Sunflower Hummus

Back in 2012 Kirk bought us a Vitamix 5200 from Costco, during a road show. Like most “super” appliances I really wondered if that blender was worth it. At the time I had been burning out $25-50 blenders 1-2 times a year. Mostly because running thick/icy frappes through them wasn’t good for it. Well. The Vitamix did live up to its promises. Not only does it make smooth ice-free frappes, it grinds my wheat berries (in the dry container) and it’ll produce the smoothies hummus you have ever had.

Speaking of which….most hummus is made with Tahini. Which I have never been a fan of. If anything, I find most hummus to be acidic to the taste buds. It is too sharp. Most tahini is made from toasted sesame seeds, and while raw tahini is becoming easy to find (and make as well), it still is sharper in flavor. So it occurred to me, why not try it with raw sunflower seeds? End result? A smooth and mild hummus that nearly everyone will like!

Sunflower Hummus

Ingredients:

• 2 15-ounce cans garbanzo beans, 1 can drained, 1 with liquid
• ¼ cup raw shelled sunflower seeds
• 1 large lemon, about ¼ cup juice
• 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic, minced (1-2 cloves)
• 1 tsp ground cumin

Directions:

Add all the ingredients to a high power blender. Turn on blender, on low and work up slowly to 10, while tamping constantly, then take to High, processing until smooth.

Transfer to storage container, let chill covered. Taste for salt, add if needed.

Notes:

Because you use the liquid from one can of the beans, using organic beans is important. This minimizes what is in it (it should be water and salt). If there is peanut/nut allergies, be sure to read your sunflower seeds carefully before buying/using. Certain brands process them on the same line as peanuts. I have had good sourcing with Trader Joe’s, your mileage may vary.

To make without a blender, run it through a food processor until smooth (although it won’t be silky smooth).

Serve your hummus and noshes in Ball® Collection Elite Half-Pint jars. They make the cutest serving containers!