Creamy hummus with earthy sun dried tomatoes and fresh basil are what your summer veggies need! I love this simple, whole food snack since it is loaded with protein, good fats, and carbohydrates to give my kids (and their friends) the energy they need to play all day in the summer sun! This dip is so good and easy to eat that I love to serve it as a tasty appetizer or as a healthy snack food for Super Bowl.

What to Serve With Hummus

With this hummus being so versatile and tasty, the sky is the limit on how you want to enjoy it, but here are a few suggestions.

• Veggies Sticks
  
• Warm Pita Triangles
  
• Pita Chips
  
• Bagel Chips
  
• Crackers
  
• In a Wrap
  
• On a Sandwich
  
• On a Salad
  
• On a Crostini
  

Be creative and find new tasty ways to add more whole foods to your diet like this homemade hummus!

Why Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans) are So Good For you!

The humble little chickpea is one of my favorite legumes!  I love to add them to soups, roast them, make hummus with them and sprout them for salads!  Loaded with nutrients, you can’t go wrong with this powerhouse little bean.

Aside from having several vitamins, minerals, balanced macros (CHO, protein, fats), fiber, and antioxidants, these little nuggets have many health benefits!

Due to the awesome protein, fat and fiber content, chickpeas have a low glycemic index and may help to regulate blood sugar, and will keep you full and satisfied longer.  As a great source of plant protein, chickpeas contain certain amino acids that help to support health [1]:

• Histidine: necessary for the production of histamine and also plays a role in nervous system health
  
• Valine: necessary in energy production as well as muscle growth and repair
  
• Phenylalanine: building block for neurotransmitters like dopamine and epinephrine (adrenaline), and in the production of other amino acids.
  
• Leucine: necessary in stimulating wound healing, muscle repair, and blood sugar regulation.
  
• Isoleucine:  necessary in immune function and energy regulation.
  

Why Tomatoes are So Good for You!

There are so many reasons to love tomatoes other than their tart and tangy delicious flavor and how versatile they are, they contain loads of nutrients such as lycopene, insoluble fiber, vitamins C, K1, B9(folate), potassium, and antioxidants like beta carotene [1].

Let’s dive a little into what lycopene is an how it supports your health.

Lycopene is an antioxidant known as a carteniod, and is found in red, pink and orange fruits and vegetables, it’s what gives these plants their reddish hues.  Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and combats oxidative stress protecting your cells and your health.

Lycopene has been shown to support a healthy heart and blood pressure [2] as well as the balance of good cholesterol (HDL) to bad cholesterol (LDL).

So grab some chickpeas and sun dried tomatoes and let’s get cooking!

Sun-dried Tomato Basil Hummus Ingredients

Makes approximately 2 cups

15 oz can Chickpeas, drained

2 Tbsp Filtered Water

1/2 cup Sun Dried Tomatoes packed in oil (10-12)

3 Tbsp Sun Dried Tomato Oil

1/4 cup Unsalted Tahini

1/4 cup Fresh Lemon juice

1 Tbsp Coconut Aminos

1-2 Cloves Garlic

1/4 cup Fresh Basil leaves

1 tsp Fine Sea Salt

1/8 tsp Ground Black pepper (opt)

More Filtered Water if needed

How to Make Sun-dried Tomato Basil Hummus

1.  Using a mesh strainer, drain the chickpeas and set aside while you prep the garlic and other ingredients.

2.  To a food processor, add all of the ingredients and process until smooth and creamy. 

3.  If the hummus is too thick, add 1 Tablespoon of water until the hummus reaches your desired consistency. 

4.  Serve with fresh veggies, pita, or as a spread on a sandwich!

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FAQs

Q: My hummus is a bit runny, can I make it thicker?

A: One way to thicken it would be to add more chickpeas.

Q: My hummus is too chunky and not smooth, why?

A: Add some more filtered water, a little at a time and keep processing until smooth and creamy.

Q: My hummus separated, is that normal?

A: Yes, natural separation can happen with you have homemade foods made without stabilizers and emulsifying agents.  Just give it a good stir and enjoy!

If you like this recipe, check these out!

Easy Smoky Baba Ganoush:  I love to make this when I make fresh hummus so we have two healthy, gluten free and delicious dips to choose from!  This flavorful baba ganoush is a delicious creamy dip with fresh veggie sticks or soft pita bread. 

Savory Blue Cheese Dip:  I don’t know about you but I love a chunky and creamy blue cheese dip.  This recipe is so delicious and easy to make you won’t even consider store bought again!

Roasted Rosemary Cashews: Sweet cashews and earthy rosemary are gorgeously paired together in this simple and addictive snack.  These are the perfect snack to have on hand when paired with fresh fruit or veggie sticks to keep you energized and satisfied. 

I hope you enjoy this as much as my family does. – Amy

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