Yummy Hummus

Hummus was introduced to us when we moved to California! There are some good store bought brands out there, but watch the sodium content! Making fresh hummus from scratch is a yummy treat! We will share a made "from scratch" pita bread recipe next time!

15 or 16 oz can garbanzo beans (chick peas) or any white bean of your choice, do not drain

3 T tahini paste

3 T fresh squeezed lemon juice

3 T water

3 T olive oil

3 garlic cloves, chopped

2 T ground cumin

1/2 t cayenne

1 t paprika

Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Process until beans are well chopped, approx. 2-3 minutes, scraping the sides every minute to make sure all spices are well mixed in. Coarsely chop your favorite ingredient (like sun dried tomatoes) and add to the bean mixture. Process an additional 2-3 minutes until preferred creaminess. Place in a glass container and cover tightly. Refrigerate several hours to allow flavors to develop. Serve with pita bread, pita chips, raw veggies or crackers.

*You can alter this recipe by adding any of the following ingredients (coarsely chop, add to the bean mixture and process until creamy):

8 sun dried tomatoes

1 bulb roasted garlic

1 roasted red bell pepper

*Wrap a whole bulb of garlic or 1 red bell pepper drizzled with oil in foil and roast in a 350 degree oven until soft, approx. 45 minutes to 1 hour. Let cool, squeeze garlic out of skins or peel and seed red bell pepper)

10 - 12 Kalamata olives (pitted)

Basil, handful of fresh or 1 t dried basil

4 - 6 whole artichoke hearts

*Or any other flavor you prefer!