Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus ~ Gluten Free! A delicious healthy snack whether your gluten free or not!
Well, I confess, this recipe isn’t completely my idea. Yes, I created it, but I stole the idea. It all started when my husband and I started traveling to Pasadena for mini vacations. When we were planning our honeymoon trip a few years ago, I decided to surprise my husband with a trip to Pasadena, because Rob had shared with me during our courting how much he wanted to visit the Gamble House someday. His favorite architects Green and Green built the house and he had always wanted to tour it. So I thought, what a wonderful wedding gift to him, and I surprised him with a special “docent” inside tour of the Gamble House. If you like architecture and american history, then be sure to add this to your list of things to see. So anyway, we chose to stay in Pasadena too, versus LA. We fell in love with Pasadena and now we go back every chance we get. We find great deals on Priceline that covers hotel, airfare and car and it makes for a great time to get away from the business and a break from the kids and just focus on us and our marriage.
Anyway, during one of our trips to Pasadena, we happened to be there in September during their annual Taste of Old Pasadena. For about $30, we purchased a wrist band, were given a map of about 30 participating restaurants in Old Pasadena that were sampling one or two of their favorite or most popular dishes. All the restaurants are walking distance in Old Pasadena off Colorado Street, and about every ethnicity and every type of food is offered in this small town, it was amazing! One of the restaurants we came to was called Pita Jungle. They were sampling three of their delicious Hummus dips. Both my husband and I enjoy Hummus and have tried lots of different flavors from regular flavor which has a garlic flavor to roasted red pepper. One of the flavors that Pita Jungle served us was called Cilantro Jalapeno, and let me tell you, it was Amazing! I was so full that I could barely eat another bite by the time we got here, but I had to go back for seconds it was so good and had an extra creamy texture too. Now every time we visit Pasadena, we make sure to stop in and get the Hummus Sampler plate they have so I can have my fill of the Cilantro Jalapeno flavor!
I have been wanting to make this at home. I already have a delicious recipe for regular hummus which is super easy to make. If you haven’t had Hummus before it is an Eastern Mediterranean dish made of chickpeas (garbanzo beans), Tahini (toasted sesame seed p) olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic. It is typically served with pita bread, chips or vegetables. I called Pita Jungle and asked for their recipe, but they didn’t want to share it, and I can’t blame them. So I picked up some fresh cilantro bundle at the grocery store and a couple jalapenos. I started with my regular hummus recipe, making a few alterations. Then I made a super quick 5 minute Pico De Gallo recipe and used it as a topping. Let me tell you, for not having the actual recipe, I think I nailed it perfectly, or near perfect the first try! It was DELICIOUS! I hope you enjoy it! And if you ever get a chance to visit Pasadena, be sure to stop in at the Pita Jungle or try any one of the fabulous restaurants in this town. Also, Pasadena is a great place to stay as it is a very safe town with about everything at your fingertips at walking distance and just a short drive to all of the surrounding areas activities.
Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus ~ Mama’s version
Ingredients
1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) – rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups cilantro leaves, without stems (about 1 bunch, saving about 1/4 cup for the fresh Pico de Gallo)
1 jalapeno, seeded
4 garlic cloves
6-8 Tbsp. olive oil
4-6 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (1 good lemon)
¼ cup Tahini (sesame paste)
½ tsp. cumin
1/8 tsp. salt or to taste
Directions
Rinse and drain chickpeas. Add them to a food processor. Add the cilantro leaves. Cut your jalapeno in half and remove the seeds. If you prefer extra kick you can add a few seeds. Dice up the jalapeno and add to the food processor. Then add the remaining ingredients, starting with just 6 Tbsp. of the olive oil.
Blend for about 3-4 minutes or until nice and creamy and the hummus has a green color. If it is not creamy enough, add the extra two tablespoons of olive oil and blend for 1-2 more minutes. The trick to this recipe is getting that extra creamy texture and beautiful green color. So you will need to blend this much longer than regular hummus.
If desired, prepare Mama’s Quick Pico De Gallo recipe to serve with the hummus or just eat it as is.
GFM Tip Hummus is great served with pita bread or flatbread. Click here for Mama’s Multi Seed Flat Bread or Click here for Mama’s Regular Flatbread. It is also commonly served with corn chips or vegetables like celery, carrots, cherry tomatoes and broccoli.
GFM Tip A food processor like the Ninja, Oster or Cuisinart works best for making hummus. Regular blenders will work, but it is difficult to get the creamy texture, and it will burn out the motor more quickly.
¼ cup sweet onion, diced
2 green onions, chopped
¼ cup cilantro leaves
1 garlic clove, minced
½ jalapeno, seeded or to taste
2 Tbsp. lime juice, (about ½ of a lime)
salt, to tastePrepare all ingredients and mix together in a small bowl. Serve with corn chips or with Mama’s Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus.
Try Mama’s Hummus Pizza too! Click Here
Try Mama’s Regular Hummus Click Here
Cilantro Jalapeno Hummus ~ Mama’s version
Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) – rinsed and drained
- 1½ cups cilantro leaves, without stems (about 1 bunch, saving about 1/4 cup for the fresh Pico de Gallo)
- 1 jalapeno, seeded
- 4 garlic cloves
- 6-8 Tbsp. olive oil
- 4-6 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (1 good lemon)
- ¼ cup Tahini (sesame paste)
- ½ tsp. cumin
- ⅛ tsp. salt or to taste
- Rinse and drain chickpeas. Add them to a food processor. Add the cilantro leaves. Cut your jalapeno in half and remove the seeds. If you prefer extra kick you can add a few seeds. Dice up the jalapeno and add to the food processor. Then add the remaining ingredients, starting with just 6 Tbsp. of the olive oil.
- Blend for about 3-4 minutes or until nice and creamy and the hummus has a green color. If it is not creamy enough, add the extra two tablespoons of olive oil and blend for 1-2 more minutes.
- The trick to this recipe is getting that extra creamy texture and beautiful green color. So you will need to blend this much longer than regular hummus.
- If desired, prepare Mama’s Quick Pico De Gallo recipe to serve with the hummus or just eat it as is.
Notes