Hummus
Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds (think peanut butter, only use sesame seeds instead of peanuts). It can be found at many health food stores and may be available in the ethnic food aisle of some grocery stores. It gives hummus its distinct taste and is worth the effort to find it.
Hummus makes a great snack; it’s loaded with fiber, protein, and healthy fats from the olive oil. Serve it with toasted pita bread or fresh veggies.
Ingredients
- 1 can chickpeas (garbanzo beans) drained and rinsed
- 3 Tbsp. water
- 1 Tbsp. tahini
- 4 – 5 cloves of garlic, peeled
- 2 Tbsp. freshly grated lemon peel
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
Instructions
- Blanch garlic cloves by placing them in boiling water for 3 minutes.
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine chickpeas, water, tahini, and garlic.
- Process until chickpeas are finely ground and mixture is uniform in texture (no large lumps).
- Add lemon peel, lemon juice, salt, and cayenne pepper and continue to process.
- Drizzle in olive oil and process until smooth.
Notes
Flavor Variations:
Before adding olive oil, add about 18 pitted kalamata olives or ½ cup red pepper. If you like spicier foods, increase the cayenne pepper to ½ teaspoon.
