Name: Roasted Red Pepper Houmous
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: Party
Ingredients: One 400g can of chickpeas (drained) or equivalent of dried chickpeas, soaked overnight; 1 clove of garlic, crushed; 1 tsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed or from a bottle); One roasted red pepper from a jar in brine (drained)

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Houmous is another Marmite food from my experience. Some of my friends adore it; others detest it. For me, roasted red pepper houmous is a versatile dip or accompaniment for various delicious meals.

Contents

If you follow Slimming World, Weight Watchers (WW), Noom or any other weight loss plan you can usually count this as free or easily within your allowances, of course always check your plan for advice.

Red Peppers

Being UK-based, when I talk about peppers, it is more often than not bell peppers or capsicums that I mean rather than chilli pepper.

People often wonder why we tend to use red peppers in recipes more than the other varieties… truth be told, red peppers and green peppers are the same.

The red ones have just been left to mature. Green peppers have a strong, fairly bitter taste, whereas red peppers are milder and their flavour is much more well-suited to my tastebuds.

Red peppers (actually a fruit!) are packed with vitamin A and C – so, as well as getting something tasty, it’s also great for your body.

Peppers infographic about all the benefits of peppers for your health.

Vitamin A works to help your body with vision, the immune system, and it also supports your organs to function well.

Although Vitamin A deficiency is rare in the developed world, it is more common in those with cystic fibrosis.

Like its cousin Vitamin A, Vitamin C also helps your body’s immune system. Additionally, it can assist in protecting your body’s cells against free radicals, converting fat to energy, producing collagen and keeping the brain and nervous system functioning well.

Chickpeas

Also called garbanzo beans, chickpeas are an ingredient that has grown in popularity over the past couple of decades (along with avocado!).

With a subtle nutty taste and unique texture (can be crunchy, mushy or in between the two), these legumes are a great store cupboard ingredient.

As a vegetarian, I am all too aware of the need to ensure I have enough protein in my diet, as meat-eaters get theirs from meat.

Chickpeas are a great source of protein but don’t make the mistake of thinking you need to be veggie or vegan to enjoy them.

Plus, so my family tells me anyway, they make a fantastic side dish for meat dishes, too.

They also contain a significant amount of fibre and are reasonably low in calories – a dieter’s dream!

dried chickpeas in a wooden scoopy — Dried chickpeas

My Roasted Red Pepper Houmous

Whether you are snacking in front of the TV late at night or you are hosting a few friends at yours for dinner, this roasted red pepper houmous will fit the bill perfectly.

Great as a dip for tortilla chips (never take a giant packet into the lounge with you – I’ve made that mistake before – measure out your portion!) or veggie sticks, it also works wonderfully as part of a summer salad.

I love them alongside vegetable kebabs and my family with the lemon garlic chicken kebabs I make them.