Hands down, one of my favorite foods on earth is hummus. Typically when I’m reaching for a snack, I’m going for something savory, so hummus fits the bill. Plus I’m always trying to get more veggies into my day and hummus is a perfect pairing for crisp cucumbers, carrots, and bell peppers. Whipping up a batch only takes a few minutes and best of all, you’ll avoid the preservatives found in many store-bought hummus.
Hummus is also a totally blank canvas so it’s just begging for you to get creative. It can easily be jazzed up with some nuts or seeds, roasted vegetables like mushrooms or cauliflower, and spices. In this recipe, I used a spice from the Middle East known as za’atar, which is a blend of hyssop, sumac, oregano, sesame seeds and salt. It’s earthy because of all the herbs in it, but also has a slight acidic tang. I put it on everything (protein, pasta, roasted vegetables, you name it) and it works particularly well in this hummus.
For an extra nutritional boost, I added flaxseed into the hummus. Flaxseed is one of the few plant-based sources of omega 3 fatty acids, which is important in brain function, improving mood, supporting heart health and boosting immunity. But, in order to reap all those benefits, you have to eat the flaxseeds ground, not whole. Hence why the flaxseeds are blended with all the other ingredients in this recipe!
Happy dipping!
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Za’atar Flaxseed Hummus
Description
This delicious hummus features a wonderful spice blend from the Middle East known as za’atar. I also add some flaxseed for an added boost of fiber and omega 3 fat. Why buy hummus from the store when you can whip this up in 5 minutes?
Ingredients
1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
1 15 oz can low-sodium chickpeas, rinsed
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 cup water
2 tablespoons sesame paste (tahini)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons za’atar*
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. (Add 1-2 tablespoons more water/lemon juice for thinner consistency)
Notes
*Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice found in specialty grocery stores but some regular grocery stores carry it now. If you have trouble finding it, you can also use a combination of 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, and 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme instead.
- Category: appetizer, snack
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Middle Eastern