Delicious Daikon Hummus

“Hummus:  A paste or dip made of chickpeas mashed with oil, garlic, lemon juice and tahini and usually eaten with pita.” I wanted to find a standarddefinition that describes what hummus is, and I came across this particular one while looking on my iPhone’s Dictionary.com application.  Even though this definition is technically correct, hummus is and can be so much more… :0)

One might ask the question: Does hummus always have to be made of chickpeas and eaten with pita? The answer would be a definite no.  Hummus can absolutely be made using a variety of nutritious vegetables and can be enjoyed as a spread or dip.  As you can see from the picture above, I like to think of a plate of Delicious Daikon Hummus and vegetables as a light meal, particularly in the spring and summer months. 

Today I’m going to focus on using the daikon radish while making hummus.  A daikon radish is a delicious and (I think) not-as-well-known vegetable as the carrot, parsnip or beet.  Daikon radishes are mildly-flavored Japanese radishes that consist of green leaves with a white root.  They contain several sulphur-based chemicals that increase bile flow, which aids in digestion and assists the liver and gallbladder.  They can be eaten raw or cooked; either way, they are delicious.

While chickpeas are yummy in hummus (or in practically anything else), using daikon instead of chickpeas and eating this amazing creation with raw vegetables instead of pita is lower in overall calories and gives the hummus a lighter taste and texture. Get ready to have your taste buds feel delighted and joyful that you took the time to make this outstanding and easy recipe. :0)

Ingredients:

1 pound fresh daikon radish

1/4 cup of lemon juice

2/3 cup raw tahini

2 Tbs olive oil

2 large cloves of garlic

1 1/4 tsp Celtic sea salt or to taste

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp dried basil (optional)

A dash of cayenne pepper

***USE ORGANIC INGREDIENTS WHEN AVAILABLE***

How To Make The Hummus:

1. Wash and dice the daikon.

2. Squeeze lemons, remove seeds and juice.

3. Add all ingredients into blender or food processor and blend until smooth.

4. Refrigerate hummus for an hour before serving, as it will thicken after refrigeration.

5. Serve chilled and enjoy with your favorite vegetable!

***Pictured below:  Delicious Daikon Hummus with Homemade Flax Crackers that were made with the juice pulp from my recent juice feast.***

Something To Think About:

1.  Use your favorite fruits or vegetables to dip into the hummus; for example, sliced tomato, cucumber, zucchini, yellow squash, snap peas, green beans, red radishes or red bell pepper.

2. If you can’t find raw tahini, use regular tahini (sesame seed paste).

3.  Be adventurous and substitute ingredients… You may create a masterpiece of your own!

4. Celtic Sea Salt contains nearly eighty vital nutrients and minerals and provides our bodies with a healthy dose of electrolytes, energy, strengthens our immune system and aids in the absorption of nutritious elements from food. The trace minerals, which are contained in Celtic Sea Salt, also play an important part in cleansing the body and aiding in healthy digestion.