A delightful herbal twist on this classic mediterranean dish.

Yes, turmeric and lavender are a great pairing.

You may be thinking “wow, I never thought to add those herbs into hummus!”. And neither did I, until a few weeks ago.

Turmeric and lavender are two of my favorite culinary herbs with loads of medicinal benefits. Most people are familiar with them and that’s one reason why they’re a great combo to add into dishes.

Turmeric is

• anti-inflammatory

• immune boosting

• supports digestive repair and belly bloat

• has anti-cancer fighting properties

• overall a delightful spice

Lavender is

• Stress reliever

• Carminative herb, it helps break down gas

• The key component linalool is a pain reliever

• Also anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and good for cleaning

How to source the right herbs for cooking

Go local and fresh when possible

Buying locally means we get our herbs when they're at their freshest - with strong volatile oils, strong flavor profiles and rich with health benefits.

That said, many of us will not find fresh, local turmeric or lavender. There are a few things you can look out for when sourcing:

1. Turmeric should have a bright orange or dark yellow color. I’m a fan of the woman-owned business Diaspora Co. for turmeric. They have single-origin, heritage spices that are really fantastic.

2. A little bit of lavender goes a long way. Lavender is very high in volatile oils so it will have a more dominant flavor profile. Use caution when buying at flower markets - they could be sprayed with chemicals. It’s better to get lavender from a market or product-based company, not a florist, if you’re going to cook with it. You can buyorganic bulk lavender for an affordable price from FGO online. Note that 4 ounces is their minimum order online and that is quite a lot, considering the recipe below only calls for 1.5 teaspoons. So if you’re not looking to purchase a bunch of lavender, head to your local herb shop or co-op.

3. Yes your local herb shop or co-op is a great way to get herbs! This is where you can buy smaller quantities. For example in San Francisco I am a huge fan of Rainbow Grocery which has a massive bulk herb section for very affordable prices.

Turmeric Lavender Hummus Recipe

This is such an easy recipe and it takes just 10 minutes to make! It also yields a lot, so you can easily share it at a party.

Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
Yield: 15-20 servings
Tools: blender or a bullet mix

Ingredients:

• 13 oz can of chickpeas - save the liquid

• 1/4 cup chickpea liquid aka aquafaba (you may need more when blending)

• 1/3 cup tahini

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

• 1 clove garlic, peeled

• 2 teaspoons turmeric

• 1.5 teaspoons lavender

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• Ice cubes (optional)

• Lemon juice (optional)

Recipe Instructions:

1. Peel garlic, chop into a few smaller chunks

2. Put everything into the blender, starting with wet dry ingredients, then wet. That way you have the wet ingredients closer to the blade when you’re ready to blend which helps with getting it smooth.

3. Blend and pulse, giving a few shakes as needed.

4. You may need to add in extra aqufaba liquid or ice cubes, depending on your desire for how smooth/chunky you want it to be.

5. Voila, you’re done! Enjoy this beautiful dish

DIY TIP:  ice cubs help make the hummus more smooth.

Like it? Want a modification? Leave a comment below!

Disclaimer: The information above is purely educational and cannot substitute professional medical advice. It is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose medical conditions. Consult with a medical professional if you have any concerns.