Most of us know that hummus is a creamy dip or spread traditionally made of mashed chick peas, garlic, tahini (sesame) paste and lemon juice. What many of us aren’t aware of is how many varieties of hummus have emerged from home kitchens and some of our favorite food producers, as this Middle Eastern mainstay has become one of the trendiest appetizers in America.
Hummus is more than a just a simple snack: it’s a versatile dip for vegetables, crackers or pita chips and is a delicious substitution for condiments typically high in saturated fats, like sour cream or mayonnaise. The best thing about hummus? If you’re making your own, you can customize it with your favorite flavors and if you’re hitting the grocery store, there is an option for every palate.
Sonny & Joe’s Buffalo Hummus: If you like food with a kick and crave buffalo wings on game day, you’ll probably go wild for the newest Buffalo variety of hummus, flavored with hot sauce and garnished with whole chickpeas. It’s a great alternative to butter-drenched, fried buffalo wings – we promise, you won’t miss the blue cheese.
Sun-dried Tomato Hummus from Pinch My Salt: If you’re going to make your own hummus for the first time, pull out your food processor and pick a simple recipe from your favorite food blogger’s kitchen. I’ve made Nicole Hamaker’s spread on multiple occasions and love the tangy, Tuscan-inspired flavor delivered by oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes.
Athenos Neoclassic Original Hummus: Athenos recently made its first foray into the Greek yogurt market but it’s still a leader in hummus, with a revamped formula made with wholesome chickpeas, pure olive oil, garlic and lemon juice.
Cucumber Hummus from Fat-Free Vegan Kitchen: If you’re watching your weight (and who isn’t these days?) look for a recipe that uses low-cal cucumbers and a modest amount of tahini for flavor. The recipe calls for flax seeds and if you’re using a high-powered blender like the Vita-Mix, the author suggests using whole seeds. If you’re mashing by hand, opt for ground flax, which you can find at most natural foods stores.
Sabra Hummus Singles: Perfect for portion control whether you’re looking to shed poundage or not, single servings of hummus are the perfect snack to pop into your bag for on-the-go lunches or snacks when you’re headed to school or work.
Try these great hummus recipes from DietsInReview!