Herbed Lima Bean Hummus...

Hummus has become a new craze the last few years and I am all on board! It is a healthy snack and will really fulfill your cravings! Eat this hummus with vegetables or some pita bread!

What is Hummus?

It is a Middle Easter food that traditionally is a dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chickpeas,blended with tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic. (Hummus).

How is it good for you?

Hummus has 2 main ingredients, chickpeas (or some kind of legume (beans)) and tahini. Tahini is toasted sesame paste. The reason for this ingredient is to make the hummus a “complete protein”. Legumes by themselves are an “incomplete protein” but with the combination of both the tahini and legumes, it makes a “complete protein”. Other ingredients that together make a “complete protein” are beans and rice; or peanut butter with wheat toast. 

 

Herbed Lima Bean Hummus

Author: UCSD Medical Center; adjusted Brenna Bowers

Makes: about 2 cups of hummus

Ingredients:

2 (10 ounce) packages frozen lima beans

1 large onion, chopped

5 cloves fresh garlic, smashed

1 teaspoons salt

¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

¼ cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley

2 Tablespoons fresh dill

2 Tablespoons fresh mint

1 teaspoon cumin

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice

4 Tablespoons olive oil

2 Tablespoons Tahini (optional) (Tip 1)

Dash of salt and pepper

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, add 2 Tablespoons of olive oil, onion, garlic and salt. Sauté this mixture for about 2 minutes (stirring once in a while) and then add the lima beans. Cook, covered with a lid, for about 8 minutes.  

Transfer the bean mixture into a food processors (or blender). Add all the rest of the ingredients and puree until it is smooth.

Chill for 2 hours or more and serve with pita bread or chips!