Serves 6 to 8
Hummus (pronounced HUMM-us) is a delicious Middle-Eastern chickpea pâté served with crackers, wedges of pita bread, or fresh vegetable slices. It also makes a delicious sandwich spread. It is easy to make in a food processor—just add all the ingredients and process until smooth—or by hand. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week for quick sandwiches and snacks.
2 cups cooked chickpeas, or 1 15-ounce can
1–2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup tahini (sesame seed butter)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
¼ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
¼ teaspoon each: ground cumin and paprika
Drain the chickpeas, reserving the liquid. Mash the beans, then add the remaining ingredients and mix well. The texture should be creamy and spreadable. If it is too dry, add enough of the reserved bean liquid to achieve the desired consistency. For a fat-free version, replace the tahini with 1 finely grated carrot.