Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls with Homemade Hummus

Hello foodies,

Today I am sharing a healthy appetizer recipe - Baked Broccoli Cheese Balls with Homemade Hummus. I made it with broccoli which is known to be hearty and tasty vegetable which is rich in dozens of nutrients. It is also a good carb and is high in fiber. I also used cheddar cheese which contains a high concentration of essential nutrients, high quality protein and calcium, which are great for your health and homemade whole wheat bread crumbs as a binding agent.  I served these balls with homemade hummus. Hummus is made out of chickpeas which contain healthy protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Enjoy this healthy appetizer.

Yields:-8 balls

Ingredients:-

For Broccoli cheese balls:-

Grated broccoli – ¾ cup
Cheddar cheese - 3 tbsp
Whole wheat bread crumbs – ¼ cup
Black pepper powder – ¼ tsp
Chaat masala – ½ tsp
Milk – 2tsp
Salt as per taste

For hummus:-

 

Soaked chickpeas – 1 cup
Lemon juice – 3 tbsp
Cumin powder - ½ tsp
Olive oil – ¼ cup+ for garnishing
Paprika powder – for garnishing
Salt as per taste
Tahini – ¼ cup
Water – ¼ cup

For Tahini sauce:-

Sesame seeds - ¼ cup
Olive oil – 2 tbsp

Directions: - For Tahini:-

1. Dry roast the sesame seeds for about 5 mins. Make sure seeds don’t get brown in color.
2. Now in blender add roasted seeds and olive oil blend it until smooth and silky paste.

Directions: - For hummus

1. Soak chickpea in water for at least 24hours.
2. Add salt and pressure cook chickpeas for about 4 whistles.
3. Let the chickpeas cool down completely.
4. Now be ready for the next step you will need lots of patience. Now we need to peel the skin of each and every chickpeas. This will give a nice smooth and silky texture.
5. Now in a food processor add tahini, lemon juice and cumin powder.
6. Grind it about 5 mins.
7. Now add half of chickpeas and again grind it till smooth mixture. Add half of olive oil and again grind the mixture.
8. Add rest of chickpeas and repeat the step seven again.
9. Now add olive oil and water if needed. Again grind the mixture till the mixture becomes smooth and silky in texture.
10. Pour olive oil on top and sprinkle paprika powder.

Directions: - For broccoli cheese ball

1. Preheat the oven at 350 degree F.
2. Grate the broccoli and in microwave safe plate cook it for 1 mins.
3. Let the broccoli cool down completely.
4. Now add home made whole wheat bread crumbs, cheese,black pepper powder, chaat masala and salt. Mix it well.
5. Add milk and knead soft dough and make small balls out of it.
6. Place the balls on baking sheet and bake it for 5 mins.
7. After 5 mins turn the balls and bake it for another 5 mins or until crispy.
8. Serve hot with hummus.