Having healthy and tasty snack options is important. They help keep you from grabbing the packaged snacks that have added sugars and additives. Healthy snacks can give you more nutrients leading to better energy.
One of my go to places for recipes is Epicurious. This Smoky Carrot Dip is a good alternative to hummus. It’s flavorful and is a delicious snack with Mary’s Crackers! It’s a great go-to if you’re looking for something new.
Smoky Carrot Dip (Epicurious)
1/2 cup skin on almonds
2 lb carrots, trimmed, peeled
2 Tbsp plus 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus a little more
2 1/2 tsp sea salt divided, plus more to taste
2 garlic cloves
1/2 cup canned chickpeas
3+ Tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp fresh ground pepper
3/4 tsp hot smoked Spanish paprika
1/2 cup coarsely chopped parsley plus some leaves for garnish
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Toast almonds on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing half-way through, until slightly darkened and fragrant, 8-10 minutes. Let cool; set aside.
Cut any thick carrots in half lengthwise, then slice all carrots crosswise into four pieces. Toss on a parchment-lined baking sheet with 2 Tbsp of olive oil and 1 tsp of salt. Spread carrots out evenly on baking sheet and roast, stirring once or twice, until very tender and starting to shrivel and brown (but not char), about 1 hour.
Transfer carrots to a food processor; add garlic, chickpeas, lemon juice, pepper, paprika, parsley, 1/2 cup olive oil, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and reserved almonds. Process adding more oil as needed, until mixture is almost completely smooth. Add more lemon juice and salt to taste.
Transfer dip to a small bowl, drizzle with more olive oil and top with parsley leaves. Cover and chill. This can be made 1 week ahead.
