Paleo Courgette and Avocado Houmous

I used to be a houmous junkie. Just couldn't get enough of it. Since turning to the paleo way of eating - 80% of the time - I have seriously cut down and have only had it a few times since Christmas. I do miss it and so this is how this little gem of a recipe came to be born. It satisfies the cravings for the real thing without laving me bloated and without a 'heavy' feeling. This is quite garlic-y so if you don't like a strong garlic taste, just use half the amount. I used half lemon and half lime juice but you could just use all lemon if you prefer. Try adding coriander for an added note of flavour. It goes very well with a toasted piece of my caveman bread or some vegetable batons.,,,and a glass of bubbles.

You will need:

a food processor with blade attachment 

1 medium courgette - about 200g peeled and chopped

1 small OR half of a medium avocado

2 garlic cloves, peeled and roughly chopped

juice of 1 lemon

juice of 1 1/2 limes

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup tahini

salt and pepper to taste

paprika to serve

pumpkin seeds to serve

extra oil to serve

Place the juice of the lemons and limes - should make about 1/4 cup - into the whizzer along with the tahini. Blend for about 30 seconds until smooth. 

Add in the chopped courgette, avocado, oil, cumin, garlic and salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. You may need to stop and scrape the sides then blend again. Taste and add more salt and pepper if desired.

Pour into a bowl and garnish with paprika, pumpkin seeds and a little more olive oil. Cover and place in the fridge for an hour until ready to serve. This will keep for a couple of days if kept covered and refrigerated.