• An appetizer with pita bread or pita chips
• A sandwich spread instead of mayonnaise
• A dip for raw vegetables like carrots, celery and broccoli
• A side dish with rotisserie chicken
• An ingredient in a falafel
• A snack by itself

Now most middle easterners would probably disagree with me, but you can make hummus in many different ways with all kinds of ingredients.  While classic hummus is nutty and earthy from the chickpeas (garbanzo beans), tahini (sesame paste) and olive oil, you can go crazy with the ingredients.  I do love the traditional ingredients with lots of lemon and raw garlic.  Here is my standard recipe:

Garlicky Hummus

• 1 can of chickpeas (rinsed)
• 2T Tahini
• 2T Olive oil
• 2T lemon juice
• 3-5 cloves of garlic
• 1/2t salt
• 1/2t cumin
• About 4T water
• Fresh ground pepper

Put all these ingredients (except water) into the food processor and blend.  Add water until it turns into a smooth paste.  The longer you blend the smoother it will get.  Adjust the amount of tahini, olive oil, lemon and garlic to suit your taste.  To serve as an appetizer, spread onto the center of a large plate and garnish with a sprinkle of paprika and cumin, drizzle of olive oil and some fresh, chopped parsley.  Serve with pita bread.  YUM!

Variations

There are an infinite number of variations.  Consider these ideas:

• Roast the garlic before adding it to the mix.
• Add sun-dried tomatoes.
• Substitute a different kind of beans for the chickpeas.  Pinto beans give you a creamier texture with a slightly different taste.
• Substitute a nut butter for the tahini.  I’ve never tried this but I think cashew butter would be good.
• Substitute a nut oil for the olive oil.  Walnut or hazelnut oil adds a nutty flavor.

As I write this, I’m imagining a mexican-themed hummus using pinto beans, onions. cumin and oregano.  Then served as a dip for tortilla chips garnished with chopped cilantro and cotija cheese.  Mmmm… I better run out and get some chips!!!

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