Today’s Solutions: April 05, 2025

Food that’s good for you may be all the rage, but finding a healthy sandwich can be a challenge. “Healthy” often turns out to mean something closer to “less unhealthy.” Fancy cheese trumps cheap meat. Roast turkey beats fried chicken. Two limp lettuce leaves are better than none at all. 

We have everything to gain here. Sandwiches can be ­infinitely healthier and tastier—especially if we take ­inspiration from an ancient cuisine based on freshness and variety, not meat and fat: Middle Eastern cooking. Hummus has achieved world fame by now, and all the delicious additions that make a smooth chickpea spread work just as well with other ­ingredients. For a simple variant, try avocado. Mash the flesh of two or three ripe fruits. Mix with 2 tablespoons each of lemon juice and ­tahini, plus a crushed garlic clove if you like. Add salt and pepper and chopped fresh herbs—mint, parsley or cilantro—to your heart’s content. Add olive oil to achieve the desired level of creaminess.

Only slightly more complicated and at least as tasty is ­pumpkin hummus. Peel a small pumpkin, cut it up and boil it with a ­little salt until done. Mash it into a purée, and follow the ­recipe above starting with the lemon juice. For classic hummus, of course, use cooked garbanzo beans. Hummus is delicious with all kinds of bread, from pita to ciabatta. | Elbrich Fennema

Photo: Pieter de Swart

Print this article
More of Today's Solutions

Struggling to cut down on sugar? These 4 strategies are sure to help

Are you trying to prioritize your health by committing to a more nutrient-dense diet but, like many others, feel “hooked” on sugar? At times, ...

Read More

UK announces groundbreaking ‘Flee Funds’ scheme for domestic abus...

The UK Home Office is taking a significant step forward in the fight against domestic abuse by launching a £2 million (just over $2.5 ...

Read More

4 tips for everyday eco-friendly living

In the face of climate change, many people question the importance of individual actions in ensuring a sustainable future. While institutional change is necessary, ...

Read More

How arts and crafts can boost life satisfaction even more than work

BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM In a society where productivity and work are often considered the markers of success, it's encouraging to learn ...

Read More