The Joys of Hummus!

Hummus with olive oil and pine nuts

Hummus!

So, what IS hummus and where did it come from?
The word "hummus" comes from the Arabic language and is defined as a "dip or spread made from cooked, mashed chick peas (garbanzo beans) blended with tahini (sesame seed paste), lemon juice, olive oil, salt and garlic".  It is popular in the Middle East and elsewhere around the world.

**Hummus can be served as a dip with pita bread, crackers, chips, fresh vegetables or even as a spread on sandwiches or wraps!**

Hummus Variations
Chef's have done amazing things with this very basic hummus recipe! From using different beans as the base to switching up the oils and citrus and playing with adding different herbs and spices to give it a whole different flavor profile.  This is definitely a basic recipe that you can get creative with.   

Basic Hummus Recipe
Ingredients:

• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 - 15oz. can chick peas, drained and rinsed
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 Tbsp tahini
• Juice of 1 large lemon
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• water (if needed for smoothness)

Directions:

1. Add the garlic cloves, chick peas, salt, tahini and lemon juice to the bowl of a food processor (preferred) or blender.
2. Process until a paste forms. Then, with the processor running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil.
3. Add water by the teaspoon until the mixture is smooth. Don't add too much or your mixture will be too thin.

*Your hummus should be thick and smooth when done. Refrigerate until ready to serve. When serving spread the hummus on a plate or in a bowl, drizzle more extra virgin olive oil on top, dust with paprika and sprinkle with fresh chopped flat leaf parsley, if desired!

And now, some variations...

For the variations, use the basic recipe above, but "swap out" ingredients or add ingredients as described below...NOTE: always drain and add your beans!

Edamame Hummus
Use cooked edamame (soy beans) in place of the chick peas.  

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

Use the basic recipe above but add 3/4 cup roasted red peppers to the ingredients. You can roast your own or use the jarred version - just remember to rinse and dry the jarred ones before adding them to your food processor.

Avocado Hummus
Use the basic recipe above but add 1 ripe avocado that has been cut into cubes and use LIME juice (2 limes) instead of lemon juice. You may also wish to add some fresh chopped tomato - if you add the tomato, you probably won't need to add water to the mix.


Pesto Hummus

Use the basic recipe above but omit the tahini and add 1 cup (packed) fresh organic basil leaves, 1/4 cup pine nuts and 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese.


Greek Style Hummus
Use the basic recipe above, but add 2/3 cup kalamata olives (OMIT the salt from the basic recipe, you can always add some in later if needed), 1 tsp fresh organic oregano, small handful of fresh organic flat leaf parsley, 1/2 cup Feta cheese and 1/4 cup Greek Style yogurt.


Italian Style Hummus
Swap out Cannelini beans for the Chick peas. (white kidney beans) Also, omit the tahini and add 2 ripe Roma tomatoes that have been chopped, 1/2 cup EACH packed fresh organic basil AND flat leaf parsley, 1 tsp fresh organic oregano (or 1/4 tsp dried), 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese.


Black Bean Mexican Style Hummus

Swap out Black beans for the Chick peas. Swap out lime juice (2 limes) for the lemon juice.  Omit the tahini. Add 2 ripe Roma tomatoes that have been chopped, 1/2 cup fresh organic cilantro, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 cup chopped red onion or scallions and 2 tsp hot sauce (optional).

Now it's time to get creative!

Come up with some of your own variations

and share your ideas in the comment section below

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