Hummus
Hummus
(Serves 6)

1 cup dried Garbanzo Beans, soaked overnight
¼ tsp baking soda
2 cloves garlic
1 tblsp tahini paste
1-2 tblsp lemon juice
reserved water from boiling the garbanzo beans or plain water
1 tsp salt
½ tsp white pepper
1 tblsp olive oil


NOTES: You can also top the finished hummus with pesto, or a mix of virgin olive oil and sauted peppers, or olive oil, pine nuts and sundried tomatoes! As vast as your imagination!
 

In a medium to large pot put in the drained garbanzo beans, the baking soda, 1 tsp of salt and cold water, about an inch and a half over the top of the beans.
Bring to a boil and let simmer, after a few minutes you can skim the top foam off the boiling beans, then resume simmering for one hour. The beans are done when they are tender. At this point of the recipe you may substitute canned garbanzos (which are cooked already). Reserve the leftover water or liquid from the can for later in the recipe.
In a food processor, add the garlic and pulse the food processor until the garlic is minced, add in the garbanzo beans, white pepper and tahini paste. Have the leftover liquid from the can or the boiled beans ready and pulse the machine while adding the liquid. once it spins freely and fairy smoothly (churning the top of the pile also), stop adding liquid and let spin on high for about 5 minutes. Taste. Add in the lemon juice and the olive oil, let it spin for a minute and then taste it again. If the mix is not smooth enough let it run on high for a little longer. (If it is way too thick you can add some water or the reserved cooking liquid). Adjust your salt/pepper & lemon content at this point for your perfect balance.
Serve cold with swirl of good virgin olive oil & warmed pita bread and/or Crudités (raw vegetable slices). Also great as a spread for some vegetable sandwiches.