Raw Almond “Hummus” [Chickpea-free]

As much as I am a fan of chickpeas, there are many reasons why one would need to avoid them. The most common reason is due to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which can cause bloating, gas or pain. Though, some people are simply looking for a low-carbohydrate alternative. This Raw Almond Dip is a play on the classic hummus and tastes great with seed crackers, sliced cucumber or raw carrots.

Nutrition

Vitamins and Minerals

Almonds are one of the best nut sources of Vitamin E, an important antioxidant that aids in protecting cells from oxidative stress. They also contain a good amount of magnesium, manganese as well as copper and B vitamins.

Healthy Fats

We can rely on almonds, just like other nuts and seeds, for their content of healthy fats. Almonds are particularly high in monounsaturated fat, the same type of healthy fat found in olive oil. A diet high in monounsaturated fats has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Blood Sugar Stabilization

Almonds, just like other nuts and seeds, can play an important role in stabilizing blood sugars. The fibre, protein and healthy fats in these foods don’t break down into glucose, or sugar, and contribute to more stable glycemic control.

Tips

Do I Need To Soak The Almonds?

Nuts and seeds, just like legumes and grains, should ideally be soaked prior to use. This not only helps the nuts blend better, but it also removes the compound phytic acid present in these foods which bind to minerals including iron, zinc and calcium and make them less bioavailable to our bodies. This is more important for those following a plant-based diet, as these minerals are harder to come by and are less available overall. Soaking the almonds will also make them easier to blend.

Aim to soak almonds for at least 6 hours, ideally 12, and drain the water before use.

Notes

Can I Use Any Other Nut Or Seed?

I’ve made this almond dip with a mixture of sunflower seeds and hemp hearts which works great as they blend easily and result in a smooth consistency. Sunflower seeds and hemp hearts do not require as long of a soaking process (minimal 1 hour, ideally 3).

Can I Make This Almond Dip Without Tahini?

The base of this dip is a classic hummus recipe, but if you don’t have tahini on hand, it can be omitted for this dip.  Another option is to add 1/4 cup of sesame seeds instead of tahini.

What Do I Serve This With?

I love serving this almond dip with sliced cucumbers, or carrot sticks. It also tastes great with these  Gluten-Free Crackers with Seeds.

Wanting Classic Hummus?

If using almonds as a base for a dip is sounding too outside your comfort zone, feel free to use regular chickpeas. For this recipe use, one 450 gram can of drained, organic chickpeas.

Recipe Adaptions

This recipe was adapted from the Bliss Café Cookbook, a Raw Food Eatery located in Victoria BC. The recipe is pretty much perfect so I have kept most aspects the same. I prefer to add turmeric to mine, both for the health benefits (1), and to improve the colour of the hummus. I also love the addition of fresh parsley, which not only adds a level of freshness but also colour.

Serve with Grain-Free Crackers

Serve this Raw Almond Dip with these Gluten Free Crackers with Seeds. They are surprisingly easy to make (no dehydrator required!) and are full of only 100% goodness, no added oils, flours, or funny stuff.