7 Fun Ways to jazz up your hummus!

As a vegetarian who has grown up and worked in Dubai, I have attended conferences, buffet lunches, workshops and weddings at various hotels here, and I can pretty much guarantee that hummus will always be a part of the menu. The good thing about that is, I can rest assured I won’t starve. The bad thing is, as much as I love hummus, I have overdosed on it. Well, at least the traditional kind.

So here’s an idea – when entertaining at home, do yourselves and your vegetarian guests a favour and jazz that hummus up a bit! Trust me when I tell you, they will thank you. And more importantly, you will have wowed them with your creativity. All that for just 5 minutes of food processing action is a small price to pay.

Here's a rundown of 7 of my favorite ways to jazz up hummus that I found in the blogosphere! For good measure, I also threw in a restaurant in Dubai that does a great job of making each one!

1. Edamame Hummus

Both chickpeas and edamame are excellent sources of protein, iron and calcium. Put them together, and you get the best of both of them for a delicious and healthy snack, any time of the day! So if you’re wondering what to do with that neglected bag of edamame, put it to good use with this recipe from Oh She Glows!

If you’d rather go out to eat, our favorite edamame hummus is at Katsuya in Dubai Mall, which also happens to be one of our favorite veggie-friendly Japanese places in town!

2. Roasted Carrot Hummus

How about a naturally sweet taste and a healthy portion of carrots? Remember how good they are for your eyes? If you’re thinking “yes”, then we are definitely on the same page with this roasted carrot hummus. Serve it on some raw crackers or liven it up with a sprinkle of paprika! You can get your hands on some at Kitsch Counter, where it’s served on a delicious Zucchini bread. However, if you need unrestricted access to this delicious silky dip, here’s an easy recipe from Choosing Raw!

3. Beetroot Hummus

Beetroots, with their intense ruby color and natural sweetness, can liven up just about any plate. Combine that with chickpeas and you’ve got a vibrant dip that’ll be the center piece of any snack platter! To make sure you can always whip some up when you need it, check out this recipe by Secret Squirrel Food! Alternatively, you can head over to Bystro where you can enjoy this tasty dip along with some flavored iced tea or a superfood smoothie!

4. Basil Pesto Hummus

Combining flavors from opposite sides of the Mediterranean, basil pesto hummus is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. As a bonus, it doesn’t take very long to prepare and is very healthy! You can even give it an additional flavor burst by adding sun-dried tomatoes or Parmesan cheese. It’s really impossible to go wrong with it, so go ahead and try out this lovely, simple recipe by Kristen of The Endless Meal! Don’t forget to make a little extra, you’ll thank us later! And if that’s not enough, it's also available at Fairouz on the Jumeirah Beach Road.

5. Roasted Red Pepper & Paprika Hummus

Roast up some red peppers if you want to add some zing to traditional hummus. The sweet smokiness of roasted peppers is a nice complement to the creaminess of the dip, and a dash of heat from paprika adds another layer of flavor. Make sure you have plenty on hand by following this awesome recipe by Deliciously Ella, because it’ll go fast. If you find yourself running low, you could always drop by Mezza House, where the Hummus Muhammara will satisfy your craving for that lovely smoky taste.

6. Spicy Black Bean Hummus

Try your hand at some flavor fusion by giving hummus a Mexican twist! I loved this idea and set off to make some of my own. As expected, it turned out to be really, really good. Add a squeeze of lime to give it a little zest and jalapenos for some kick. Check out my recipe to recreate this seriously fun Latin-inspired variation at home. But if you’re craving some while out and about, I’ve got that covered as well! Q43 at the Media One Hotel is probably the only place you’ll find it, but it’ll be worth the trip.

7. Sun-Dried Tomato Hummus

Tomatoes are welcome in pretty much any dish, adding a splash of color, a bit of acidity and a lovely fresh taste. That freshness gets even more concentrated in sun-dried tomatoes, which can brighten up good old-fashioned hummus with a sharp tang. And the best part - it takes a mere 5 minutes to go from ingredients to a big bowl of deliciousness, if you follow this recipe from My Whole Food Life. You could also try ordering it from Hummus House in JLT, if you want to enjoy that same great taste outside the kitchen.