‘Tis the season for entertaining, and one of my favorite appetizers or snacks to make for a party is this Roasted Garlic Hummus. It’s a perfect potluck addition because it’s a delicious, healthy option to add to a table of often indulgent dishes. I like to serve it with veggies, pita bread, and chips, or I make it into a meal with grilled chicken and veg kabobs. This recipe is the perfect basic hummus with a hint of roasted garlic, so you can feel free to add any spices or creative twists to it that you’d like  . . . it’s easy to get inspired with Cooking Light‘s 12 ways to make hummus! Throw some rosemary in there or some roasted red peppers or even switch it up with black beans or edamame. There’s so much you can do to make hummus exciting. I personally, kept it simple with some roasted pine nuts on top and a little drizzle of olive oil, and of course that punch of roasted garlic really makes a delicious difference!

I made a big batch of this so I’d be totally set with a healthy snack waiting for me in my fridge. I don’t know about you, but I feel like I’ve been celebrating for the last 3 months and eating like every day is my birthday. Is it just me? Maybe. Getting engaged, followed by my sister’s birthday, my birthday, my mom’s, several weddings, my engagement party, Thanksgiving, and then Hanukkah . . . woah . . .  all this celebrating has been super fun, but it’s definitely not kind to the waistline! SO, my latest thing is having healthy snacks on hand, and preparing myself for light and clean eating! 

Hummus is super easy to make at home. I love making it in my mini food processor but you can easily whip it up in a blender too, and it’s ready to go within a few minutes. And you only need a couple ingredients to make it happen, so roast up that garlic, grab a can of garbanzo beans, and get going on some healthy December snacking!

Ingredients
1 15-oz can of garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 or 1 lemon, juiced (depending on consistency preference)
2 tbsp tahini (sesame paste)
1 head of garlic
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Optional:
Garnish with roasted pine nuts, a swirl of olive oil, and your favorite spice or herb!

Serves 4.

• First start with the garlic. Peel off the majority of the outer papery layers of the garlic. Then chop the top tips off the head of garlic so that the cloves are exposed.
• Drizzle olive oil and sprinkle salt and pepper over the garlic cloves. Place it root-side down on tin foil, and wrap it up. Put the foil pack in the oven at 400° for about 45 minutes or until the garlic is soft enough to squeeze the cloves out.
• Allow garlic to cool, and as soon as you’re able to handle it, squeeze out the roasted cloves. They should come right out. Make sure none of the paper is sticking to the cloves before you add it into the food processor.
• Throw garlic cloves and all ingredients into the food processor and combine well. Taste-test and add salt & pepper as needed. If you like a thinner consistency, add lemon juice or olive oil. Serve with your favorite veggies, chips, kabobs, or smear on a sandwich or wrap!

Cheers to a healthy month! Let’s start our healthy resolutions a month before New Years, shall we? Great!  

What are your favorite healthy snacks?