Garbanzo beans, also known as chick peas, are high in fiber and rich in B vitamins, especially folate. Folate is important for women to consume during their child bearing years because it prevents against neutral tube birth defects. Garbanzo beans are also high in iron, and eating foods rich in iron prevents against anemia. They are an excellent source of protein for vegetarians.

Hummus can also be made using tahini, a nutritious ground sesame seed paste that give it a creamier, more full bodied texture, but I don’t think it’s necessary to use.

Many of the store bought hummus’ have strange ingredients in them, like mayonnaise, and also have added preservatives, colors and flavors. Fresh hummus tastes so much brighter and better than the store bought, and is so simple to make using many ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen pantry.

Heavenly Hummus Recipe:

• 1 can Wild Oats garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• Juice of ½ organic lemon
• ½ teaspoon Wild Oats organic garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon Wild Oats organic cayenne
• ¼ cup Wild Oats organic extra-virgin olive oil
• Sea salt to taste

Serve with Wild Oats Honey Wheat Mini Pretzels, or fresh vegetables such as organic raw broccoli and cauliflower pieces, snap peas, bell pepper slices, and carrot and celery sticks

Mash all ingredients together using a mortar and pestle, or combine in a food processor. Drizzle extra olive oil on top if desired for a richer flavor and presentation.