Sweet Red Pepper Hummus

Why I like this:

This recipe is simple! It has simple ingredients (well, maybe not everyone has tahini in their pantry - but tahini is a good addition to a healthy pantry and can be found in most grocery stores). It also has simple steps: put all of the ingredients in a food processer, press the button, and voila! It is a healthy, low sodium, alternative to most dips - especially store-bought dips. Sweet roasted red peppers are a great source of antioxidants, including Vitamins A and C. Olive oil is a healthy fat and studies have shown that it may help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Tahini has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

SWEET RED PEPPER HUMMUS

Ingredients:

1 can of garbanzo (chick peas) beans (14 oz.)

1/2 cup roasted red peppers

1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbsp. tahini

1/4 tsp. garlic power

1/4 tsp. curry powder

1/4 tsp. sesame seeds and a few sprigs of parsley or cilantro, for garnish

Steps:

1) Rinse garbanzo beans and pour into food processor

2) Add the roasted red peppers

3) Add the olive oil

4) Add the tahini

5) Add the garlic powder

6) Add the curry powder

7) Blend until well-mixed

8) Pour into a serving bowl, sprinkle the sesame seeds on top, add the sprigs for garnish

9) Serve with raw vegetables such as sliced carrots, celery, and cucumbers, or use as a spread in a sandwich