Name: Veggie and Hummus Cups
Ingredients: Mini Bell Peppers: (About 12-16, various colors) – These form the edible cups. Choose vibrant colors like red, yellow, and orange for visual appeal and a slightly sweet flavor.; Hummus: (1 ½ cups, store-bought or homemade) – The creamy and flavorful base. You can use your favorite flavor of hummus. Classic, roasted red pepper, or garlic hummus all work wonderfully.; Cucumber: (1 medium) – Adds a refreshing crunch and cool flavor. Look for firm cucumbers for the best texture.; Carrots: (2 medium) – Provide sweetness and a satisfying crunch. Choose firm carrots for easy slicing and better texture.; Celery: (2-3 stalks) – Contributes a crisp texture and slightly savory note. Opt for crisp, bright green celery stalks.; Cherry Tomatoes: (1 cup, halved or quartered) – Bursting with juicy sweetness and acidity. Use ripe, firm cherry tomatoes.; Fresh Parsley or Cilantro: (Optional, for garnish) – Adds a fresh, herbal aroma and visual appeal. Choose fresh, vibrant green herbs.; Olive Oil: (Optional, for drizzling) – Enhances flavor and adds a touch of richness. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.; Lemon Juice: (Optional, for squeezing) – Brightens the flavors and adds a zesty touch. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always best.; Everything Bagel Seasoning or Sesame Seeds: (Optional, for sprinkling) – Adds texture and flavor to the hummus. Use your favorite seasoning blend.

Ingredients

Mini Bell Peppers: (About 12-16, various colors) – These form the edible cups. Choose vibrant colors like red, yellow, and orange for visual appeal and a slightly sweet flavor.
Hummus: (1 ½ cups, store-bought or homemade) – The creamy and flavorful base. You can use your favorite flavor of hummus. Classic, roasted red pepper, or garlic hummus all work wonderfully.
Cucumber: (1 medium) – Adds a refreshing crunch and cool flavor. Look for firm cucumbers for the best texture.
Carrots: (2 medium) – Provide sweetness and a satisfying crunch. Choose firm carrots for easy slicing and better texture.
Celery: (2-3 stalks) – Contributes a crisp texture and slightly savory note. Opt for crisp, bright green celery stalks.
Cherry Tomatoes: (1 cup, halved or quartered) – Bursting with juicy sweetness and acidity. Use ripe, firm cherry tomatoes.
Fresh Parsley or Cilantro: (Optional, for garnish) – Adds a fresh, herbal aroma and visual appeal. Choose fresh, vibrant green herbs.
Olive Oil: (Optional, for drizzling) – Enhances flavor and adds a touch of richness. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil.
Lemon Juice: (Optional, for squeezing) – Brightens the flavors and adds a zesty touch. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is always best.
Everything Bagel Seasoning or Sesame Seeds: (Optional, for sprinkling) – Adds texture and flavor to the hummus. Use your favorite seasoning blend.

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Instructions

Prepare the Bell Peppers: Wash the mini bell peppers thoroughly. Cut each pepper in half lengthwise, from stem to tip. Carefully remove the seeds and membranes from each half, creating little cups. If the pepper halves are wobbly, you can trim a tiny sliver from the bottom to make them sit flat, but be careful not to cut through the bottom. Set the pepper cups aside.
Prep the Vegetables: Wash and prepare all the remaining vegetables. Peel the cucumber and carrots. Dice the cucumber, carrots, and celery into small, bite-sized pieces, about ¼ inch dice. Halve or quarter the cherry tomatoes, depending on their size, so they are also bite-sized. You want all the veggie pieces to be small enough to fit comfortably inside the bell pepper cups and easy to eat in one or two bites.
Fill the Pepper Cups with Hummus: Take your prepared hummus and spoon it into each bell pepper cup. Fill each cup generously, mounding the hummus slightly above the rim. You can use a spoon or a piping bag for a neater presentation, especially if you’re making these for a party. If using a piping bag, simply snip off the tip and pipe the hummus into the cups.
Arrange the Diced Vegetables on Top: Now comes the fun part – decorating! Take your diced cucumber, carrots, celery, and halved/quartered cherry tomatoes and arrange them artfully on top of the hummus in each bell pepper cup. You can create patterns, mix and match colors, or simply sprinkle them randomly. Encourage creativity! Make sure to press the vegetables gently into the hummus so they stay in place. Aim for a good balance of colors and textures in each cup.
Garnish (Optional): If desired, drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil over the filled cups for added richness and flavor. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice can also brighten up the flavors. For an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal, sprinkle a pinch of fresh parsley or cilantro, finely chopped, over the cups. Alternatively, or additionally, sprinkle a little everything bagel seasoning or sesame seeds on top of the hummus before adding the vegetables.
Chill (Optional but Recommended): While Veggie and Hummus Cups can be served immediately, they are often even better chilled for about 15-30 minutes in the refrigerator. Chilling allows the flavors to meld together and the vegetables to become even crisper. If chilling for longer than 30 minutes, you might want to loosely cover them to prevent the vegetables from drying out slightly.
Serve and Enjoy!: Arrange the Veggie and Hummus Cups on a platter or serving tray. They are ready to be served as a healthy and delicious snack, appetizer, or light meal. Watch them disappear!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 300
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 3g