Home-Style Middle Eastern Hummus

Traditional hummus has only 5 ingredients, and each of those ingredients is powerful for brain-body balance, which is why I had to include this recipe in my book, Brain Body Diet. Let’s jump into this incredible dish that is oh so creamy, simple to make and nutritious!

Chickpeas are the star in hummus. Like most legumes, chickpeas are high in protein and serve as an excellent substitute for meat. Plant-based proteins have fewer toxins and contain large amounts of lysine, an amino acid that transports the iron necessary for many metabolic processes. Beyond the benefits of eating chickpeas as protein, they are also loaded with fiber! Fiber is fuel for gut health, detoxification and stirring up that metabolism. Together, fiber and protein curb the appetite by slowing digestion so you feel like you need less to eat. They also regulate blood sugar, which is great for the hormones. Chickpeas contain important nutrients like magnesium, potassium, and folate. 

Lemon is a low glycemic fruit that stirs digestion, helps with detox and is a perfectly pure garnish for just about everything. Don’t skip on garlic. Garlic is an allium vegetable, like onions, garlic, and leeks, raise glutathione – the body’s chief detoxer. Last ingredient: tahini. I’ve written about how much I love tahini in this recipe.

Traditionally, hummus is eaten on fresh bread. Instead, try it with chopped vegetables, yuca root crackers or a gluten-free flatbread, or on a salad

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chickpeas, plus 1 to 2 tablespoons for garnish
1 lemon, juiced
3 to 4 garlic clove
⅓ cup 100% pure ground tahini (sesame paste)
1 to 2 tablespoons filtered water, depending on your desired consistency
Dash of sea salt

Instructions

Put the chickpeas, lemon juice, garlic, and tahini into a food processor. Pulse for about 5 minutes until a paste forms. Slowly add 1 to 2 tablespoons of water until you’ve reached an ideal creamy texture. Season lightly with sea salt.

Place hummus in a nice bowl or small plate. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and chickpeas.

For a more traditional style, use ground za’atar (hyssop), ground sumac, chopped parsley, sesame seeds, and/or pine nuts. For spicy, sprinkle hot pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or straight-up hot red pepper. Experiment with different herbs mixed into the hummus or as a garnish. Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil for even more yum!