Classic Hummus Recipe for a Healthy Snack

This classic hummus recipe is super easy to make and makes a delicious healthy snack when you’re having a snack attack!

Originally published in the Greenwood Daily Journal Saturday May 14, 2011

This classic hummus recipe was also posted on:
Get Grillin’ with Family Fresh Cooking and Cookin’ Canuck. Sponsored by Ile de France Cheese, Rösle, Emile Henry, Rouxbe and ManPans.”

It never fails.  No sooner than we wait in line to get in a swim meet, find a seat and start to unpack my son will undoubtedly ask “What did you bring to eat?”  I mean, we just sat down for a day of watching my oldest son’s events and he is already hungry?  We had probably just had breakfast, too.  I don’t know if it is habit, boredom or legitimate hunger but he never fails to disappoint.

Yes, it’s that time again.  Time to not only get your child ready for their particular sporting event of the day, but also it means packing a bag.  In our house it seems like I am always packing up a bag.  You just never know how long you are going to be gone and what you will need.  Wipes, band-aides, pens, paper, snacks ; I am sure I always bring more than what I actually will use.  As a matter of fact, I know I do.  Always be prepared, right?

You would think that we never feed my kids by how often they ask for food.  If I ate like that I would be big as a house and quite unhealthy.  The thing I often forget is that kids, unlike adults, are always moving.  At least mine are.  Playing tag, riding bikes or in this case, swimming.  I could never keep up with him in the water and I can’t imagine how good of shape I would be in if I did.

Health conscience adults that are watching their weight would never down a handful of brightly colored gummy “fruit” snack, but don’t think twice about handing a pack of them over to their hungry child.  Whether it is to satisfy their hunger or to pass the time, parents often give too many filler foods.  Sometimes it is just easier to give in to what they are asking for rather than fight that battle in public.

Now, this is not to say I have never done this; I am guilty of this myself.  A bag of super buttery popcorn at the movies or a dish of french fries from the baseball concession stand sometimes does the trick.  But like clockwork, they are hungry again in an hour.  I have found that for my kids, the key is to offer a more filling snack choice and also a healthy drink.  I know I often think I am hungry when in fact, I am actually thirsty. There are so many drink options out there that are not loaded with sugar and artificial colors.  I know right now my kids are really into those little Crystal Light pouches that you add to a 16 ounce bottle of water.  You can refill that bottle and reuse it or use one of your own at home.

Feeding the Snack Attack – Classic Hummus

I see snack time as a Fourth Meal.  The opportunity to sneak in a few things that I sometimes can’t on their dinner plates.  There are so many possibilities and they can be defined by your child’s individual tastes.  There is the standard that we all love, peanut butter and jelly, but what about substituting the jelly for a banana and the bread for a tortilla?  Roll this up and wrap in plastic or foil. Peanut butter and banana flatbreads are a good, packable snack.  The protein of the peanut butter  and the healthy sweetness of the banana will tide your child over until their next meal.

Try some variety in Ziplock bags.  Small pieces of cut up fruit and a yogurt cup to dip them into is a good one.  Dried cranberries with sunflower seeds and a handful of chocolate chips will satisfy their sweet tooth.  They idea is to find items that are tasty, filling, nutritious and enough to keep them away from the hot dog cart. Now, this doesn’t mean that we don’t enjoy the occasional treat at a game.  I would be lying if I said we never did.  But for some people, a Saturday means going back and forth between soccer and little league, swimming and lacrosse.  That can be several hours up to all day being away from home.  So there can be a lot of time to fill.

Once you have packed your child’s favorite small toys or handheld games, consider packing in a few new foods to try.

This is how I initially introduced this classic hummus recipe to my kids.

I knew they would be hungry and I wanted them to try a new recipe I had.  I didn’t say what it was but I did bring along dipping items that I knew they liked.  When they realized that was all I brought they eventually caved in and gave it a try.  To their shock, not only was it good but they wanted more and that is how a new popular snack in my house was born.

Snacks don’t have to be boring to be nutritious and delicious.  Think outside the box and make something new.  My recipe for classic hummus makes quite a bit and really only has a few steps.  I like to put this in little 6 oz. cups that I can wash and reuse.  It doesn’t hurt that my husband and I like to eat this as well.  Now I can bring along something to nibble on that makes everyone happy and especially me.  Less whining about being hungry and less to pack is a real winner in my book.

I hope you love this classic hummus recipe!