Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

AKA the best thing you've ever tried!! Often I feel so frustrated because I just want something "good" (which usually means something dairy or something junky, but it tastes good!) Sometimes I just feel like chips. Or cheese on everything. Or dip with my veggies. And sometimes I do decide to just have a tiny bit....and it takes about 5 mins to realize it was a TERRIBLE and very regrettable choice.  : ( If you struggle with allergies or food intolerances, you know that feeling!

I won't lie, I get that "I just need something good" feeling a lot, and I am most excited to tell you that THIS dip actually hits the spot. It's delicious, packed with flavour (not to mention protein!) and so suuuuper creamy....I can almost pretend there is feta in there! This is a recipe you must try, not only because it tastes amazing but it because it contains a magical ingredient that will ward off the colds and flus that are going around! Gooo garlic! Everyone I know seems to be getting something, so I have been adding garlic to everything imaginable! haha, did I mention it can ward off husbands and friends too? If you need some alone time, a good helping of garlic should do the trick! ; ) Just for your info:

People have been using garlic for centuries (think Egypt at the time of the Pyramids) to prevent infection, but it’s only recently that scientists isolated numerous sulfur-containing compounds in garlic that have potent antibacterial and possibly antiviral effects. These sulfur compounds destroy germs' ability to grow and reproduce, much in the same way as penicillin fights infections. A well-designed study of nearly 150 people supports the value of garlic for preventing and treating the common cold. In this study, people received either garlic supplements or placebo for 12 weeks during “cold season” (between the months of November and February). Those who received the garlic had significantly fewer colds than those who received placebos. Plus, when faced with a cold, the symptoms lasted a much shorter time in those receiving garlic compared to those receiving placebos.

 Great huh? Anyways, here is the recipe!

adapted from Oh She Glows recipe

Ingredients:

2 cloves of garlic, roasted OR minced and sauteed

2 1/2 cups of chickpeas (or 1 can) drained, but reserve 2 tbsp of liquid

2 roasted red peppers

1/4 C tahini

3 1/2 tbsp of fresh lemon juice

1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes (I've made it with and without, both are amazing)

1tsp sea salt

Directions: Roast red peppers whole at 400, turning until browned (close to blackened) on all sides. Cool slightly, then place in a ziplock bag for a while. The steam will help the skin of the peppers to slide right off. Remove skin and seeds. If you are going to roast your garlic, do it at the same time with the peel on. It will just slip right out once roasted. You can also add it raw, but this way it gets rid of the garlic "side effect" : ) Alternately, saute it a few minutes until slightly brown.

Add the rest of the ingredients, minus the salt and cayenne, and blend until smooth in a food processor. Add salt and cayenne to taste. Grab a bunch of cut up veggies, pita wedges or chips and ENJOY!