Healthy Super Bowl: Hot Wing Hummus and Pizza Hummus

I got really fed up with Pinterest the other day.  Sometimes, I swear, my feed is strictly cheese and donuts.  Which - don't get me wrong - are delicious (but maybe not together).  But when I'm trying to eat healthy and make a concerted effort to increase the amount of veggies in my diet, Pinterest can be the opposite of helpful.  So I dug up an old issue of the Food Network magazine, and whipped up these hummus recipes to share with you.

If you're making snacks for a Super Bowl party this weekend, these recipes are deliciously healthy alternatives to dips laden with cheese and sour cream.  They're great served with pita chips, but you can give your health a yummy boost by serving these dips with chopped veggies.  I luvvvv smearing hummus on cucumbers and bell peppers!  Both recipes below are full of flavor and quick and easy to whip up. 

Three Cheers for Healthy Snacks!

          

Hot Wing Hummus
adpated from Food Network Magazine

1 can (1 1/2 c.) chickpeas, drained and rinsed, 1/4 c. liquid reserved
3 - 4 Tbsp. Frank's Red Hot Buffalo Wing Sauce
2 Tbsp. tahini
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic
salt, to taste

Put all ingredients - except salt - into a food processor and puree until smooth and creamy.  Salt to taste and puree until combined.  Makes about 2 cups.

         Click here for a printable version of this recipe

Pizza Hummus
adpated from Food Network Magazine

1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. dried basil

1 can (1 1/2 c.) chickpeas, drained and rinsed, 1/4 c. liquid reserved**
2 Tbsp. tahini
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic
1 Tbsp. nutritional yeast, optional
salt, to taste

Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat.   Add the tomato paste, oregano, and basil and cook until slightly toasted and fragrant, about 2 minutes.

Put tomato paste mixture and all remaining ingredients - except salt - into a food processor and puree until smooth and creamy.  Salt to taste and puree until combined.  Makes about 2 cups.

** Note: The tomato paste makes this hummus thicker than usual. If you like your hummus thinner, add more chickpea liquid (1/3 - 1/2 cup).

         Click here for a printable version of this recipe