Pumpkin Hummus

It’s such fun to flavor this hummus for fall by adding in pumpkin, knowing it also boosts the nutritional value. It’s always a hit as an appetizer at our autumn dinner parties, and it makes for a delicious sandwich spread, or wrap.

[su_expanding_quote_without_link alignment=”full” source=”SuperFoods: Fourteen Foods that Will Change Your Life, Steven Pratt M.D. and Kathy Mathews” full_quote=”Foods rich in carotenoids have been linked to a host of health promoting and disease-fighting activities.Pumpkin contains one of the richest supplies of bioavailable caortenoids known to man. Half a cup serving of pumpkin gives you more than two times my recommended daily intake of alpha-caronte and 100 percent of my recommended daily dietary goal of beta-carotene.” short_quote=”Foods rich in carotenoids have been linked to a host of health promoting and disease-fighting activities.”]

For a hummus as sandwich spread, I prefer a thicker consistency (similar to softened cream cheese). If using as a dip (with veggies, pita or crackers), I add a couple tablespoons of water.

I discovered it also freezes well, which is a great resource for an impromptu dinner party or for quick sandwich/wrap lunches during the week

 

Pumpkin Hummus
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Pumpkin Hummus
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Ingredients
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Instructions
  1. Into blender (or food processor) put lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, tahini and garbanzo. Puree until smooth, stopping occasionally and mixing with rubber spatula as needed.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth, adding water (1 tablespoon at a time) until it has the desired consistency.
  3. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Sprinkle pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds on top and serve.
Recipe Notes

A Color My Food Original Recipe

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Southwest Hummus

Beans are so important to our health that we should  Eat More Beans. Hummus/bean dips are a delicious way to do this. I use them instead of mayo as a sandwich spread, or in wraps with leftover grains and spinach (or other greens).

Roasted bell peppers make this one of my favorite bean spreads. Garbanzo and tahini are staples in our house. When bell peppers are not in season, I use store-bought roasted red peppers (read ingredient label to ensure there’s no sugar or unnecessary addivites).

This a quick appetizer to put together for impromput dinner with friends, or to take as a contribution for dinner at someone else’s home.

Garbanzo beans have been used to treat blood pressure for thousands of years and can lower cholesterol levels. So let’s have Hummus for a Healthy Heart

Southwest Hummus
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Prep Time
15 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Southwest Hummus
Print Recipe
Prep Time
15 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Ingredients
Adjust servings:
Units:
Instructions
  1. Place extra-virgin olive oil, lime juice, 2 tablespoons water, tahini and half of garbanzo beans in food processor and process until smooth.
  2. Add remaining ingredients and process, pausing, mixing with spatula and processing again until smooth. If it is too thick, add another 2 tablespoons of water. Adjust salt to taste.
  3. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate for one hour. Can be made one day ahead.
Recipe Notes

Source: Culicurious: Southwest Hummus

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Pea, Pistachio and Cilantro Hummus

I found this recipe on Pinterest and it’s become one of my favorites. Thank you, Peas and Crayons!

When I don’t have pistachios, I use walnuts or almonds. I serve it for dinner guests with carrot and celery sticks, and either fresh pita wedges, pita chips or crispy whole-grain or seed crackers.

The leftovers go in a mason jar that gets used throughout the week on toast for breakfast or a snack, or in a wrap with greens and a tablespoon or two of sunflower seeds. It also makes a delicious sandwich spread instead of mayonnaise.

Health Benefits of Cilantro

  • Cilantro is most often cited as being effective for toxic metal cleansing.The chemical compounds in cilantro bind to toxic metals and loosen them from the tissue.
  • May be able to help prevent cardiovascular damage. [2]
  • The School of Life Science in Tamil Nadu, India noted, after researching the activity of cilantro leaves and stem, “if used in cuisine would be a remedy for diabetes.” [3]
  • Strong antioxidant activity. [4]
  • Has been shown to have anti-anxiety effects. [5]
  • May help improve sleep quality. [6]
  • Has been examined and described to have a blood-sugar lowering effect. [7]
Cilantro, Pea and Pistachio Hummus
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Prep Time
15 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cilantro, Pea and Pistachio Hummus
Print Recipe
Prep Time
15 minutes
Prep Time
15 minutes
Ingredients
Adjust servings:
Units:
Instructions
  1. In a food processor or blender, combine chickpeas, peas, tahini, olive oil, and most of cilantro. Add cilantro, saving several springs for garnishing.
  2. Blend to incorporate.
  3. Scrape down the sides and add garlic, salt, red pepper flakes and water. Blend until deliciously creamy.
  4. More oil, tahini, or water will thin out the hummus, more red pepper flakes will add heat and you can even add some lemon or lime juice to add some zest to the dip!
  5. To dress it up, drizzle 1/2 - 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil over it, and sprinkle some chopped cilantro and pistachios and on top.
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