This spring I discovered hummus.
I know it’s not a brand discovery but for me it was like an explosion of taste and excitement. Its taste is extremely delicious and unlike some of the foods that I include into my diet, this one actually has a lot of health benefits. And if you are not a lazy ass like me you can prepare it yourself because the recipe is easy and available to everyone.
What is hummus?
You might have come across it written as ‘hummus’ or ‘humus.’ The product is the same regardless of the spelling and its origins are Arabic. The approximate translation is ‘chickpea’ and as you probably guessed it’s made from chickpeas (garbanzo beans) which were previously cooked and mashed. Next to this you also add tahini (a paste made of sesame seeds), lemon juice, olive oil, garlic and salt.
Where did hummus come from?
It’s hard to give an exact origin of the hummus since there are so many variations of it. But what we know for sure is that the chickpeas appeared first in the Middle East and the Mediterranean area. It was one of the earliest crops registered in Mesopotamia and it was highly consumed in Palestine. Even philosophers mentioned the benefits of hummus in their writings.
Health Benefits of Hummus
1. Reduces cancer risks – hummus contains high doses of folate, a substance that reduces the risk of developing colorectal cancers and promotes the development of healthy bacteria in the colon.
2. Rich in protein – hummus contains proteins that can help you deal with cravings and with the troublesome blood sugar levels. Not to mention that it contains lots of iron which can boost your energy levels. This makes it perfect for going to the gym or as a snack when you are traveling.
3. Lower cholesterol – a study developed by the Australian Jane Pittaway from the University of Tasmania on a group of people with ages between 30 and 70 showed that those who ate chickpea consumed less fat and registered lower levels of cholesterol.
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How to prepare it?
1. Put the garbanzo beans, cumin, jalapeno, garlic, lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of the bean liquid.
2. Blend everything until you get a smooth paste. Add more bean liquid if you want to get a smoother dip.
This hummus works perfectly with pita bread, tortilla or vegetables and crackers. Whatever you decide, I am sure you will love this recipe. It’s simple, but extremely delicious!
Here you have a list of the various ways in which hummus can enter your life. And fridge!
Dana