Low Fat Spread - Hummus
By Sid • Jul 9th, 2008 • Category: Dips & Sauces, Healthy, Middle Eastern Food, Vegetarian FoodI’ve been meaning to change the way we eat for quite a while, but for some reason or the other, didn’t really get around to it. But now, things are going to change and thats that. I’m tired of being overweight. Hence the new health regime at home now.
The kitchen is now off limits to everyone except me, for cooking that is. Earlier breakfasts would be typically north Indian, i.e. paranthas (oil) with pickles (oil), vegetables (oil) or butter (OIL!). I would order lunch from someplace close to office and that typically consisted of rotis, rice, dal, vegetables, curry and a salad. Dinner usually turned out to be something elaborate and full of everything tasty but not in the least bit healthy.
As of the last 3 days now, I’m doing all the meals - breakfast, lunch and dinner, as in cooking them. Vegetables and bread are bought fresh every day. Breakfast is something warm or cold but never hot - as in boiled eggs or a warm salad with a piece of whole grain toast. The toast is avoided if possible. Lunch is always cold like a salad or sandwiches with a lite spread and cucumber, tuna, chicken or tomatoes among other possibilities. A juice or a broth could be thrown in. Dinner is always hot and cold - a spicy curry made with fresh vegetables and a salad. Also, I’m cooking just enough so there’s no room for leftovers, which inevitably end up as midnight snacks.
My fridge looks so nice these days. Just like the ones they show in television adverts. Fresh fruit and vegetables, thick slices of cottage cheese, other cheeses and what have you.
Anyway, the subject of lite sandwhich spreads had me thinking, since lite butter like spreads and lite mayo still inevitably have large amounts of fat in them, possibly lower than their original versions, but still fatty nonetheless.
That’s where Hummus comes in. Its easy to make, store and can be mixed into so many varieties that you never get bored! You’ll need:
- Chick peas (soak overnight in plenty of water, then pressure cook till cooked)
- Mashed garlic
- Salt
- Olive oil
- Tahini (sesame seed paste/sauce. You can pick this up from any store)
- Lemon Juice
Just pop the chick peas and the rest of the stuff into your blender. Remember to use a teaspoon of olive oil, two teaspoons of lemon juice and a tablespoon of tahini per cup of chick peas. Blend. Adjust for taste and consistency. Blend again.
What you have here is the classic Hummus, that can be used in more than one way. Toast pita bread, cut in half, and stuff the insides with lettuce, tahini and sliced olives. Spread it on sandwiches. Use it as a dip. Fill little tartlets with it or just eat it with a spoon!
You can also get a little creative and flavor it in different ways. For example, blend it with jalapenos for a great nacho dip, mix a little red pepper powder, extra salt and garlic for a nice chutney to go with your dosas, mix chopped olives, green peppers and coriander into it for something with an extra kick - you get the idea.
- Sid
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Sid is a self confessed food addict who likes cooking, writing and photography... and travel, if it gets him closer to a good book and interesting food.
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Okay, looks like u r kinda back.
And back for the blog n also a reason, GET IN SHAPE!!!
U cookin BF,L n D, i.e. 3 time in 3 days? How do u feel? Bored
For BF, One should have only, Eggs, Wholewheat bread, Buttered Vegetable, a small Hash brown, Fruits salad, salsa instead of ketchup, lil bit of Butter only for toasts, Wheat Flakes/Muesli and Tea/Coffee.
I know thats a lot, but prepare or serve a very small amount of each. Have it 3 times at least in a week n mostly on Weekends. U’ll also feel energized the whole day with a continental BF.
Ya! n a TIP for u to lose weight n get in shape.
Eat 4 times a day but in small proportions. N a lot of dedication to control on bad eating habits.
I dont like havin Juice with all above, coz whenever im having juice with BF, I feel like its fillin up my stomach fast and therez a heavy feeling. My dad said, that Juice should be had 1/2 hr b4 BF as diff enzymes are required for digestion of juice.
Bravo Siddhartha!
That indeed sounds perfect! Your recipe for Hummus plus the variations to the basic, are all very tasty and would suit all kinds of tastes as well. As for Hummus being a substitute for butter. Good idea! never thought of it before.
Oh and I have one more butter substitute suggestion. Try mint or coriander chutney.
@Jas: Thanks for the useful tips Jas.
So…
@Mum: Thank you. Yes, Mint/Coriander Chutney is good. From a personal perspective, I tend to enjoy those… mixed with butter and then spread.
Well done you! Though when we met you were a lot lighter than you appear in the blog photograph, your face is definitely much slimmer.
Have you tried nut butters? Like peanut butter, you can get hazlenut, cashew, almond and various others to use instead of real butter. Or you can make your own by simply blitzing nuts in your blender.
Good luck, will you keep us informed of progress?
@Toni: Yes, I’ve tried nut butters - only peanut butter though. I have heard you can make it yourself, but never tried it.
By progress, do you mean a gram by gram narrative or a live webcam aimed at my weighing machine?
Will do. Guess I’ll have to buy some electronic weighing scales now. The non-electronic ones tend to give up.
hey try this hommus dip
Ingredients
* 1 can crushed chick peas
* 3 whole lemons freshly squeezed
* 1 tablespoon salt
* 1/2 cup tahini
* 1/2 tablespoon white pepper
Instructions
add tahini and lemon mix until becomes thick then add the salt and pepper then add the chick peas mix until smooth.
serve in a dish then sprinkle paprika on top for garnish.
http://www.goodrecipes.com.au/index.php?option=com_recipebookpro&func=detail&Itemid=7&id=1992&catid=0