Spicy Black Bean Hummus

Category Winner: Starters & Drinks. "I created this recipe three years ago based on a popular appetizer my friends ordered at a pizzeria in Greenville, South Carolina. I researched the ingredients and added my own variations to suit my preference for spicy flavors. I received glowing feedback from my husband and friends, and now I keep this recipe on hand for parties and tailgates." —Maureen Redmond, Easley, SC

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: about 2 1/2 tablespoons hummus and 4 chips)

Ingredients

• 1  garlic clove, peeled
• 2  tablespoons  fresh lemon juice
• 1  tablespoon  tahini (roasted sesame seed paste)
• 1  teaspoon  ground cumin
• 1/4  teaspoon  salt
• 1  (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1  small jalapeño pepper, chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
• Dash of crushed red pepper
• 2  teaspoons  extra-virgin olive oil
• Dash of ground red pepper
• 1  (6-ounce) bag pita chips (such as Stacy's Simply Naked)

Preparation

1. Place garlic in a food processor; process until finely chopped. Add lemon juice, tahini, cumin, salt, black beans, jalapeño pepper, and crushed red pepper; process until smooth. Spoon bean mixture into a medium bowl, and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle with ground red pepper. Serve with pita chips.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

148 (0.0% from fat)

Fat:

6.2g (sat 0.7g,mono 1.2g,poly 0.6g)

Protein:

4.5g

Carbohydrate:

20.6g

Fiber:

3.5g

Cholesterol:

0.0mg

Iron:

1.7mg

Sodium:

381mg

Calcium:

16mg