Raw Hummus – (Chickpea-less)

It is hot hot hot here! 100F. I am starting to imagine how the turkey feels in the oven. Not good!.

It is so hot outside, especially in the areas with the asphalt and cement dominating the surface , that even the cab drivers started to feel sympathetic toward their clientele. Check this picture out:

A friend got in the cab in Chicago and was asked if she would like an air conditioner. After replying "YES!" the driver compassionately offered this:

I do not know many who want to turn the oven or the stove on these days. So, to help you out in the times like these, I am suggesting to make a supper delicious "chickpea free raw hummus". Why chickpea-free? It is simple: 2 cup of chickpeas = 540 cal. When you mix it with the half cup of Tahini (700 cal), you get a significant load of calories in that "healthy dish". Plus, the most important goal of mine is to eat as much raw food as possible. You can revisit facts about cooking veggies in my earlier article RAW FOOD: ANTIOXIDANTS .

Thus, we will make this dish RAW using the following:
2 apples, 1 zucchini, 1 lemon (juice), ½ white onion, 3 garlic cloves, 1 tsp of sea salt, ½ cup of raw tahini, 2 tbsp. nutritional yeast. 1 tbsp Chia Seeds.

         If oyou are not able to find RAW Tahini in your local health-food stores, please check out this web site. I buy my raw seeds and otehr raw food here.

I will quickly cover the facts about the ingredients that are typically uncommon in the food pantry of non-vegan families.

1. 
   Chia Seeds: they are high in calcium, omega 3, and fiber. They lower your cholesterol, help with digestion. Chia seeds are also good for your thyroid.

You can get this for about $10 for 16 oz on VitaCost website, or your local Health Food Stores for about $13. I use VitaCost for a lot of my needs. $49 purchase gives you free shipping, so I buy my monthly supply at one time of various seeds, nuts, oils, etc….

1. Nutritional Yeast:
   20 cal per hipping tbsp.
   It's sold in the form of flakes or as a yellow powder. It is a source of protein and vitamins, especially the B-complex vitamins, and is a complete protein. It is also naturally low in fat and sodium and is free of sugar, dairy, and gluten. It has a strong flavor that is described as nutty or cheesy. It is popular as an ingredient in cheese substitutes among vegans. It can be used in many recipes in place of cheese, such as mashed and fried potatoes. I use it often now and I suggest you get it for your food pantry.

OK. We are ready to make the cooling, delicious hummus for the hot summer days: all you have to do it to peel the apples and cut the zucchini;  place in the food processor or your bender together with the garlic and copped white onion.

Give it a first spin (30 sec or so). Add the lemon juice squeezed from the whole lemon, salt, tahini, nutritional yeast and the Chia seeds. Spin to the consistency you like (I presume Hummus). You are ready to enjoy it! Raw, supper nutritious, cooling, appetizing! I use veggie sticks , but you may enjoy it as you are pleased. I hope you go at least with the gluten free Flax Seed crackers. (wink and smile). Here is how my turned out. ( I sprinkled it with some spicy paprika)