Yen Family Site

Hummus
Yield: about 3 cups

Ingredients:

1        14oz can garbanzo beans (about 2-3 cups), drained (reserve the liquid)
1        clove garlic, roughly chopped
1/4     cup tahina (sesame paste, available at Middle Eastern markets or maybe at Trader Joe's)
3        Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
3/4     teaspoon salt
Olive Oil

Instructions:

1.  Puree beans and garlic together in a food processor until smooth.  Add 3-4 tablespoons of the reserved cooking liquid (or water) to help it puree nicely. 

2.  Add tahina, lemon juice, and salt.  Process until very smooth, adding some of the cooking liquid (or water) if it is too thick.  Taste for salt. 

To serve, put in a bowl and make a well in the center.  Pour olive oil in the well.  Sprinkle with sweet paprika and/or chopped parsley, if you like.  Serve with pita, crackers, cucumbers, carrots, tomatoes or anything else that sounds good.

This is good as a dip but it's also great as a spread on sandwiches with cucumbers, sprouts, tomatoes, and red onions.