle a bit of paprika into the sandwich to taste, and that’s all. Your cucumber hummus sandwich is ready to be enjoyed!

The post This Cucumber Hummus Sandwich is a Perfect Choice for Lunch appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

So, pull out your calendar and get ready to pencil in these important culinary holidays into your calendar for the upcoming month!

National Shrimp Day: May 10th

Are you a shrimp lover? These little crustaceans are one of the world’s most popular seafoods due to their meaty, rich taste of this creature, which can be fried, put into pasta sauces, or sauteed in garlic butter. Whatever your favorite way to enjoy shrimp is, May 10th would be a great day to do it!

National Hummus Day: May 15th

Hummus is one of our favorite healthy snack foods, and it will have its own special day on Friday the 15th. Why not slice up some pita bread and veggies and relax with a bowl of hummus to celebrate?

National Wine Day: May 25th

Whether you like it red or white, still or sparkling, aged or young, wine truly offers options for everyone. The warmer temperatures of late May might invite you to crack open a bottle of a dry white to celebrate this fantastic holiday, but if you like reds, you can choose one of them too!

The post Mark Your Calendar For These May Food Holidays! appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Healthy Ingredients

Store-bought hummus can contain many unhealthy ingredients, including added oils, preservatives, or excess salt. You won’t have to worry about them when making your own hummus because you can use the healthiest ingredients possible.

Keep it Fresh

Being in control of the ingredients you’re using will also allow you to keep them as fresh as possible. Your hummus will have a fresh and irresistible flavor when there are no added preservatives involved, and you can experiment with new seasonal veggies every time you make it.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rae A., MS CN – Vegan Recipes (@raepubliceats)

Flavor Combos

Speaking of experimenting, making your own hummus will inspire you to try delicious new flavor combinations. The sky is your limit since you can add new ingredients to the mix and adjust the flavor to your liking.

Quick & Easy

You don’t have to be a cooking pro to make delicious homemade hummus. It’s a quick and easy process that will yield great results, especially since you can store your homemade hummus for later use.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Jennifer Segal (@onceuponachef)

The post 4 Reasons Why You Should Try Making Homemade Hummus appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Beetroot Hummus

Beetroot is incredibly healthy and is an amazing addition to hummus. Not only does it add a lovely earthy flavor, but it also brings a stunning pink color to the dish. Simply add some cooked beetroot to a basic hummus recipe before blending.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dr. Harsha Hirdyani (@dr.harshahirdyani)

Broad Bean Hummus

Broad beans are a wonderful ingredient. They’re packed of vitamins and minerals, while also being high in protein and delicious. They’re a perfect substitute for chickpeas in a tasty dip, so simply cook some to use in your hummus.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Riverford (@riverford)

Red Lentil Hummus

Another incredible legume that’s not only super healthy but also very tasty. If you want to compliment the subtle savory flavor of the lentils you could add some sundried tomatoes to the hummus before blending as well, and this will bring out the pretty red color even more.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kathryn Alexandre | Vegan Recipes (@tastythriftytimely)

The post Here are 3 Delicious Varieties of Hummus to Try Making at Home appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste
• 1 /4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons almond butter
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 3 tablespoons coconut milk
• Crushed cookies

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Plant-Based Juniors (@plantbasedjuniors)

Instructions:

1. Drain and rinse the chickpeas and put them in a blender. Pulse for 10 seconds.
2. Add the almond butter, brown sugar, coconut milk, ground cinnamon, vanilla bean paste, maple syrup, and salt. Blend on high speed for 45 seconds.
3. Scrape down the sides of the blender with a spatula and blend for another 30 to 45 seconds.
4. Scoop the hummus into a serving bowl.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kara Corey, Registered Dietitian (@karacoreyfitlife)

The post Your Guide to Making Snickerdoodle Hummus appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Skip Store-Bought Hummus

If you have a tendency to always go for store-bought hummus, consider putting aside a little bit of time to make your own. The best thing about homemade hummus is that you’re in total control, and it’s up to you to make a healthy spread that doesn’t contain any artificial flavorings.

Moderation!

Just like any other healthy food on the market, hummus is only healthy when you eat it in moderation. Mindless dipping won’t do you any favors, and you can avoid it by serving smaller portions with healthy veggies such as carrots and cucumbers.

Mix of Ingredients

Most people can’t imagine making hummus without chickpeas, but there are many alternatives that you can try. If chickpeas don’t suit your nutritional needs or you simply don’t like them, try replacing them with black beans, beets, edamame, or even sweet potatoes.

The post 3 Useful Tips for Making the Healthiest Homemade Hummus appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

If you want to get a delicious green hummus, spinach is the perfect ingredient. It can be combined with other healthy add-ins, such as avocado and peas, but you should try the basic recipe first before giving them a go.

Ingredients:

• 400 grams canned chickpeas
• 225 grams spinach
• 50 milliliters lemon juice
• 50 milliliters water
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1½ tablespoon tahini
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• fresh mint (optional)

Instructions:

1. Run the chickpeas from the can under running water and let them drain properly. Fresh chickpeas can also be used, but they have to be cooked and drained beforehand.
2. Wash, drain, and chop your spinach. Peel the garlic and chop it into smaller pieces.
3. Place all the ingredients inside a blender and pulse until you get a thick and smooth mixture. Take breaks if needed to scrape the hummus of the blender, and add more water if needed.
4. Pour your hummus inside a jar or other sealed container and store it in your fridge.
5. When serving your hummus, decorate it with fresh mint leaves, and use it as a dip or a spread.

The post Tasty and Healthy Spinach Hummus is Just the Thing You Need This Spring appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Sure, it’s pretty easy to buy hummus at any old grocery store, but making it at home lets you have it fresher, healthier, and more attuned to your own preferences. Convinced? Okay, here’s how to do it.

Ingredients

• Food processor
• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 can chickpeas, rinsed
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 – 3 tablespoons of cold water

Instructions

Process the tahini and lemon juice in your food processor for a minute. Add the olive oil, garlic, and salt. Process for one more minute. Add the chickpeas. Process for one more minute. Add cold water until you reach your desired consistency. Taste and add more salt as desired.

While this is pretty much as simple as a hummus recipe can get, you can always jazz yours up to your taste with seasonings and additions like paprika, cumin, sumac, pepper—whatever your taste buds tell you. Enjoy!

The post How to Make Your Own Hummus appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Here are 3 ideas to get you started experimenting with hummus.

Red Pepper Hummus

To make red pepper hummus, simply empty 2 can of chickpeas into a blender or food processor. Chop up 1-2 red peppers, and add to the chickpeas with salt, pepper and coriander. Blend them all up and serve with carrot sticks or celery.

Hummus Tart

Buy some thin-bake pastry and line a small greased baking tray with it. Put it in the oven for 10-15 minutes while you puree some chickpeas—and your choice of herbs and spices. When the pastry has turned golden brown, fill the pastry with your herby hummus.

Roasted Vegetable Hummus

Simply chop up your choice of fresh vegetables into small chunks and roast them in the oven for 10-13 minutes. A good choice will be something like red onions, peppers, garlic, eggplant, mushroom and zucchini. Puree chickpeas and mix together with salt and pepper.

The post 3 Delicious Hummus Ideas appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Chickpeas Choice

Hummus is incomplete without chickpeas, and it’s extremely important to pick the right ones for your recipe. The flavor of your homemade hummus will be much better if you avoid using canned chickpeas and go for dried ones instead.

Baking Soda

Most people don’t use baking soda while cooking their chickpeas, and this is another common mistake. Adding a bit of baking soda to the water will soften the skins of your beans and ensure your hummus has a rich, soft texture.

Tahini

If you’re replacing tahini with sesame oil in your go-to recipe—it’s time to stop. This dish is incomplete without good tahini, and its taste will depend on the amount and the brand of tahini you’re using to make hummus.

The post Perfect Your Hummus Recipe by Avoiding These Mistakes appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

We love sandwiches that incorporate hummus into them, which is why we want to share this delicious recipe for a cucumber hummus sandwich with you. It’s vegan, super filling, and very healthy. Let’s learn how to make it!

Ingredients

• 1 piece pita bread
• ½ cucumber, sliced
• ⅓ cup hummus
• Paprika

Instructions

Start off by placing the pita bread in a toaster and heating it until it becomes soft and the outside is slightly crip. After you’ve done this, use a knife to open up the bread so that it forms a “pocket.”

Next, slice half of a cucumber and place it on the inside of the pita bread. After this, you’ll want to spread a 1/3  cup of fresh hummus into the pita bread so that it is evenly spread out.

Finally, sprinkle a bit of paprika into the sandwich to taste, and that’s all. Your cucumber hummus sandwich is ready to be enjoyed!

The post This Cucumber Hummus Sandwich is a Perfect Choice for Lunch appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

So, pull out your calendar and get ready to pencil in these important culinary holidays into your calendar for the upcoming month!

National Shrimp Day: May 10th

Are you a shrimp lover? These little crustaceans are one of the world’s most popular seafoods due to their meaty, rich taste of this creature, which can be fried, put into pasta sauces, or sauteed in garlic butter. Whatever your favorite way to enjoy shrimp is, May 10th would be a great day to do it!

National Hummus Day: May 15th

Hummus is one of our favorite healthy snack foods, and it will have its own special day on Friday the 15th. Why not slice up some pita bread and veggies and relax with a bowl of hummus to celebrate?

National Wine Day: May 25th

Whether you like it red or white, still or sparkling, aged or young, wine truly offers options for everyone. The warmer temperatures of late May might invite you to crack open a bottle of a dry white to celebrate this fantastic holiday, but if you like reds, you can choose one of them too!

The post Mark Your Calendar For These May Food Holidays! appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.