Red pepper hummus

**pacific breeze** · March 12th, 2006, 10:57 PM

RED PEPPER HUMMUS

Teamed with pita bread triangles and a variety of raw vegetables, this Middle Eastern dip makes a great snack or hors d'oeuvre for a dinner party. Tahini is available at natural foods stores and some supermarkets.

2-4 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans (chick-peas), drained, but keep
a little of the juice for later
1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
1/3 cup (or more to taste) fresh lemon juice
1 12-oz jar drained roasted red peppers
fresh basil/jalapenos/cilantro optional

You can roast your own peppers, but the ones in the jar are a whole lot easier. With processor running, drop garlic through feed tube and mince. Scrape down sides. Add chick-peas, tahini and lemon juice; process until mixture is smooth. Add roasted peppers; process until peppers are finely chopped. Season with salt and pepper. If dry, add a little of the chick pea juice or more lemon juice. Transfer hummus to bowl. Garnish with parsley/cilantro and a few kalamata olives.

Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before serving. Makes a good amount. Guaranteed to be a party hit.

**NoDayButToday** · March 13th, 2006, 12:29 AM

This seems easier than I expected. I love hummus in general (we always have some in our house), but fresh is infinitely better. There's a middle eastern restaurant near my house that I'll stop at on my way home from work every so often for some hummus and pita bread (both made fresh in the restaurant).

**Algernon** · March 13th, 2006, 12:06 PM

One of the recipes I tried when I was googling was almost identical to this...except the peppers! So maybe that'll add a good twist. A*O mentioned on the other thread that her secret is to only use dried chickpeas. Well, cool, now I have some ideas, thanks!!!

**pacific breeze** · March 14th, 2006, 04:29 PM

I've never gone wrong with this recipe. Buy the roasted red peppers, drain and put in the WHOLE jar. It adds quite a wow factor, plus it looks pretty. Most people make their hummus too bland -- it needs lots of garlic and lemon.