Our Favorite Hummus

Prep: 10 min., Chill: 2 hr. Processing the hummus for one minute yields an extra-smooth consistency.

Yield: Makes 1 1/2 cups (serving size: 2 tablespoons)

Ingredients

• 1  (16-oz.) can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/3  cup  olive oil
• 3  tablespoons  lemon juice
• 1  teaspoon  minced garlic
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground cumin
• 1/4  teaspoon  ground red pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1  tablespoon  olive oil (optional)
• Garnish: lemon slice

Preparation

Process first 6 ingredients and 2 tablespoons water in a food processor 1 to 2 minutes or until smooth, stopping once to scrape down sides. Add salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a bowl. Cover and chill 2 hours or up to 3 days. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil just before serving, if desired. Garnish, if desired.

Spicy Cilantro-Lime Hummus: Prepare recipe as directed, substituting lime juice for lemon juice, increasing ground red pepper to 1/2 teaspoon, and adding 1/3 cup firmly packed chopped fresh cilantro and 2 teaspoons grated lime rind to the ingredients in food processor bowl. Garnish hummus with 1/8 teaspoon grated lime rind, if desired.

Per serving (2 tablespoons): Calories 89; Fat 6.3g (sat 0.9g, mono 4.4g, poly 0.8g); Protein 1.5g; Carb 6.9g; Fiber 1.3g; Chol 0mg; Iron 0.5mg; Sodium 92mg; Calc 11mg.

Roasted Red Bell Pepper Hummus: Prepare recipe as directed, omitting ground cumin and adding 1/2 cup roasted red bell peppers, chopped, and 2 tablespoons fresh oregano leaves to the ingredients in food processor bowl. Garnish hummus with dried crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.

Per serving (2 tablespoons): Calories 90; Fat 6.3g (sat 0.9g, mono 4.4g, poly 0.8g); Protein 1.5g; Carb 7.1g; Fiber 1.3g; Chol 0mg; Iron 0.4mg; Sodium 92mg; Calc 13mg.