In the summer, I crave anything lemon-flavored (which you’ve likely already guessed from this post or this post). One day, I was in the kitchen, making hummus (what else is new?), and what was going to be a simple fresh herb hummus, was somehow transformed into something different. I was squeezing a lemon for fresh juice to add to the hummus, when a voice inside me asked a question that has got me into trouble countless times: “Why stop at one?”
This time, however, the result was far from troublesome. I juiced a couple more lemons and even “zested” one. The result? Phenomenal. Each bite of this creamy hummus is filled with a bright lemon tang partnered with a hint of fresh herbs. It is also the greatest-scented hummus you will ever have the pleasure of smelling.
The day after making this hummus, it occurred to me that it was far too good to just drench my baby carrots in. It needed to be the highlight of a full meal. This hummus was not meant to be a co-star- it needed the spotlight.
And the spotlight it received atop this light and zesty pizza. Roasted green beans, yellow zucchini (both part of my CSA delivery), and some orange bell pepper were the perfect toppings for this lovely pizza. This light, thin-crusted pizza is perfect for a warm summer night, or sliced, it could be served as a lovely appetizer.
LEMON HERB HUMMUS
Ingredients:
1 can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained- 5 T fresh lemon juice (about 2-3 lemons)
- ½ T lemon zest
- 1 T tahini
- 1 T olive oil
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped
- 2 T fresh thyme (or 2 tsp dried)
- 1 T fresh oregano (or 1 tsp dried)
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a high-speed blender or food processor, combine the first five ingredients and blend until smooth. Add the herbs and pulse until combined. Salt and pepper to taste. Chill until ready to use- will keep for about 3-4 days.
LEMON HERB HUMMUS PIZZA
makes 1 large or 2 medium pizzas
Ingredients:
- 1/3 recipe of pizza dough (or pizza dough recipe of your choice)
- 1 batch of Lemon Herb Hummus (you will have a bit leftover)
- ½ lb fresh green beans, ends trimmed
- 1 yellow zucchini/squash, very thinly sliced (I used a mandoline)
- ½ orange bell pepper (or red or yellow), very thinly sliced (I used a mandoline)
- olive oil spray
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare your pizza dough, according to these directions, or use your own preferred method. Prepare your pizza pan or peel, and place rolled out dough on the peel/pan. For this time, I prepared individual pizzas, but this recipe will make a single pizza, if that’s what you prefer.
- Preheat the oven to 400. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread out the green beans and squash slices. Lightly spray with olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Toss them to fully coat with the olive oil and spread out evenly.
Bake the vegetables for 8-10 minutes, then remove from the oven. Add the bell pepper slices and toss to combine and spread out evenly again, making sure the squash slices are flipped so that they cook evenly. Return to the oven for 5 more minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- Increase the heat in the oven to 475.
- Spread the hummus out in a thick layer on your prepared crust(s). Top with the roasted veggies. Place the pizza(s) in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes, until the crust is lightly crisp and golden. Remove from the oven and serve immediately. Enjoy!
What summertime flavors are you craving?
All photos taken by Chris Miller and Kristy Turner
© Kristy Turner and Keepin’ It Kind, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (content and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kristy Turner and Keepin’ It Kind with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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What a great way to celebrate hummus
Thank you! I am all about celebrating hummus.
Beautiful! I love a lemony hummus – and adding zest is genius! I am going to give this a go as it is right up my alley! Also I recognize that black slab – any chance that is from Brooklyn? I just picked up a couple of cheese boards that look identical – they are beautiful!
Thank you, Shira! I so hope you like it! I did not get the board at Brooklyn (are you referring to the city or a certain store?)- I got it at West Elm. I love them and the dark background photographs really nicely, I think!
I am new to your site and I have to say that it’s beautiful! I love the photography; you really know how to capture the food in a way that makes me say, ‘I want to try that’!
I have never thought about putting hummus on pizza, but it makes sense. This looks very tasty and I just so happen to have some chickpeas waiting to be cooked into something. Also, your wild mushroom pistachio pesto pizza sounds amazing as well.
Thank you for sharing and have a nice day!
Oh, Claudia! You are so sweet! My husband does the majority of the photography, and he is quite flattered by your kind words.
I do hope you enjoy the dishes. Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to share your thoughts! Have a great weekend!
lemon hummus sounds SO GOOD. i can imagine licking my food processor clean immediately following the making of this glorious spread. and on top of soft, bready pizza crust sounds like a dream
It is pretty dreamy! Thank you! I hope you have a fabulous weekend, Caitlin!
This is gorgeous! I love lemon too. And hummus. And peppers! Hmmm…pretty sure this pizza would be my new favourite thing! *hehe*
Happy weekend! xoxo
I am also addicted to lemon right now! Pretty much anything I make has a little zest or juice squeezed in
I haven’t made my own hummus is months- I think I’ll try this one
It has me written all over it.
love the colors and fresh stuff on the pizza! and the lemony herb hummus. mmmmmm. summery indeed
Thank you, Richa! It is the perfect summer pizza! Have a great weekend!
Love this! What a great way to have hummus!
Thank you, Jennifer! I would have to agree with you! ;-P Take care and have a great weekend!
This looks so delicious! There’s something about lemon that screams summer. It brightens the flavors of everything that it touches. If there’s one thing that I always have on hand in the fridge, it’s a bag of lemons. Can’t wait to make your hummus!
Oh, I hope you like it! It is the perfect use for that bag of lemons! Have a great weekend, Cadry!
This looks totally appropriate for summer. Love the green beans – I haven’t seen that one before! By the way, the pictures are gorgeous
Thank you! And you should totally try fresh green beans on a pizza- they really pop!
I love lemons! I’ve taken to slicing them and adding them to my water bottle. I drink a lot of water throughout the day and this is the perfect way to add a little flavor. This pizza looks so good and a very healthy alternative to typical vegan pizzas that use Daiya or other cheeses…not that there’s anything wrong with that, but sometimes you need something lighter for summer.
Yay! Another lemon-lover! Isn’t lemon water refreshing?! It is always such a treat! I’m glad you like the pizza too!
This looks delicious. I never tried to add some hummus to my pizza ! Great idea…and the lemon..wow!
Thanks, Lysa! You’ve gotta try hummus on your next pizza! It’s great!
I just found you via foodgawker, your pizza looked delicious. But now I am even more enamored with the lemon herb hummus idea. Got to try this, like right now.
Thank you, Lena! I hope you like it!
Oh gosh the way you just described this lemon hummus has my mouthwatering! i love how you topped the pizza, it looks so fresh and healthy and not to mention beautiful!
Thank you, Heather! The whole pizza was so fresh and healthy- perfect for summer!
I love it when hummus turns out so good that you can’t help but slather it on everything.
I ran out of tahini last week and put peanut butter in my hummus. Holy crap.
I love the idea of using LOTS of lemon and herbs. I can’t get enough thyme in anything so this is totally genius!
Thank you! And oh my heavens- I’ve tried the PB trick with the hummus before. Goodness, that’s good!