MSG-Free Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

MSG. It's one of my arch nemesis, and now that I'm pregnant, something to vehemently shun. During some of my pregnancies, I have suffered from "restless leg syndrome". The symptoms are exactly as the name describes...the uncontrollable urge to move ones legs, especially while trying to relax or fall asleep. This is a most disconcerting problem...to be lying in bed and to have to begin kicking your legs violently in a effort to relieve the sensation. Sometimes it would become so severe that I would have to get out of bed and exercise, then take a hot shower. I remember even bringing it up to my obstetrition and saying that I had read that taking extra iron might help. He said, well, yes, then, you should try that. So helpful.

Over the years, I have become more familiar with the causes of restless leg syndrome. It turns out that the comsumption of MSG is believed to be one of the underlying factors. Recently, I was an unwitting participant in a tiny scientific experiment and now I am exponentially more motivated to stay away from the poison.

I am a fan of hummus and it has become a staple in my diet since I've become a vegan. I love to make my own, but while I was visiting my mother in the states, I decided to buy the pre-made roasted red pepper hummus at Walmart. It was rich. It was delicious. It was addictive, and I ate the whole tub in one day. I didn't feel all too guilty, however, because it only totaled about 800 calories, had no animal products, very little sugar and virtually no fat. That night however, I realized that it probably contained much more MSG than I had bargained for. As I lay in bed between the twins, my legs began to tingle and feel the uncontrollable need to move. Because it would have been counter-productive to my sleep had I viciously kicked my legs back and forth as the twins were fast asleep on either side of me, I found myself flexing my feet and calves over and over and over again until I fell asleep.

After careful consideration, I truly believe that the prepared hummus, with it's perservatives and "natural flavors" was the culprit of my difficult night's sleep. MSG is tricky because manufacturers now know that consumers are trying to stay away from it, so they have given it different names. Here are some examples...

MSG
Gelatin
Calcium Caseinate
Monosodium glutamate
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein (HVP)
Textured Protein
Monopotassium glutamate
Hydrolyzed Plant Protein (HPP)
Yeast Extract
Glutamate
Autolyzed Plant Protein
Yeast food or nutrient
Glutamic Acid
Sodium Caseinate
Autolyzed Yeast
Vegetable Protein
Extract Senomyx (wheat extract labeled as artificial flavor)

And believe it or not, there are TONS of other names, too! For a complete list, click HERE .

In order to avoid eating hummus with MSG ever again, I looked up an easy roasted red pepper hummus recipe, and here is what I found!

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Ingredients:
4 cups cooked chick peas/garbanzo beans (To cook dry beans, soak overnight, drain, and boil for several hours until tenderl)
2/3 cup tahini (sesame seed paste, found in health food stores)
1/2 cup lemon juice
4 tablespoon olive oil
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 cup - 1 1/2 cup roasted red peppers (purchased fresh or from a can)
2 teaspoons salt

Directions:
Blend all ingredients in a blender, preferrably a Vitamix, until smooth.
Serve with pita bread or pita chips, or, in our case, tortillas, and garnish with parsley and olive oil poured into a well dug out of the center of the serving.

Now, honestly, hummus isn't something the whole fam loves. It's more of a personal treat, but I have found two members of the family who love it as much as I do. Take a look-see...






Hope you enjoy this as much as the twins and I do! Thanks for coming by!

I am pleased to list this post @ Biblical Womanhood's "Frugal Friday". Check out her blog for TONS for great money-saving tips!
I am also pleased to list this post at...
-Kelly's "Real Food Wednesday",
-Tip Junkie's "Talk to me Tuesday",
-5 Minutes for Mom's "Tackle It Tuesday",
-Tammy's Recipe's "Kitchen Tip Tuesday",
-Blessed With Grace's "Tempt My Tummy Tuesday",
-Mary's "Tightwad Tuesday",
-Jen's "Tasty Tuesday",
Gollum's...


and a newly discovered carnival...


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