If you liked yesterday’s bean recipe you love this one even more using lentils as the protein ingredient in this hummus recipe.  Lentils are more like peas since they grow in a pod and are available year round in either dry or cooked or prepackaged containers.  The lentils can be purchases as whole beans or split into two halves in brown or green colored varieties at your local store.

Dry Lentil Beans

Lentils contain great amounts of manganese,  folate, fiber, protein, Vitamin B1, potassium, iron, and tryptophan which is a natural relaxer!  Lentils are consumed all over the world namely Africa, Turkey, India, China, and Syria.  Usually they are eaten with barley or wheat and can be traced back to the Bible.

Lentils have great health benefits and will lower your cholesterol at the same time. Lentils can be used as a side dish, on a salad or with chopped vegetables as a main course. The Moroccan soups with their savory spices of coriander, tumeric, hot pepper, and tamari flavors are easy and quick to make for lunch or dinner.

Red Lentil Hummus

Lentil Hummus Recipe

If you are using dry lentils soak them overnight for the next day.  To cook the lentils get a 2 quart pot and boil water until bubbly.  Put in 1/2 pound of lentils and cook about 15 minutes until tender. Drain and use in the Lentil Hummus Recipe.

1/2 pound of Lentils

1/2 cup of  Tahini (sesame seed paste)

3 cloves garlic

1/2 cup of real lemon juice

1/2 cup of water

1/2 cup olive oil

Bunch of fresh parsley

Salt and pepper to taste.

You can add red pepper flakes if you like your hummus spicy.  Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth like peanut butter.  Do this in batches and pour into a bowl.  Serve with toasted pita slices and ice tea.

You can’t get a better protein fix when you are in a hurry or having company- lentil hummus is quick and easy.

TAGS: lentil hummus recipe, lentil appetizers, benefits of lentils, healthy diet foods, super healthy diet food.