Easy Appetizers that are Hard to Beat

What do the Stanley Cup, holidays and the season premiere of Orphan Black have in common? A party at your house, of course!
Easy appetizers are a great way to minimize the work of entertaining so you can maximize your enjoyment of sharing time with family and friends. Hummus dips and spreads fit the bill for easy appetizers.
The main ingredient in hummus is chickpeas. Now stand up straight and salute the flag because chickpeas are important to the Canadian economy. Canada is one of the world?s leading exporters of chickpeas.
While chickpeas are popular with Canadian farmers, they also get a nod of approval from Health Canada?s Food Guide, which says that three-fourths of a cup of hummus equals one Food Guide serving of meat. The International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences also advocates the benefits of hummus, stating in a 2014 study that people who eat hummus are 53 percent less likely to be obese and 51 percent less likely to be diabetic.
So it is practically your duty as a Canadian citizen to use hummus every chance you get: parties, birthdays, watching the Maple Leafs on TV?the possibilities are endless!
Here are three easy appetizers that can be mainstays on your year-round party menu:

• Easy Peasy Hummus Dip Recipe. Mix the following in a blender or food processor: one can of chick peas, two tablespoons of sesame tahini, three tablespoons of lemon juice, two cloves of garlic. Adventurous? Add cayenne pepper. Ta-Da! You now have hummus dip. Wondering what to dip in hummus? Try carrot sticks, sliced cucumbers, celery or pita chips.
• Easy Peasy Hummus Spread. Use the above recipe, but spread it on mini pumpernickel or rye bread and top with a slice of cucumber, shredded carrots and/or olive. When it comes to easy appetizers, this one is hard to beat!
• Lettuce Wrap Recipes. In addition to mini breads, you can also offer lettuce leaf wraps. Just spread two tablespoons of hummus on one end of the lettuce leaf, sprinkle with chopped tomato and onion, add a pickle spear and roll the lettuce toward the other end, securing with a toothpick. You can also add a slice of cheese or apple, chopped cucumber — let your imagination and taste buds be your guide.

Even easier than making easy appetizers is buying them at your favorite food store. There are a number of hummus brands to choose from, offering a variety of flavors of hummus, including roasted red pepper, artichoke and other delicious choices.
With more than fifteen holidays on the calendar, you deserve a better way of entertaining. When you make easy appetizers you make room for what?s really important: quality time with family and friends.