Hummus

Naturally gluten free and vegetarian, this takes only a few minutes to make, and you can skip using pita bread for dipping, because it is great with cucumber and carrot sticks.

I sprinkled mild paprika over the hummus to make it look pretty. Hummus goes great with sliced vegetables, especially carrots and cucumbers.

This version of hummus may be a little different than the ones you’ve had before. There is a bit of onion in it, and instead of lemon juice, I use apple cider or wine vinegar. It is gluten free and vegetarian and goes great with sliced vegetables, especially carrots and cucumbers, so you won’t miss the pita bread! I also like to dip olives in hummus.

To make this recipe, you’ll need either a food processor or blender, a sharp knife, a can opener, a strainer and bowl, and a spatula.

Ingredients:

1. 1 15.5 or 16 ounce can of garbanzo beans, aka chickpeas

2. 1/4 cup tahini

3. 2 tablespoons chopped yellow onion

4. 1 clove garlic

5. 1/8 teaspoon red chili/cayenne powder

6. 2 tablespoons olive oil (see note 1)

7. 1 teaspoon white wine or apple cider vinegar (see note 1)

All the ingredients you’ll need. The measuring cup at upper right contains the vinegar and olive oil I’ll be using.

Instructions:

1. Place the strainer in a bowl and empty the can of beans into it (you’re going to need half the liquid)

2. Put the beans and half of the liquid from the can in the food processor or blender with all of the other ingredients

3. Process on high until the hummus is smooth

4. Taste to see if you need more oil, vinegar, red chili, or salt—depending on how much salt is in the canned beans, you may need to add salt

5. Serve with sliced vegetables, GF crackers, or GF pita (see note 2)

I use a KitchenAid food processor I’ve had for many years.

Note:

1. I usually end up adding more olive oil and vinegar after I taste for seasoning.

2. I’ve never tried GF pita, so don’t know how good it is, or what brand to recommend. Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried it and if you’d recommend it.

Cat update:

Seraphina settles into a box. It’s her box now!

Like most cats, Seraphina loves exploring empty cardboard boxes.