Chocolate Hummus w/Nut or Seed Butter (Vegan)

Recipe from Real Simple

Husband-Tested in Alice’s Kitchen

Makes 40 Tablespoons

(Twenty 2-Tablespoon servings)

Take just a few minutes to whip up this delicious hummus.  Once this hummus is prepared, the kids can easily make their own chocolate banana wraps for a yummy lunch full of protein, fiber and calcium.  Most likely they won’t care a fig for that information, because they’ll be too busy enjoying their fun treat of a lunch!

FYI: I’ve posted another Chocolate Hummus recipe on this blog, but it’s more of a dessert type snack because it has more sugar plus no nut or seed butter for added nutrition.

1 (15 oz.) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

3 Tablespoons pure maple syrup

3 Tablespoons nut or seed butter (peanut butter, almond butter, tahini, sunflower seed butter, etc.)

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (regular or dark)

1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Pinch of kosher or sea salt

Optional, if needed to thin: 1 Tablespoon unsweetened almond milk or milk

Put all the ingredients in a blender, food processor or mini chopper.  Process until smooth.  If the consistency is too thick for your tastes, thin it out a little by adding some unsweetened almond milk or dairy milk.

Nutritional Information: (2 Tablespoon serving) 55 calories; 1.8 grams fiber; 19.4 mg calcium; 2.1 grams protein; 2.7 grams sugars (1.8 g added)

Two Serving Ideas:

1.     For a delicious lunch or after-school snack: Lay out one whole-grain tortilla.  Using an off-set spatula or butter knife, spread 2 Tablespoons Chocolate Hummus w/Nut or Seed Butter over the entire surface of the tortilla.  Place a medium peeled banana on the edge of the tortilla.  Roll it up completely.  Using a sharp knife, cut the tortilla-wrapped banana crossways into “coins.”  (See photo above.)  Nutritional Info:  (1 whole-grain tortilla, 1 medium banana, 2 Tablespoons Chocolate Hummus w/Almond Butter) 290 calories; 7.9 grams fiber; 29.3 mg calcium; 83.4 grams protein; 19.1 grams sugars (1.8 added sugars)

2.     For a quick, delicious breakfast or snack, spread 1 or 2 Tablespoons of Chocolate Hummus w/Nut or Seed Butter on a piece of whole-grain toast and serve it with a piece of whole fruit or a handful of berries on the side.