I am always on the look out for tasty dips that are healthy and not too caloric. Good ones can add interest to a meal or an appetizer, keeping us from getting bored with the "same-old-same-old". Getting bored with your food is a definite danger zone for staying on track and eating healthy. Committing to finding and providing variety and being ever creative with our food has been proven to be the key to successfully maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I found a delicious herb hummus that can also be used as a pesto. It is light and flavorful...perfect for spring and summer menus. The recipe is as follows:
Herb Hummus/Pesto-
1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
1/3 cup basil leaves
2 tablespoons (1/2 ounce) grated fresh Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon pine nuts
2 tablespoons lemon juice $
2 tablespoons Tahini (sesame-seed paste)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 (16-ounce) can cannellini beans or other white beans, drained
2 garlic cloves
Place all ingredients in a food processor; process until smooth, scraping sides of processor bowl occasionally. Yield: 1 2/3 Cups; serving size 1 tablespoon for 21 calories per serving.
My new favorite habit is drinking a Bud Light (Golden Wheat) and eating carrots with this dip at the evening "cocktail hour", before I start fixing dinner (Beer- 118 cal, dip- 2T at 42 cal and 1/2 Cup carrots at 25 cal= 185 total calories). It is delicious and satisfying and adds a moment of transition in the day between my day and my evening activities. I like it!
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