Christmas Appetizers with Hummus & Caramelized Onion

Today I’ve got a second holiday recipe in store for you: Radicchio Cups with Lemon Hummus & Caramelized Onion. I love colorful starters with seasonal vegetables and bold flavors. These Christmas appetizers make the perfect start of a cozy holiday meal. The crunchy radicchio cups are filled with roasted butternut squash, creamy hummus, sweet caramelized onion and buttery avocado. Each mouthful is a delicious blend of textures and tastes!

Christmas Appetizers with Hummus & Caramelized Onion

SERVES: 4 people

EQUIPMENT: large cooking pan, food processor, rubber spatula

INGREDIENTS:

Caramelized Onion

2 onions, thinly sliced
Coconut oil
Himalayan crystal salt or sea salt & black pepper, to taste

Lemon Hummus

1 can cooked chickpeas (1 ½ cup = +/- 250g)
3 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons lemon juice + zest to taste
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 small clove garlic (optional)
Himalayan crystal salt or sea salt & black pepper, to taste
1 large handful fresh herbs, roughly chopped (sage, rosemary, mint, chives…)

Radicchio Cups

1 small head of radicchio
4 handfuls sprouts
1 ripe avocado, sliced
1 large carrot, shredded
Roasted butternut squash (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

Caramelized Onion

1. Slice the onion into thin rings.
2. Place your cooking pan over medium-high heat and melt the coconut oil.
3. Add the onion rings to the pan and stir them gently to coat with the oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Cook the onions over medium heat for 20 minutes or longer, until they’re golden and tender. Stir them every so often so they caramelize evenly.

Lemon Hummus

1. Combine chickpeas, water, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil and garlic in the food processor fitted with an S-blade. Season with sea salt and black pepper. Process until creamy and smooth, scraping down the sides of the food processor with a rubber spatula as needed.
2. Add the fresh herbs and pulse until well combined.

Radicchio Cups

1. Spoon the lemon hummus into radicchio cups.
2. Top with sliced avocado, shredded carrot and roasted butternut squash.
3. Add another dollop of hummus and garnish with sprouts and finely chopped herbs.

JULIE’S TIPS & TRICKS:

• This lemon hummus will stay fresh for at least 4 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Don’t like the bitter flavor of radicchio? You can replace it with collard greens, Romaine lettuce, chard, purple cabbage, rice paper or whatever wrap you prefer.

Now I would love to hear from you! What are your favorite holiday appetizers? Is there a childhood favorite you still long for? I’d love to hear about your holiday favorites so don’t forget to leave a comment down below.