Meyer Lemon Flax Hummus

Hummus is a wonderful nutrient-rich food. Hummus offers a great combination of protein, carbohydrates, fat, and fiber in a creamy spread that is completely satisfying. I enjoy eating hummus with fresh vegetables, flax crackers, pita bread, olives, or wrapped in lettuce leaves. Hummus is usually made with cooked chickpeas, sesame tahini, lemon, garlic, salt, and olive oil. I love this version but I also like to mix it up by changing the beans, citrus, or oils, and adding fiery chilies like habanero or serrano.

 

Today I decided to make a hummus that pairs Meyer lemons and flax seed oil together. Meyer lemons are a delicious lemon that is less acidic and sweeter than Eureka lemons with a enticing lemon aroma that captivates your senses! Meyer lemons are in season from December to April and can be found at many farmers’ markets or at stores like Whole Foods, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Earth Fare. If you can’t find them feel free to substitute the lemons that are available in your local area.

 

I supercharged the amount of key nutrients in this hummus recipe with the addition of flax seed oil. Golden flax seeds make a fabulous oil that is one of the best plant-based sources of omega-3 essential fatty acids. The type of omega-3 essential fatty acids in flax seed is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Omega-3 essential fatty acids are crucial for heart health, brain health, and proper nerve function. Flax also helps protect the body against cancer, inflammation, diabetes, and stroke.

 

In this recipe I used Foods Alive certified organic high lignan gold flax oil because it is one of the best tasting and healthiest flax seed oils that I have tried. Foods Alive flax seed oil contains 7680 milligrams of omega-3 essential fatty acids per tablespoon. Foods Alive flax oil is high in lignans which are phytonutrients that possess powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. Foods Alive flax oil has a creamy mouth feel and smooth nutty taste that blends beautifully with the Meyer lemon, sesame tahini, chickpeas, and olive oil.

 

Foods Alive is a fantastic family owned and operated business that deeply cares about the quality of foods they produce and what effect producing them has on our planet. This Green America Approved company produces some of the most delicious organic foods on the planet including dehydrated flax crackers, artisan cold-pressed flax, hemp, and chia seed oils, super dressings, hemp foods, chia seeds, and other wonderful superfoods. Their healthy food products are USDA certified organic, kosher, certified vegan, raw, and gluten-free. Check out their website at www.foodsalive.com to try any of these amazing food products.

 

Hummus is a great source of protein, iron, folate, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and fiber.  The sesame seed tahini contains the essential amino acid methionine which plays a key role in metabolism and healthy immune system function. Methionine also contains sulfur which helps combat free radical damage. I used Living Tree Community Foods organic raw tahini in this hummus.

 

Try this easy recipe for hummus whenever you want a great snack that is healthy and delicious!

 

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Meyer Lemon Flax Hummus

Vegan, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Dairy-Free

1 (15-ounce) can Eden Organic garbanzo beans packed in  bisphenol-A (BPA)-free cans

¼ cup raw tahini

¼ cup fresh Meyer lemon juice

1 tablespoon filtered water

½ teaspoon Meyer lemon zest

⅓ cup Foods Alive Gold High Lignan Flax Oil

2 peeled grated garlic cloves

½ teaspoon cumin powder

1 teaspoon Foods Alive Himalayan sea salt

½ teaspoon smoked sweet paprika

Fresh ground black pepper to taste

Foods Alive organic Hemp Flax crackers—reserve to serve with Hummus

 

 

1. Pour beans into a strainer and rinse thoroughly with water. Drain beans well and place in a food processor with S blade attachment or place in blender container. Add remaining ingredients except hemp flax crackers, place lid on food processor or blender, and blend until hummus is smooth and creamy. If using food processor stop to scrape down sides if needed.

2. Taste hummus and add more seasoning if needed to taste. If hummus is too thick, add small amount of purified water 1 tablespoon at a time to get the right consistency. Enjoy immediately, drizzled with flax oil or olive oil and the hemp flax crackers, or place in covered container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

 

 

This recipe was shared on Fat Tuesday at Real Food Forager Blog , Real Food 101 at Ruth’s Real Food, Whole Food Wednesdays at Beyond The Peel, and  Weekend Gourmet at Hartke Is Online.