Hummus

Hummus: the perfect spread/dip for pretty much everything.  I put it on sandwiches, crackers, carrots, chips, celery, pita bread, etc.  Now that I know how easy it is to make, I feel silly buying it at the grocery store.  My go-to starter recipe is from my parents Lebanese friend. I use this as the base and then add in whatever flavoring I am craving at the time.  It could be: pesto & basil, chipotle peppers, cilantro & jalapenos, or roasted red pepper to name a few.  

Here is the starter recipe:

Hummus:

1         15 ½  oz. can garbanzo beans, drained

2         tablespoons tahini (sesame seed paste)

¼-1/2  cup lemon juice

1 clove garlic

1/8 teaspoon cumin

½ teaspoon salt

Chopped parsley

Olive oil

Process all of the ingredients except for one tablespoon of the garbanzos, the parsley and the olive oil in a food processor and add water to just below the level of the garbanzos.  Process, adding additional water as necessary to form a think, smooth paste.  Garnish the edge of a serving dish with parsley.  Place the hummus in the center.  Mound the reserved garbanzos in the center with a little parsley and drizzle a little olive oil over the top.

If you decided to add a flavor just make sure you taste, taste, taste until you are happy with the balance of ingredients.

Enjoy!