H got the short end of the stick and happened to fall at the end of a very long, stressful week. I didn’t have the energy to make anything elaborately gourmet, super involved, or really exotic. I wanted something that required minimal effort yet had maximum flavor – and was also fail-proof, seeing as I was half-dead from my week. Hummus fit the bill perfectly, and clocking in at under 2 minutes, it’s the fastest “Alphabet Adventure” dish I’ve prepared yet!
Hummus is a Middle Eastern dip with a consistency similar to guacamole and is made from mashed chickpeas (aka garbanzo beans), tahini (sesame seed paste), and a variety of herbs and spices. The chickpeas provide a wonderful backdrop for additional mix-ins with their own intense flavor, such as sundried tomatoes and basil, roasted red bell peppers and garlic, or olives and feta. It’s often served with either a flatbread like pita, fresh veggies, or even as a sandwich spread.
Still feeling courageous from last week’s granola, I even created my own basic recipe, despite never attempting hummus before. I suppose it’s not quite authentic, seeing as I couldn’t find any tahini at the grocery store, nor did they carry sesame seeds for me to make my own paste. Even so, my hummus tasted so scrumptious that there’s only a tablespoon left in my fridge.
Hummus
makes about 1 cup
If including tahini, substitute 1-2 tsp instead of the chili powder. The flavors will meld and intensify the longer the hummus is chilled, and it will keep for 2-3 days if refrigerated in an airtight container.
1 c. canned chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tsp olive oil
2 tbsp water
1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly sqeezed
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground black pepper
¼ tsp chili powder
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until completely smooth, 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides with a spatula as necessary.
- Spoon into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving.
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