Black Bean Hummus

Healthy snacking is important to me. I can only allow so many packages of fruit chews or fruit bars before my skin starts to itch with the nervous feeling that I'm not fulfilling my parental duties of providing nourishing food for my children.

Why do I buy these ubiquitous items that have the laughable word "fruit" in the name?

Convenience.
Cost.
Long Shelf Life.
And, let's face it...in reality, I really do want to be a fun Mom!

Still, I make sure there are fruits and vegetables offered at every meal and throughout the day for snacks. It can get tricky this time of year when the freshest fruits or vegetables that are available have travelled many miles over countless days to get to our table. I am anxious for those first fruits of summer - strawberries and the first vegetables of spring - spinach!

Until then, I will continue to offer goodies like this to my family every once in a while.  I got the recipe from my Mom and she got it somehow from The Ohio State University Medical Center.  Mom made it once when Jenna was at her house and Jenna couldn't stop eating it! I made it recently and had it ready for an after-school snack for the kids...and me! I, too, couldn't stop eating it! I hope you like it as well. It is everything healthy, unless you use a Dorito to dip into it!

Black Bean Hummus

Here's What You Need:

1 clove garlic

1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1/4 red onion

2 Tablespoons lemon juice

2 Tablespoons olive oil

3/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon coriander

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Here's What You Do:

Mince the onion and garlic.  Add the onion, garlic and the rest of the ingredients to a food processor.  Process until smooth.  Enjoy with some light crackers or veggies!