Hummus.....what is it?

fitoverforty · Post by **fitoverforty** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:17 pm

In search for healthier foods to eat I have noticed alot of shapefit members incorporate Hummus into their diets.

I have never had Hummus in life.

I know it has Garbanzo beans in it. I have never liked garbanzo beans and haven't eaten any since I left childhood home (20 + years ago!)

It was the texture of the bean (or is it a pea?) that I didn't like, kinda dry and pasty, chalky....not good.

I am hoping that since Hummus is made in a dip like texture with alot of added ingredients that I will like it well enough to use as a dip instead of the bad stuff that I really like....french onion dip....ranch dip....etc.

Anyone have any good recipes or ideas on how to use it for snacks?
What are the nutritional benefits of Hummus? Is it a good protein source?
How much should a "serving" be?

thanks in advance!

littleshelly · Post by **littleshelly** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 4:06 pm

Beans in general are excellent for you. Hummus is made using chick peas/garbanzo beans, tahini (sesame butter), and olive oil. Other ingredients are also added. Beans are very high in Protein, fiber, calcium, potassium, vitamin B6, magnesium, folate, and alpha-linolenic acid. Olive oil is also an source of good fat. You can use it as a dip for almost anything. Make a sandwich out of it. Top a baked sweet potato, top a burger. Anything that sounds good.

Here are a few sites with some recipes.
http://mideastfood.about.com/od/middlee ... mus101.htm
http://elise.com/recipes/archives/001844hummus.php

fitoverforty · Post by **fitoverforty** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:32 pm

thank you for the web links! Is tahini hard to find? Expensive?

I saw one recipe that replaced the tahini with peanut butter and added yogurt as well, that sounded pretty good.

littleshelly · Post by **littleshelly** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 2:22 am

You're welcome.
Check your local grocery store in the Chinese food isle or the peanut butter isle or the salad dressing isle. Not too expensive $5-7. You can use anything you want. Regular olive oil would also work. Try whatever you like.
You can order it online also. Just do a Google search.

SimplyBlessed · Post by **SimplyBlessed** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 5:50 pm

I buy a hummus spread with roasted red peppers in it, it is AMAZING! It has a real smooth flavor that makes you think it's spicy even though it's not. Very good with celery sticks!

fitoverforty · Post by **fitoverforty** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 6:59 pm

Yumm...that does sound good. I'm going to the grocery store tomorrow and will be on the look out for some. It's probably over there in that Health Food section....where all those health nuts shop

...Hey! Wait a minute I'M one of those nuts now!!

And it really feels so good to be able to count myself among them. I am so excited about trying new things, healthy recipes. I love being able to eat food and not feel like I weigh a ton afterwards.

SimplyBlessed · Post by **SimplyBlessed** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:03 pm

I buy mine at Publix in the section in front of the deli where the good pre-sliced cheeses and lunch meats are refridgerated. I also found some sliced turkey pepperoni in there the other day, also very good! Very few calories, good source of protein, lean in fat and tastes almost as good as regular pepperoni. I add it to the hummus and celery snack for a good combo. You can have 17 slices per serving! MMM!

fitoverforty · Post by **fitoverforty** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 4:29 pm

Okay....I have to say I am not a big fan of the hummus I tried. I bought the roasted red pepper kind. Small container, just like you said at the front of the store with the fancy cheese and deli meats.
But I'm not willing to give up just yet. I just tried it with some Brown Rice chips. I want to at least try it as a topping on a potato, or warmed up spread on toast.
If that doesn't help, then I want to try to make own, hopefully I will find a recipe that is a little more to liking.

wish me luck!

ilurvebroccoli · Post by **ilurvebroccoli** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:45 am

I LOVE adding roasted garlic hummus to whole wheat pasta. It makes a GREAT replacement for sauce. Theres several brands as well, each are different. I like the Athenos hummus the best.

SimplyBlessed · Post by **SimplyBlessed** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:24 am

Athenos is the brand I usually buy. I'm sorry you didn't like the roasted red pepper one- I would never purposely lead you astray! I agree that eating it with baby carrots is great- celery too!

Nokie173 · Post by **Nokie173** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:33 am

I like to buy mine at Trader Joe's 'mediterranean hummus'... with baby carrots or wheat pita bread... YUMMY!!!

I also get the 'original hummus' if I get it somewhere else.

fitoverforty · Post by **fitoverforty** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:22 pm

No, don't be sorry...

I really appreciate your help Simply Blessed! And everyone else too! I know that i am on the right track, just haven't quite found the one for me yet.
I love baby carrots too, and found a great sounding recipe for hummus using carrots:

Shiny Happy Carrot Hummus

2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced (about 1 cup)
1/4 cup water
2-3 cloves garlic
1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 tbsps. fresh lemon juice
1/2 tsp. salt, or to taste
1/2 tbsp. tahini
1/4 tsp. ground coriander
1/2 tsp. ginger paste (or 1/4 tsp. finely minced ginger)
pinch cayenne
1/4 tsp. paprika

On the stove or in the microwave, cook the carrots in the water, covered, until the carrots are just tender. (I nuked 'em for 2 1/2 minutes.) Put the carrots, water, and garlic into the food processor and puree.

Add the chickpeas, lemon juice, and salt to the processor and puree until smooth. At this point, you can stop and have a very simple, very light hummus. Or add the remaining ingredients and blend well. Serve as a dip, a sandwich filling, or a salad dressing.

Sound good? I haven't made this yet, but would like to try.I don't have any ginger or coriander so I would try it without those and i would replace the tahini with peanut butter since I have some of that already and no tahini.

Thanks you guys for all the input and suggestions! Let me know if any of you have tried this recipe and if you liked it.

ldematto · Post by **ldematto** » Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:37 pm

Doesn't sound very good to me - I LOVE the Roasted Red Pepper and they make a great Jalepeno Hummus too! So, if you really don't like what you have to dip into the hummus (carrots/celery etc) vs the "old" dip chips - at least it's got some kick!

fitoverforty · Post by **fitoverforty** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 4:55 pm

thanks Katie! I will definately give that one a try. I am still experimenting with different ways to try hummus. I had some fresh picked (still warm from the sun!) garden tomatos from our garden that I sliced and seasoned with a bit of garlic & herb Mrs. Dash, then just for fun I spread a little of roasted red pepper hummus on them and Yummmmm! Great! Really good flavor.

Bella115 · Post by **Bella115** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 3:15 am

I would say that Katie's Way of doing hummus is very accurate and darn good as well..

All I can add is perhaps a little olive oil to the mix. HEAVEN! OH AND NO PEANUT BUTTER!!!! wENT TO A RESTO ONCE AND i THINK THEY MESSED AROUND WITH TH EPEANUT BUTTER IN THEIR HUMMUS AND IT WAS.... WELLL LETS JUST SAY... NOT VERY TASTY.. :p

ENJOY!