Hummus – The Dip from Middle East

Hummus is a famous dip from Middle Eastern cuisine. Also, when it comes to dips and sauces it is one of my favorites.

So is Hummus healthy?

Well, that depends on a couple of factors. One, is it store-bought? If it comes in a container (processed food) it is going to have a lot of sodium and other preservatives. Two, if it is homemade -the proportion of ingredients used.

Nutritionally speaking, Hummus is a great dip made from chickpeas, tahini or sesame seeds and olive oil. It has healthy fat, a good amount of fibre and protein, it’s a good source of vitamins like vitamins A, B1, B3, B6 and minerals like calcium, zinc, magnesium, etc. Overall it is a healthy snack for fitness freaks, kids, youngsters, pregnant women, and even those with diabetes. Of course, one needs to consume it in moderation and it should be avoided in certain health conditions.

Here’s how you can easily make this awesome dip at home:

Ingredients:

• Chickpeas-1 cup soaked and boiled, strained
• Sesame seeds-2 tbsp or Tahini paste-1 tsp
• Olive oil-1-2 tbsp
• Lime juice-2 tbsp
• Cumin powder-1 tsp
• Garlic- 1-2 cloves
• Salt

Procedure

• Put all the ingredients i.e. boiled chickpeas, garlic, lime juice, sesame or tahini, cumin, and salt into the mixer.
• Blend all the ingredients using a little amount of water.
• Finally, add Olive oil and grind it a little more.
• Add in some paprika or chili flakes if you like it spicy.
• Serve it with falafel/ sautéed veggies/ roti/ paratha etc.