Angie’s Hummus (Approximate Cost: $5.19)

If I tell you how delicious, easy and inexpensive homemade Humus is, you will start making it at home this week and will not purchase it again. Here is my recipe.

Angie’s Hummus (Approximate Cost: $5.19)

3 med. size garlic cloves ($.50)
1 tsp. sea or kosher salt (whichever one you have in your pantry at the time)
1/4 tsp. of freshly ground black pepper
1 15.5 oz. can of chickpeas drained (keep 1/4 cup of the chickpeas water. I use Goya brand) ($1.20)
1/4 tsp. of Ground Turmeric (Optional but extremely healthy, see Tips)
1/4 cup of lemon juice (I only use fresh) ($.50)
1/4 cup of Tahini Paste (I use Trader Joe’s Tahini Paste but this product is available in many grocery stores) ($2.99)
1/4 cup of olive oil (I only use Goya EVOO brand)

Directions
1. In a food processor process the garlic, salt and pepper.
2. Add the chickpeas, turmeric, lemon juice, chickpeas water, tahini paste, olive oil and process.
3. If the Hummus is not smooth enough for you, for a creamier consistency add more chickpeas water and/or lemon juice until desire consistency is obtained.
4. Do not forget to taste in case you need to adjust for a desired degree of seasoning and remember that if you are serving it with salted crackers to reduce the salt a bit.
5. Refrigerate.

Tips: I make this recipe weekly; therefore, for a variety of flavors I add one of the following ingredients to the above recipe to give it a twist. Also, you can use it in bread instead of butter:

1/4 cup of roasted red peppers or 1/4 c of chopped cilantro, flat leave parsley or 1/2 chopped Jalapeño.

 When you are ready, serve it in a martini glass, garnish it with a drip of good extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle sweet Paprika and top with chopped scallions.

Turmeric: Is an “anti-inflammatory” spice that can work in a wide variety of conditions such as toothache, bruises, chest pain, and cancer prevention and it tastes great. Google it for further details.