Edamame Hummus

When I was pregnant, I loved snacking on hummus with raw vegetables, as chickpeas are a good plant-based protein.  My favorite was red pepper hummus and it was one of the only kinds my husband would eat.  Years later, it took a road trip and some fun times with friends to be introduced to Edamame Hummus.  Of course, when we fell in love with it, there was only one problem...I couldn't find it anywhere in my hometown.  So, I decided to make my own...which of course means I'm sticking one of my favorite ingredients for heart health in there- Coconut Oil.

Before I get to the recipe, let me tell you a little more about what I love about some of the ingredients and why I loved that my kids gobbled it up.  Both chickpeas and soybeans (edamame) are in this recipe, which means a great source of both protein and iron.  Iron deficiency can definitely be a risk for many women late in pregnancy.  What's important to remember is that your body can better absorb iron with the aid of Vitamin C. The Vitamin C alone in soybeans isn't enough, so I've added Lemon Juice in the recipe and recommend pairing the hummus with a great source of Vitamin C, like raw bell peppers.  I've also got ginger in there, which is a great anti-inflammatory for athletes with pain and inflammation or anyone with arthritis or gout.

~Have fun and live healthy!

Edamame Hummus

3 cups cooked Edamame in shells

1  16-oz. can Chickpeas, drained

1 clove Garlic

1/2 tsp Wasabi

3 Tbsp Coconut Oil

3 Tbsp Lemon juice

1 Tbsp ground Ginger

1/2 tsp ground Cumin

1/4 tsp ground Coriander

1 tsp dried Parsley

1/4 tsp Sesame oil

1/2 C Water

1. De-shell the cooked edamame and place in a blender along with the other ingredients (except water). 
2. You can loosely chop the garlic clove for better distribution. 
3. Use the coconut oil in it's solid form in the blender (since you'll be refrigerating any leftovers). 
4. Add 1/4 cup of water and blend on medium.  Continue to add up to the full 1/2 cup of water for desired consistency. 
5. Serve with your favorite hummus side, such as bell peppers and other raw vegetables or pita bread.