Hummus: Everyone Deserves Quality Food

Hummus is not only a healthy snack, but it's a dynamic ingredient that can be used in a variety of delicious recipes.

Everybody Loves Hummus!

Although originally a Mediterranean delicacy, hummus has now taken the world by storm and appears in most supermarkets across America! When most people think of hummus, they probably imagine a dip for veggies or pita bread, but the fact is that the product is very versatile and can be used to make many healthy snacks and meals. This is especially true now that hummus has become available in a variety of flavors. Fountain of Health, a leading producer of fresh hummus, offers a delicious chipotle blend as well as spinach and artichoke, Greek olive, and even caramelized onion!

Hummus starts as a simple combination of healthy ingredients including chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans), olive oil, lemon, sesames, and sometimes garlic. Then Fountain of Health takes it up a notch by adding amazing natural seasonings and flavors. The result is a delicious, fiber-rich food that contains a healthy dose of Vitamins C and E, as well as a unique supply of cancer-fighting antioxidants. There's also monounsaturated fats, which can actually lower your risk of heart disease and help you lose weight. And the best part is that flavored hummus works great in lots of different recipes, not just for dipping! Here are a few flavorful ideas:

Chipotle Burgers with Mushrooms

Ingredients:

4 kaiser rolls
375 g (3/4 lb) lean ground beef
4 thin slices Swiss cheese
125 mL (1/2 cup) Fountain of Health Chipotle Hummus
30 mL (2 tbsp) finely chopped onion
227 g sliced mushrooms
3 green onions, finely chopped
1 mL (2 tsp) dried thyme
75 mL (5 tbsp) vegetable oil
Salt and pepper

Directions:

In a bowl, combine the beef, onion, thyme, salt and pepper. Shape into 4 patties. In a skillet, heat 15 mL (1 tbsp) oil over medium heat. Cook the patties for 6 minutes per side or until no longer pink in the centre. Set aside. Add 15 mL (1 tbsp) oil to the skillet and cook the mushrooms for 5 minutes. Brush the buns with oil and spread with chipotle hummus. Place the beef patties on the buns. Garnish each patty with a slice of cheese, mushrooms and green onions. Serve with crudités.

Variation: Replace ground beef with ground veal and thyme with herbs.

Oriental Salad with Hummus and Roasted Peanuts

Ingredients:

250 g (1/2 package) rice vermicelli
60 mL (1/4 cup) vegetable oil
125 mL (1/2 cup) Fountain of Health Hummus
½ red pepper, ½ yellow pepper, ½ orange pepper, cut into strips
500 mL (2 cups) bean sprouts
4 green onions, thinly sliced
30 mL (tbsp) finely chopped ginger
80 mL (1/3 cup) chopped roasted peanuts
80 mL (1/3 cup) chopped fresh coriander
Mixed baby greens
Salt and pepper

Directions:

Cook the noodles according to instructions on the package. Drain and place in a large bowl. Stir in the olive oil. Add the hummus and stir again. Add the peppers, green onion, bean sprouts and ginger. Stir to combine with the noodles. Garnish with the chopped peanuts and coriander. Serve with mixed baby greens.

Variation: Add one finely chopped clove of garlic and the zest of one lemon. Replace the coriander with fresh basil.

Spring Rolls with Fountain of Health Hummus

Ingredients:

8 sheets rice paper
1 cup cooked rice vermicelli
60 mL (¼ cup) grated carrot
60 mL (¼ cup) julienned cucumber
60 mL(¼ cup) julienned red pepper
60 mL (¼ cup) canned mandarin orange sections
(60 mL (¼ cup) Fountain of Health Hummus (any variety)
Mint leaves to taste
Coriander leaves to taste

Soak the rice paper in very hot water until pliable. Combine the cooked rice vermicelli with the hummus. Arrange the vegetables, mandarin orange sections, vermicelli mixture and herbs on the rice paper and roll. Serve with tamarind or hoi sin sauce.

Variation: Add cooked shrimp or pork to the rolls for a delicious treat!

For more great recipe ideas and information, visit http://www.fountainofhealth.us.

Newsletter article: Everybody Loves Hummus!

Read the press release!