Sunshine Hummous

I have always loved my spices and endeavour to use them whenever possible in all sorts of dishes, no matter the style of cuisine.

Turmeric is one of my favourites – not just for the taste it gives to a dish but also because of its amazing healing properties and benefits to the metabolism.

Research has found turmeric to be a natural antiseptic, antibacterial agent and has been proven to prevent many of our modern diseases caused by poor diet. Turmeric is said to be able to heal or prevent Alzheimer’s, various cancers, and depression; and also can aid with digestion, skin conditions, detoxification of the liver and is a natural pain killer.

I try to use turmeric as often as possible in my cooking to get these fabulous, healing benefits.

Just its colour alone, a sunny and vibrant yellow, is enough to brighten your day.  In fact, in Colour Therapy, yellow is THE colour symbolising everyday happiness!

So the following recipe is my take on the traditional Middle Eastern Hummus  - featuring the Magic Ingredient - Turmeric.

You will need : 

1 small to medium red onion

3 fat cloves of garlic

1 teaspoon of Turmeric 

1 desertspoon of coconut oil 

1 x 400 grm tin of chickpeas (I use organic)

Juice of one lemon

2 tablespoons of Tahini (sesame seed paste) 

About 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil 

Salt and pepper

Dusting of paprika for garnish 

What to do to enjoy your healthy dip: 

Firstly chop finely chop your onion and crush the garlic cloves. 

Melt the coconut oil in a small frypan. 

Add the onion, garlic and the Magic Ingredient Turmeric and gently sauté until they are soft and gooey. 

Meanwhile, thoroughly wash (until the water runs clear) and drain your chickpeas in a colander. 

Put the chickpeas into your whizz and pulse them until are all broken up and resemble fine breadcrumbs. 

Add the onion, garlic and turmeric mix to the chickpeas. Whizz again. 

Add the tahini 

and lemon juice 

and little by little add the olive oil 

until you get a nice creamy consistency to your mix. 

Season to taste with salt the pepper. 

You may want to fiddle around and add more lemon or more olive oil  to suit your personal taste. This is not an exact science. 

Pour mixture into a bowl and garnish with a dusting of paprika. (I just love that contrast of the red on top of the yellow) 

Voilà ! 

Your own bowl of sunshine to enjoy with crudités, crackers or any way you choose. 

 Ruthie x