As 2017 is coming to an end, I’m already eagerly anticipating the top superfoods for the new year. I’m confident that hemp foods will definitely be included on that list, for so many great reasons! I’m sharing my latest favorite ways to enjoy Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts, and giving you the chance to win a special prize pack of your own. Follow along for some easy recipe ideas and learn a little more about why hemp foods are a true superfood.

Hemp has often been referred to a super plant, for the health benefits it offers while being a more sustainable option for farming. Hemp Hearts in particular are full of nutritional benefits, I was actually amazed when I looked at the nutrition facts label on the bag! They’re higher in protein and lower in carbs than other seeds like chia or flax, and they contain healthy fats (including those Omega-3 fatty acids that we’re always hearing about). I also find them to be a lot tastier, offering a light and nutty flavor that makes them versatile in both sweet and savory recipes. 

One recipe that I make a lot with Hemp Hearts is hemp milk, simply by blending 2 Tbs of these hemp seeds in 1 cup of water. You can also add your own sweetener, vanilla, or even cinnamon, but I like to use this as a base for smoothies, baked goods and pancakes.

Here’s a really simple recipe for these Hemp Hearts Pancakes (adapted from Running on Real Food). These serve about 2 people (or one very hungry person!). It’s a great way to get in some extra protein, fiber and fruit to start the day, and it doesn’t take too much time either!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 cup hemp milk (blend 2 Tbs hemp seeds with 1 cup water. Leave unstrained)

Method: Mix all dry ingredients together in a large bowl. Slowly add the hemp milk and mix everything together, adding a tiny bit of water if the batter is still too thick. If you’d like, add some sliced bananas or blueberries to the mix before heating. Scoop batter into a preheated pan over medium heat, and cook on each side for a couple of minutes until done. Top with fresh fruit, vegan butter (optional), maple syrup and a sprinkle of Hemp Hearts.

For a savory recipe I decided to try out Hemp Hummus, and it’s probably my new favorite type of hummus! Manitoba Harvest has a great recipe on their website, that I modified only slightly by using extra tahini and water to make it oil-free. I could see this being a fun recipe to customize further by adding things like red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, eggplant, and additional spices. Hemp Hummus is a great way to get in some extra nutrients like protein and healthy fats that you don’t always get with most store-bought hummus.

This hummus is great when served with freshly cut carrots and bell peppers, but I also love dipping things like pretzels or crackers in it. I think it would make a great spread on sandwiches with lots of veggies, and when thinned out by blending it with more water it could definitely work as a sauce. I can’t wait to try this hummus alone in even more recipes!

One of my favorite recipes of all of these mentioned in this post happens to be this Roasted Red Pepper Pasta with Hemp Hearts. You can definitely mix hemp hearts in pre-made sauce for some added protein and crunch, but I wanted to take it a step further and make my own creamy hemp seed-based sauce:

Ingredients:

• 2 roasted red peppers (to save time, I used jarred peppers)
• 4 Tbs Hemp Hearts
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 Tbs nutritional yeast
• pinch of cayenne, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1 tsp salt

Method: Start to boil water for 4-5 ounces of your favorite pasta (I recommend penne), and make the sauce by blending all ingredients together until you get a smooth, creamy consistency. If the sauce seems too thick, add a little water to thin it out. Prepare pasta according to package instructions, strain and pour back into the pot over low heat. Pour sauce and add desired ingredients (I recommend spinach and cherry tomatoes), then mix together until warmed. Serve immediately and top with extra Hemp Hearts for added crunch.

So, I really hope you enjoyed this post about enjoying Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts all day long and the nutritional benefits of hemp foods. I feel like there are so many more ways that I can incorporate these superfoods, that these recipes are just scratching the surface. For a chance to win your own Manitoba Harvest Prize Pack, comment your favorite way to use Hemp Hearts, or how you’d use them in the future! Looking for more recipes ideas? Check out some of these for additional inspiration! You have until Sunday, November 19th to enter this giveaway and the winner will be announced on November 20th. Don’t miss out!

Update: The winner of this giveaway has been chosen, congratulations to MORGAN JOHNSON! A big thank you to everyone who entered this giveaway and as always, stay tuned for more in the near future!

Disclaimer: Compensation was provided by Manitoba Harvest for this blog post, but all opinions expressed herein are those of my own and are not indicative of the opinions of Manitoba Harvest