3 Easy Healthy Toddler Meals with Hummus

I was hired by The Women Bloggers to participate in this #HummusMadeEasy campaign led by Kendal King Group and #SoapboxInfluence on behalf of BUSH’S^® Hummus Made Easy. Opinions (and excitement in creating these easy healthy toddler meals) are mine. 

 

Feeding a tiny human should not be so difficult. But if your young toddler is anything like my 17-month-old, food is rejected (and tossed) immediately as a rule before even giving it a taste. There might be about a handful of foods he is willing to eat without a song and dance, pleading, or attempts at tough love (“I guess you’re not hungry…”) so I try to creatively include his favorites when introducing something new (or something resembling a vegetable – which is why I try to blend vegetables into foods).

One food I know my toddler loves is beans. When dining out at a Mexican restaurant, he nearly climbs onto the table to devour (and wear) my side of refried beans and rice. But how often can this Mom put beans in everything? That’s why I was thrilled to learn about BUSH’S^® Hummus Made Easy! I personally love hummus, so I’m thrilled that my baby boy does too. Is hummus healthy for toddlers you might be wondering? Why yes, yes it is. Hummus is high in protein and fiber! Great for little tummies.

When I say easy, I mean it! This Mom (aka me) is a fan of any recipe with fewer than a handful of ingredients and steps, and these are total winners in my book. Check out the steps to make your own hummus:

1. Drain & rinse a can of BUSH’S^® beans.
2. Pour into blender/food processor.
3. Add a packet of BUSH’S^® Hummus Made Easy to the beans.
4. Blend.

That was easy! Now let’s get creative and get to our three easy healthy toddler meals and recipes that both the Toddler and us grownups can enjoy.

Easy Healthy Toddler Meals, #1: Southwest Black Bean Hummus Tacos

This recipe is extra fun because not only are we making hummus but then we’re building it into a taco. Taco Tuesday, anyone? I mean, I live in Texas and all. I’ll take any opportunity to have a Southwest-inspired meal in my lovely Texas-shaped serving dish! With a side of iced tea. Yes, please!

Ingredients:

• BUSH’S^® Southwest Black Bean Hummus Made Easy packet
• BUSH’S^® Black Beans, drained and rinsed
• Tortillas
• Canned corn, drained
• Tomato, diced
• Lettuce, shredded
• Shredded cheese (Mexican style blend)

Directions? Super easy.

1. Make hummus (blend BUSH’S^® Southwest Black Bean Hummus Made Easy packet with drained and rinsed BUSH’S^® Black Beans).
2. Layer your taco like so:
   1. Tortilla
   2. Spread the Hummus
   3. Lettuce
   4. Tomato
   5. Corn
   6. Shredded cheese

The grownups can eat it like a regular taco and you can cut it into small slivers for the toddler. Yummy for all.

Easy Healthy Toddler Meals, #2: Roasted Red Pepper Hummus and Colorful Veggies

Here is one way to convince the Toddler to eat a vegetable or two. You absolutely can’t resist a lovely platter full of rainbow-colored veggies and a tasty dip. My mom was actually visiting me from California for my birthday, and we both had a blast making this platter and devouring it. Buy the most colorful vegetables at the store, and you can even use them as a teaching moment to help the toddler experience his colors.

Ingredients:

• BUSH’S^® Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Made Easy packet
• BUSH’S^® Garbanzo Beans, drained and rinsed
• Veggies (suggestions: red pepper, yellow pepper, orange pepper, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumber, baby carrots, celery, various herbs)
• Pita chips or veggie sticks for dipping

Directions:

1. Make hummus (blend BUSH’S^® Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Made Easy packet with drained and rinsed BUSH’S^®Garbanzo Beans).
2. Put in the middle of a serving dish, and drizzle some herbs on top.
3. Chop veggies into easy to munch on slices and arrange on serving tray in varying colors. Add pita chips.

Then enjoy as a family out on your patio on a lovely sunny day.

Easy Healthy Toddler Meals, #3: Classic and Basil Hummus with Veggies or Pita Chips

The third recipe for a healthy Toddler hummus-inspired meal is similar to the second in that we use veggies and/or pita chips/veggie sticks for dipping. But the hummus itself is quite different, and the dual color can serve as a fun treat. This way you have some options and can mix and match the veggies and hummus combinations. Fun times.

Ingredients:

• BUSH’S^® Classic Hummus Made Easy packet
• BUSH’S^® Garbanzo Beans, drained and rinsed
• Basil stir-in-paste (can also add Cilantro and Parsley stir-in-pastes for a deeper green), to taste.
• Veggies (suggestions: red pepper, yellow pepper, orange pepper, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumber, baby carrots, celery, various herbs)
• Pita chips or veggie sticks for dipping

Directions:

1. Make hummus (blend BUSH’S^® Classic Hummus Made Easy packet with drained and rinsed BUSH’S^® Garbanzo Beans) and divide.
2. In one batch of the hummus and add in Basil (and Cilantro and Parsley if you like) stir-in-paste(s) and mix. You want to make a creamy, even green.
3. “Layer” the two hummus styles in circles on a serving dish, with the basil-flavored hummus on the inside, and the classic hummus on the outside.
4. Chop veggies and arrange on serving tray in alternating colors. Add pita chips in between for more fun.

Another lovely meal or appetizer to enjoy as a family.

There you have it, three simple hummus-inspired meals that your toddler can enjoy, and so can you! BUSH’S^® Hummus Made Easy packets can be picked up at Walmart, right next to the regular BUSH’S^® Beans. In fact, I purchased all of the ingredients for my three meals at Walmart, and it was quite convenient (and didn’t try my Toddler’s patience).

The Toddler absolutely enjoyed devouring (and wearing) his hummus.  Check him out, practicing (well, attempting) his dipping skills and enjoying a healthy meal!

 

Looks like he had a bit of fun with dinner, didn’t he?

Feeding a tiny human, made simpler with the help of BUSH’S^® Hummus Made Easy. He certainly didn’t toss this meal to the floor, so a total Mom Win!

Have you made your own hummus? Share some recipes with me!