This Opinion article is part of a Narcity Media series. The views expressed are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
I hold pride in my love for hummus. Honestly, I eat the chickpea dip quite often and it makes sense because I'm Arab — it is basically a staple in my diet.
But I've gotten bored of dipping pita chips into hummus as a snack and wanted to explore other options. So Narcity put a question up on Facebook to ask our audience what their favourite hummus combinations they think no one else knows about and I put them to the test.
Okay, seriously, don't try this at home, kids. It was so gross.
I had never had a Bear Paw before and was shocked by its soft texture. The flavour I chose was chocolate chip because I didn't think the banana choice would taste any better with hummus.
The soft texture with the mushiness of the hummus was so nasty I still gag just remembering what that felt like.
The Bear Paw suggestion was a toddler's favourite combination, which probably should've been my advice not to try it.
Little kid, if you can read, I'd suggest exploring the flavours around the world before deciding this was your favourite combination. It was a tad offensive to me and my ancestors, who worked hard to make hummus delicious.
Last week, when I dipped the potato and cheese pierogi into the hummus dip and expected it to be even grosser than the Bear Paws, I realized how delicious the combination actually is.
If you want to spruce up your pierogi game, it's safe to substitute your sour cream with hummus. It's pretty yummy.
When I first decided to do a hummus combination taste test, I thought dipping Doritos into hummus wouldn't be so bad. But it wasn't great, and I don't think I'd ever do it again. It was low-key offensive.
If you want to dip a chip-like texture into hummus, might I suggest the pita chips from Farm Boy? They are delicious, full of flavour and a great combination.
The cheesiness in the nacho Doritos flavour felt crumbly with the hummus and it wasn't so satisfying, but again, it was as horrible as the Bear Paws... Blekh! 🤢.
The opinions expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Narcity Media.
With the cost of groceries in Canada skyrocketing over the last year or so, I've been thinking about creative ways to save money, especially in the kitchen.
Luckily, I enjoy making dishes from scratch, and there are some really easy but surprisingly effective things I've been doing that have really amped up my meals… while also saving me a few bucks in the process.
Making these small kitchen staples from scratch might take a bit longer than just buying them from a store, but they last for quite a bit, need only five ingredients or less (not counting salt and pepper!) and also give you that satisfaction of being 100% homemade.
So, here are some extra-but-delicious food items I've been making recently that are reasonably easy to put together, will save you money and that taste amazing.
I've seen ready-made hummus in just about every big Canadian grocery store and it seems like a super popular option in the grab-and-go section for about $5 to $8.
But, honestly, hummus is such an easy dish to make at home and all it needs are five easy-to-get ingredients: chickpeas, sesame seeds, garlic, olive oil and lemon juice.
For a quick fix, grab a can of cooked chickpeas (they're usually under $2 and readily available), drain and empty it out into a blender.
Add in a teaspoon of sesame seeds (you can toast them if you have the time, but it's honestly not a crime if you don't), the rest of the ingredients mentioned above, salt to taste, and water for blending consistency.
And that's it! Not only is it so much fresher, you also get almost double the portion available in grab-and-go packs, and you can adjust the taste according to preferences.
And, if you're really keen, you can experiment with varieties like roasted pepper and so on.
Chilli Oil
I like a little hit of spice now and then, and I recently found out that it's super easy to make your own chilli oil with just a handful of ingredients.
There are loads of recipes online, but the essence is to mix together three to five tablespoons of red pepper flakes with additional seasonings of your choice (like a teaspoon of salt and a few cloves of garlic, minced).
Then, all your have to do is heat up your oil (I usually use canola) over medium heat for three to four minutes and pour your flakes and seasoning in.
It'll sizzle, so just make sure this is all taking place in safely in a heat-proof bowl!
Once it cools down you can stow it away for your next meal.
It's super simple, and way better than forking out over $10 or more for a readymade jar of chilli oil.
Granola can be surprisingly pricey in many Canadian grocery stores, but rolled oats are still pretty cheap.
I usually buy a few cups of rolled oats from Bulk Barn, along with raw nuts and chocolate chips (although these are add-ons!).
To make granola, all you need to do is mix rolled oats with oil (you can use olive oil or coconut oil) and a sweetener (like honey or maple syrup). The amount of oil and sweetener is usually in equal portions.
Add in a pinch of salt and toppings you love, like nuts, chocolate chips, vanilla essence, cocoa powder and more. Mix, spread on parchment paper and bake it.
I usually pop it into the oven at 300F for 20 minutes, mixing it half way through. It's super simple, easy to customize and stays fresh for so long.
Just be mindful that granola further crisps as it cools. You want to take this one out in time or it'll burn quite quickly!
Garlic butter
It's ridiculously easy to make garlic butter at home, and this levels-up just about any dish.
All you have to do is keep your regular butter out until it's softened.
Then, grate up some garlic and (if it's unsalted) you can add some salt to taste. I usually use a clove for a stick (1/2 cup) of butter, but it completely depends on personal taste.
You can then pack it back into parchment paper, roll it up and place it in the fridge to solidify again.
And once you get confident with this, you can experiment with other herbs and spices like Italian seasoning, paprika and more.
Like many people, I discovered bread baking during the pandemic, and now my go-to is focaccia.
I'm not going to lie, this one is more time consuming than the rest, but it's totally satisfying to make, requires only a few ingredients and stays delicious for a good week.
All you need to do is mix a packet of yeast in warm water with some sugar or honey. After about five minutes, you can add it into regular all-purpose flour. Throw in some salt and olive oil, and knead to create the dough.
After the dough has risen (about 45 minutes), you can add it to a pan, top up with more olive oil and bake.
I like to heat garlic in the olive oil for this recipe, but there are so many other ways to customize it too, from sundried tomatoes to freshly sliced olives.
Even better, this will cost you so much less than readymade focaccia in bakeries too.
On this episode of Good Bites Takeout, host Mahlet Yordanos orders in from The Hummussiah, run by self-proclaimed "Hummus Experts" and boasting the most authentic hummus in Toronto.
After going home to the middle east for a year, owner Tom Levi was inspired to create an authentic experience utilizing the right ingredients and learning the secret processes that represent all parts of the middle east.
Details: Live the dream by getting a Le Dolci cake delivered to your door every month. Each cake is a different flavour and design, and you can expect to get some seasonal themes.
Details: You can sign up for the first pizza subscription in the world from General Assembly. There are a variety of frozen pizzas to choose from and get delivered each month.
Details: You can look forward to a special delivery each month with The Social Blend's macaron subscription. Every custom box contains 9 macarons with seasonal and signature flavours.
Details: Step up your coffee game from home with Pilot Coffee Roaster's subscriptions. You can choose from a variety of beans and delivery options to suit your caffeine needs.
Details: Let your patriotism shine with this gooey butter tart package from Carla's Cookie Box. You'll receive 6 tarts each month, and you can choose from flavours like Nutella and Salted Caramel.
Details: The Stay At Home Cocktail Club will bring the party to your living room with ingredients and recipes for boozy drinks. You'll also receive a free virtual cocktail hour.
Details: Once a month, you can have a box full of sweets arrive at your door from Sweet Flour Bake Shop. The goodies include cookies, bars, and more, and change every month.
Whether they've been vegan for years or have just begun to dip their toes into this exciting culinary realm, many Canadians are increasingly looking for simple and delicious plant-based alternatives to add to their diet. As a fun, tasty, and versatile way to eat, it's also way more accessible than you might think. And when it comes to taste, there's zero need to sacrifice.
With products like plant-based proteins and Hellmann's Vegan, adjusting to a vegan lifestyle can be pretty straightforward.
There are countless ways to get creative in the kitchen and make vegan versions of your favourite meals. Plus, most require items that are probably in your household right now. Here are some plant-based hacks to help step up your cooking skills.
If you haven't heard of the #tortillatrend, you need to get on Tiktok more often. This wrap is super convenient and will make your meals much more interesting. People have been filling them with tons of different ingredients.
How to make it vegan? Easy. Take a tortilla, slice it halfway down the centre, and place your ingredients on each quarter of the tortilla. How about some grilled mushrooms, pesto, Hellmann's Vegan, and avocado? Or perhaps some teriyaki sauce, onion, and Asian-spiced tofu?
There's nothing like thick, creamy alfredo sauce to top off your pasta. When discovering plant-based nutrition, you'll find there are lots of ways to mimic your favourite delicacies. Not only does this hack taste great, but it's as quick as can be. All you need are three main ingredients to get this meal going.
Grab your pasta, hummus of choice, and make sure to reserve some pasta water during the process. Cook pasta until al dente, mix an equal ratio of hummus and pasta water until a sauce is formed, and feel free to add any extra seasoning. For added flavour, you can also saute some onions and garlic beforehand.
Pour the mixture onto your pasta and discover your new guilt-free go-to that you can enjoy without any of the heaviness of actual alfredo sauce.
Some things just aren't complete without sour cream. If you're a big Mexican-food lover, you're going to go nuts for this substitute!
All you're going to need is five simple ingredients: raw cashews, water, lemon, mineral salt, and apple cider vinegar.
Be sure to soak your cashews for a few hours prior (or boil them to speed up the process). Once they're soaked, place them in a high-speed blender along with the other ingredients. Blend until creamy smooth and enjoy with some plant-based tacos.
As an easy pantry-grab plus a great source of protein, chickpeas are the ideal replacement for fish-free tuna. If made accordingly, you might not even be able to tell the difference.
You'll need to throw some chickpeas, dill pickles, red onions, almonds, celery, dill, mustard, and Hellmann's Vegan into a blender.
Pulse until the ingredients are combined well and scoop some onto some bread. These essential ingredients make it taste like the real deal.
It's the small everyday ingredients that make altering your lifestyle seem tougher than it has to be. Thankfully, there's no challenge too great for you to overcome with the help of this hack. Turning corn into butter is smoother than you'd think.
You'll need to add some water to a cup of corn and blend them together. From there, sieve until everything is evenly mixed and then whisk it in a pot over the stove.
Get your toast, bagel, or whatever else you'd like, and get your butter on! Store it in the fridge afterwards.
Bake A Cake With A Can Of Coke
No, seriously, who thought of this masterpiece? If you want to whip up a vegan-friendly cake in less than 30 minutes, keep reading.
This two-ingredient soda cake is what dreams are made of. You don't even need to be good at baking for this. All you need is a box of vegan cake mix and 10 ounces of cola. Combine your ingredients and toss the mixture into a greased pan. Follow the baking directions on the box and, before you know it, you'll be digging in.
Quick tip: For chocolate cake, use dark soda like Coca-Cola. For a light cake, use a light soda such as Sprite.
You won't be missing real cheese ever again with this simple recipe.
Tofu is a great source of protein and can easily take on the texture of good old ricotta. Once you add it to lasagna, let's say, you won't be able to tell the difference.
Chop up your tofu, throw it in a blender, add some lemon juice, spices of choice, lots of nutritional yeast (for that cheesy flavour), and blend until smooth.
Try "Fish" 'N Chips With Celery Root
Fish 'n chips is a popular comfort meal for many, so why not recreate it with plant-based ingredients? You can keep your chips the same, but to swap out the fish you'll need some celery root.
To spice things up, make a vegan tartar sauce with Hellmann's Vegan, lemon juice, dill, and relish. Mix until the consistency is creamy and voilà!
This recipe takes a bit longer than most of the ones mentioned, but it's worth trying. You can find the full tutorial here:
You don't have to miss out on the convenient nutrition of an omelette; opt for a savoury pumpkin seed alternative instead. The key to a fluffy omelette isn't limited to eggs — just see for yourself!
Blend together pumpkin seeds, water, turmeric, garlic, salt, and almond milk. Pour the mixture into a bowl and add baking powder, while mixing quickly. Pour it into your pan and cook covered on medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
Feel free to add different spices and vegetables to personalize your omelette.
Yes, it's still possible to enjoy the crispy crunch of bacon minus the meat. If you have your doubts, that's understandable, but don't knock it 'til you try it.
For this hack, you're going to peel some raw carrots nice and thin. You'll then mix Liquid Smoke, maple syrup, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder together. Place the carrot peels in the mixture and marinate them for about two minutes. Place them in your air fryer (or oven) at 380°F for five minutes.
And there you have it, bacon without the bacon! This is a perfect addition to any vegan "BLT," topped with a nice dollop of vegan, of course.
Use Mushrooms To Make Baby Back Ribs
Whether it's a craving for ribs, steak or a burger, a hankering for meat can still be satisfied with certain substitutes. If you're longing for the smokey taste of barbeque, this one's for you.
All you need are some king oyster mushrooms and a whole lot of spices. With a texture that mimics ribs and the familiar spices to accompany it, you won't believe you're eating a mushroom.
You can find the full detailed recipe here:
The key to making plant-based hacks accessible is to have the right things on hand. Hellmann's Vegan is a tasty, simple way to incorporate plant-based options into your diet. Condiments like these help transform your favourite sandwiches, salads, and snacks into vegan goodness.
Hellmann’s Vegan has an amazingly rich and creamy taste, exactly like regular mayo, except plant-based of course! Innovative products like these help make better-for-you choices easier than ever.
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Without a doubt, these simple hacks will help you add variety to your diet in a healthy way. The hardest part will most likely be picking the recipe to start with, since they're all so yummy. That's the part you'll have to do on your own, along with the cooking.
But here's one last, extra tip: once you've made your way through these scrumptious dishes — which will likely happen sooner than you imagine — you can find many more recipes to try out on Hellmann's Vegan and Vegetarian Recipe Site.
Bon appétit!
To learn more about plant-based hacks and recipes, check out Hellman's website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or YouTube.
