Edamame Hummus on Crostini

Edamame Hummus on Sprouted Whole Grain Crostini / Gail Ingram Photography

Edamame Hummus on Crostini

Sometimes it is hard to find easy healthy recipes that are not only crowd-pleasing but also super tasty. Edamame beans are ever so slightly sweet with a mild nutty flavor that just about everyone loves. When entertaining, I like to make hummus from edamames as a twist on the usual chick-pea version. This edamame hummus is not only delicious, but incredibly easy to make too.

Ideas for Healthy Snack Recipes When Entertaining

The sprouted whole grain crostini (mini toast points) used in this recipe are the perfect foundation for a variety of healthy snack recipes. You can be creative and top crostini with regular hummus made from chickpeas, julienned sundried tomatoes packed in extra virgin olive oil, raw almond butter, carrot hummus, olive tapenade, etc.

Look for “Food for Life” Sprouted Whole Grain Bread

While you can certainly use regular whole grain bread instead of the sprouted whole grain bread I use, I always pick sprouted bread whenever possible. Sprouting releases all the vital nutrients stored within the whole grain and therefore significantly enhances the nutritional properties of the whole grain. Look for sprouted whole grain bread in the frozen section of your natural foods store, Whole Foods Market or grocery store.

I prefer organic Food for Life “7 Sprouted Grains Bread”. It is flour-free, has a low GI (and is therefore good for diabetics) and tastes incredible…especially when toasted! The ingredients are as pure and natural as can be (see below). I also like the fact it includes a variety of grains and not just wheat. Although I say this all the time, it’s worth repeating…the most important thing to look at when buying any packaged food is the ingredients (not the Nutrition Facts!) Check out the super healthy ingredients in Food for Life bread:

Ingredients in Food for Life “7 Sprouted Grains Bread”: Organic Sprouted Wheat, Filtered Water, Organic Malted Barley, Organic Sprouted Rye, Organic Sprouted Barley, Organic Sprouted Oats, Organic Sprouted Millet, Organic Sprouted Corn, Organic Sprouted Brown Rice, Fresh Yeast, Organic Wheat Gluten, unrefined sea salt.

How to Make Edamame Hummus on Crostini

Serves: 4 to 6

For the Sprouted Whole Grain Crostini:

• 6 to 8 slices sprouted whole grain bread (such as Food for Life “7 Sprouted Grains Bread”) *or gluten free bread like for GF option
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Unrefined sea salt

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
2. Using kitchen shears, trim the crust off each piece of bread. Cut the bread diagonally, forming triangles. Use a small basting brush and lightly brush the tops of each piece of bread with extra virgin olive oil. Season bread with salt.
3. Place bread slices in the oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until brown and crispy. Remove from oven and spread with edamame hummus (recipe below).

For the Edamame Hummus:

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 shallots, finely chopped
• 5 cloves finely chopped garlic, divided
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen organic edamame beans, thawed
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Unrefined sea salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Black olive slices, optional

1. Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and half of the garlic (set the remaining raw garlic aside); sauté 2 -3 minutes, or until shallots and garlic are soft. Remove from heat.
2. Add the edamame beans, parsley, lemon juice, sautéed garlic and shallots and reserved raw garlic to a food processor; process until smooth and creamy. Season with unrefined sea salt and pepper to taste. Spread edamame hummus on top of the crostini. Serve at once.

Note: this dairy-free, vegan recipe can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors are best served at room temperature.