Basic Hummus Recipe

This is a very basic hummus recipe that does not use tahini. Hummus is a very inexpensive and flavorful food that can be used as a dip, spread, or as an additive for meatloaf and burgers. The base of hummus is ground chickpeas or garbanzo bean, olive oil, and garlic. With origins in the Middle East, hummus is traditionally eaten with bread, and is a staple food throughout the region. In this recipe, I present hummus as a basic ingredient that is much more diverse in its potential use than just as a dip or spread.

Equipment:

• Food Processor or Blender

Ingredients:

• 1 (16 oz.) can of Garbanzo Beans
• 1-2 Cloves Garlic (diced, amount depends on taste)
• 1 tbsp. Lemon Juice
• 1 tsp. Ground Cumin
• Salt (to taste)
• Olive Oil (add for desired texture)

Instructions:

Drain the beans, and add them to the food processor with the lemon juice and garlic. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the beans. You will add more salt as you mix, until you reach the right flavor for your tastes. Pulse the food processor several times to begin grinding up the beans. Continue pulsing the food processor, adding olive oil as you do so. Add olive oil until you have a smooth paste that is approximately the same density as creamy peanut butter. You can add more oil to thin the mixture if you desire.

Now what?

I look at hummus as a basic ingredient, not as a final product. Using hummus simply as a vegetable dip is a great idea. It tastes wonderful with carrots, celery, and cucumber. One thing that I have begun experimenting with is using hummus in meatloaf as a meat extender. It melds well with gound pork, beef, and chicken. I use it with ground turkey to make my Hummus Meatloaf.

Pizza can also get a little kick from hummus. Make a taco pizza with hummus instead of refried beans. Not only is this a much healthier option, it also adds a lot more flavor. Check out my recipe for Whole Wheat Pizza Crust to get started.

Finally, there are many other ingredients you can add into hummus to take it to another level, and vary your flavor profile. Some of my favorites are red pepper flakes, fresh jalapeño peppers, and roasted tomatoes. Grilled onions will add a sweet flavor and smoother texture. The possibilities are almost endless.

How do you use hummus? What other additions have you made to your basic hummus? Please critique this article, and help me improve. Enjoy!