Hummus - the versatile yummy dip

Hummus is a very popular middle eastern dip which is easy to make and can be used in different ways - as a spread on toast, bread or wraps and as a dip for chips and veggies. You can have it with chapatis and pita bread also.There are several variations of hummus which you can try. The recipe for the basic hummus is what I am giving here.

You will need,

1 can of chick peas drained or 1 cup of boiled chick peas

1 tbs of tahini ( tahini is a paste of toasted sesame seeds and olive oil - see the note given at the end)

3 tbsp of lemon juice

2cloves of garlic

2-3 tbsp of olive oil

1/2 tsp salt.

1/2 tsp crushed red chillies

( a few slices of jalapeno pepper or 1/2 tsp of ground black pepper can also be used if you want the hummus to be spicy)

Put all the above ingredients into a blender and blend into a paste. Add 1 or 2 more spoonfuls of olive oil if needed. Tranfer the paste into a bowl and add chopped coriander leaves or parsley before serving, though it is optional. Carrots, cucumber etc. cut into long pieces and served with hummus as a dip tastes soooo good and makes a healthy and tasty starter.

Hummus can be stored in the fridge for 2 - 3 days.

How to make tahini:

1 cup of sesame seeds ( toast the seeds without letting them turn brown)

1/2 cup olive oil

Make a smooth paste by blending the above in a blender adding more oil if necessary. The paste should not be too thin.

You can make hummus without tahini but then it is not 'real' hummus!