Simple Hummus

I love Hummus. 95% of the time my lunch consists with half a pita with either hummus or laughing cow cheese stuffed with fresh spinach, carrots, peppers, and zucchini. The only thing I don't like about that lunch is I buy prepared Hummus. I've been dying to make some homemade Hummus for a long time, but the stores have had an evil conspiracy against me and Tahini. I swear I can never ever find it.

The other night we were at Matt's cousins house when I spied Tahini in the fridge. I asked Jill where she found it and she told me it was in the spot I've search a zillion times at the Hyvee. Well the next day we went to Hyvee, I looked, and sure enough there it was. It was hidden behind a beam though, so that I'm sure that's why I never saw it. (riiighhttttt...)

Anyhow, I finally got a chance to make Hummus tonight and it was so good! Much better than the store bought stuff. I plan on making this on a regular basis rather than buying it. Next time I may spice it up with some roasted red pepper.

Hummus
Adapted From: Allrecipes Hummus III



2 cups canned garbanzo beans, drained (reserve bean liquid incase thinning is necessary)
2 tbsp tahini
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1.5 cloves garlic, halved
1 tablespoon olive oil
1.5 tsp paprika
1 teaspoon minced fresh parsley (I used dried)


1. Place the garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, salt and garlic in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth adding bean liquid if the mixture needs to be thinned. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl.

2. Drizzle olive oil over the garbanzo bean mixture. Sprinkle with paprika and parsley. Serve with warm pita wedges or fresh veggies.

I'm not sure on the exact amount this made. In the picture, the hummus is in a Pyrex ramekin. It was a little less than half of the entire mixture.