But how about switching things up and trying beet hummus, which incorporates the brightly coloured root vegetable full of good-for-you folate, ​​a vitamin that plays a key role in heart health?

Here’s what you’ll need to make this versatile version:

Ingredients:

1 roasted beet, peeled and chopped

1 can chickpeas, drained

2/3 cup tahini

2-3 zested and juiced lemons (about 1/3 cup of lemon juice)

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1/3 cup olive oil

1 teaspoon cumin or more, to taste

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 handful chopped herbs of your choice

Options for toppings (if desired):
Zaatar

Edible flowers
Mixed crushed nuts

Olive oil

Preparation:

Combine the chickpeas, tahini, beet, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and salt in the bowl of a food processor.

With the motor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil and blend until smooth.

Taste and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, or salt as needed. 

Add toppings if desired and serve!

What a healthy way to add a gorgeous pop of colour to your meals! What will you put your beet hummus on? If you make this recipe and want to share it with us, tag us on Instagram @stokesstores and use the hashtag #StokesMoments.

As the weather changes, so does our diet, eating, and cooking habits. Recipes that don’t require a stove or oven, that are light, refreshing, and help us stay cool (but still fill us up) become our go-to! Plus, the summer season brings family gatherings, barbecues with friends, holidays, vacations, and weekends hanging out by the pool. Luckily, we’ve got just the thing for you to snack on, serve to your guests, or bring to a party–and it’s healthy!

In collaboration with Sarah, of Sarah’s Dolce Vita, we’ve developed two recipes that are perfect for dipping an array of crunchy snacks or to spread on toast for something different (why not?). An easy way to feed a crowd, the possibilities are endless with Sarah’s delicious cannellini-based Pesto Hummus and yogurt-based Cucumber Carrot Tzatziki! Pair the dips with sliced baguette, tortilla chips, nutritious veggies, multi-grain crackers, or fresh pita bread… The choice is yours!

Don’t think that these dips are only for big groups, special occasions, or to make when you have down time! These recipes are so quick and easy to do that you can start making them part of your weekly routine; make a batch to munch on while watching TV or typing away at work. Think of them as an everyday essential for summer!

If you crave creamy things and can’t get enough veggies, the yogurt dip just might be for you, or if you are looking for a low-fat, high-protein option, you can live off of this hummus recipe–it literally goes with everything. What’s more is that these dips are considered part of the Mediterranean diet, which promotes the healthy way people eat in the regions around the Mediterranean: lots of veggies, lots of sharing, and no compromising on taste.

Let Sarah show you how easy these recipes are to make and turn fresh summer ingredients into dips that are a hassle-free crowd pleaser!

Print

Pesto Hummus (with cannellini beans)

Servings 1 bowl

Author The Nutritious Princess

Ingredients

• 2 cups cannellini beans
• 1 cup basil
• 1 cup arugula
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions

• Strain and rinse cannellini beans.
• Place all ingredients in a food processor or high-speed blender. Blend until smooth.
• Serve with your favourite veggies, tortilla chips and crackers in the Dublin Serving Bowls.

Print

Cucumber Carrot Tzatziki

Servings 1 bowl

Author The Nutritious Princess

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup grated cucumber
• 1/2 cup grated carrot
• Salt to taste
• 1 cup Greek yogurt full-fat for a thick texture

Instructions

• Grate carrot and cucumber.
• Squeeze out excess liquid of grated cucumbers and carrots.
• Mix grated veggies with yogurt and salt to taste.
• Serve with your favourite veggies, tortilla chips and crackers . Enjoy!

Helping you be that person who brings the healthy option to the party,

Meet the blogger!

Sarah is an Italian-Canadian who is passionate about food! In fact, she’s pretty sure either tomato sauce or melted dark chocolate runs through her veins. She loves to spend hours experimenting in the kitchen, watching Food Network or let’s face it, hitting the mall. She strives to have a career she loves, one she’ll never want a break from. This is where her love for teaching and passion for cooking merge into one – hello Food Network cooking show?  She has a major sweet tooth and will walk miles for dessert.