Hummus nutritional facts should be cause for celebration among dieters. If you’re looking to keep some area of your culinary life under control during the holidays, hummus can provide a healthy snacking option that keeps hunger at bay with good amounts of protein and plenty of flavor. Dip baby carrots and celery sticks instead of pita, and you might even come out ahead in January.
But hummus spreads aren’t just for dipping. There are plenty of tasty and healthy recipes with hummus that are hearty enough for lunch or even dinner. Here are three to get you started:
- Hearty Hummus Spring Rolls
Spring rolls filled with vegetables and tofu alone can be less than satisfying. Often, that lack of flavor is made up by dipping in peanut sauce, adding fat and calories. A better option is to use a hummus spread inside the spring roll itself (there are so many different types of hummus that you can choose whatever flavor you think will go best with the veggies you have on hand). The creaminess will improve the texture of the roll without competing with the crunchy veggies, and will help hold everything together, too.
- Spicy Hummus Sandwich
Instead of layering a sandwich with mayo and other condiments in an attempt to impart flavor, try this hot and spicy vegetarian sandwich. Sautee onions and peppers with garlic and a little cayenne. You can do this part in advance and store for up to a day without the onions losing their crunch. When you’re ready to assemble your sandwich, start by grilling your bread (or putting it in a hot pan without butter for a minute). Then spread on a generous layer of spicy hummus dip — red pepper being the obvious choice — and pile on the veggies. With all that flavor, it’s unlikely you’ll even notice the lack of meat. If you do, try some browned and thoroughly drained ground turkey.
- Hummus-Crusted Chicken
This is some great news: Hummus can create a light crust on chicken without a bit of breading. It’s as simple as rinsing boneless, skinless chicken breasts and patting them dry with a paper towel, then spreading a layer of hummus over the top before baking them. Use about a quarter cup per piece of chicken. Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top as the breasts come out of the oven and serve while hot.
Share more hummus recipe ideas in the comments!
