Old Standby - hummus

I call this The Old Standby because that's what it was BEFORE the celiac diagnosis and especially since.  It's a delicious appetizer, snack, or small meal and healthy to boot. It's also gluten free, dairy free, soy free, and egg free. whew!

warning: this is ADDICTIVE.  If you are not used to eating beans, make sure you drink plenty of water as you "snack".

 

ingredients:
1 16 oz can chickpeas (a.k.a. garbanzo, ceci), drained and rinsed
1-3 cloves garlic, chopped finely and mashed or squished in a garlic press
2 Tbsp Fresh lemon juice
1/2-1 tsp salt
1/3 cup tahini--sesame seed paste (you could also use sunbutter, almond butter, or peanut butter)
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)

instructions:
Place all of the above in a food processor and blend for 3 to 5 minutes.

Serve with fresh veggies-fresh zucchini is great, GF pitas (I use this recipe from Gluten Free Gobsmacked), or some Crunchmaster crackers.

To make it fancy:
sprinkle with paprika or red pepper flakes

• drizzle the top with more olive oil
• sprinkle with feta
• add roasted red pepper, roasted garlic, or black olives
• add chipotles and cilantro for a southwest flair
• sprinkle with some chopped parsley
• sprinkle with toasted pine nuts*
• mix & match

*Note: toast pine nuts in the oven at 350 for about 10 min or on the stove top on med-low.  Do. Not. Walk. Away. These things are expensive and will burn like a vampire at dawn.

*37 points plus for the entire recipe*