I truly cannot believe I haven't done this one before. I've done videos using hummus, and I've done homemade pita bread. But hummus? How has this escaped me?

As a base recipe, this is about as good as it gets. I love this because it's so versatile. Serve it with pita bread or crackers. Vegetables. As a sandwich spread. As part of an appetizer platter.

Want to add more garlic? Roasted garlic? Sun dried tomatoes? Olives? Roasted red peppers? Hot sauce? Feta cheese? Something else I am not thinking about? GO FOR IT!!! Consider this a canvas on which you can paint your dip masterpiece.

HUMMUS (makes about 2 cups. Can be doubled for a crowd!)

** you can make this in a blender, or even with a potato masher or a mortar and pestle 

• 1 can chick peas (aka garbanzo beans) - or 2 cups cooked beans 
• 2 cloves garlic 
• 1/4 c olive oil 
• 1/4 c tahini 
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• juice from 1/2 a lemon water to taste  

1. Peel and crush garlic, or just put it in a food processor with the chick peas. Pulse to combine, then pulse about 10 times to begin to break the beans down. 

2. Add the olive oil, tahini, and salt. Squeeze in the lemon juice. Process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Taste. 

3. Adjust the seasonings to taste. If it's too thick for your taste, add in water a couple of tablespoons at a time. Process, scrape down the sides, and process until as smooth as you like it.  Play with this. Make it yours. It's delicious!