Simply Hummus

Wanting a snack today? Why not try hummus with carrot sticks. Substitute bread or chips with carrots. Your kids will love it too.

You can either buy some really great already made hummus from Wholefoods or another store of your choosing or make it yourself.

I make mine sometimes when I'm up to it and here is the recipe.


3 cups cooked or canned chickpeas, drained, liquid
reserved

1 or 2 garlic cloves

¼ cup olive oil, or to taste

¼ cup tahini*, or to taste

Salt and black pepper

3 tablespoons lemon juice, or to taste

Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

*Tahini for those of you that don't know is pretty much the main ingredient in Hummus and other Middle Eastern and Turkish foods. Its made from ground sesame seeds into a paste. It can found at Whole Foods and most super markets these days. 

Here is a link for more info on Tahini http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tahini

1. Put the chickpeas with ½ cup of their cooking liquid (or water) in a blender, add the garlic, oil, and tahini, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Purée for a minute or 2 until the mixture is very smooth. Add more cooking liquid, oil, or tahini as you like until the consistency is like a smooth dip or thick soup. (Refrigerate for up to a couple days or freeze for months.)

2. (Optional), I usually just make it and then just eat but you can..Transfer the purée to a medium saucepan over medium heat (or use the microwave); heat through while stirring constantly. Add the lemon juice, then taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Serve warm

(Additions: Roasted Red Peppers, Roasted Garlic, Pesto, Chopped nuts, Olives, Cumin, Curry Powder, Chile Paste)

What I do is sprinkle mine with paprika and top with olive oil.

Serves 4-6

Enjoy :)