Hummus - The foundation of all that is good.

Darlings,You might notice that most of my recipes are derived from a few places - Asia, Spain, Northern Africa...But my most favorite place to find inspiration in the kitchen is from the middle east. It is incredible to me that so much love can be found in a bowl of hummus in the middle of so much hatred.I didn't grow up in a house full of traditions, but we always had hummus in the refrigerator. My mom hardly cooked at all, but she made a mean, garlicky hummus. To me, hummus makes everything better. Hummus makes everything taste like home. And I'm not talking about the stiff, cold "edamame" flavored stuff you find under the florescent lights of the nearest grocery store. Perhaps that has a place in life, but it is certainly not hummus. I'm talking about hummus - a simple mix of chickpeas, garlic, lemon, tahini, salt and oil. Simple, simple things that create such an amazing resolve.We keep hummus in the house always. With a spoon, with a carrot (but not the baby ones, please), with your finger - it doesn't matter.HUMMUSIngredients1 c. dried chickpeas, soaked overnight (with water and 1 tsp baking soda) until mushy. The mushier the better. (Also, I almost always cheat and use canned chickpeas)2 lemons, juiced1 c tahini7 cloves garlic, minced1 tbsp cumin (plus more to taste)2 tbsp olive oilMethod

1. In a food processor or blender, mix the lemon juice, tahini, garlic, salt, oil and cumin to make a paste.
2. To that add the mushy chickpeas and blend until smooth, and then blend until smoother, and then blend until smoothest.
3. Season with more salt or more cumin depending on your taste.

Enjoy.xoxolcf