Hummus is both delicious and healthy. The spread is made of chickpeas, which are high in protein and perfect for people trying to eat healthy.

What is Hummus?

Hummus is a tasty dip that's usually made from chickpeas, tahini (roasted, ground sesame seeds), lemon juice, garlic and olive oil. Originally from the Middle East, this dip is now enjoyed all over the world.

Hummus goes well with many different recipes and is naturally gluten-free and vegan.

Is Hummus Healthy?

Hummus is made of only natural products with no preservatives. It's high in fibre and a good source of protein. Hummus contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, but does have a fairly high amount of fat from the tahini and olive oil. To avoid extra fat, use less of these ingredients.

Can You Eat Hummus on the Keto Diet?

As chickpeas are legumes, they are high in carbohydrates. So if you are on a ketogenic diet, avoid hummus.

Recipe

Here is a simple recipe for homemade hummus. You only need a few ingredients and about 15 minutes of time.

Ingredients

• 300 g chickpeas, cooked
• 120 g tahini
• 1-2 cloves of garlic
• 1-2 tbsp olive oil (optional)
• ½ teaspoon cumin, ground
• ½ teaspoon salt
• Juice of one lemon
• Pepper
• Water
• Paprika powder (optional)

Preparation

1. You can either cook the chickpeas yourself in salted water until tender, or use canned chickpeas.
2. Add all the ingredients to a food processor and puree for 30 seconds on high.
3. If you find the consistency too thick you can add a spoonful of water.
4. Pour the hummus into a bowl and season with salt, pepper, cumin or lemon juice to taste. You can also add more olive oil and paprika powder if you like.

Store the hummus in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The hummus will keep for about five to seven days. If you want to extend the shelf life, you can also freeze it. It lasts for about 3 months frozen.